Learning from Jesus - Pt. 17

 

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:60-69 ESV).

 

Have you ever had a morning when you crawled wearily out of bed, stubbed your toe, burnt your toast, and had all kinds of other things go wrong? A day like that makes you want to go straight back to bed. Or maybe the circumstances are harder, and someone is telling you to hang on when you want to let go.

 

I wonder if Jesus’ disciples felt in a way like that when a lot of people turned away from Jesus after he shared some hard but true teachings. I wonder how many times the disciples weren’t quite sure what to do with Jesus. Was it embarrassing or confusing or overwhelming for them? Already fully committed to Jesus, they knew they couldn’t give up or let go. Jesus, who was clearly the Son of God, had met the longings of their hearts—and even on the worst days they had experienced, they knew that traveling with Jesus was enough. When he asked, “Are you going to leave too?” Peter replied with words that confirmed what the disciples were feeling: “There’s no one else to go to, and you are all we need.”

 

On days when you feel like giving up, throwing in the towel, or walking away from your faith, where will you go? It is too much to walk away from the one who holds you close through his presence and his words. By his character he assures you that even on a bad day, he is there.

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 16

 

[Jesus said] “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5 ESV).

 

Our lesson from one of Jesus’ questions today is a classic. It is also one of the most comical images Jesus used in His teachings. However, it is a very serious accusation from the Master Teacher. He says those who try to correct others without correcting themselves are hypocrites. That is a very grave declaration. Unfortunately, it applies to so many people today. We can be very quick look outward and criticize others instead of looking inward to see our own faults.

 

Some examples of this are what we refer to today as conscious or unconscious bias. We tend to like what we are familiar with, and we tend not to like what we find to be different. And these things have a way of shaping our judgments about others. We also tend to think that others would be happier if they were like us. But we don’t take the time to think about what that says about us.

 

Jesus wants us to look inwardly and to see what our own faults are before we address the faults of others. It’s not easy to admit we have blind spots, but when we begin to see them, we have a new appreciation for others, and it is easier to show God’s grace and love.

 

I wonder what our conversations might look like if we took the time to talk with one another, hear each other’s stories, learn to care for one another, and discover that we might not be so different after all. Today is a good day to try clearing our own faults out of our lives.

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 15

 

[Jesus said] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? When someone hurts you or wrongs you, it’s easy to think of revenge and wanting to “get even.” (Matthew 5:43-47 ESV).

 

Before I get into the text of today’s reading, I want to simply make a statement… I will be so happy when this year’s election is over. I have always had (and still do) strong opinions about what is good and right Scripturally; however, with the current political climate as it is, I have found it more difficult than ever to simply be quiet. Today’s lesson from Jesus speaks to the reason for that position on my part. Somehow, we have seen more people rail against their opponent with slurs and outright lies than speaking to issues. We have seen the hating of our “enemy” much more than the passionate opposition of their positions with a remedy for the wrong. We must stop the incessant name calling so prevalent in today’s climate. It is easy to hide behind the ease of social media as if God doesn’t read our posts! This is not Jesus’ way!

 

Loving someone whom we like is easy, but loving someone who has given us every reason not to like them is hard. Yet Jesus says that if we want to be like him, understanding and grace is at the foundation of our Christian walk. This really is what grace is all about. God loved us so much when we were his enemies that he sent Jesus to renew and restore us to him (cf. John 3:16-17; Romans 5:8-11). God has every right to reject us—and yet he keeps loving us fully.

 

What’s more, God asks us to do the same to everyone around us. Grace is the standard that God sets, and if we as believers accept that grace, we are to live with grace and forgiveness toward all others. Jesus modeled that we are to love others regardless of nationality, personality, faith, or circumstance. Jesus challenges us to be the grace differential so that others may know that we too have been loved and forgiven.

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 14

 

And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way. (Mark 10:46-52 ESV).

 

When I am in my car alone, I often have conversations with God. I call it “window time.” It’s the perfect time to think about the things that are on my mind. This form of meditation often leads me to actually talk out loud. I know, that’s pretty weird, but it seems to help me focus better. The really strange thing is that when I go silent and listen, it’s a different story. I hear the same question that Jesus asked Bartimaeus: “What do you want me to do for you?”

