Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

My husband has had medical issues more than once that compelled us to get to the hospital as quickly as possible.  As soon as the emergency personal hear of his heart history, they snap to attention and proceed without haste with the procedures of life saving protocols.  Although my heart is pounding and my mind reeling, peace comes as soon as I know he is being cared for by life-saving professionals. Then I wait.

As I wait, I pray God’s guidance for the ones who will care for him.  I also pray for Randy’s peace while they do what must be done.  Saving a life requires training as well as a knowing what tools and procedures are best for this person at the appropriate time.  Ah, and time is so precious.  Seconds and minutes cannot be wasted in indecision.  So, I pray, knowing God is our ever-present help.

Medical emergencies bring on roller coasters of emotions that overwhelm our thoughts.  We are less than able to make decisions, wondering about food to eat or clothes to wear, because at that time in that place all our focus is on the one whose life needs to be saved.  It occurs to me that the same urgency for lost souls should be our focus today!

Imagine the emotions of these followers, dearly beloved friends, of Jesus who watched him suffer and die a cruel death on a cross of shame.  Even though He told them it would happen, they were too fearful and sad to understand that this sacrificial act on Jesus’ part was fulfilling Scripture.  Their grief overtakes their memories of Jesus’ words to them about how He must do this to save the world!  It occurs to me that not one person is recorded as saying, “It’s okay, this isn’t the end, remember Jesus said he would come back to life in three days…so, wait for it…”  Instead, they are broken hearted and feel hopeless.

Then on the third day, Jesus is risen. The women see Him first, hear His voice, and run to tell the Good News!  But the hearers of the news do not believe at first.  Peter must check it out so he runs immediately to see an empty grave but then is more confused.  Jesus appears later to two men walking and talking on the road to Emmaus, going over all the details of his death without realizing the risen Jesus has appeared on the road with them!  Their eyes open to Truth as Jesus prays over the meal in their home.  Imagine the new emotions that rise up in these men!  Hope replaces grief!  Joy replaces sadness. They run to tell the Eleven who are hiding out.  And as they tell their story of Jesus, Jesus appears right on cue to verify the Truth.  Truth has risen and Hope is restored.

And “YOU will be my witnesses!” says Jesus.  This is the message: You will proclaim a “total life-change through the forgiveness of sins” in my Name. 

FINAL WORDS…

But that’s not all!  We will need Help.  Jesus tells them to wait, be still, and stay where they are for another powerful gift.  Yes, there’s a new Wind blowing that will come to equip them with power from God to each believer.  Their witness work will be delivered in power by God’s Holy Spirit who will now reside in them!  Wow!  His Spirit will give us the words to say…just ask Peter!  (See Acts 1 and 2)

Now imagine their emotions as they watch Jesus blessing them as He ascends into the heavens on His way back to His Father!  The emotion of unspeakable joy, full of the glory of God, overtakes them and drives them to their knees in worship of Him.  Oh, what a Savior!  There is no one like our God!  What He says, He will do!  He has restored Life for eternity!

Luke 24, The Message

You’re the Witnesses

⁴⁴ Then he said, “Everything I told you while I was with you comes to this: All the things written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets, and in the Psalms have to be fulfilled.”

^45-49 He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. He said, “You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations—starting from here, from Jerusalem! You’re the first to hear and see it. You’re the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you’re equipped with power from on high.”

^50-51 He then led them out of the city over to Bethany. Raising his hands he blessed them, and while blessing them, made his exit, being carried up to heaven.

^52-53 And they were on their knees, worshiping him. They returned to Jerusalem bursting with joy. They spent all their time in the Temple praising God. Yes.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

This same Jesus who died and rose again in front of many eye witnesses saves our souls as we come to Him with believing, repentant hearts.  His life-saving protocol is this: Jesus sets us free as soon as we ask for His forgiveness.  His Holy Spirit rushes in to reside in our hearts, minds, and souls to begin the work of transforming our behaviors to match who we say we believe.  We cannot do this work alone.  We need a Savior.  We need the gift of God’s Holy Spirit that delivers the power to change and the power to tell others. 

