Who Am I - I Am a Pilgrim

 

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:8–16 ESV).

 

The great question for believers is whether we will live the life of a pilgrim or a tourist? A pilgrim is someone who travels to a place where they long to be. Following a kind of calling, they might journey to a sacred place where they can worship. Or they might move around, ever seeking a place to call home. Followers of Jesus are pilgrims who are called to live for God as they travel through life on their way to their eternal home. A tourist simply wanders from one experience to another. There is no real involvement in where they are except to gain pleasure from it.

 

Our reading today tells about a pilgrim named Abraham, who followed God’s call to go and live in a land that God would show him. God led Abraham to the land of Canaan, where he pitched his tent and worshiped the Lord (Genesis 12:1-8). Yet Abraham lived as a stranger and foreigner in that land. His security was not in a plot of land but in the plan of God. He envisioned an eternal city, to which he spent a lifetime traveling. Abraham lived as a pilgrim rather than as a permanent settler. Walking by faith rather than by sight, he modeled what it means to follow the Lord.

 

A pilgrim is also different from a settler. Pilgrims never feel totally comfortable with the values and lifestyles of their surrounding cultures. They are careful not to drive their stakes too deeply into the ground. They live with a holy detachment, careful not to hold on to places or things so tightly that they can’t go on without them. Pilgrims also regularly long for home. In other words, they live with eternal aspirations, not simply earthly ones.

 

Which are you… God’s intent is that you live as He has called you. Be a pilgrim!

 

Who Am I - I Am a Masterpiece in Process

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:4–10 ESV).

 

The Mona Lisa is a half-length portrait by Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci. Painted on a poplar wood panel between 1503 and 1506, it is widely celebrated for the subject's enigmatic smile, her direct gaze at the viewer, and the revolutionary use of sfumato—a smoky blending technique. It is relatively small, measuring just 21 inches wide and 30 inches long. It is actually smaller than a common poster. Its current location is in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, where it has resided since 1797. It holds the Guinness World Record for the highest known painting insurance valuation, set in 1962 at $100 million, which is the equivalent to roughly $1 billion today. Of course, the truth is that its value is inestimable as it is unique and irreplaceable.

 

Imagine da Vinci carefully crafting this masterpiece. Each detail was carefully chosen to inspire appreciation, imagination, and more. In our Scripture passage today, we are reminded that we are God’s “handiwork” (His masterpiece). The original Greek text for “handiwork” in this passage was closely associated with “poetry.” In other words, we are considered as poetic works of art. We are molded and fashioned by the Lord of all into priceless treasures.

 

But our purpose is not simply to be put on display and admired by passersby. Instead, we are molded and shaped “to do good works.” God has purposes and plans for us to fulfill, assignments to complete. What’s more, God is still working in us. We are a good work in progress. We are called and led to keep learning, growing, trying, and trusting as we live by faith for the God who loves us and makes us part of his family. Whether we are bailing hay, studying for a test, teaching a child, washing dishes, creating a website, or doing any of a million other things—we are to work wholeheartedly for the Lord. By the work of our hands we are called to point others to the divine Master of all masterpieces.

  

Who Am I - I Am God's Beloved

 

But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. (Isaiah 43:1–5 ESV).

 

God created you in order to love you and to share a loving relationship with you. That is why you exist—to be cherished by your Creator and to reciprocate that love to him and radiate that love to others. For each one of us, this is the greatest foundational truth we can learn about our existence, and it helps immensely to shape our identity and sense of purpose. Being the beloved of God means your core identity is securely anchored in being dearly loved and cherished by Him. It replaces the need to earn worth through performance with the peace of knowing you are already accepted, chosen, and held by a love that never changes.

 

There are many, though, who may not always feel loved. Moments of feeling misunderstood, ignored, judged, or even rejected may overshadow your sense of worth. But the Bible reassures us of God’s deep and passionate love for each one of us. This love is unconditional. You are God’s beloved child—precious, esteemed, and honored in his sight. Go ahead and remind yourself of this truth as often as necessary.