 

It seems like a straightforward question that I can answer easily. But, knowing about Jesus and how he calls us to live, I realize that I need to think carefully. Fulfilling a desire that is on my mind would be great—but what about that person I know who has not yet come to faith in Christ? Or what about that person who is suffering and needs healing? My list can be rather lengthy. And most of the things on my list are worth asking for (I have to confess that I often ask the Lord to help the Aggies win their next football game).

 

Bartimeus believed in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of David. He knew he was crying out to the Savior, and he was sure of his answer. And when he was healed, he left everything behind to follow Jesus. We should all realize that we too need to trust so fully in Jesus that we can see he is the one who is capable of doing all things. Sometimes we want the miracle more than I want the one performing it. I hope that when Jesus asks you, “What do you want me to do for you?” your trust in him will clarify your answer.

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 13

 

Immediately he [Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22-33 ESV).

 

I have done some pretty crazy things in my 75 years of life. I could mention many of these things, though one of the craziest is pictured here. Somehow I was coerced into letting Bob Tarter put a snake around me at VBS one year! I was moderately under control until the snake turned and looked me in the eye as if it was wondering if it could eat me! I wonder, what is the craziest thing you have ever done? How about in your life of faith? What is the craziest thing God has ever challenged you to do? Were you up for the challenge, or did you hear excuses in your head about why you couldn’t possibly try? Did you jump in with both feet and find, to your surprise, that maybe it wasn’t so impossible after all?

 

I wonder how big the smile was on Jesus’ face when Peter said, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” I love it that Peter was ready to test his faith even when things looked impossible. He stepped out of the boat looking at Jesus. Even with little faith, his walk on water was possible. But when Peter looked around him and saw the wind and deep water, he became afraid and started to sink. When Jesus asks for our trust, he knows there is a bigger story to be written. There are days when circumstances muddy the waters and the trust factor diminishes. Perhaps today is a day to refocus where you are looking. Focus on Jesus!

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 12

 

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. (John 5:1-9 ESV).

 

I’ve never been one to be willing to accept continued defeat, especially in the area of healthcare. That has made aging a bit harder to deal with, simply because there is little to be done as the years pass and my body weakens. So, when I read today’s question from Jesus (“Do you want to be healed?”), I’m a bit confused. Who doesn’t want to feel better! However, I also know there are some who have come to accept the crutch we know as easier than the walk we haven’t experienced. Often that crutch can become a convenient excuse. It’s often easier to rely on the ways we are familiar with, rather than trying a new way that means change and transformation.

 

When Jesus asks this man if he wants to be made well, he does not answer with a yes—only a reason why it can’t happen. He’s had 38 years of only seeing the story one way; the thought of anything else hasn’t entered his thinking. But Jesus is offering so much more than this man can fathom or imagine.

 

When Jesus asks us this question, we cannot limit him on the basis of our experience. We must trust in the hope that he can do something more. When we are confronted with the question of change, of thinking bigger than we have imagined before, we need to say yes to the One who can do all things. When we begin to understand that the one asking the question is our Lord and Savior, our Creator, our healer, and our friend, who loves us and cares about the details of our lives, can we say anything but yes? Today is a day to imagine what the Lord can do if we don’t hold back.

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 11

 

[Jesus said] “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:25-34 ESV).

 

Those of you who know me better also know the level of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that I have. I was searching for a photo that might illustrate the angst that I feel when confronted with things that aren’t “right”. As you can see from the photo attached today, this is one of those things. Whoever was operating the packaging machine for these bottles of soda got one package “right,” though the other is not. I’ll leave it to you to decide which one is correct. In fact, I’ll leave it to you to decide if it even matters. For me the one Pepsi bottle is simply wrong. It is a little thing, I know; however, this and countless other little things bother me. When I come home after the cleaning service has been to our house I must go into each room and put things back where the “belong.”

