Jesus Turned and Looked

 

Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:54-62 ESV).

 

Today we find a calendar day that only comes once every four years. It is the added day that keeps the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical year or seasonal year. It is a bit unusual because of its relatively rare occurrence. There are those times when we come to a passage that is so often taught from one point of view that deviating from that perspective becomes just as unusual. Today I want to look at this familiar story and do just that. Instead of focusing on Peter’s denial, we should look at Jesus’ reaction.

 

Following Peter into the courtyard, it’s more important to focus on Jesus’ love than on Peter’s failure. Failure feels so final, and a fall like Peter’s can seem fatal. But falling down doesn’t mean staying down. At the high priest’s house, Peter drew close to the fire in the courtyard and sat among the people there. Accusations and denials followed. Wanting to be close to Jesus, Peter had placed himself in a vulnerable position. After the third denial, as Jesus had foretold, a rooster crowed. Peter had fallen hard!

 

But let’s focus on the Lord’s reaction. It’s deliberate: “the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.” It was not the look of condemnation or rejection. Jesus knew Peter’s daring and impetuous nature, just as he knows us. We want to do right, but we mess up. Jesus’ eyes on Peter would have shown hurt, but also love and compassion. The Lord’s look was the look of God’s redeeming, restoring love. Peter had fallen, but Jesus also looked and found him. He’s still doing the same with us.

 

The Mission of Jesus

 

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” (John 18:1-5 ESV).

 

As we’ve traveled with Jesus to Jerusalem, we’ve seen that he is not a pawn on a chessboard moved about by an unseen force. He is the Son of God on a mission! And this mission will bring him to intense suffering and death on a cross and then to victory over death—all for our sake!

 

Today’s reading follows an intense time of teaching and prayer on Jesus’ final evening with his disciples. Just a little while earlier, he prayed fervently for himself, his disciples, and his future followers (cf. John 17). What follows is an encounter with Judas, his betrayer, and some officials and soldiers sent by the ruling religious leaders.

 

Reminding us of who’s in charge, John writes that “Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him,” approached the soldiers and asked, “Who is it you want?” When they said they were looking for Jesus, he stated boldly, “I am he!” And as the King spoke, they all fell to the ground!

 

After another round of questioning Jesus said with authority, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” Jesus had a cup of suffering and death to drink, and nothing would prevent him from taking it, for the sake of all whom he would save. He submitted to his Father’s will (cf. Luke 22:42). This kind of commitment is what Jesus desires from us. Of course, we will not attain the same perfection as Jesus, however, our intention should be to follow His example in life. This intentional determination is not without cost. It is a difficult path to walk. However, the reward is the knowledge that we are perfectly settled in His purpose as we continue. That brings enormous peace and joy!

 

You Know the Way

 

[Jesus said] “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:1-6 ESV)

 

Recently Mary and I spent a few days in the mountains just outside of Blue Ridge, Georgia. The cabin was located very near the southern end of the Appalachian Trail. One day David and I took the kids up to the nearest trailhead to hike a bit of it and cross a suspension bridge that had been built there. As you can see from the picture, we were all smiles at seeing the bridge. I must confess to a bit of unease as we actually walked across, and Maggie began to sway the bridge a bit. One of the things that was an interesting educational moment happened when we first began the trail. You may be familiar with the blazes placed along the way on trees marking the trail. Explaining that to the kids was fun. We have such a “blaze” marking our way to eternal life… He is Jesus!

 

In our reading today, Jesus is dealing with deeply troubled disciples. Knowing he would soon be arrested and condemned to die, he told them he would be with them “only a little longer.” And he added, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” For these devoted disciples, that was troubling! Jesus followed this with a new command to “love one another.” Still, Peter wanted to know more and claimed he would lay down his life for Jesus. Then Jesus predicted that Peter would betray him. Sensing their troubled hearts, Jesus comforted them. He was leaving to prepare places for them—rooms in his Father’s house. He said, “You know the way.” But Thomas objected, saying, “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going, so how can we know the way?”