 

God’s love isn’t based on our actions or achievements. It transcends our successes, failures, possessions, status, lineage, position, education, and everything else about us. There’s nothing we can do to earn more of God’s love or to diminish it. God’s love is consistent, steadfast, and true.

 

Understanding that we are cherished, valued, and treasured by the Creator of the universe should shift our entire perspective. As we embrace this truth, fears and anxieties should diminish. We can live with a new sense of peace and contentment, knowing we are beloved by him.

Who Am I - I Am Valued Beyond Measure

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:9–12 ESV).

 

So many people today are struggling for the right to define themselves. It’s as if they are saying, “I will invent or reinvent myself, and you must accept me for who I choose to be.” But this places immense pressure on people. It also brings on volatility and exhaustion as people try to navigate life together. It is amazing how subtle this deception is. We have come to believe our identity is somehow based on career or position. Some have even come to believe that wealth is the measure of their value. This deception always brings a sense of instability in our lives. It makes us think we are never enough.

 

God recognizes our need for a stable, reliable identity—one that can sustain us amid the ups and downs of life. He also knows we cannot invent the identity we need. So, God made a new life possible for us through Jesus Christ. Jesus willingly gave up his glory, power, and privilege. He came to sacrifice himself on the cross to atone for our sins against God and each other. Through faith in him, we receive his love and righteousness. Our identity is anchored in him rather than in our achievements or others’ opinions of us.

 

James in our reading today urges believers who have prospered and become wealthy to recognize their humble position as sinners saved by grace. And he encourages believers who are struggling financially to embrace their exalted position in Christ—loved, accepted, and cherished by God. By doing these things, we can avoid a false sense of value. We can be secure in Him!

  

Who Am I - I Am a New Creation

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:16–19 ESV).

 

I am sure you have heard some of the profound “I am” statements of Jesus: “I am the bread of life”; “I am the light of the world”; “I am the good shepherd” (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:11, 14). Jesus lived an effective, purposeful life because he knew his identity. With unwavering clarity, he knew he was the Son of God sent to redeem the world. This is the anticipated goal of our study in the coming weeks. As we explore the meaning of our identity, we’ll find a number of ways to describe ourselves in light of the ways God has created us.

 

So often we cling to false notions about identity. We focus on things like athletic prowess, academic achievements, or career success. Or we highlight how funny, famous, or fit we are. Or even how good a parent we are. But what happens when the applause fades? Do we maintain a firm grasp of who we are?

 

The apostle Paul explains that when a person comes to faith in Jesus, they undergo a profound transformation. In some ways like a caterpillar emerging as a butterfly, believers transform to become a new creation in Christ. This ought to fundamentally alter the way we think and act. Our identity is no longer defined by fleeting ideas but, rather, by our relationship with Christ.

 

Two things come to mind for me. First, we do gain a new identity. We are not just a repaired version of our old self; we are fundamentally recreated by God. Second, we now possess the forgiveness of our past. "Old things have passed away" implies that our past sins, guilt, and old way of life are forgiven and gone. Even more incredible this same forgiveness extends to our future life of grace in Christ. We are truly NEW! Walk like it… think like it… be like it!

  

Who Am I - I Am the Image of God

 

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. (Genesis 1:26–31 ESV).

 

Today we begin a new series of devotionals. They each will describe a characteristic of who we are as believers. For our first look at these descriptions in Scripture, I’ve chosen the beginning of our story. After God had created all things, He turns to the apex of creation: Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image’” (v. 1). There have been countless debates as to the meaning of this phrasing in the description of “man.” John Calvin wrote:

 

Interpreters do not agree concerning the meaning of these words. The greater part, and nearly all, conceive that the word image is to be distinguished from likeness. And the common distinction is, that image exists in the substance, likeness in the accidents of anything. They who would define the subject briefly, say that in the image are contained those endowments which God has conferred on human nature at large, while they expound likeness to mean gratuitous gifts. But Augustine, beyond all others, speculates with excessive refinement, for the purpose of fabricating a Trinity in man.