 

In our reading today, Jesus was pretty clear as he taught about life and our worries. I think he was saying, in effect, “Don’t sweat the small stuff. Pay attention to what is important. When you put your focus on me and trust me, the rest will come together. I will be enough for you.” He is not talking about mental disorders of anxiety, though there are remedies to those that begin with recognizing the importance of our focus. The message here is that whatever you might be stressing about, remember that God knows, God cares, and God loves you —and by his grace he will carry you. Actually it might be a serendipity that the one Pepsi got packaged with the Coca Colas!

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 10

 

And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” (Mark 8:22-26 ESV).

 

Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” What a question to ask. Of, course the blind man didn’t see as clearly as he might have thought he would. He answered, “I see people, but they look like trees.” Then Jesus laid hands on the man and his sight was completely restored. Sometimes we don’t get everything we desire. You can see the picture I’ve attached today. It is from the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. I was fly fishing for rainbow trout early in the morning and as I cast to the bend in this picture a good-sized trout rose and took the fly. I was excited to say the least! It began to shake its head and ultimately spit the hook. Dejected, I took a picture of the scene of the “crime.” I certainly hope to get a second chance at this one!

 

There are times when we have been left empty-handed by our circumstances, our pain, or all the distractions around us. A friend may step in and invite us into a conversation with Jesus. If we accept the invitation, we may have an opportunity to be healed by Jesus. What I love about this story is that Jesus asks, in effect, “What are you seeing?” Sometimes our healing can take place progressively rather than instantaneously. Jesus walks with us. He continues to engage in the conversation, and he asks for our honesty.

 

The great news is that we will have nothing but good at the end of this journey. I don’t know if I’ll catch another rainbow trout (I’ve caught some good ones along the way), but I know Jesus wants me to see the wonder of His presence and grace. Standing in the cool water of the river I simply saw the beauty of the changing of the seasons and thought how fortunate I was to even be here. No trout, but I had more than enough!  What do you see today?

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 9

 

And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men. (Mark 6:35-44 ESV).

 

I can often remember times when the boys got home from school they would go to the pantry and find something to eat and raid the fridge for a cold drink. If I ask, “Are you hungry?” They would answer incredulously, “I’m starving.” Though there is plenty to satisfy them, they often seem to have trouble finding just the right thing. Aren’t we like that in other situations?

 

The large crowd of people with Jesus had been with him the whole day. Jesus could see that all these people following him were spiritually hungry and wanted something more. Even his disciples noticed, and they tried to convince Jesus to send them away. But Jesus responded by sending the disciples to see what was “in the cupboard.”

 

They found that they had a total of five loaves and two fish. Jesus was satisfied with what they brought, and he instructed them to seat the crowd. I wonder what it was like to keep handing out pieces of fish and bread—so much that the leftovers filled 12 baskets!

 

When we give Jesus what we have, even though it seems small, he multiplies it. Jesus also includes us in his work, setting us on a mission. “Seek and you will find.” And in our shared search, together we find and together we share. Perhaps today he is asking you what you might find—what are you willing to give so that it might be shared?

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 8

 

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” (Matthew 8:23-28 ESV).

 

I am rarely surprised by a snake. Perhaps that’s because I am vigilant when walking in areas that might be prime habitat. The firewood pile is not one of those places. So, when Kyle called out to me to come to the woodpile, I was a bit surprised to see a pretty good-sized rat snake hanging out among the wood. It was a good place to hunt for small rodents for an easy meal. However, it was not a place I wanted to meet him. I hate them, good ones and bad ones. It always scares me a bit. I really don’t like them! We couldn’t get the snake out of the woodpile and decided he was just minding his own business anyway/ Evidently he got his meal and was gone the next day… whew!

 

That’s sort of the background for our reading today. Jesus’ disciples had been with him long enough to have watched him step in, heal the sick, provide food, and do other miracles. And yet there in a boat, in the midst of “a furious storm,” fear showed up again. This storm was probably bigger than most of the storms these fishermen had seen over the years—and the moment of panic set in. I sometimes wonder if they had forgotten who was in the boat with them, or if maybe they were just annoyed that he was sleeping.