Once we believe, really believe that God is who He says He is and does what He says He will do through His Son, Jesus, His love becomes who we are and His Spirit leads what we do.

How do I know?  I believe.  I am not perfect but I know I am perfectly forgiven.  I know of His great power that flows through me when I tell the story of Jesus.   His power is at work within me, even now, as I write this in Jesus Name for His glory and pray for those who will read it. I am a witness of His life-saving love, mercy, and grace in me. 

Believe and be saved.  Then go and tell…

Many are in the ER of lostness and life and we must tell them how to have Life restored!

Lord,

Cleanse our hearts, remove all that offends you.  Renew our minds that transforms our behaviors with power!  Refresh our souls with your new mercies for today.  Restore the joy of your salvation at work within us daily.  You are God.  I believe.  I trust you, dear Jesus.  Thank you for being with us always as we go and tell in Your Name.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Each one of us have certain ways about us that make us recognizable–even from a distance.  Maybe it is distinguishable gait in our walk.  Perhaps it is the way we use our hands as we talk that sets us apart from others.  Maybe it’s the particular way we inflect our words as we use our body language to express our ideas or comment on the issues of the day.  Maybe it is how we eat or dress ourselves.  No matter what it might be, everything about us is distinctive with God-created characteristics that are not exactly like anyone else.

I remember waiting breathlessly excited that day for our son to get off the military transport plane with hundreds of other soldiers after a six-month deployment in a faraway land.  The plane had landed to cheers of a huge crowd of family members waiting their arrival.  These men and women had been missed by those who loved them dearly!  We cheered again when the ramp of stairs was put into place.  We cheered louder as the doors opened wide and military persons began making their descent down the steps. 

Then it dawned on us; in this huge crowd of people, how will we recognize our son who is dressed in military garb just like his comrades?  My husband said not to worry—he has that walk—like your dad.  True.

We craned our necks as we held up our welcome home signs as a family.  We searched the crowds for a glimpse of our son (and his walk) when suddenly he appeared in our midst!  “Hello!”  We couldn’t believe it—here he is in the flesh, standing our circle!  He saw us from the top steps, put his eyes on us, and walked right through the crowd and found us before we had our eyes on him.  Tears of joy flowed. Words of thanks said to God for his safe return, followed by tight hugs from everyone.  Our son is home with his family who loves him most.  We see him, feel him, and recognize him as our own who has come home alive and well.  What we longed for finally happened!

Jesus said He would rise from the dead in three days—and He did!  But His beloved still had a hard time believing it!  Jesus appeared to the two broken hearted men who walked on the road to Emmaus; but they did not recognize Jesus until He broke bread with them in their home.  Was it how He twisted the bread in a certain way or how Jesus prayed as He did it that opened their eyes to recognition of Jesus whom they had seen crucified? Or could be it was God’s timing and Jesus’ obedience to His timing. These are human thoughts of wonder, but the Truth is this:  Jesus is alive in the same Body that was beaten and nailed to a cross.  He has the scars to prove it. 

Those who believe, really believe, now see Him for who He is—Savior and Lord!

Luke 24, The Message

A Ghost Doesn’t Have Muscle and Bone

^33-34 They didn’t waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, talking away: “It’s really happened! The Master has been raised up—Simon saw him!”

³⁵ Then the two went over everything that happened on the road and how they recognized him when he broke the bread.

^36-41 While they were saying all this, Jesus appeared to them and said, “Peace be with you.” They thought they were seeing a ghost and were scared half to death. He continued with them, “Don’t be upset, and don’t let all these doubting questions take over. Look at my hands; look at my feet—it’s really me. Touch me. Look me over from head to toe. A ghost doesn’t have muscle and bone like this.” As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. They still couldn’t believe what they were seeing. It was too much; it seemed too good to be true.

