Like a Little Child

 

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, the praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. (Luke 23:44-48 ESV).

 

For many children the first bedtime prayer they are taught their parents is “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.” In Jesus’ day, little Jewish children were also taught a prayer. Every night, in houses all across the countryside, little children would pray the words of Psalm 31:5: “Into your hands I commit my spirit.” As parents tucked little ones into bed, each child spoke those comforting words of trust in the Lord. It’s likely that Jesus too was taught that prayer as a child. And some thirty years later it was the last thing he said before he took his last breath. On the cross Jesus had reached the climax and the end of his entire mission. And as he took his dying breath, his final words were the words of that prayer he learned at his mother’s knee: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

 

That’s the type of trust we’re all called to. Jesus had taught earlier that “anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15). Jesus approached his Father both in life and in death with that simple childlike trust: “Into your hands I commit my spirit.”

 

It is no easy task to live with this kind of faith. However, I find it easier when I remember that God’s love is far deeper and greater than mine. If I can be trusted even in the slightest way by my children, how much more ought I be able to trust Him? As fallible and weak as I am God is infallible and all-powerful; yet I use every bit of my strength and love to protect and keep my children safe. How can I doubt God’s love for me when He gave His only begotten Son on my behalf. Therefore, I know He will keep me forever in peace and love. Trust Him!

 

Gentleness in Our Speech

 

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. (James 3:5-12 ESV).

 

Perhaps there is no greater means of encouraging others than using gentleness in our speech. A common misconception is that gentleness is weakness or passivity. True gentleness, however, is just the opposite. It requires great strength and self-control. Gentleness comes from a state of humility. Therefore, someone who lacks gentleness is often prideful and easily angered or feels the need for revenge. To be gentle, we must not view ourselves as better than someone else. Rather than asserting superiority, someone who is gentle wants to help others, even when they have been done wrong.

 

The recording of Jesus’ interaction with the woman at the well in Samaria (cf. John 4) is a wonderful example of such strength with gentles in speech. When we are tempted to shout louder than we are being shouted at perhaps we should remember the example of our Savior. Just like how Jesus was gentle with the woman in this story, God is gentle with us. Even in our sin, He continues to love us. He does not keep a record of our wrongs but offers forgiveness through His work.

 

A gentle heart comes from having love for others, even those we disagree with the most. This is shown in our thoughts and in the way we interact with those around us. It is important to have an accurate perception of what gentleness is. It should not be seen as a weakness, but rather as a strength. When we see it this way, we can begin to work toward becoming gentler. By the way, this is not a matter of “decorum”; it is the will of God in our lives as believers.

 

Encourage the Fainthearted

 

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:14-24 ESV).

 

The Greeks had a word for “encouragement” that was quite similar to our understanding of “empathy”. It came from the idea of being with someone in their story. That’s the word Paul uses in our reading today for “helping the disheartened.” Disheartened people are those who have lost some of their hope. It doesn’t take much life to get into such a place. Many of us have experienced these moments. Perhaps it was during the challenges of poor health or financial setbacks. Whatever the circumstances, Jesus desires to comfort us with the empathy of others.

 

In our reading for today, Paul urges us to be our best selves for everyone we encounter. Some people find that easier to do than others do. People who are disheartened can be a bit difficult to spend time with. The emotions of others tend to affect us, so we might prefer to be with people who have happiness and excitement to share. But Paul points out that to be truly Christlike, we also need to give our time to those who are struggling.

 

It’s interesting that Paul also goes on to tell us to “rejoice always” (v. 16). Entering into a disheartening story should not dishearten us. It might make us sad or angry, but it shouldn’t cause us to lose hope. With hope we retain joy despite the sadness or anger we may feel with a disheartened friend, because we know that the disheartening things of this world do not have the final say. And we can bring that hope and joy into the other person’s story, doing so in a way that shows they are not alone. With that simple action, we can help to change their story by being a part of it.

 

I wonder if there’s someone in your life who needs such a friend… comfort them with the comfort you have received in Christ.

 

A Dreary, Rainy Day

 

[Moses said] “And the LORD heard your words and was angered, and he swore, ‘Not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land that I swore to give to your fathers, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He shall see it, and to him and to his children I will give the land on which he has trodden, because he has wholly followed the LORD!’ Even with me the LORD was angry on your account and said, ‘You also shall not go in there. Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it. And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.’” (Deuteronomy 1:34-39 ESV).