 

They panicked and woke Jesus. They expressed their wonder that he was asleep in the midst of the storm in the first place, but to leave them helpless in it was even worse. It is then that He calms the sea and stops the wind. Everything returns to normal, and Jesus’ asks them His question: “Why are you afraid?” This same question applies to us today just as it did to his first followers: If you know me, “why are you afraid?” In what difficulties do you hear him say, “Trust me.” He will always care for our needs. Trust Him!

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 7

 

A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:7-14 ESV).

 

Whenever I greet my clients in the foyer, I always ask them if they would like a drink. We always have coffee, soft drinks, and bottled water available. It would be rare, though, for someone to come in and ask for a drink—unless it was very hot outside or the visitor was a child. Their inhibitions are much less pronounced.

 

Our reading today shows us Jesus’ request for water, which was especially unusual. Not only was he not supposed to talk to a Samaritan woman, but he was a guest at the well where she had come to draw water. She had also come alone at the hottest time of day, probably to avoid judgmental eyes and gossip. There Jesus met her and reached out to her. It began with a question that led into a conversation in which Jesus declared who he really was.

 

Jesus also knew the woman’s life story before inviting her into his story. Jesus always invites. He does not demand but, rather, chooses to connect with each one of us just as he did with the Samaritan woman. In the places where you go to step away from others, Jesus is waiting with a question: “Will you join me in a conversation about your life and where you would like it to go?” When the woman came to the well, she was expecting only to get a jar of water. Instead, she received living water (hope in the Messiah) that would fill her soul and change both her and her community (vv. 28-42). What is Jesus asking of you today?

 

Happy Birthday, Aaron!

 

Today is our youngest son’s birthday. Aaron is 41 years old, which is certainly difficult to believe as it seems just yesterday that we were at Mother Francis Hospital in Tyler, Texas, awaiting his birth.

 

The picture I’ve attached needs a bit of explanation. Aaron’s Fall break from teaching at Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C., where he is an Associate Professor and Director of the French Study Abroad Program, began over the weekend and he flew home to be with us for a few days. One of the serendipities of the trip was a trip to the local farmer’s market where fall pumpkins were on full display. Pictured are Aaron and Mary (the image next to Mary is not me… it is a comical scarecrow). It was a GREAT visit.

 

We did many things throughout the long weekend, but the most satisfying activity was simply visiting with him. I always enjoy having a conversation with him, as well as Kyle and David, our other sons. I am always impressed with the depth of conversation and the insight gained through these conversations. We cover many topics, some supercilious and others of a more serious nature. What strikes me most is the depth of wisdom that is apparent. It seems to be more of “iron sharpening iron” (cf. Proverbs 27:17) than a teaching opportunity.

 

That ought to be the goal with all of those who have adult children. Our direct responsibility of parenting has shifted significantly as we have mutual opportunities to impart wisdom to one another through our relationship. This is certainly what Solomon meant in our reading today. I am grateful that it has turned out to be fulfilled for me.

 

Today is his birthday! So… Happy Birthday, Aaron… I pray you days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life for a long time to come!

 

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 6

 

And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” (Mark 5:24-34 ESV).

 

If you have ever visited the Village in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, you have experienced the crowds of people who wait in long lines to get a table at the Pancake Pantry. While Mary and I don’t eat there every visit, we do enjoy the experience when we do. It can be very crowded at the breakfast hour. People are typically patient and congenial as they wait, though it can get crowded enough that you might feel a bump or two from people trying to navigate through the crowd to the other shops. I suppose that’s one of the necessary inconveniences of a trip to such a heavily visited tourist destination.

 

This is something of what happened in our reading today. Jesus was well known in the region by this time. Great crowds of people gathered around him often to hear him teach, or hoping for a miracle. For the woman who had been sick for 12 years, she knew that her only hope would be to touch Jesus. She thought, “If I just touch his cloak, no one will notice, and yet it will be enough to make me well.” She had incredible faith.

 

Jesus knew when she touched him because he felt the healing power flow out from him. So he asked, “Who touched my clothes?” In the midst of our worst circumstances, when we have given up hope or tried everything, this story reminds us that reaching out to Jesus gets his attention. He is not asking us to get everything in our lives cleaned up first. He is present at all times. He knows each one of us, and even in a crowd he knows when we reach out for him. Go ahead… reach out to him today.