 

It is this “Trinity in man” that I want to focus on today. First, let me be quick to write this does not indicate deity. We are not made “Father/Son/Holy Spirit.” We are not God. However, the image that Augustine, and later Calvin along with other reformed theologians refer deal with the triune nature of man. We are flesh (body), mind (emotions and intellect), and spirit (soul). Jesus references this when He was asked what the greatest commandment was. He said, “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” (Matthew 22:37 ESV).

 

This has more significance than space allows here for an adequate explanation. However, let me simply say that when we fail to recognize that we are created in this trinitarian fashion, we dare not neglect any of them. Most often we see the spiritual part of our humanity neglected. We make a great effort to take care to educate and fill our minds, as well as go to incredible lengths to preserve as much of a healthy body as possible. These things are indeed essential, but no to the neglect of the spiritual.

 

What are you really doing to care for and protect your spiritual part? How do you really spend your time in caring for the whole man of which you were created? Take care. Each is essential! That is, after all the beginning of understanding who we are.

 

God, Our Mighty Fortress

 

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah (Psalm 46:1–7 ESV).

 

It has been said that confession is good for the soul. Perhaps today’s devotional will do so for me. There are many memories that have long been forgotten from my childhood; however, one continues to stick. We were living above our family meat market/grocery store in Galveston, Texas. I was always a fan of western themed television shows. It seemed like an exciting life as they rode and camped in the old west righting wrongs and protecting the weak and helpless. So, one day I decided to play “cowboy.” I was merely eight years old at the time, though that’s certainly old enough to know better than to do what I did. I pushed the couch and some chairs around enough to make a tent by throwing a blanket over the tops an leaving room underneath the blanket in a makeshift tent. I had my trusty Daisy BB gun for protection for the wiles of the outdoors and the only thing missing was a warm campfire. That’s where I went off the rails. I found a metal trash can, it was small enough, yet safe enough in my mind to build the fire in. Not having any wood to burn I though the daily newspaper would do. Crumpling the paper up in the trash can and lighting it afire it began to smoke… a lot! It wasn’t long before my dad came running in the room having smelled the smoke from beneath in the store. That turned out to be a painful learning experience on the pros and cons of building a campfire inside the house!

 

When I was asked “why?” I would do such a dangerous thing, I simply said that I was trying to camp out like the Lone Ranger and Tonto did. Well, that didn’t help. It is a bit funny how we try to build forts today. We use financial security, homes, relationships with loved ones, and many other things to produce a sense of security. However, God offers us even more effective security and safety from the storms of life when pain flashes through our hearts and crises rattle us to the bone. Like a great comforter and yet stronger than a mighty fortress, our God invites us to take shelter in him and to be protected by his love, which is gentle and yet stronger than any force or calamity that may threaten.

 

Build your relationship with Him and He will never fail you!

 

 

God, the Greatest Fisherman

 

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5–6 ESV).

 

While I am not an expert fly-fisherman, I am an enthusiast in the sport. The picture I’ve included today is from an excursion I took with some friends and my son, Kyle. It was a guided excursion in Tennessee for Rainbow Trout. My expectation was certainly exceeded greatly. On this cast I was able to hook and eventually land an 8-pound rainbow! It was quite exciting for a bit. For those of you who fish you know the excitement that can unfold when you hook a fish much bigger than one you planned for. An angler—that is, a person who fishes with a rod and line—typically uses the equipment they need for catching a particular kind of fish. To catch a medium-size fish (like a trout), for example, you need tackle for that size of fish. But sometimes with that gear you can hook a much larger fish than you planned for. And when that happens, chaos can break loose.

 

The reel of a fly rod is not designed to use “drag” like others. As the fish swims powerfully away, you must take care not to pressure the thin leader or it will snap. Usually, with such a large fish, you’ll have just two options: to let the fish run, and hopefully tire it out so that you can catch it; or simply to cut the line and let the fish go. A determined angler may decide to hold on, skillfully using the rod and line through a long tug of war and gradually reeling the fish in. I chose the latter.