 

It’s a dreary, rainy Sunday here in Parker County as I sit at the computer to write a few devotionals for future publication. My thoughts are drawn to how often I easily fall prey to the temptation to allow my environment or circumstance to determine whether I am discouraged or encouraged. I thought there may be others who have found that to be true in their lives as well. So, I was taken to our reading today.

 

Moses had led God’s people out of Egypt and across the Red Sea (cf. Exodus 1-15). He had received God’s law and taught it to the people (cf. Exodus 20-50), and by God’s grace he had brought them to the edge of the promised land. But the people had rebelled, and God had turned them back to wander in the wilderness for forty years (cf. Numbers 13-14). Now they were about to enter the promised land again, but Moses would not be leading them in. God had chosen Joshua to do that instead.

 

In Deuteronomy, Moses gives his farewell address, and here he says God told him to “encourage” Joshua. More literally, this means “strengthen.” But couldn’t God have given Joshua all the strength he needed? Was that a bit like rubbing salt in Moses’ wounds? After all, wasn’t it natural for Moses to be discouraged by this command? Actually, it was a great gift to Moses to be the one to strengthen or encourage Joshua. As Moses empowers Joshua in front of everyone, Joshua steps in to continue Moses’ success rather than just being his replacement. Joshua’s success becomes part of Moses’ legacy. That’s the way of our Lord. Circumstances only “work together for our good” (Romans 8:28). That is where we place our trust… and that leads to encouragement in every circumstance!

 

Fruit on the Vine

 

[Jesus said] “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:5-8 ESV).

 

There’s a big difference in the taste of various varieties of grapes. In our part of the world the muscadine grapevine is a native wild species. The fruit (pictured here) ripens to a deep purple with a very thick skin and is seeded. I do not recommend using them as table grapes as they are very tart. However, by following the proper recipe, they make some of the best jams and jellies I’ve ever tasted. We have several vines in our “yard.” In fact one of the vines I’ve built and arbor and trained the vines to grow up the sides and across the top for easier harvest.

 

They remind me of Jesus’ teaching on our reading today. He said, “I am the true vine,” making clear that all the work of fruit bearing was to the glory of God, his Father. As Jesus’ followers, we’re called to bear fruit for God’s glory also. This means showing that we are Jesus’ followers, connected to him by the promised Holy Spirit. And by the power of the Spirit working in us, we will “bear much fruit.” This fruit takes shape in a variety of ways, always motivated by our love for our Lord.

 

I often wonder if we realize the great care the Lord takes to ensure that His vines produce a harvest that is both plentiful and good to eat. One of the vines I have grows wild and is the largest of the three I have. It does produce fruit; however, it is much more difficult to harvest than the other two. While I have not harvested as many from the other two, I rarely go to the longer, wild vine. I leave that fruit to the many wild animals and birds that frequent our place.

 

Jesus’ teaching is that we should be producing fruit. God desires us to do so. He works in us to make sure that we have fruit. It does require our trust in Him as we are led by the Holy Spirit. What kind of fruit are you producing?

 

What Does Faith Look Like?

But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too were found to be sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? Certainly not! For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:17-20 ESV).

 

Yesterday I emphasized the truth that Jesus is the Builder of the Church. He is the One who calls and equips every believer. Today’s reading gives a testimony of what it means to be a believer. Here Paul gets deeply personal about his relationship with Christ. He uses “I” several times to describe his own faith and trust in the Savior. It is a testimony we should read carefully, taking it to heart and applying it in our daily lives.

 

Paul explains earlier that he was once a severe legalist. He believed he could keep the law perfectly and be righteous before God, but that was impossible. There’s no way we can ever make ourselves right with God. We are made righteous only through believing a promise—that Jesus’ blood, shed on the cross, pays the whole debt of our sin. Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the law for us, and he is the only One who could do that because he never broke the law. He was totally without sin.

 

So, Paul learned, by grace, that he had to stop thinking he could earn salvation by trying to keep the law. Instead, he said, he had to die to the law to live for God. And he identified so closely with Jesus that he testified, “I have been crucified with Christ”—as if his own body had been stretched on the cross. So now, said Paul, his old way of life was dead: “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” This is the good news! We are not our own but are grafted into him who lives in us (cf. John 15).