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 5

 

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. (John 2:1-11 ESV).

 

Have you ever had an indoor lemon tree? I have seen them grown indoors or on patios. They are beautiful little trees that will also produce fruit with the right care. I’ve never attempted an indoor fruit bearing tree. I find myself very fortunate to be able to grow anything indoors or outdoors. I have been pretty successful with peach trees, however, other types have alluded my abilities. I can imagine how wonderful it would be to see a lemon tree growing and producing the vibrant yellow skinned fruit on my deck. I think it would be the topic of great conversations when people might come over to visit.

 

In the Jewish culture of Jesus’ day, celebrations were important, and weddings were often lavish events. No one would want to see a failed wedding party. However, in this case the wine had run out, and Jesus’ mother, Mary, knew the best solution to the problem. She knew that Jesus could solve this. And she didn’t look for other options.

 

How often don’t we also know whom to turn to—and yet we often look for other solutions first? Today, as Mary suggested, we should do whatever Jesus tells us to. Are we ready to involve him? What might the possibilities be? I wonder how many times we have failed simply because we have not asked Jesus to guide our actions? He is the only One who can do what we need. Trust Him!

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 4

The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). (John 1:35-42 ESV).

 

Just prior to our reading today from the Gospel of John we may read of the announcement from John the Baptist saying, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” That was quite an announcement! God’s people had been waiting for the promised Messiah for a long time—hundreds of years. Could this be the deliverer God had promised through his prophets so long ago? John heard a voice from heaven describing Jesus as “God’s Chosen One,” so he shared that news with everyone who could hear him that day. Then, the next day, two of John’s disciples who heard this message left to follow after Jesus. Would he be the one to fulfill their souls’ deepest longings?

 

As they began to follow him, Jesus turned around and asked, “What do you want?” They seemed a little tongue-tied but managed to ask where Jesus was staying. They were not so much concerned about location but about abiding with him, wherever he might go. He said, “Come and see.”

 

Could they be welcomed into his life, his journey, his story? Jesus’ invitation brought them into relationship, and what they were looking for was fulfilled enough for them to invite someone else, and then others, and so on.

 

He is asking us the same question… come and see? I hope you answer YES!

  

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 3

 

Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” (Luke 10:30-37 ESV).

 

Even though we live in the country, we have a few neighbors in our little subdivision. There are only about thirty families that live nearby and all of the houses are separated by at least an acre of land. You could say there is little opportunity for any “over-the-fence conversation! Over the years we have come to know several of the folks nearest us. They often wave as we cross paths going and coming. That, in itself, it not the extent of being neighborly. Several years ago as I was mowing the back part of our property my next door neighbor came walking down the fence with his chainsaw. I must admit I was a bit confused. I shut the tractor down and he said, “My wife saw you mowing and she sent me down to cut some of the limbs that are over the fence and too low to mow under.” I guess she felt I was a bit old to be bending under the low-hanging limbs very easily. I talked with him a bit and explained that they really didn’t bother me and I didn’t want to ruin the shape of the tree by pruning it. We both had a good laugh and talked for a while about college football. You can see from the picture that we have trimmed the limbs since. I guess I did get too old to bend over that much… LOL!

 

He is a great neighbor. We have on more than one occasion helped one another out on various things. Our reading today is known as the Parable of the Sood Samaritan and offers a picture of what Jesus was trying to show a religious leader who wanted to test him. It is about risk and relationship with people who are not identical to us. It is about seeing the one that Jesus has placed in front of us and becoming involved in their story. It is about addressing hurts and loneliness because that is what Jesus is asking us to do. It is about paying attention to the needs of people around us and not stepping aside or walking by, thinking that someone else can take care of them. It is about being a good neighbor. Are you a good “neighbor”?

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 2

 

And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him. (Mark 8:27-30 ESV).

 

When we meet people and get to know them a bit, it’s not unusual to ask each other about work or hobbies or other interests. We look for information to learn about others and to see what we might have in common. It would be rare, though, to hear a question like this one that Jesus asked: “Who do you say I am?” And yet this is one of Jesus’ most important questions because it focuses on his identity and purpose.