 

Jesus responded with an amazing “I am” statement, underscoring exactly who he was, in a way like God did for Moses many years earlier (cf. Exodus 3:14). Let there be no mistake: Jesus is Lord, one with the Father. And he’s the only way to the Father and to full, eternal life (cf. John 10:10). Jesus came to reveal God the Father’s love (John 3:16). And we find comfort in his words: “Believe in God; believe also in me.” He’s our only way to our heavenly Father. That’s why we read these comforting words at bedsides and gravesides. Hold on to them!

The Cost of Betrayal

 

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. (Matthew 26:14-16 ESV).

 

Our reading today gives us the amount Judas Iscariot was paid to betray Jesus. There has been some disagreement about the actual value of the “thirty pieces of silver”, although most scholars have observed that one silver coin was a working man's wage. Therefore, in modern terms, a worker getting $15 an hour in an eight-hour day would earn $120; and, then we could say that thirty days' wages would be $3,600. I seems a paltry sum of money for such a devastating act of evil.

 

Perhaps you have been betrayed by someone you trusted, perhaps even considered a friend. Using words like trust, betray, and friend in the same sentence brings out painful emotions. Jesus experienced that kind of pain. We see the Apostle John tell us in the Gospel: “Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, ‘Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.’” (John 13:21). Jesus knew Judas’s heart of deception. He knew Judas would betray him as soon as he had the opportunity.

 

Perhaps Judas was motivated by money, though given the small amount that seems unlikely. We do know from another passage that he was “keeper of the money bag” for Jesus and the disciples, and that “he used to help himself to what was put into it” (cf. John 12:6). When Judas asked the religious leaders, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” was it silver he had in mind or something bigger? They counted out thirty pieces of silver, and Judas began watching for an opportunity.

 

As a disciple, Judas had heard Jesus teach about trust and friendship. They’d traveled together for three years as Master and disciple. Judas had watched Jesus heal people and calm a stormy sea. We can only wonder what happened to him to cause such a cruel betrayal. Whatever motivated him, Judas betrayed his Master. But Jesus was faithful, motivated by love for us and his Father. That ought to be motivation enough for us to be faithful, loyal followers. Meditate on your relationship to Jesus in the coming weeks before Easter.

 

The Authority of Jesus

 

And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” (Matthew 21:23-27 ESV).

 

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem stirred the whole city and roused the people to parade and celebrate, even if they didn’t understand the full purpose of his mission. Then he surprised more than a few when he overturned tables and drove traders and money changers out of the temple for setting up shop where people were supposed to have a place for prayer. With the chief priests and the elders, we might also have asked by what authority Jesus was doing these things.

 

Realizing they were not dealing with just another radical rabbi, Jesus’ questioners sensed something bigger happening. They had done the same when John the Baptist gained a following (cf. John 1:19-27). Responding with a question, Jesus forced them to acknowledge the authority of John’s baptism. After a telling discussion, the leaders showed their own fear of the people and answered, “We don’t know.” What an admission! Who had the upper hand now? Then Jesus showed his authority by simply stating, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” And yet it was clear the authority was from God.

 

As we celebrate Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter in the weeks ahead, it’s vital to remember that Jesus proved his authority as the Son of God, sent from heaven. He’s the one we need to believe and follow!

 

The Wee Little Man Who Climbed a Tree

 

He entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.” (Luke 19:1-9 ESV).

 

Almost everyone has heard the children’s Bible song describing the events of our reading today. The first stanza is: “Zaccheus was a wee, little man, and a wee, little man was he. He climbed up in a sycamore tree, For the Lord he wanted to see.” It is a great story. On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus passed through Jericho. There a tax collector, who had often cheated his own people out of tax money for the oppressive Roman Empire, climbed a tree to see Jesus. God’s Spirit must have been working mightily in Zacchaeus’s heart to make him run and risk embarrassment by scrambling up a tree.