^41-43 He asked, “Do you have any food here?” They gave him a piece of leftover fish they had cooked. He took it and ate it right before their eyes.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus, Son of Man/Son of God, has certain characteristics and ways about Him that are like no other human who lived on earth:

• Jesus was without sin but placed all the sins of the world, yours and mine, upon his shoulders and nailed them to the cross—once and for all. 
• Jesus is perfect in love for God is love and they are One. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
• Jesus willingly gave His life for ours.  He had the power to walk away but chose to stay—for you and for me.
• Jesus is the One and Only Way to come to God.  “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” –Jesus, John 14:6
• Jesus said and did as God directed with each encounter with people on earth.  “For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.” John 12:49 
• “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.” John 5:19-20
• Jesus came to serve and who led his followers to serve.  “…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
• Jesus’ compassion was shown in His healings.  Jesus’ passion was shown as He laid down His life for ours.  Jesus demonstrated the full extent of His love as he knelt down in a servant posture to wash the dirty feet of His followers—even the feet of His betrayer!  John 13
• Jesus has all authority to be God in the flesh and save all who believe in Him.
• Jesus is the Prince of Peace who gives peace to us as a gift.  “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27
• Jesus is greater than our sin, our enemy, and ourselves.  “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.  1 John 4:4 Jesus is love, mercy, and grace who forgives our sins and makes us holy before him and reconnects us to God.  We cannot do that for ourselves.

Jesus walked and talked just like His Dad.  This is what makes Jesus distinctive and recognizable from all others who walked the earth.  There is no one like Jesus.  There is no one like our God!

Recognize Jesus for who He really is—Son of God! Believe, repent, and be saved for eternity with Him.

Lord,

I could spend all day listing your characteristics of your love, mercy, and grace!  You are Savior and Lord of those who believe.  I believe!  I really believe what you say is truth.  I am grateful for you.  Thank you for forgiving me and cleansing my heart of all that entangles my thinking and behaving.  Renew my minds, transform my behaviors.  Restore the joy of your salvation at work within me.  Remove all that is not you.  Help me to be more like you and less like me.  Use what you have created in me as distinct  for your glory, honor and praise!

In Jesus Name, Amen

Believing gives us hope and confidence.  But it is hard to fully believe while living in a world driven by getting by or getting ahead attitudes based on half-truths or almost truths as the way we see life now. Humans want to believe what we are told about a new product that will make us look good, smell better, give us confidence, and “make life easier.” But the product or person does not deliver so we have wasted time and funds pursuing it.

We want to believe in new and growing relationships.  We want to believe in the new friend who says they love us and would never betray us with talking smack behind our backs.  But then we soon learn of the gossip and are dismayed.  We want to believe family members who say they love and respect us but then betrayal occurs and our belief in them is challenged as our hearts break.  We may forgive, but our memories cause us to be cautious.

We want to believe institutions who hold and manage our investments to keep our hard-earned monies safe.  But then mismanagement causes losses and we lose trust in all institutions. We want to believe church people, knowing full well that no one is perfect.  We want to believe when they say they love us and simply want us to come be a part of their group—all for the sake of the Kingdom.  But then we discover some people just want to see what we can do for them with the goal of becoming like them, following in their imperfections, so they will feel condoned and justified. 

Jesus, The Great Physician has a diagnosis for this:  You have forgotten your “first love.”  (Revelation 2:4) Wounded but not destroyed, we look for a place to worship with those who simply believe with obedient hearts, eager to live Jesus.  We look for a gathering who know we are all a work in progress but at the same time we do not settle for merely condoning and getting by.  Instead, we strive and begin to thrive through continual examinations of our hearts, asking for God’s help to grow in His Truth while bearing the fruits of His Holy Spirit—His character traits developing in us.

We want to trust God in all life circumstances until—what we expected to happen didn’t happen.  We blame God when we do not understand.  We blame others in our pathway.  We blame circumstances and offer excuses because we humans think there is a solution for every problem, a reason for every occurrence, and an explanation that we must offer.