 

Today as you go about your regular routine, will your words and actions be as Jesus’ words and actions? It is a question worth asking and honestly answering. If these are not like Him, perhaps our faith needs to be examined as well.

  

The Builder of the Church

 

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-19 ESV).

 

Whenever Mary and I can travel to the Smokies we inevitably end up driving through the 11-mile loop of Cades Cove. It is a beautiful part of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The views are spectacular; wildlife is often spotted along the road; and the restored buildings are rich in history. One of my favorite stops along the one-way route is the Primitive Baptist Church (pictured here). It is one of the churches that have been restored and open to the public. I suppose I’m a little partial to this church because of the original cornerstone placed just outside the building. It reminds me of the declaration of Jesus in our reading today.

 

No church building will last forever. It is after all merely temporary. However, since Jesus is the One who builds the church on the secure foundation of faith. The Church will never cease to exist until He comes again and re-establishes His kingdom on the earth forever. This was the heart of His teaching when He asked the disciples: “Who do you say I am?” Peter got the answer correct. And, as Jesus told Peter, it was God who revealed it to him. The Spirit of God gives us the faith to believe. God produces in us both the will to believe and the belief itself (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

What’s more, when we believe, we receive, like Peter, the promise of a future with Christ. Jesus says he will build his church—that is, the body of all believers—and the powers of death and hell will not overcome it. The main thing to remember here is that Jesus says, “I will build my church.” It’s not ours or anyone else’s. There are times when we are tempted to forget that truth. We must not give in to it! It is His from start to finish!

 

More than Conquerors

 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39 ESV).

 

It seems to me that we often stop celebrating Christ’s resurrection too soon. Just two weeks ago we celebrated Easter. Many of us sang, or even shouted, with excitement, “Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph o’er his foes,” and, “Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia!”

 

That leads me to a very important question: What are we excited about today? As we have seen in earlier devotionals, the book of Romans includes lots of life-giving truths. It’s also a letter in which Paul often breaks into a doxology— a hymn of praise to God. Our reading today from Romans 8 is an example. Paul piles reason upon reason for our rejoicing: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” And “who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” No one! “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” And we remember this is all based on Christ’s triumph over sin, death, and the grave for us.

 

I have often seen it written that “It is the promise of the gospel that whoever believes in Christ crucified shall not perish but have eternal life.” I wonder if that ought to motivate us to continue our rejoicing throughout the week. If the bible is true and clearly declares that nothing can separate us from the love of God shown in the risen Jesus, then how can we stop rejoicing? How can we keep from singing every day?

 

I’m often reminded how excited I can get when my favorite team walks off the field of play with a victory and how down I feel when they fall short. Listen… we will never lose this game called life when we belong to Jesus. He had won the final victory and NOTHING can separate us from that. We are more than conquerors in the greatest contest of all time! Now we need to act like it!

  

Are You Listening?

 

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” (Romans 10:17-20 ESV).

 

The cartoonist nailed many of the conversations Mary and I have each day. It usually begins with some innocent statement and inevitably ends in a serious declaration of how badly I need to see a doctor about my hearing. I could probably use an excuse about hearing loss. In fact, I often might answer with some sort of retort about the softness of her voice, or the road noise if we happen to be in the car. Perhaps someday I will actually do something about not hearing well.

 

But that’s not the kind of hearing Paul is talking about. He is showing us the difference between not hearing well and Not listening well. In our reading for today, Paul is quoting Psalm 19, which speaks of the heavens declaring God’s glory. But, as we know, not everyone pays attention to that message. The same happens when messengers bring the good news of God’s salvation. People don’t always listen. So, it’s not just a matter of hearing. Paul puts it plainly: “Did they not hear? Of course they did.” It’s a matter of paying attention and responding!

 

We must understand there’s a very clear picture of our response to the gospel. People respond with belief and acceptance, or they refuse to believe. Those who accept the gospel and embrace Jesus as Savior respond with genuine worship, grateful living, and a sure hope for eternal life. It’s humbling and important to realize this truth: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

My hope is that you will be listening very carefully as the Holy Spirit calls you to respond with this great gift of grace and faith.

 

Shipwrecked by Sin

 

For the wrath of God lis revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So, they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. (Romans 1:18-23 ESV).