 

Noticing him, Jesus summoned Zacchaeus. And the short swindler came at once. Then Jesus announced that he would visit with this man at his home, a gesture of being on friendly terms. The people in the crowd muttered. Without knowing all that was said, we hear Zacchaeus respond to Jesus by acknowledging him as Lord, giving away half of his possessions, and making restitution to anyone he had cheated. Zacchaeus’s life was changed! Salvation had come to his house!

 

Lost sinners become sons and daughters of the King. Cheaters and prostitutes, crooked bankers and unfaithful spouses—Jesus came to find them all. He has to be with them. That’s why he came. When the grace of God comes to us changes take place. Cheating stops, lying ends, relationships are restored, and the poor are cared for. Jesus came to save those who are lost. Welcome Him in your life!

 

Camels and Needle Eyes

 

And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:23-27 ESV)

 

It’s good to be reminded that we can’t earn our way into heaven. Just prior to our reading today we see the story of an eager rich man who came to Jesus and asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He wanted to do something! Jesus reminded him of God’s commandments, and the man figured he had that covered. “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. But then Jesus showed that keeping the law is impossible for us. This man, for example, had missed the heart of the law—that is, to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself (cf. Mark 12:30-31). Though he may have focused on the do’s and don’ts of the law, the man had missed the heart of it—and had broken the whole thing.

 

The Scripture says he went away “sorrowful.” The idea there is that he lost all hope as he realized he couldn’t buy or inherit eternal life. Jesus could see what was lacking in the man’s life, so he prescribed the cure. The man’s problem was his attachment to wealth, and that was preventing him from living totally for God. As the man heard Jesus tell him to do what he just couldn’t do, his face paled and drained of life. What a picture of sadness. If he didn’t let go, his wealth would sink him. For this man, his riches were like a millstone tied around his neck as he was being thrown into the deepest part of the sea.

 

Being possessed by our possessions—no matter how much we have—makes us unable to accept God’s gracious love. Salvation is possible—but only with God. And we can’t earn it; it’s a gift of grace! This is the context of Jesus’ declaration that “all things are possible with God” (v. 27). That is the message we all need! That is the message of Lent!

 

Two Men, Two Prayers

 

He [Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted din themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14 ESV).

 

Our reading today was easily understood by His disciples. They were very familiar with Pharisees and tax collectors. Here Jesus teaches that we do not get right with God on our own merits. There’s no room for confidence based on what we have done, no looking down on anyone. It’s always by grace—based on God’s mercy. The true nature of our prayers ought to be that of humility.

 

We see two men and two very different prayers. The Pharisee, at prayer, proclaimed his good deeds and then pointed his finger, saying, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people … or even like this tax collector.” He was full of himself! By his way of thinking, he didn’t even need God’s mercy.

 

Then Jesus described the vastly different prayer of a person who saw that he needed mercy. Tax collectors were seen as traitors, leeches on society, people to be avoided. And this was not someone claiming any self-earned righteousness! Without pretensions and with an aching heart, the man pleaded for God’s mercy.

 

Pride sees no room for mercy, no need for forgiveness. Grace has no place when we’re full of ourselves. Jesus declared the tax collector justified. Jesus’ parables make us look at ourselves. With whom do we identify—the Pharisee or the tax collector? The greatest tragedy is that the prayer of the prideful, religious man was not heard, nor did it make any difference in that man’s spiritual condition. Practice humility always, especially in your prayer life.

 

Which Group Are You In?

 

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:11-19 ESV).

 

Our reading today takes us a bit further along the journey through Lent. As Jesus makes His way to Jerusalem for the last time, He and His disciples meet ten men suffering from leprosy. As was the requirement, they cried out in warning. It was accompanied by a cry of mercy since they realized who approached. Asking no questions, he said simply, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” According to custom, the priests would determine if they were healed. The ten men obeyed, and along the way they noticed they were healed. It was obvious.