Hope, trust, faith and love are challenged.  For some hope is shattered.  Trust escapes.  Darkness overcomes the Light.  Love is lost.  And the greatest of these is love.

We have trouble simply believing because of betrayal, disillusionment, and despair coupled with the fear produced in our current circumstances that seem impossible to understand.  Panic sets in for what lies ahead in a world that is harsh and unkind and cannot be trusted.  We forget for a time Jesus’ words that warned us that this world is led by a dark prince who works overtime to distract and deceive, with the goal of destroying our faith in the One and Only who saved us and set us free from our sins.

But there is Good News!  Jesus appears to the dismayed, confused, and dishearten to bring understanding.  He turns dark back to Light.  He opens our eyes to see from His higher place with a Love that is deeper, greater, relentless, and completely reliable because He is The King of kings and The Lord of lords.  We recall all that Jesus taught us and with His help, we begin to put it all together.  Jesus is Truth.  There is no denying, Truth.  Truth accomplished exactly what God told Him to do.  Truth has come to set us free from this world of lies. Truth’s fire of faith and confidence burns once more within us and we simply believe.  And Hope is restored. 

Luke 24, The Message

The Road to Emmaus

^13-16 That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was.

^17-18 He asked, “What’s this you’re discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They just stood there, long-faced, like they had lost their best friend. Then one of them, his name was Cleopas, said, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard what’s happened during the last few days?”

^19-24 He said, “What has happened?”

They said, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene. He was a man of God, a prophet, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and all the people. Then our high priests and leaders betrayed him, got him sentenced to death, and crucified him. And we had our hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. And it is now the third day since it happened. But now some of our women have completely confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and couldn’t find his body. They came back with the story that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of our friends went off to the tomb to check and found it empty just as the women said, but they didn’t see Jesus.”

^25-27 Then he said to them, “So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?” Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.

^28-31 They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: “Stay and have supper with us. It’s nearly evening; the day is done.” So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.

³² Back and forth they talked. “Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

On the Emmaus Road—

Notice that Jesus didn’t jump into the conversation with “Surprise, here I am!”  Instead, He asked what was on their hearts and uppermost in the minds.  Jesus knew of course, but had them go back over the details so they could hear themselves speak of what just happened.  Maybe this was a way of measuring their belief barometers as they tried to unravel the events.

Jesus asks us where we are in our faith journey by prodding us to go over what we know currently so He can lead us to Truth.  He does that with these men. Notice how Jesus led them to tell the whole story.  They tell who Jesus was with who was against Jesus.  Then their belief barometer spikes when they tell Jesus who Jesus was to them.  These confused, perplexed, brokenhearted men shared how all their hope was in Jesus, but now He is gone—even His Body is gone!  They are not only confused; they are hopeless without Jesus!

Ah, a great place to begin! Jesus walks beside them and guides them back to Truth as written by the prophets.  Jesus began with Moses, showing them that ALL of scripture is and always has been about Jesus!  When Jesus speaks, we are drawn to the One who is Truth because we long for Truth—we’re empty without Jesus!

Upon breaking bread, their eyes are opened, and they see Jesus!  And there He is—The living, breathing Word of God, the Word who became flesh and walked among them, the One who died and rose again, defeating death and has the scars to prove it, is sitting and breaking bread at a meal with them.  They see Him as the One who saved them just as He said He would.  Hope is restored as Jesus reveals Truth. 

Ah, and when He spoke, “did you feel the fire within us as He opened up Scripture to us?”  Yes, Truth has a way of doing that.