 

If ever a passage of Scripture was being revealed in our world it is true for today. Our world is in a shambles. There are wars, rumors of wars, hunger, disease, lies and deceits, and all manor of immorality as we seem to find new ways to deny God and exchange His life for that which is merely a caricature of the glory of our eternal God. In the entire chapter of the Book of Romans, the apostle Paul explains that God made his “eternal power and divine nature” clear since the creation of the world, so there is no excuse for anyone who may claim they are not aware of God.

 

No thinking person can view a stunning panorama from a mountaintop, gazing up at a sky filled with stars, or admiring a glorious sunset, we are often filled with awe and wonder at our Creator. Even many people who don’t acknowledge the God of the Bible will exclaim, “Such beauty didn’t just happen by accident!” It’s a matter of opening eyes of faith and focusing on God instead of ourselves. God made us to glorify him and look to the needs of others, as he does for us. But too often we follow our own desires and ignore God, exchanging the truth for a lie (cf. Genesis 3:6). When we push God aside and pour all our energy into other things— career, sports, pleasure, politics, hobbies, trends, and more—we serve those things rather than the Creator. We glorify them instead of the God who made us. We mess up the good life he created us to enjoy.

 

If God didn’t step in to save us, we would have been lost forever. So, in response to God’s love, let’s not listen to lies like “There is no God” or “I am number one.” Instead, knowing the truth revealed in Jesus, we can shout our praise: “Thanks be to God, our Savior!”

 

Created, Chosen, Faithful

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing gin the heavenly places, heaven as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:3-10 ESV).

 

God’s gift of salvation for us started even before he created the world. This basic truth can really stretch our minds, and it shows us that God’s thinking is far beyond ours. Even when we think of all that God did to create our world—from the universe to our galaxy, to our planet, to all the plant and animal life around us, and to us humans— we are filled with awe and wonder. But then, to think that God chose us one by one to be saved in Christ even before he made all of this—it goes beyond our ability to understand.

 

So, there is great mystery here. But this doesn’t mean we are left confused or without understanding. As our Creator, God knows our minds, and God knows we can understand what it means to be chosen, and loved, and called to be holy. He tells us those things in his Word to us. And even though we can’t understand all that God does, we can be sure that he loves us and wants what is best for us. Far back in eternity God made plans to adopt us into his family so that we can have full life forever instead of dying in our sin and misery.

 

In the coming days, our reflections together will point us to the desired result of our position and calling. We are given the power and grace to be faithful. This is not a matter of being perfect; rather it is the process of being perfected. It is this process that we have come to know as “sanctification.” All along in our journey this results in our being ministers to one another in the varied circumstances of life. Knowing the source of this calling helps us become who we were intended to be. That is the source of true peace and joy.

 

What Does the Bible Say?

 

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. (Acts 17:10-12 ESV).

 

It is plain what the Bible says about itself (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16); however, it is important to realize that the early church both believed and practiced a faith in the Bible that was unwavering. Our reading today gives us an insight into the depth of that faith. The people in Berea carefully examined the Scriptures to make sure Paul’s teaching was true. They used the Scripture to validate the preaching and teaching of the apostle, which is precisely how it ought to be in our practice today.

 

When I was a young pastor, I liked to think I was a diligent student of the Scripture. I was competent in the Hebrew and more advanced in the Greek of the Scripture. It would not have been unusual to find me studying at a large table with both of those books and several other commentaries and lexicons. I wanted more than anything to make sure I was as close to the accurate interpretation of the Bible as possible. had studied, and I knew many of the important teachings of the Bible. Even now, five decades later, I am very careful to research the Scripture before I instruct others in it's truth.

 

In Paul’s day, the people in Berea didn’t have the Bible as we know it. They had the Hebrew Scriptures that make up the Old Testament in our Bibles today. So, to examine Paul’s teaching about Jesus as Savior (Messiah), they had to do some heavy study of Isaiah and other prophecies. I picture them pondering and having discussions at tables with scrolls unrolled—and then exclaiming, “Paul’s right—listen to this!”

 

Through the centuries we have had many scholars and theologians do the same. They have studied previous writers and measured them against the Scripture to determine the veracity of such teaching. So, as we begin another series in these devotionals we’ll revisit those truths as a way of celebrating that helpful work—and especially God’s gift of salvation!