 

In some ways our relationship with God can be like that. We might be thinking we are free to do as we please, but God can “hook us,” and even though we might try to outrun and overpower him, he will never cut the grace-line or count us as a lost cause. He’ll fight for us and battle with us—and when all is said and done, he gives us the freedom to live a new and full life that is far beyond our imagining!

 

That is why the writer of our reading today calls Him “our Helper… therefore we have nothing to fear!

 

God, Our Closest Friend Forever

 

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. (John 15:11–17 ESV).

 

One of God’s greatest gifts to humanity is relationships. We are created for relationships; we are designed by God to be in community with others. I have been blessed to have been around many people all my life. Some have become close friends over the years. While others have occupied brief interactions in passing by. And still others have been friendly acquaintances. With some friends our relationships can feel as close as family, like a brother or sister, and we may love them just like family members. These are friends who will be there in both good times and bad, triumphs and tragedies, times of joy and times of sorrow.

 

There are often times I forget that my closest friend is Jesus. He isn’t a passerby who merely sizes us up, or an acquaintance who enters our life from time to time. Jesus is our brother, our closest friend, who gave up his own life so that we can become the adopted children of God, members of God’s everlasting family, and coheirs in his eternal inheritance. I like the way the Apostle Paul writes this truth:  

 

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:14-17 ESV).

 

Pooh Bear was right… we will be friends with God forever!

God, the Healer of the Brokenhearted

 

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:17–18 ESV).

 

"You Never Even Called Me by My Name" is a song written by Steve Goodman and John Prine. Prine requested to be uncredited on the song, as he thought it was a "goofy, novelty song" and did not want to "offend the country music community". Goodman released the song on his 1971 debut album Steve Goodman to little acclaim. It was more famously recorded by country music singer David Allan Coe on his 1975 album Once Upon a Rhyme. It was the third single release of Coe's career and his first Top Ten hit, reaching a peak of number eight on the Billboard country singles charts. The song, over five minutes long, is known for its humorous self-description as "the perfect country and western song."

 

In a spoken epilogue preceding the song's iconic closing verse, Coe related a correspondence he had with Goodman, who stated the song he had written was the "perfect country and western song." Coe wrote back stating that no song could fit that description without mentioning a laundry list of clichés from the genre: "Mama, or trains, or trucks, or prison, or getting drunk". Goodman's equally facetious response was an additional verse that incorporated all five of Coe's requirements, and upon receiving it, Coe acknowledged that the finished product was indeed the "perfect country and western song" and included the last verse on the record:

 

I was drunk the day my mom got out of prison

And I went to pick her up in the rain

But before I could get to the station in my pickup truck

She got runned over by a damned old train

 

Whether or not it’s the perfect country song, I’ve listened to it many times. It feels true to life, and that may be why people never seem to tire of songs like it: almost everyone can relate. Most of us have felt empty after a breakup or asked, “What went wrong?” after losing someone we love.

 

Thankfully God’s Word provides some guidelines to help us answer our questions and give us peace of mind when heartache and heartbreak happen. When we hurt, Scripture can provide comfort. It also gives us a way to express how we feel, especially when we don’t know what to say or how to say it. Much of that language can be found in the Psalms, and many psalms were written by people who shared their feelings candidly and honestly.

 

David, the writer of our reading today (Psalm 34), didn’t have to search long for peace, and neither do we. God is near to those who hurt, and we can trust today that the One who gave the sun its ability to shine, who told the waters how far they could go, and who constantly watches over the universe is also near to you—and he’s saying, “I’ve got this, and I’ve got you.”

 

God, Our Provider

 

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:14–21 ESV).

 

Our reading today is known as “The Feeding of the 5,000.” It is told by Matthew in his gospel account. His viewpoint was from that of a disciple. I often wonder what it would have been like to be a person in the crowd. Imagine being surrounded by thousands of people—men and women of all shapes, sizes, and ages. You would probably see young children running around as parents tried to corral them along the shoreline. And seniors slowly shuffling to find a place close enough to Jesus so they could hear him speak. It was probably an example of what people have called “organized chaos.” Even Jesus’ disciples didn’t know what to do with the hungry followers (vv. 15-17).