“This is my Son with Whom I AM well pleased”— “Listen to Him.” –God (Matthew 17:5)

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, (Turn from the world)

Look full in His wonderful face (Focus on Truth)

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim (Truth replaces confusion)

In the Light of His glory and grace. (Truth is revealed and forever is Truth)

Lord,

Thank you for Your Word. Thank you, Holy Spirit for opening our eyes to the Truth your Word reveals to us each day.  Cleanse our hearts.  Remove all obstacles between you and us.  Renew our minds.  Transform our behaviors as a result.  Turn all confusion to holy confidence in You.  Refresh our souls with your new mercies, fresh for each new day.  Restore the joy of your salvation at work within us.  Thank you for saving our souls. Thank you for being with us always.  I believe.  I simply believe.

In Jesus Name, Amen

First thought:  What just happened? 

When death comes to someone we love dearly, I have noticed that a certain way about us takes over all our senses in those first moments as this life leaves earth. I believe God has built into a believers’ being a kind of “shock absorber” of strength, calm assurance, with a resolve to do what is necessary to take care of the circumstance at hand as the grief mounts in our broken hearts. 

God provided this for me when first my mom and then later my dad passed from this life to Jesus’ arms.  I held their hands until their lives left here and was restored for eternity there.  But then comes all the arrangements and paperwork detail that follow a death in the family.  This begins within the hour of a person’s death and most times in our country is not fully resolved for up to a year later.  The after-death care is almost as hard as the initial passing.  But God’s strength and wisdom mounts as the believer is assured and guided.  He provides more than we can imagine.

After a few months, with most end-of-life tasks completed, flashbacks flood memories.  We watch “movies” of their lives in our thoughts of all they used to say to us, all they did for us, with episodes of life with them that made us laugh and cry. We remember.  It is good to remember.  Memories honor the one missed.  But then the grief can grow to dishearten us as it begins to take up residence in our thoughts.  Grief comes in like waves hitting the shore.  We know it will come; but we are still surprised with it smacks us from behind, seemingly without notice.  When the waves try to overwhelm us as they do; believers must remember Jesus’ words, “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.”  (Matthew 5:4)

God is there, softens the blow, and assures us once more, that He is with us always and will be our strength.  Those crashing waves are replaced by sacred moments of comfort from our God who so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son so that all who believed in Him would not perish but be saved for eternity.

We see this “shock absorber” built into the women who diligently sat or stood at the foot of the cross, unrattled from the earthquake and darkness, undeterred from the mocking of the passersby.  They remained until Jesus’ earthly body breathed His last breath.  Of course, they were mournful, fearful of the unknown, wondering what to do next.  Then they saw that God provided a merciful man of importance who was able to finally take the humbled, bloodied Body of Jesus down from the cross of shame.  With dignity this Joseph wrapped the Body in linen cloths.  The women did not walk away but followed close behind to see where the men would lay his Body.  Once they knew, they went home to not only prepare for Sabbath as commanded but to prepare the spices for His burial as an act of love. 

Soon, very soon, these women will experience a very sacred moment with their Savior and Lord.  They will begin to remember the words, among many, that Jesus taught that day on the mountain top and at other times and will resonant in their memories; “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.”

Luke 24, The Message

Looking for the Living One in a Cemetery

24 ^1-3 At the crack of dawn on Sunday, the women came to the tomb carrying the burial spices they had prepared. They found the entrance stone rolled back from the tomb, so they walked in. But once inside, they couldn’t find the body of the Master Jesus.

^4-8 They were puzzled, wondering what to make of this. Then, out of nowhere it seemed, two men, light cascading over them, stood there. The women were awestruck and bowed down in worship. The men said, “Why are you looking for the Living One in a cemetery? He is not here, but raised up. Remember how he told you when you were still back in Galilee that he had to be handed over to sinners, be killed on a cross, and in three days rise up?” Then they remembered Jesus’ words.

^9-11 They left the tomb and broke the news of all this to the Eleven and the rest. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them kept telling these things to the apostles, but the apostles didn’t believe a word of it, thought they were making it all up.

¹² But Peter jumped to his feet and ran to the tomb. He stooped to look in and saw a few grave clothes, that’s all. He walked away puzzled, shaking his head.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God knows exactly what we need when we need it most.  Jesus’ sermon on the mount as theologians like to call it is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and comfort, along with life lessons that guide us in the ways of God that bring us peace and joy.  Jesus’ followers have these precious words in their memory banks. When will they remember?