 

The Cross of Christ - Pt. 7

 

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; gas the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called nin one body. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15 ESV).

 

There are some hurts in life that are hard to get over. Many of us carry grudges, anger, and bitterness toward others for some offense committed against us. It could be as minor as someone calling us a name or as major as a spouse who walks out on us. It is always destructive.

 

The Apostle Paul gives us the secret to being able to forgive and put down our grudges. It is always found at the Cross of Christ. He urges us to forgive as we’ve been forgiven. He wants us to see others’ offenses in light of the cross. The cross reminds us that the debt of our sin has been paid. God doesn’t hold our sins against us. He doesn’t make us pay, and he wants us to forgive and to free others just as we have been freed because of Christ’s finished work.

 

God’s grace puts things in perspective. At the cross we remember that our debt against God was far greater than others’ sins against us. We’ve been forgiven, and we need to forgive. This forgives not only sets others free from their debt towards us, but it frees our mind and spirit to experience the love and grace of God.

 

Forgiveness is not easy. Some­times, it takes a long time. It also doesn’t discount sin. Forgiveness is costly. Sin cost Jesus his life, and forgiveness will cost us our right to revenge. But it is so freeing.

 

Ask God to help you forgive those who’ve sinned against you.

 

The Cross of Christ - Pt. 6

 

[Jesus said] “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.” (John 14:25-31 ESV).

 

Our nation needs peace. There is so much conflict going on between people groups, nations, political parties, religious groups, churches, and even individual Christians. There’s internal conflict in the form of anxiety and stress. I’m not sure the unrest of the later sixties or early seventies are even comparable to the polarization evidenced in our nation today.

 

In our reading today, Jesus gives us the answer. He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (v. 27). Lasting peace can only come from Jesus. His peace is deep and soul satisfying. His peace brings wholeness. It’s like solving a puzzle. Jesus’ peace takes the scattered pieces and puts them in order. The result is peace in a variety of ways.

 

We can have peace with God through the covering of our sins. That leads to peace within as we know we have a Father who loves us. And, there’s peace with others as we learn to serve and be gracious and forgiving. Jesus’ peace is unique, much different from the world’s kind of peace. He said, “I do not give to you as the world gives.” The world seeks peace, but it only touches the surface of our lives. It may lead to a temporary end of conflict, but it cannot cure the source of that conflict — sinful human hearts.

 

Jesus is the great peacemaker. Trust in Him today! Emulate His example toward others!

 

The Cross of Christ - Pt. 5

 

He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of1 the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:13-17 ESV).

 

I am especially encouraged by our reading today. It means that Jesus cares for everyone, especially those who are outcasts and rejected. It’s important to remember that the people Jesus would spend time would include every strata of humanity, even the poorest and most misunderstood. He came to save saints and sinners. The only prerequisite was a sense of spiritual desperation..

 

Levi (also known as Matthew) was that sort of man. He was a tax collector for the Roman government. Like other tax collectors, he may also have been corrupt, growing rich by charging excessive taxes and pocketing the extra change. He was the kind of person that hardworking, respectable people didn’t like. Most would have thought he had no chance with God. Yet, he was someone whom Jesus went after in his grace. Levi was just the kind of person Jesus came to save.

 

Jesus’ words remind us that there’s no one his love cannot reach. He didn’t come “to call the righteous, but sinners.” He came to share God’s love with people who were spiritually sick and unsavory. He came for each of us, no matter our sin. And he has called us to follow him.

 

Jesus also calls us to reach out with his love. We ought to remember our call in building relationships with people in need of Christ, not simply other believers. Our churches should be more like hospitals where the sick and messy can find healing and mercy, than cathedrals enshrining the self-righteous and pridefully arrogant. The Cross of Christ was for all sinners… we should recognize that truth in our lives and the lives of others.

 

The Cross of Christ - Pt 4

 

Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; ball your waves and your billows passed over me. Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’ The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. (Jonah 2:1-6 ESV).

 

As we are continuing our look into the Cross of Christ we come to one of the most dramatic stories in the Bible. At the heart of this book and the way God dealt with the Prophet Jonah is the gospel. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh and call it to repent. Instead, Jonah ran from the Lord and boarded a ship heading in the opposite direction. God sent a storm that threatened to sink the boat. Jonah told the sailors that if they threw him overboard, the ship would be saved. So, they did, and Jonah was also saved when God sent a great fish that swallowed him and eventually spit him up on land.