 

What was it like to see the calm and measured face of Jesus in the midst of such a hectic scene? How did Jesus know he could feed all those hungry people with just “five loaves of bread and two fish”? That last question is easy to answer. Jesus knew he could feed the starving crowd because he was and is the Son of God, who not only provided the bread and fish but also created the earth and established everything in it, from the waters where the fish lived to the land that provided the grain used to bake bread. Knowing the power of the Creator gave Jesus the opportunity to invite others to know him too.

 

Trust Him for your needs. He will not fail you! He is Jehovah Jireh! He is the God Who provides!

 

God, Our Defender

 

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:17–19 ESV).

 

God is portrayed in Scripture as a powerful defender, shield, and refuge who protects believers from spiritual and physical harm, often fighting on their behalf. Relying on God as a defender means trusting in His timing and justice rather than relying on self-defense, allowing for peace in the face of opposition. He is called a shield and fortress (cf. Psalm 18:1-6). He is described God as a rock, fortress, and shield, delivering believers from enemies. Further, God is not passive; He defends reputations, acts as a lawyer for His children, and works on their behalf. He is also shown as a Promise-Keeping Defender (cf. Isaiah 54:17). The prophet promises that no weapon formed against believers will succeed, which is a theme seen throughout the Bible. Perhaps the promise I depend on most is how God is described as a "very present help in trouble" who does not sleep or slumber while watching over his people. I find I need Him in the most inopportune moments of life.

 

You may be one of those people who have a strong relational safety net. This has been your means of protection when you face a sudden tragedy or unexpected loss. Parents or guardians and other family members are often seen in this way. When we know we have access to that kind of security, everyday life can seem easier and less stressful. I have found that my family is such a strength to me in times of difficulty.

 

But some people do not have those types of relationships. What’s more, there may be several reasons why a person might face unfortunate circumstances. We can imagine a person who, after the death of a spouse or partner, is experiencing loneliness or the fear of having an increasingly isolated life. Or perhaps we can imagine the trauma of a teenage child who loses a parent—and their life is suddenly changed forever. Maybe you know someone with a story like that—or maybe something like that has happened to you.

 

Wherever you are and whoever you are, God is your rock. And no matter what you’re going through, God sees you. God is there to defend you, protect you, clothe you in righteousness, and nourish you with the bread of life, which is Christ Jesus.

 

God, Our Advocate

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.] The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:13–18 ESV).

 

The concept of God as an Advocate on our behalf is very prominent in the Scripture. In our reading today the psalmist describes the immeasurable size and scope of God’s kingdom. There is no beginning or end to the Lord’s reign or to his ruling power. With the coming of Jesus and His work on the cross He has assumed the principal position of advocate on our behalf.

 

According to the New Testament, Jesus Christ acts as our advocate (parakletos) with God the Father, pleading our case and defending us against accusations when we sin. As the "righteous" intercessor, he uses his own sacrificial death as justification for our forgiveness. This role provides assurance that believers have direct access to mercy. John Calvin’s quote (attached here) is one we would do well to both understand and apply in our lives. The Scripture has several essential applications.

 

It speaks of legal defense. Just as an attorney defends a client, the Apostle John describes Jesus as the one who speaks in our defense, arguing that the penalty for sin has already been paid (cf. 1 John 2:1). It also speaks of intercession. Jesus continuously lives to make intercession for believers, repairing relationships between humanity and God.

 

We have also been given a "Helper" at our side. The Greek word parakletos often translates as comforter or helper, indicating Jesus serves as our counselor. His advocacy is not based on our innocence but on his own righteousness and the proof of his sacrifice. This helps us in every moment when we feel as if we have failed beyond the possibility of hope. Thus, the concept of Christ as our Advocate is meant to encourage believers to turn from sin, knowing they have a defender in heaven, and to bring confidence in God's forgiveness. The psalmist in our reding today also points out that the Lord picks us up when we fall and builds us up when we feel unworthy.

  

God Is Our Friend

 

The LORD Will Be Gracious. Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:18–21 ESV).