 

I can’t imagine their elation. What would have been lifelong banishment was over! They were cleansed, and now they could be part of the community again. They could go home! However, our lesson comes from the example of “the foreigner.” He saw his healing and hurried back, praising God with excitement, not caring what anyone thought. He was loud. He was ecstatic. After all, he was healed! Throwing himself at Jesus’ feet, the Samaritan did what we expected from all ten who had been healed. He took the time to thank his healer.

 

Yet where were the other nine? Jesus’ question prompts us all to think about our thankfulness. The thankful Samaritan was healed physically and spiritually, as Jesus pointed out: “Your faith has made you well.” Healed from the deadly disease of sin, we need to ask, “How do I express thanks for my healing?” Which group do you walk with… the grateful or not?

 

Can You Hear Me Now?

 

And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.” (Matthew 20:17-19 ESV).

 

“Can you hear me now” — that was the phrase we used to use often in the early days of cell phones. The connection would “cut out” due to spotty coverage and you’d ask “can you hear me now” before resuming the conversation. Well, Verizon stole that and every time their “Test Man” asked it, he waited a beat and then said “Good.” It was a genius marketing campaign that netted millions of dollars in new customers for their company. I wonder if Jesus wanted to ask the same thing of His disciples in some of His teachings!

 

On the journey to Jerusalem Jesus predicts that his death will take place there. It will include betrayal and condemnation by the religious leaders of his people. Those who should be welcoming him as the promised Messiah will instead sentence him to suffering and death, handing him over to mocking, flogging, and crucifixion by the Romans.

 

Then Jesus also predicted that he would rise again! But it seems that after hearing the predictions about Jesus’ suffering and death, the disciples somehow tuned out. It’s as if they missed hearing the promise that “on the third day” he would be “raised to life!” When the time came and Jesus died on a cross, the disciples were a despondent group of followers wondering what had happened. They scattered in fear, leaving the burial and preparations to others. (cf. Matthew 26:56; 27:45-28:10.) There was no expectation of Jesus’ coming to life again!

 

I wonder if we are any different. We hear dire economic warnings or a doctor’s frightening diagnosis, and we forget Jesus’ words: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). We experience ridicule or rejection and forget that Scripture warns that we may be called to share in Christ’s sufferings (cf. John 15:18-20; Romans 8:17). This Lent make an intentional commitment to listen. There’s nothing wrong with the “cell service” between us and our Lord. We serve a risen Savior!

 

The Path to Greatness

 

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:1-6 ESV).

 

It should not surprise us that the disciples approached Jesus with a question about greatness. Many people have the same obsession today. We have even dedicated a new acronym in recent years to describe the greatest of people. We call them the “GOAT”, or simply the greatest of all time. Greatness is certainly a worthy goal to pursue. Jesus knowing this to be true was ready with an answer to their question. Jesus called a little child to stand in their midst. And he underscored his point with “Truly I tell you …” (a “Listen up!” expression). Then he explained that they needed to change and become like children—not childish, of course, but recognizing that they need God’s care and provision constantly.

 

To be childlike is to be trusting, truthful, and teachable. And unless they became that way, they wouldn’t even be part of God’s kingdom. Kingdom life is about service and humility. No one has a reason to think they are greater than another. Childlike, kingdom members accept God’s love, and, knowing the joy of being loved, concentrate on being loving. Trusting in God’s love, they also know God is working all things for good in every circumstance (cf. Romans 8:28).

 

Like a child, a truthful person needs no pretentiousness. It’s all a matter of being humble and honest, admitting that we can be weak and sinful and need God’s help always. And, of course, humility means being teachable. Children are curious; they want to learn. Similarly, there is no end to learning about faithful discipleship. What better time could there be than during this season of prayer and reflection to examine our need to be great disciples!

 

Come Home!

 

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:20-24 ESV).