 

Perhaps you’re not like I am in that you’ve never felt like you’re in the belly of a fish. Believe me when I say it is not a place anyone would want to be. Yet, here is the prophet being slowing dissolved in the belly of this enormous fish designed by God for just this moment. And Jonah prays. Our reading today includes both this prayer song of praise and thanks to God. Jonah recognized that God saved him from death and gave him a new chance in life. Jonah said, in effect, “I sank to the bottom of the sea, but God, you raised me up.” He ended with this confession: “Salvation comes from the Lord.”

 

Jonah’s story points to Jesus. Jonah was thrown into the sea so that the sailors would be spared. Jesus gave up his own life so that we can be spared from eternal death. Jesus also sank into the depths of a tomb, but God raised him up on the third day. Because of that work of grace, we now have a new future and deliverance from certain death.

 

However dark and despairing your circumstance may be, Jesus delivers us and sets us on firm land to continue our journey with hope and healing!

 

The Cross of Christ - Pt. 3

 

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:1-5 ESV).

 

Have you ever wondered whether Jesus really understands what you’re going through when you suffer? Suffering can be so lonely. We sometimes wonder whether anyone, especially Jesus, knows, cares, or can relate. Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be well acquainted with suffering. Jesus’ suffering started the first day of his life. Think about it: the Son of God was born without anyone noticing. How different it is today when royalty is born. There’s a nine-month birth watch. Not so with Jesus. He absolutely knows what it feels like to be forsaken, forgotten, and suffering. His suffering continued throughout his life. He was despised, hated, and rejected. He had no place to call home. There was nothing in his appearance to draw us to him. Jesus’ sufferings, though, were greatest at the end of his life. He was mocked, spit on, deserted by his disciples, and ultimately crucified. He died alone, carrying our sin.

 

Can Jesus relate to your suffering? Yes. But don’t forget that he suffered not just to relate but to save. His suffering was redemptive. He suffered for us so that our sufferings as believers might give us one more way to show we are becoming like him. Bring your sufferings to God in prayer and know that God cares because of Jesus.

 

There is also a sense in which we use this knowledge to relate to others who are suffering. When we know the presence of God in our lives, it gives us a message of hope for others. We can be “Jesus with skin on” for those who are suffering. These are the “least of these” Jesus spoke about when He directed us to service in His name. And, sometimes it may even mean going to our own cross.

 

The Cross of Christ - Pt. 2

 

All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore, the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?” But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” And the LORD said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” (Exodus 17:1-7 ESV).

 

Our reading today is a type of Jesus and His death on the cross. Just as the Lord provided for Israel in their wilderness journey, so also did He provide for every believer in the Cross of Christ. That’s very good news for us when life feels like a wilderness. Life can feel barren, empty, and dry. In those times God may seem far away. Israel went through that experience. They literally were in a wilderness, and there was no water to drink. It seemed as if God had abandoned them. They grumbled against Moses and blamed God for their desperate situation. They wanted God to prove that he still loved them.

Have you ever found yourself feeling the same thing?

 

God proved his love to Israel in an amazing, gracious way. God told Moses to strike a rock with his staff. This was the same staff that Moses had used to deliver God’s judgment of plagues on Egypt (cf. Exodus 7-10). God put himself at the rock as well, and the result was water for the people to drink.

 

At the cross of Jesus, something similar happened. Jesus put himself willingly on the cross for our sake so that we could receive the water of life (see John 4:14; 7:37-39). Paul put it this way: “[Israel] drank from the spiritual rock . . . and that rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4). When life feels like a wilderness, we can look at the Cross and see the life-giving love of our Savior, Jesus.

 

The Cross of Christ - Pt. 1

 

See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. (Galatians 6:11-15 ESV).

 

There are as many styles, shapes, and types of crosses as there are the creative imagination of man. We have seen them through the centuries as they have become the centerpiece of the Christian faith. That is of some interest to me because the cross is not the sole image of our faith and hope. Without the empty tomb the cross is merely half the message of the gospel. However, the cross is certainly impactful. In the next few days I hope to explore some of what the New Testament teaches concerning the cross in our lives. Today we begin with the Apostle Paul’s declaration that he will “boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 9).