 

It is easy to picture God sitting on an ornate throne made of rare metals, adorned with priceless jewels, and upholstered in the finest fabric. In fact, there are some references in the Bible that portray God in a similar way.

 

But, what if, for a moment, we close our eyes, quiet our souls, and imagine God differently? What if God—still in all his glory and splendor—isn’t sitting in lavishness associated with royalty but instead is sitting at the corner booth in a local coffee shop, or on the couch in your family room, eagerly waiting for you? What if God, who is so excited to see you, leaps from his seated position and embraces you like a friend who longs to hear how you are doing and what you have been up to? What if God, in both his divine and human nature, gives you his undivided attention as you share with him your life, your story, your joys, and your concerns?

 

This is the God who is our Father. He is Friend. How do you see God today? Or, maybe a better question: How do you need to see God today? The beauty of God is that he is not only the King of all creation but also the attentive friend who is always near. Trust in Him!

 

Thinking Is Hard!

 

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (Philippians 3:12-16 ESV).

 

Tomorrow, May 8^th, we will be traveling with Kyle and Brandy to the “holy land,” better known to many as College Station, Texas, the home of Texas A&M University. In the evening we will be attending the graduation ceremony where Logan (their son and our oldest grandson) will receive his bachelor’s degree. His twin sister, Faith, earned her degree in December, which was a semester early. There is something very special about being a part of this time of transition. It is certainly a milestone for him to be proud about.

 

I have often spoken at baccalaureate ceremonies in the past, though this time I will merely be a very proud grandpa. He will graduate with honors with a business degree. We have had some conversation surrounding the rigorous academics necessary to achieve this degree, though he was always humbler about it than I. He did confess that he would be glad to take a little time off where he didn’t need to “think so hard.” And, perhaps there is some truth to the statement of “thinking is hard.” However, thinking is simply a way of life. I often find myself lost in thought especially about the past or the future. Inevitably those are the times when I am most tempted to lose sight of the incredible present God has given to me.

 

This important truth is embedded in our reading today from the Apostle Paul as he writes to the church at Philippi. Paul could have said a great deal about his adventuresome past; some of it would have been said with pride and others of it would have whispered with regret. No one of us, no matter how accomplished or successful can truly look back without some sense of failure or regret. It is a natural part of our lives. Paul could have looked forward into his life and recognized that the future was not nearly as bright as some of his past. In fact, at the time of his writing this epistle he is in prison at Rome awaiting final sentencing, which undoubtedly would be a gruesome execution for the entertainment of the crowds drawn to the Coliseum.

All of us have those kinds of moments where the past haunts us and the future terrifies us. So, let me lay this principle before you. It has served me well, especially in these latter decades of my life: Never let past failures or future fears rob you of present joy.

 

Remember how Paul put it… But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 

There’s really not a lot of “thinking” in that statement. Of course, I would encourage you to learn from all your past experiences. Both those you have done well with and those that you wish you could do over are instructive. But once the lesson is learned… PRESS ON! This is how we remain a student in life. I like the way Paul commends his readers to press on toward a very specific goal. That finish line is the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. That insures us of present joy! Remember this above all… Thinking Is Hard. And, in Christ all things are possible. Enjoy your present!

 

Matthias, the Thirteenth Apostle

 

So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:21–26 ESV).

 

There were always times when I was vocationally in the ministry when we needed to search for another staff member. Rarely was that an easy task. Since we were congregationally controlled there was no “appointment” from district, state, or national leadership. A committee would be formed from within the church. The first step was to make contacts with friends and leadership who we trusted and ask for recommendations. We would begin by receiving resumes. They would be sorted according to experience and talent. Then the process of interviewing would begin. It was much the same as any other search for staff in a business or corporation. Often we would settle on two or three candidates. That was when the real work began. Meeting together we would pray over each candidate’s name and enter into discussion about what we felt the Lord would have us do.

 

This was the story of our reading today and the introduction of Matthias to the narrative. He was chosen over Joseph called Barsabbas to complete the apostolic group after Judas's betrayal. Tradition holds that he followed Jesus from the beginning, exemplifying quiet faithfulness. While not mentioned again in the Bible, early church traditions suggest he preached in Judea and later in areas like Cappadocia or Ethiopia. He is widely believed to have died as a martyr, with stories suggesting he was stoned and beheaded. He is most remembered for his quiet perseverance.