 

While we can learn a great deal from the answers the disciples gave to Jesus, we must realize that this question must be answered by each of us as well. And it is not an easy question. It takes deep thought and reflection because our response will reveal how we go about our everyday life and in whom (or what) we believe and have faith.

 

Peter answered Jesus by saying, “You are the Messiah”—that is, the Christ, the Son of God, who came to save us from sin and death. And if we say the same, we declare that our faith and life are grounded in Jesus Christ. This affects how we pray, how we interact with others—how we live our whole lives. It also directs us to find peace and security in the Lord who loves us and has this world in his hands.

 

On the other hand, should we be less assured or tentative and merely think that maybe Jesus is the Messiah, that will affect our lives too. Our security and self-assuredness will be shaky. Our foundation will feel less secure. It requires thought, though that is not the only determining factor in our answer. Even with Peter, Jesus explains that it is only by the power of the Holy spirit he is able to answer with such a declaration. It requires faith.

 

As we begin these devotionals reflecting on Jesus’ questions, who do you say Jesus is?

 

Learning from Jesus - Pt. 1

 

Seeing the crowds, he [Jesus] went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:1-12 ESV).

 

My good friend, Truman Oakley, is a science teacher at Eustace High School in Texas. He has been using a wonderful technique involving the students in incredible hands-on experiences in what has been named “Bulldog Woods.” The High School is located near some acreage that is partially wooded. Being in a relatively rural setting, it is teaming with various wild animals. He has set up trail cameras to capture photos and videos of the various comings and goings of the critters. It also has a pond where he has taken the students on a regular “field trip” (it is only a ten-minute walk from the classroom). They found some tadpoles and brought them back to the classroom to place them in various aquariums to watch their metamorphoses. The lessons he teaches are incredibly powerful for these students. He is what I would qualify as a “master teacher.”

 

Today we begin a series looking at THE Master Teacher of all time. Jesus was renowned as a teacher. His closest followers called him Rabbi, which means teacher. His memorable stories caused people to apply their faith in new ways. Jesus’ sermon on the mount (found in Matthew 5-7) contains some of Christianity’s most powerful teachings. Jesus also asked really good questions. Jesus posed more than 300 recorded questions during his teaching ministry, and during this month’s series of devotions we will look at 31 of them. Jesus asked questions that were profound, curious, open-ended, and challenging. Jesus wanted us to think carefully about living for and serving God in this world. And he directly answered only a handful of his own questions. My hope is that these devotionals will spur us on to live faithfully for the Lord who came so that we can have a truly abundant life.

 

[By the way, should you desire to follow the adventures of the Bulldog Woods, you can follow Truman on Face Book. You won’t be disappointed with his insightful records of he and his students.]

 

Our Great Hope

 

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16:1-8 ESV).

 

As we come to a close of our journey through the Gospel of Mark let me express my deepest appreciation to all of you who joined me in prayer for my family in Florida. They are fine. David, Becca, Maggie, Lucy, and Harris had very little damage at their house, though the tornado scare was harrowing for the kids. In the beginning of the forecasting of Milton’s path it seemed that it would be a direct strike over their location. As it reached landfall, it began to turn a bit north, and they were spared most of the destructive force of this massive storm. I know that is not the story for thousands of others, and I hope you will continue to pray with me for them.

 

This experience and today’s reading reminded me of the great fear of death, which seems like the last and greatest enemy. I’m not afraid of death personally, though my anxiety in the face of a threat to my family still challenges my hope. The good news is that in Jesus’ resurrection God has provided the solution to death and to the fear of death.

 

In our reading for today, what the women planned to do was not pretty, but it was an act of devotion to Jesus to see that he had a proper burial. Because he had been crucified just before sundown on Friday, there hadn’t been time to properly anoint and prepare his body for burial before their holy Sabbath day. So “when the Sabbath was over,” the women bought spices and went to anoint Jesus’ body, according to their custom. But things didn’t go as planned. Arriving at the tomb, the women were greeted by an angel, who told them something that transformed their lives and changed the world. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified,” said the angel. “He has risen! He is not here.” In an instant their entire understanding of life and death began to change. Jesus had gone from life to death to new life. His resurrection became death’s defeat, and in the light of that, Paul could write, “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:54). Christ is risen—for you! Do you believe that? That is the solution to our anxiety and fear!

