A Journey to Easter Morning

 

But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. (1 John 2:20-27 ESV).

 

Easter will be celebrated in most of the world on Sunday, April 9^th, just a little under a month from today. Since we are approaching that wonderful holy day I thought it might be of interest to use the devotionals as a vehicle to encourage, inspire, and perhaps inform you of some of the practical implications for us. In our reading today the Apostle John makes a bold declaration: we have an anointing from the Holy One (v. 20). Understanding this truth will surely encourage us in our present culture and circumstance. The effect of this is that he is telling us our identities have now been changed to “prophets, priests, and kings. We rarely think of ourselves that way. But God does. He lifts us up to live a full life of blessing and purpose.

 

In the next thirty days we will look at what it means to be prophets, priests, and royal rulers in God’s service. Remember that Jesus was also “anointed” with the Holy Spirit; and, He is our chief Prophet. This means he fully reveals to us the will of God and how God calls us to live. Jesus is also our perfect High Priest, who gives us access to God and has delivered us through the one sacrifice of his life for us. What’s more, Jesus is our eternal King, who governs us by his Word and Spirit.

 

And we share in his anointing. We are called to believe and trust in Jesus and to honor his name, to serve as living sacrifices of thanks, and to reign with him forever. As the Spirit of God works in our lives, we gradually become like Jesus. Our identity begins to align with his. Our love and obedience to Christ grow as we carry out our calling (our anointing) as prophets, priests, and rulers who serve God. This becomes our identity as we live our lives. Rest in that truth!

Spiritual Growth

 

Not that I have already obtained this or mam 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).

 

The Spanish musician Pablo Casals was one of the most accomplished cellists of all time. His commitment to practicing the cello illustrates the importance of perseverance. Though Casals had mastered the cello, he continued to practice for three hours every day, even when he was elderly. When he was 93 years old, someone asked him why he practiced so much. He responded, “I’m beginning to notice some improvement.” I do not recommend trying to “get better.” It is usually a fruitless endeavor since “better” is a comparative of time. I might be able to achieve a better life today, but that only means it is not good enough for tomorrow. The goal ought to be improvement through perseverance.

 

Like the Apostle Paul, we ought to strain, in God’s strength, for improvement in our spiritual maturity. It’s striking that Paul should feel that way, since he had already gone through many challenges and triumphs in his journey with Christ. Think of his dramatic conversion (cf. Acts 9), the persecutions he faced, or his vision of paradise (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10). We might think Paul would have been satisfied (and worn out) by his career as a missionary, but he yearned to continue the journey.

 

Paul longed for more because the Spirit at work in him was gradually making him like Christ and filling him with the desire to serve God with his whole being, as Jesus did. In Christlike humility Paul knew he had further to grow, and that in Christ’s strength he could “press on.” Use this time of Lent to meditate on the areas where you might apply a bit more perseverance and grow spiritually.

 

Annuals and Perrenials

 

So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; git is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus, it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:42-49 ESV).

 

A perennial plant or simply “perennial” is a plant that lives more than two years. The term is a translation of two root words that means "through the years". It is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also widely used to distinguish plants with little or no woody growth. One of my favorites this time of the year in Texas are the bluebonnets. The picture I’ve included today is from the Ennis Bluebonnet Trail not far from us. This longhorn enjoyed the spring grasses among the bluebonnets lazily moving through the field when we stopped to get a picture.

 

Thinking of making another daytrip soon to see this year’s crop, I was reminded of our reading today. The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians, in part, to instruct them about the resurrection body. In some ways, the perishable body we have in this world could be compared to an annual plant—it fades and tragically dies. And the imperishable body promised in the new heaven and earth could be likened to a perennial—it lives on and on. However, according to this letter, the comparison breaks down. “The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable.” An annual does not become a perennial. It is worth noting, however, that recent research and experimentation at Texas A&M University reveals the genetics at work in annual and perennial plants. It seems that some genetic engineering can change an annual into a perennial.

 

If humans can change plants, surely God can change human bodies. The crucial transformation takes place in Christ’s death and resurrection. The bodies of all who follow him in life and death are planted like seeds, “natural bodies,” and raised “spiritual bodies”. That is the basis for our eternal hope!

Humility

 

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the Maker of them all. The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:1-4 ESV).

 

The rewards promised in Proverbs 22:4 are fleshed out in verses 1-3. Avoiding pride is not enough. We need to lean away from it and become humble. God makes both the rich and the poor, (v. 2). In this context, “rich” does not refer to having an extravagant life. Having riches, or wealth, means that when we are doing God’s work—that is, living God’s way—we can count on receiving everything we truly need to keep going. And wealth isn’t the most important reward. Honor, a good name, is more desirable than great riches (v. 1). By humbly following God, we gain the respect of other good people, and we probably gain some respect from some not-so-great people also.