Jesus suffered, died, and rose again, exactly what He said.  Jesus told his closest followers more than once; “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” Luke 9:22  And now it has happened.  But the mourning over his death and the fear of what a Roman soldier can do has taken over most of his followers’ thinking.  They have forgotten about the “third day,” the best part of the message!

On that third day, the women come to place where they knew they had laid Him.  They wonder how they will roll the heavy stone away from the entrance but they soon discover that it has been done for them.  God provides another gift to these faithful women who loved Jesus well.  They experienced a holy, sacred moment with the angels of God who reminded them of what Jesus had said; “and on the third day, I will rise up from the dead.”  Their mourning turned to joy for He has risen—just as He said! 

The “shock absorber” of comfort that attended their grief was now replaced by Jesus’ victory over death with an urgency to tell others this Good News!

God gives us sacred moments with Him when we need it most.  Jesus’ words on the mountain top show and tell us how He provides.  We must listen and watch expectantly for God who is always at work for us.  God provides sacred moments in our lives that turn to sacred delights as He teaches us when walk and talk with Him.  This wonderful relationship with God is fully provided for us by His Son, Jesus, who reconciled (reconnected) us back to the God who loved us first.

Concerning the words Jesus said on the Mountain, Max Lucado writes—

“Sacred delight is good news coming through the back door of your heart. It’s what you’d always dreamed but never expected. It’s the too-good-to-be-true coming true. It’s having God as your pinch-hitter, your lawyer, your dad, your biggest fan, and your best friend. God on your side, in your heart, out in front, and protecting your back. It’s hope where you least expected it: a flower in life’s sidewalk.

It is sacred because only God can grant it. It is a delight because it thrills. Since it is sacred, it can’t be stolen. And since it is delightful, it can’t be predicted.

It was this gladness that danced through the Red Sea. It was this joy that blew the trumpet at Jericho. It was this secret that made Mary sing. It was this surprise that put the springtime into Easter morning.

It is this sacred delight that Jesus promises in the Sermon on the Mount.

Nine times he promises it. And he promises it to an unlikely crowd:

“The poor in spirit . . . those who mourn . . . the meek . . . those who hunger and thirst . . . the merciful . . . the pure in heart . . . the peacemakers . . . those who are persecuted . . .” (Matthew 5:3–10).

It is to this band of pilgrims that God promises a special blessing. A heavenly joy. A sacred delight.” –Lucado, Encouraging Word Bible

Jesus, the Living One, lives forever as our advocate to God as Savior and Lord.  God gives us sacred moments of special delights as we trust in Him.  The women are the first to experience the sacred in the empty tomb.

Don’t forget the message God’s angels gave of great importance to all the women who came to serve; “Why are you looking for the Living One in a cemetery? He is not here, but raised up. Remember how he told you when you were still back in Galilee that he had to be handed over to sinners, be killed on a cross, and in three days rise up?” Then they remembered Jesus’ words.”  Imagine the scene; Upon hearing the news, the women left immediately with bowls of spices left upturned and rolling aimlessly on the ground, to “go and tell”—Jesus is ALIVE!

Mark tells us Jesus appeared first to one the devoted, grateful women who had served Him with all her heart— “When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.”  Mark 16:9 What a sacred moment for Mary who was healed and made whole by Jesus with whom she had placed her life.

So, our memories are given to us to remind us how God has brought us through it all on this journey on earth.  Memories are not a place to set up camp.  They are precious sacred moments of thoughts that comfort and challenge us to move forward to what God has next for us.  “He is our ever-present help,” the Psalmist reminds us. (Psalm 46:1)

I praise God for the memories of my grandparents, parents and others that affected my life in so many ways.  But I praise God most of all for the sacred moments with Him that only He can provide in the good times and the challenging times.  “And lo, I am with you always—until the end of the age.”—Jesus (Matthew 28:20)

Lord,

Thank you for your comfort, mercy, grace, and help that comes from a love that is limitless and unconditional.  You are God.  There is no one like you.  Thank you for helping us to remember your Word when we are faced with mourning over loss.  Thank you for your voice that whispers wisdom to our hearts as others clamor for our attention.  I trust you, dear Jesus.  You are Life everlasting!