 

I wonder how Matthias felt during this process. He had been following Jesus from the beginning. He had heard everything that Jesus had taught. He had seen all the miracles Jesus had done. He may have been one of the 72 followers Jesus had sent out during his ministry. Matthias must have had many stories to share about what he had seen and done while following Jesus. Certainly, he was a qualified and loyal follower of Jesus. But he wasn’t one of the original twelve apostles until his name came up and was drawn by lot. Prior to that moment he quietly waited for his time to serve by serving where he was.

 

Sometimes the message we get from Jesus is “Wait.” We may be ready to go where he sends us or to do what he wants us to do. But he tells us to wait. Wait for the opportunity and for the time to be right. Wait for Jesus to call on us. I imagine Matthias was excited to become part of the leading group of Christ-followers who would go out and change the world. I hope you are excited to be a part of that movement as well. Serve where you are and be willing to go where you are asked.

 

The Men on the Road to Emmaus

 

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24:28–35 ESV).

 

The account of the men on the road to Emmaus, which is recorded in Luke 24:13–35, describes two disciples of Jesus walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus on the day of Jesus’ resurrection. We do not know their identities for sure. Luke mentions the name of one as being Cleopas. According to some early church traditions, he may have been the brother of Joseph (Jesus' earthly father). The other is not named in the biblical text. Various traditions and scholars have suggested several possibilities, including: Simon (Luke 24:34), possibly Cleopas' son or a different disciple; Mary, the wife of Clopas, suggesting the pair was a married couple; or, even Luke himself, acting as an anonymous witness.

 

The two men were traveling about seven miles from Jerusalem, discussing the recent crucifixion and reports of the empty tomb with deep sadness. The resurrected Jesus joined them on the road, but they were "kept from recognizing him". As they talked, the two exhibited a lack faith that Jesus had been resurrected. Jesus rebuked their lack of faith and, starting with Moses and the Prophets, explained how all the Scriptures pointed to the Messiah’s suffering and eventual glory.

 

The story has a very happy ending though. Upon arriving at Emmaus, they invited the stranger to stay for a meal. As Jesus "took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them," their eyes were opened, they recognized Him, and He immediately disappeared. Despite it being evening, they immediately raced back to Jerusalem to tell the Eleven apostles, "It is true! The Lord has risen!". In many ways they were like Thomas. They needed to “see” to believe.

 

I wonder how often we find ourselves in Christ’s presence and don’t realize it. Though he isn’t actually there in person, he can be present with us anywhere at any time because he promises, “I am with you always” (cf. Matthew 28:20). Maybe a conversation with a friend ushers us into Jesus’ presence. Or maybe a worship experience helps us connect with Christ in a new way. Or maybe someone shines the presence of Jesus in a selfless act of service. Whatever the case, let’s keep our eyes open for Jesus in our everyday living. No doubt he is walking with us each day.

 

Thomas, also known as Didymus

 

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:24–29 ESV).

 

I have a bit of difficulty with Thomas’s doubt. Perhaps that’s simply because I came to my faith later in life. I often wonder how he could have seen all that Jesus did and not believed. However, he didn’t. Further, for reasons we are not told, he wasn’t with the other disciples when Jesus first visited them after his resurrection, so he hadn’t seen Jesus firsthand. Maybe he should have taken the disciples’ word for it when they told him they had seen Jesus. Maybe he should have had more faith. Or maybe he was just an untrusting sort of person. Whatever the case, Thomas said he just couldn’t believe Jesus was alive until he saw Jesus for himself.

 

Jesus’ gentleness and kindness in dealing with Thomas’ doubt is so encouraging. When Jesus came again and Thomas could see him, Jesus was patient with Thomas. Jesus even showed Thomas what he said he needed to see to believe. But Jesus also noted that all who believe without seeing him will be blessed. Today that includes us. Belief without seeing is the nature of our faith much of the time. We probably won’t see Christ in person until we join him in eternity. Until then, though, we believe even though we have not seen.