 

Do You Believe?

 

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16:1-8 ESV).

 

Recently I was reading some random reports (and, I have fact-checked this one … LOL) that reported a non-profit organization raising money for a “Jurassic Park” experiment. Some scientists have recovered DNA from both the Dodo and the Wooly Mammoth, and they believe they can de-extinct” them a release them into the wild. Well… regardless of whether that effort succeeds it will not be a resurrection from the dead. These animals, along with many others, have been extinct for millennia. They are dead and what is dead is dead.

 

Jesus really died. There is no doubt from the reaction of the disciples that they were convinced of the death of Jesus. With that their dreams, hopes, and future were dead as well. As they saw Jesus carried into the tomb, they experienced the death of everything they had thought about Jesus. Far from changing the world, Jesus seemed to be just another “messiah” who had come up short. The cold reality was that their dream of a new world was now lifeless. Jesus was dead. What they couldn’t grasp was the event of His resurrection, even though He had told them several times that would happen.

 

When our own stories and dreams have ended, that’s often when Jesus makes a powerful appearance in our lives. The women were certain that their only job was to prepare the corpse of their teacher for burial. Instead, they received an incredible invitation: Bring the good news to the disillusioned disciples who thought Jesus was gone forever. Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene with the news that he is alive. When life is swallowed up by death and extinction, Jesus uses the materials of our lives and produces resurrection. He can bring dead things back to life. Believe it!

 

The Burial of Jesus

 

And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. (Mark 15:42-47 ESV).

 

The picture I’ve chosen to accompany today’s devotional is known as “the Garden Tomb.” Should you visit Jerusalem, you will undoubtedly visit this beautiful garden and see this tomb. Many believe it is the tomb in which Jesus was buried. I must admit there is some convincing evidence to indicate that it could be the place. The other tomb that carries the belief of many is located underground beneath the Church of the Ascension. There is also a great deal of evidence that points to this spot. Regardless, the great truth is that they are both empty!

 

Today’s reading describes Jesus’ burial are important because they are solid evidence that Jesus truly died. He was neither unconscious nor in a coma. Both the centurion and Pilate would want proof positive that he was dead. Our salvation rests on this. “Christ … suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death …” (1 Peter 3:18).

 

Joseph of Arimathea was a prominent member of the religious leaders’ council who had not consented to their decision to have Jesus crucified (cf. Luke 23:50-51). But the deed was done. Many would have thrown up their hands and said, “I did what I could,” and gone on with life. But Joseph resolved to do more. He “went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.” He sought permission to bury Jesus, and he buried him in the grave he had prepared for himself (cf. Matthew 27:60). Don’t lose sight of this truth. Jesus died, AND he rose again. This is the basis of our faith and hope!

 

Without a Doubt

 

And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:33-39 ESV).

 

The crucifixion story is filled with anguish. Jesus is arrested by violent soldiers, deserted by his followers, betrayed by one of his own disciples, tried by a kangaroo court, condemned by a mob, and crucified at the place of the skull (Golgotha). Then a Roman centurion proclaims him the Son of God! Jesus’ true identity shines through the darkness.

 

In Mark’s gospel the centurion’s confession of faith parallels two earlier voices from heaven. At Jesus’ baptism God’s voice speaks, “You are my Son, whom I love.” Later the same voice from heaven informs the disciples of Jesus’ identity: “This is my Son, whom I love.” And at the cross the centurion, seeing how Jesus died, said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

 

The centurion’s words are like a voice from heaven that again confirms that the suffering of the Messiah has been intentional. It is only when we look steadfastly at the cross that we can see the kind of Savior we need.

 

The centurion was a Gentile. Through his words we can see that the Son of God is for every nation. We need to see how Jesus died and respond with all our heart, “Surely he is the Son of God!” Every day these words should be on the tip of our tongue. Confessing our faith is the most crucial response to our salvation.