In Jesus Name, Amen

In the minds of the Jesus’ accusers among the religious elite, the mission to kill him was completed.  No more talk of this Jesus who was making them feel uncomfortable, even guilty at times.  They could now go back to their daily religious debates, pious living, with an even greater, victorious pompousness. No one gets by with judging them and getting away with it!

In the minds of Pilate and Herod, this religious fiasco between the Jewish council and Jesus would finally be put to rest and they could move on with their political lives of oppression over people; bilking them for everything they could pay in taxes and more.  Their power, in their minds, was certainly expressed and royally demonstrated by killing the “King of the Jews” as their soldiers mocked. No one gets by with revolting against the Roman government!

In the minds of Jesus’ followers, they are dismayed and overcome with grief.  With Jesus dead, the Light has gone out.  In fact darkness fell over the earth for all to experience.  His followers were confused.  However, the faithful women instinctively do what they have always done, they continue to serve Jesus by first seeing where they took his body and laid him to rest; then they returned home to prepare the traditional spices for burial out of respect for their Lord.  It was Sabbath.  The women must rest as the Law of Sabbath commanded.

In the minds of some caught up in it all out of curiosity and most certainly indecision; not a part of Jesus’ followers but wondering about what just happened—saw, felt, and heard the voice of a Savior. A ranking official from the Jewish Council asked Pilate for Jesus’ body out of respect for Jesus.  One Roman captain, standing guard observing it all remarked, “This was a righteous man.” (KJV) The gospel of Matthew reports, “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’” Matthew 27:54

In the mind of God, The Plan of His Salvation has only just begun to be completed in full.  Removing all the sin placed upon Him was indeed finished and accounted for all of us with the debt of sin hanging over us.  Jesus carried our sin and died on that cross as the Son of Man who felt every skin tearing beating before the agonizing pain of nails being hammered into his flesh. But there is more to come!  Will all the sins of the world removed from His shoulders by dying in our place, Jesus will go to hell and back again to defeat the enemy who created sin!  While His followers rest of the Sabbath, The Lord of the Sabbath will then rise from death, once and for all, as the Son of God, victorious over death forever!  Jesus’ body will cast off the linen wrappings, just as Lazarus did, and come running out that grave!  The Light has gloriously returned!

The first people Jesus will see will be the women who loved Him and have returned to serve Him in the garden.  Ah, the garden…where the love of God began.

Luke 23, The Message

When the captain there saw what happened, he honored God: “This man was innocent! A good man, and innocent!”

^48-49 All who had come around as spectators to watch the show, when they saw what actually happened, were overcome with grief and headed home. Those who knew Jesus well, along with the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a respectful distance and kept vigil.

^50-54 There was a man by the name of Joseph, a member of the Jewish High Council, a man of good heart and good character. He had not gone along with the plans and actions of the council. His hometown was the Jewish village of Arimathea. He lived in alert expectation of the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Taking him down, he wrapped him in a linen shroud and placed him in a tomb chiseled into the rock, a tomb never yet used. It was the day before Sabbath, the Sabbath just about to begin.