 

Perhaps it’s because I have three sons that I favor this parable found in Luke’s Gospel. It is certainly a very powerful parable. It illustrates grace and forgiveness so well. Jesus told this story so that we could learn more about his Father—the God of love, patience, and forgiveness. He’s also the God who “so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16). He’s the heavenly Father filled with compassion for his lost children. It’s a loving father who’ll provide an inheritance that is normally given only upon death. It’s a patient father who watches for a wayward child to return home. It’s a forgiving father who restores a son’s dignity with a robe, ring, and sandals—signs of sonship, of belonging. It’s a joy-filled father who celebrates with feasting and dancing.

 

God’s love for us is demonstrated further as we see the father reaching out patiently to an angry older brother. He wants him to join the family party. After all, “this brother of yours was dead and is alive again.” There’s reason to celebrate—all the children are home!

 

Whether we’ve been lost or always at home, our heavenly Father delights in calling us his children. Our God is a faithful Father to his Son, Jesus, and to all the brothers and sisters invited to join the grand, eternal celebration of his love and forgiveness. Regardless of where you’ve been or what you’ve done, your heavenly Father waits for you to show His compassion and grace toward you. Come home!

 

The Cost of Repentance

 

Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:25-33 ESV).

 

Repentance is costly. While grace is free, discipleship is costly. Traveling with Jesus is not the same as following Jesus. Large crowds gathered around him and even traveled with him, but he called for them to be more involved. If people were going to be Jesus’ followers, they needed to know what they were doing. They needed to listen carefully and to count the cost of commitment. In our reading today, Jesus underscored this by saying, in effect, “Listen up! What I’m saying is important!”

 

Being a follower of Jesus Christ calls for sober self-denial as well as a willingness to always put Jesus first. Using strong exaggeration, Jesus demands our loyalty to him over our concerns for self or family or anything else. Cross-carrying is not for the faint of heart. It requires constant dedication and obedience. Christ followers are called to finish what they have started.

 

There aren’t many projects I have started and never finished. Though I must confess there are two projects sitting on my workbench in the shop now that are not quite done. I started them before I became sick. My hope is the I will feel better soon and get them finished. I have not put them out of sight so that I am reminded that there is yet work to be done. That’s true in every area of our life if we have life. I hope you are thinking of your “projects” during this time. Persevere to the end. The person who wants to follow Jesus must know that to be useful and effective for the kingdom of God means counting the cost and remaining committed to the end!

 

The Lament of Jesus

 

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered jyour children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Luke 13:31-35 ESV).

 

In our reading today we see the sorrow of Jesus over His people. Some Pharisees came to Jesus to warn him. They didn’t want any trouble in their area. Trouble in their territory would affect their status, their prized positions. So they urged him to “go somewhere else.” But Jesus wasn’t about to be rushed, or to bend to the Pharisees’ wishes. He was journeying toward Jerusalem. He had to go there. He knew that death awaited him there, and he had ministry work to do along the way. His mission included driving out demons and healing people as he headed resolutely toward Jerusalem.

 

Knowing he’d be killed there as other prophets had been, Jesus spoke of his love for his people. He used the image of a hen who gathers her chicks under her wings. It’s a perfect picture of protection. It is an incredible picture of the protection Jesus desires to provide for all His people. And it is also a poignant lament showing his sorrow for sinners—Jerusalem’s children. Their unwillingness to accept him would lead to judgment and desolation. Then, using words from Psalm 118, he pointed to the day when the enemy will be defeated. There will be rejoicing for all who have accepted Christ’s offer of protection, the offer of salvation in his name.

 

Here, at the start of the Lenten Season we are provided with another opportunity to repent. Unlike the Pharisees, do not tell Jesus to go away!

 

Almsgiving

 

[Jesus said] “Fear not, little flock, for tit is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:32-34 ESV).

 

“Almsgiving” … there’s a word we don’t hear very much anymore. Perhaps we should, though I know we have come to use other words in its place. A simple definition for “Almsgiving” is the act of giving charity to another. Almsgiving has been around for thousands of years and is referred to as charity, philanthropy, or giving to the poor. Giving (alms) is the primary means by which many Christians and other faith traditions express faith. Almsgiving is one of the three tenets of Lent.