 

Of course, nobody likes a boaster or bragger. Boasting is self-centered. It shows that we think we’re better than others. When we boast, we’re obsessed with ourselves and our accomplishments. But we all do it. Parents boast about their kids. Athletes boast about their awards. Students boast about their grades. Paul is talking about his desire to boast, but what makes his boasting unusual was that he boasted about something completely outside himself: the cross of Christ.

 

He was obsessed with Jesus and his work on the cross. Paul had many things that he could boast about, such as his heritage and his careful obedience to the law. But he realized that the cross of Christ was his only real reason to boast. Only that could give him eternal life. The cross marks a new beginning for us with God. It’s where our sins were put to death. It’s where our forgiveness was secured. It sets a new direction for our life with new pleasures, passions, and pursuits. As we learn more of what that should be, let’s make it our desire to center our attention on the Cross of Christ!

 

That's Why They Call It Fishin' And Not Catchin'!

 

On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. (Luke 5:1-6 ESV).

 

I remember when my dad first took me fishing. I was always more interested in catching fish than fishing in those early years. I suppose all youngsters are. He would always remind me “that’s why they call it fishin’ and not catchin’!” I passed that same proverb on to my sons as well. I suppose it caught on. They all seem to enjoy being in the outdoors and “fishing.” However, I cannot deny that catching fish is a lot of fun too. The picture I’ve attached is of my youngest grandson as he and David took a birthday trip out fishing. He was helped in his catch by the captain of the boat. It may not seem significant unless you know your species from that area. It is a goliath grouper. This one is a very young fish as they can grow to be 700-800 pounds! He was both amazed and very happy.

 

Our reading tells a similar story. Simon had worked hard all night without catching anything, so going out again and expecting a different result would not have been a likely plan for success. By the time Jesus asked, Simon’s boat was moored and the nets had been washed. It was time to call it quits. So, it is easy to imagine Simon brushing Jesus’ request aside. What could a builder’s son possibly tell a fisherman about fishing?

 

But this was Jesus asking. Jesus had been teaching people from the boat while Simon was cleaning his nets. Perhaps Simon had heard something that made him pay attention. So, when Jesus asked him to put out into deep water and “let down the nets for a catch,” Simon said, “Because you say so, I will.” As we go forward from Easter this year, it can be easy to feel as if we’ve worked hard all night without catching anything. For all our efforts we still struggle with the same problems and temptations. Listen to the “Captain of the boat.” Keep fishin’ when He tells you too, and you will also do some catchin’!

 

The Monday After Easter

 

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshipped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20 ESV).

 

There are times when I think we truly believe the sentiment on the picture I’ve attached today. It’s the Monday after Easter… and the only real difference is that now the leftover candy is half off at the stores. I mean it is the day after – it is Monday. We’ve packed our churches, hunted Easter eggs, sliced ham, eaten Cadbury eggs, dressed in vibrant colors, and hailed the resurrection of the Lord as the greatest day in the history of the Church and the world. For many Easter is now over, and it’s time to move on to the next thing.

 

How easy it is to move from Easter Sunday to an ordinary Monday, living life as if the resurrection was just an event! We’ll ask others how their Easter was, and then move on to the weather, politics, work, the latest TV show and how irritated we are with people. Too often we are unaware of the significance of all that we heard and celebrated the previous day. We celebrated a risen Lord who now resides inside of us, giving us power to walk in this life. Yet, too many will continue to fight sin in their own strength, walk through life as if they walk alone, and battle a nagging fear of death and even a fear of life. The resurrection will fade into the white noise of life, making no noticeable impact.

 

We are not sure what the disciples did on the Monday after Easter. Perhaps they stayed together celebrating the news of the resurrection. Perhaps they laughed, worshiped and Easter joy flooded their day. Maybe they kept a low profile in case soldiers or other religious leaders were looking for them. Perhaps they sat around having conversations trying to piece together exactly what occurred. We can’t be certain of anything that happened on Monday, but we can be certain of one thing: their lives were never the same. Easter changed their lives! Do not allow the day after Easter to take away the power, encouragement, hope, and celebration of the resurrection. The tomb is still empty and no matter what Monday brings, Jesus is still alive! As you face today, this week and the future, keep the empty tomb at the forefront of your thoughts. There is still real power, hope, victory, and confidence because of a risen Savior.