 

The most reliable reward of humbly following God is life itself. When we are humble enough to rely on God’s direction, it is amazing how many pitfalls we avoid. We avoid the problems that pride falsely says we can handle ourselves.

 

When we are humble, we are amazed how often God helps us steer clear of trouble that we didn’t even see coming. When we are humble and we see or hear of someone’s folly leading to ruin, we learn to say, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.” That’s because, as verse 3 notes, the unwise keep going right into trouble; they don’t have God to guide them.

 

There really is no greater characteristic for us to develop than that of humility. It is from that position and practice that we can find true wealth and power. Our current culture doesn’t see that truth much of the time; however, this is the truth of Jesus so often modeled and taught. Seek to be more and more like Him!

 

A Test of True Greatness

 

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But sit shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.” (Mark 10:35-44 ESV).

 

The last week of Jesus’ life was only a few days away. The cross was near. Would you dare ask Jesus what James and John asked, saying in effect that they wanted the best seats in his kingdom? James and John forgot that the path to greatness involves service. They wanted power and privilege. They wanted to be served. But that would not be the path for them. They would suffer for following Jesus. They would suffer in ways like he suffered.

 

These words of Jesus are the theme verses of the book of Mark. They capture the essence of why Jesus came to live among us. He didn’t come for greatness; he came to give his life. Serving others was his mission. Others always came first for Jesus. His service culminated at the cross, where he showed his greatest love in laying down his life for us.

 

When we have a mountaintop experience with the Lord we are often tempted to look for greatness. It is now more than ever that we need to focus on the cross and remember how Jesus served. The more mature believer is essential in helping the younger believers to find their path of service with humility and greatness will follow. We must not get mired in the thoughts of who will be greatest.

 

 

Saints or Sinners?

 

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

 

Perhaps one of the most common complaints of the current movement of God is that it not taking place in “a church,” or its happening with “young people.” While it is true that many of the gatherings are taking place outside of the traditional church buildings there have been many of the gatherings that simply broke out in churches where people gathered to worship and sing. The colleges and universities that are seeing the move of the Holy Spirit within their campuses are taking place in non-traditional sites. The key is not where it is happening but to whom it is happening. Our reading today points us to a similar experience in Jesus’ day.

 

The question then becomes who are the people Jesus would spend time with if he lived physically among us today? Would he hang out with saints or sinners? Jesus surely would not have neglected either group, but it’s clear that he came for people who were spiritually desperate.

 

In our story today Levi (also known as Matthew) was that sort of man. He was a tax collector for the enemy Roman government. Like other tax collectors, he was seen by most of the religious community as a sinner and a traitor to his people. Many tax collectors had earned this because of the practice of growing rich by charging excessive taxes and pocketing the extra. He was the kind of person that hardworking, respectable people didn’t like. Most would have thought he had no chance with God. Yet, he was someone whom Jesus went after in his grace. Levi was just the kind of person Jesus came to save.

 

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

 

Repentance

 

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit. (Psalm 51:7-12 ESV).

 

Our reading today is from David’s great psalm of confession after committing adultery with Bathsheba and arranging the murder of her husband (cf. 2 Samuel 11-12). It’s a model psalm showing us how to confess our own sins to God. Its cries for mercy, honest acknowledgement of sin, and statements of renewed commitment to God are great examples for us to use in our own prayers. Ever genuine revival is steeped in personal confession and repentance.

 

This is the door to hope. David shows us this truth as he makes his confession. He writes, “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Hyssop was a small, brush-like plant in Israel. It’s mentioned in connection with the Passover; the Israelites used it to spread blood on the doorframes of their homes (cf. Exodus 12:21-22). Later it was used to sprinkle blood on the tabernacle to dedicate it to God and on people with skin diseases so that they would be cleansed. Hyssop, blood, cleansing, and forgiveness all go together in the Bible, and David’s plea to be cleansed with hyssop was like saying, “Wash me with blood, and I will be forgiven.”

 

The blood of Jesus is our hope of forgiveness. When we confess our sins and are washed in the blood of Jesus, we are made clean. No sin sticks to people who trust in Christ. Certainly the awakening that sprung from Asbury and continues in other places may be affirmed as genuine as we see the continued repentance and restoration through the work of Christ. We should also remember that we do not need a “place” to make our confession. Repentance and forgiveness come when we agree with God concerning our need (cf. 1 John 1:9).