 

Jesus’ words in our reading today are probably among his most assuring as well as his most challenging. After a warning about selfishness, Jesus told his disciples not to worry about food and clothing. But we know we can’t just sit back and watch food and clothing drop like manna from heaven. Even birds don’t have food delivered to them. They work hard to gather their food.

 

Jesus also reminds us that by worrying we will not add “a single hour” to our lives. He teaches us about trust and faith. Lent is a great time to reconsider how we order our charity in the plan of personal ministry. In doing so, we need to trust that God will provide as we work, and we need to have a faith that expresses itself in concern for his kingdom’s causes.

 

When we accept Christ’s invitation to follow him, we commit ourselves to making his kingdom the priority in our lives. God knows our needs, and he will provide. Knowing that, we need to make sure that our primary concern is to glorify him and love others as ourselves—and certainly not to pursue our selfish wants.

 

Our heart commitment always reveals itself in the priorities we pick. Doing so, we’ll grow in grace and show others the way of the kingdom.

 

Ash Wednesday, 2024

 

For everything there is a season, and la time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ESV).

 

Today is Ash Wednesday. Many Christians mark this as the first day of Lent, a season of reflection and repentance leading up to Resurrection Sunday (Easter). In some church traditions a mark of ashes is placed on a person’s forehead, as a reminder of sin and of Christ’s sacrifice to save us. In the Old Testament, people put on sackcloth and ashes as a sign of mourning—often because of their sins. They recognized that their sins grieved their Lord and God.

 

Similarly, people would be anointed with oil as a sign—but not of mourning. Being anointed with oil was a sign of favor and holiness, a calling that God had in mind for you. This was an outward sign of an inner reality. If you or your children have been baptized, the symbolism is similar. Baptism marks us as God’s covenant children, called to be part of his family. The water symbolizes the washing away of sin and the rising to new life we receive in Christ.

 

Today is a day to confess our sins and to continue in our journey toward holiness as we reflect on the journey of Christ to the cross. It is a time to mourn our shaky obedience. But it is also a time to celebrate. We take comfort and joy in the fact that Christ’s sacrifice for us paid all the penalty for our sin. We can go forward in calm, delightful assurance that Jesus’ anointing becomes ours, with the promise of new life with God forever!

 

The Lenten Journey - Pt. 3

 

Now as they went on their way, Jesus4 entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42 ESV).

 

Today is the day before Ash Wednesday, which will begin Lent for many believers. It is known as “Fat Tuesday” in many circles. The reason for that moniker is the practice of splurging in preparation for the sacrifices of Lent. It is a “last meal” of sorts. Many cities have made this day into a grand celebration known as “Mardi Gras.” Rather than chase that rabbit, I would simply remind us that it is a great day to focus on priorities. It’s a need we have in a world of distractions, and we’re wise to gather our thoughts on what we seek to gain, not what we will give up during this time of preparation for Easter.

 

Our reading today is a story about Mary and Martha. Imagine the scene. Jesus is in the main gathering room, teaching the truths of the kingdom, explaining how God calls everyone to live. The disciples interject with their questions, and Mary is taking it all in. In the meantime, hostess Martha has been preparing a meal of tasty meat, bread, and vegetables—all by herself. She’s frazzled. She’s about to explode! Lamenting her lonely task, Martha complains to Jesus, “Don’t you care … ?” Jesus surprises us with his answer. He recognizes Martha’s concerns and her being upset, but instead of agreeing with her, he commends Mary’s choice of listening to the words of her Lord. Mary has chosen the better thing to do, and Jesus promises it will serve her well.

 

We need to choose, each week, what is the better thing for us to do. Distractions abound, but followers of Jesus who get distracted from God’s grace will certainly be the worse for it. Keep you eyes on the prize of this great calling God has given you.

 

The Lenten Journey - Pt. 2

 

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:57-62 ESV).