 

We are called to have faith in Jesus for who he is, all he has done, and all he has promised. We believe because others have seen, because others have witnessed, and because their testimony is in God’s Word to us, along with all of God’s promises. We believe because the Spirit of God guides us into the truth of God’s Word and gives us faith (cf. John 16:7-15; Ephesians 2:6-10). And in believing we are blessed.

 

Mary, the Mother of Jesus

So the soldiers did these things, but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. (John 19:24–27 ESV).

 

Mary, the mother of Jesus, has a special history for many reasons. I’ve always thought her courage and strength were only surpassed by her faith in God. She had an important job raising the son of God. Sometimes simply thinking about boggles my mind. I know what it is like to raise a son, actually three of them, and it is an incredible task. Hers was an unexpected pregnancy, probably the most unexpected pregnancy in the history of civilization. She was a virgin who was told by an angel that she was going to be a mother, that her child was going to change the world and that she would have her heart broken. She likely was no more than 14 or 15 years old at this time in her life. And Nazareth in 1 B.C. wasn’t exactly an encouraging place for an unwed mother. I am sure there was a lot of criticism and gossip at the time. Even Joseph was ready to leave her until God stepped in and explained the situation. Yet she persevered. I wonder what thoughts she must have had standing at the cross watching her son in agony, dying.

 

Jesus’ entire ministry was characterized by selfless acts. Healing sick people, feeding hungry people, taking the role of a servant, and even raising the dead were major parts of his ministry of bringing the good news of God’s love for us all. Jesus was always looking out for others and putting them and their needs ahead of his own. So we shouldn’t be surprised that as he hung on the cross he was still thinking about others.

 

Jesus’ mother, Mary, stood by helplessly, watching her son die on a cross. No doubt, she wept with the others who stood with her. And while Jesus neared death, he reached out to make sure that she would be taken care of. He told the disciple that he loved (John) that he should take Mary into his home and treat her as his own mother and that Mary should treat John as her own son.

 

We can learn so much from her reaction. The pain was real. Jesus’ death was excruciatingly real. Her son died before her eyes in the cruelest of ways being completely innocent of all wrong. Yet, as she naturally grieved, she did what she knew to do. She trusted her son as he told her to lean on John and hoped. We have so much more evidence for our hope today. In your trials, take a step and trust in the direction Jesus is leading you. 

The Centurion and the Guards at the Cross

 

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Then the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:50–54 ESV).

 

Have you ever seen something that was so amazing you were tempted to think it couldn’t be real? With the capability of Artificial Intelligence and its near universal availability, that is a question that often pops to mind. Sometimes things seem so astonishing that it is hard to believe. However, once I determine it is real, I feel compelled to tell others about it. Such is the case of the NASA mission of Artemis II. The picture I’ve attached today was taken from inside the space capsule as Christina Koch views Earth from Orion. It is the moment when Artemis II mission specialist Koch looks at Earth from the window of the Orion spacecraft on its way to the Moon during the Artemis II mission. At the time, Christina was already farther away than any woman has ever been from our planet. To think of it and to see it is simply astonishing.

 

This is what Matthew describes in our reading today. The Centurion and the guards assigned to execute Jesus and the two thieves that day witnessed something so astonishing, they were compelled to declare exactly who Jesus was. That was the reaction of the centurion and the guards who watched over Jesus’ execution. They saw everything that happened to him. And after everything had happened—after Jesus had given up his spirit—they couldn’t help declaring exactly who Jesus was.

 

Encountering Jesus has that effect on people still today. When Jesus shows up in our lives and does something miraculous or we are able to see the work of his Spirit through an individual or a community, we can’t help sharing that good news with everyone we meet. Not all of us may be able to think of something quickly but today would be a good day to spend a bit of time pondering the miraculous in your life. I’m always drawn to the birth of our children and grandchildren. There is no lack of the miraculous in those events. And, then those thoughts take me to so many more. God’s work among us is always present!