 

Experience has taught me that it’s easier to begin a project than to sustain it over a long period of time. The initial enthusiasm launches us with a great deal of excitement, but determination is needed to maintain and finish a project. This determination is the resoluteness I wrote about yesterday. Our reading today follows that declaration of Jesus being resolute in going to Jerusalem. It gives us an important key to understanding how we can be more like Him in our perseverance. It involves looking forward rather than backward.  

 

In this reading today, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem where He meets a man who says spontaneously, “I will follow you wherever you go.” But the man did not know where Jesus was headed and what would be involved. Speaking of himself as “the Son of Man,” Jesus made clear that following him would bring hardships that most people would want no part of. Then Jesus said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man scrambled for excuses, saying he first had to bury his father. In that day, that meant looking after his ailing father (and other family members) at least until the father died. If the father had already died, the man would already be in mourning and would not have been able to join the curious crowd around Jesus that day. Then, in his response to another man, Jesus indicated that there can be no turning back in service to him. Jesus taught that following him calls for total commitment. He’s our example. Knowing what lay ahead, he set out and stayed faithful to the end. Being fit for service involves more than good intentions.

 

Regardless of your past, fix your eyes forward on Jesus. He has already set the path for us. Start small and finish the task. Be simple and go forward to the profound.

 

The Lenten Journey - Pt. 1

 

When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. And they went on to another village. (Luke 9:51-56 ESV).

 

I saw an interesting take on the idea of “giving up something” for Lent recently. One writer simply wrote: “I’m giving up my New Year’s resolutions for Lent.” It reminds me of the common proverb that “Resolutions were meant to be broken.” You may even fall into that category. Perhaps you made some resolutions last month as the New Year began. Some people resolve to lose some weight, or to be more kind to a difficult person, or to be more faithful in Bible reading. But it’s hard to keep resolutions. Many times they fall by the wayside of our busy, complicated lives.

 

As a contrast, notice today’s reading. It tells us that Jesus “resolutely set out for Jerusalem.” For him, it was more than an improvement program; Jesus was fully aware that suffering and death on a cross awaited him. He knew he had to die in our place to pay for our sins. And he was determined to accomplish his mission. Later we read, “Jesus went … teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem” (Luke 13:22). He was resolute about doing his Father’s will, even if it meant rejection and death. Jesus also faced rejection along the way. Because he was headed to Jerusalem, he wasn’t welcomed in a Samaritan village. What a tragic rejection based on national identity! The disciples reacted as we might have done, but Jesus rebuked their desire for revenge. He came to redeem, not to destroy. Later he said, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). So, he continued on to Jerusalem, to fulfill his purpose for our sake.

 

Ash Wednesday is just a few days away. I hope the devotionals in these coming days will rejuvenate your desire to being “resolute.”

 

Lent, 2024 - Pt. 5

 

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (Romans 12:9-12 ESV).

 

The third reason to observe the season of Lent is a bit more subtle than the previous two. It gives those of us who are not “liturgical” in our practice to connect with other believers who are. We may find common ground with other congregations through the discovery of the progression of seasons for anticipation, reflection, and activity. It includes the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, and Pentecost, as well as “ordinary” worship times. The liturgical calendar offers a rhythm to the worship year for which many evangelicals have found a renewed appreciation. Southern Baptist writer and musician, Bobby Gilles, shares his views about the liturgical calendar:

 

More and more Christians are rediscovering this historic practice and growing in the truth and knowledge of Christ. We shouldn’t treat the church calendar as if it were commanded in Scripture. It is simply a practice of historic Christianity that continuously stirs reflection, anticipation, and action in the hearts of God’s people for the whole, big story of the gospel.

 

I have found the level of competition between denominations and local churches to be far greater than not. This is not the direction of Scripture. The observance of Lent gives us another opportunity to cooperate with other believers in the gospel mission. It’s true that more Protestant Christians observe Lent these days. They take it in measure and call it what it is: a season for self-denial, prayer, and reflection to focus on the hope of Christ. It’s not about them, or what they do. It’s about Jesus and what he did. “You could observe 1,000 Lents,” says Eric Ferris, “and it won’t ever accomplish in your life what the cross of Jesus has.” Protestants have gained a new appreciation for the Church and for a season to reflect on their need for the cross and to prepare their hearts to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. It’s not all about “giving something up,” but they see fasting is a true spiritual discipline that gears the heart and mind to Christ. In the end, whether Christians observe Lent corporately or individually, it comes down to Christ on the cross and a tomb that was found empty. This must be something we can all agree upon regardless of our theological or practical differences.

Lent, 2024 - Pt. 4

 

And he [Jesus] said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:23-26 ESV).

 

The second reason to observe Lent is so that we might be reminded of the sacrificial nature of following Christ. This is the root of “giving something up” during the Lenten season. We see this principle declared by Jesus in our reading today. Of course, some have mistaken “giving something up” as the point of Lent. Jesus appeared to expect that we would fast at times. Lenten fasting reflects Jesus’ fast in the wilderness to prepare for his ministry; therefore, it’s expected to actually be sacrificial. Setting aside food, technology, or some other need, desire, or distraction, builds space to devote to a deeper relationshio with God.

 

Many Christians recognize that value goes beyond the mere exercise of self-denial; God speaks to those who earnestly seek him. However, to reduce Lent to “just giving something up,” misses the point. Fasting is about setting aside time normally spent eating, or doing some activity, to tune in to God’s Spirit in prayer and reflection. It doesn’t necessarily make one more spiritual. Again, it’s about what the fasting person is seeking. Is it Christ in prayer and meditation, or is it man’s recognition? For example, if everybody on Facebook knows what you are not doing for Lent, with fifteen minute updates, along with a snapshot of the burrito you are not eating, you already have your reward.

 

Besides fasting, Lent is a time to exercise other disciplines, such as service and giving. In addition to “giving something up,” or instead of it, some Christians “take something on” by doing service or giving in ways they don’t regularly do. This might be stepping up to help a total stranger, or reaching out to someone whom God has laid on your heart by sending a note or calling them on the phone. It might be volunteering for a local ministry, serving at a homeless shelter, or visiting the sick at home or the hospital. Sacrificial serving and giving are important aspects of Lent.

 

Lent, 2024 - Pt. 3

 

Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods. For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on mall who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty. (Ezra 8:21-23 ESV).

 

There has been a resurgence among non-Catholic denominations in the observance of Lent in recent years. Corporately, for example, churches from various denominations, whether Reformed or Southern Baptist, have put increasing emphasis on Lent in their services and studies. I have always felt there is great benefit in some observance of this holy season before Easter. In the next few days I want to explore the reasons for that. The first of these is that it helps create a high value in our need for the cross and Jesus’ work of atonement.

 

Most people associate Lent with “giving something up.” Certainly, self-denial plays a role, but Lent is much more than that. At its heart, Lent is a time to remember Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, and to ready our hearts to celebrate his resurrection. Fasting, reflection, and prayer all serve this main purpose. Lent is a process that builds a sense of preparation, anticipation, and appreciation for what Jesus did for us.

 

Many Protestants and Evangelicals remain wary of the trappings of rituals like Lent. For centuries, people have mistakenly viewed their participation in Lent as a means of earning God’s favor. In his article “Why Has Lent Become Cool With Evangelicals?”, Doug Ponder suggests the internet, unsettled lives, and love of experience play big roles is making Lent “cool” for Protestants. However, he affirms that Lent is something that Christians can redeem:

 

The heart of Lent is a season of fasting, which Jesus seemed to expect for his followers to do. After all, he said “when you fast,” not “if you fast” (cf. Matthew 6:16). In Lenten fasting we abstain from worldly pleasures to realize their power over us, to remind ourselves of our frailty and continual need of grace, and to rejoice that our appetite for sin has been forgiven and will one day be erased. I know of no Christian who would object to that!

 

I encourage you to practice some form of fasting during these weeks so that you might be reminded of our great need and God’s great provision.