^55-56 The women who had been companions of Jesus from Galilee followed along. They saw the tombwhere Jesus’ body was placed. Then they went back to prepare burial spices and perfumes. They rested quietly on the Sabbath, as commanded.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Merely an observation-not a review…

Randy and I just completed watching “Away,” a science fiction drama streaming television series starring Hilary Swank. The show portrays the sacrifices an international group of astronauts must make, as they prepare to be away from their families for three years on the first crewed spaceflight to Mars.  Away follows the first crewed expedition to Mars, the Mars Joint Initiative. It features an international crew: a Chinese chemist, a world-leading British botanist with no previous experience in space, a Russian cosmonaut with the most experience in space, an Indian medical officer who is second in command, and American commander Emma Green. The three-year mission launches from the Moon; however, several crew members do not trust Emma’s ability to command because of her response to a crisis at the very beginning of the mission.  The series is “about hope, humanity and how ultimately, we need one another if we are to achieve impossible things.”

After many trials, sickness, and other life and death challenges while on their way to their Mars destination, their loved ones along with the problem-solving Ground Crew wait on earth for a word from them.  Spoiler alert: The crew lands safely on Mars.  They immediately leave the space craft for the first photo of humans on Mars.  But the families and Ground Crew in Houston do not yet know they have safely landed!  Families and Ground Crew must wait in silence with hearts pounding, eyes fixed on screens, as there is a seven-minute delay in transmission. 

Finally, they hear the words of the Commander, “Houston, Atlas. Touchdown confirmed.” As intent, invested watchers of the show, we naturally joined in the victory of their safety, as we felt the emotional responses of their families and the victorious applause of the Ground Crew who supported these people who dared to go and complete this mission.

But then I think…

What happened the day that Jesus was crucified as a sacrifice for our sins as reported from eye witnesses by the gospel writers is greater, so much greater, than all the emotions a movie made by man can produce.  We can only imagine the applause of heaven, the embraces of the heavenlies, the choirs of angels singing as Jesus completed His mission to save the world of sin, then rise again from death on the third day—just as He said He would.

Imagine all of heaven standing silent with God waiting for word. “Father, this is Your Son Jesus.”  “It is finished.” 

Wow.  Just wow.

Lord,

Thank you is not enough, because these are mere human words.  May my soul sing your praises all day long for who you are and what you have done to save us from death.  Thank you for providing removal of my sins by your agonizing sacrificial work on a cruel cross of shame that should be mine.  You ask of me to merely, humbly repent of those sins.  I do.  May Your every present Holy Spirit lead me all day long to tell your story of your glory at work in me and in the world by my behavior in response to your work of salvation in me.  “It is finished” was merely the beginning of new life for all who believe in You.  Oh, how I love you, dear Jesus, and trust you with all that is in me.  Praise your Holy Name!

In Jesus Name, Amen

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Stainless. Selfless. Even on a sinner’s cross Jesus’ holiness illuminates heaven. 

Don’t cry for Me, says Jesus.

Many could have spoken on behalf of Jesus, but none did. Until now. Kind words come from the lips of a thief writhing in pain while hanging on the cross next to Him while the other thief joins in the taunting. The thief knows he is a sinner and makes his request. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  The Savior turns his heavy head toward the prodigal child and promises, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” 

Don’t cry for Me, says Jesus.  I have the power to put an end to this agony, power to lay down my life and pick it up again.  Don’t cry for Me. I know what I am doing.

To those at the foot of the cross, this dialogue between Jesus and the thief was curious. But to those at the foot of the throne, the dialogue was outrageous. They couldn’t imagine it. How could the thief come to paradise? How could a soul speckled by sin go to heaven? How could a sinner be saved? They were about to see. 

Don’t cry for Me, cry for yourselves who don’t know me and believe me.

Did an angel move, did a demon stir as they witnessed the answering of the prayer? This is so bizarre!  The sins of the thief (and all us thieves!) leave his heart, mind, and soul and go to Jesus.  This sinner on the cross next to Jesus—saved from hell by the grace of Jesus? Yes! Layers of guilt and shame along with every evil thought and vile deed—his sins, all of is his sins now cover Jesus.  What nauseates God now covers his Son.  For a few excoriating moments in time, until it is finished, God must turn his back from His Son who is covered with the sins of the world—until grace wins.  The One with no sin becomes sin-filled. The one sin-filled becomes sinless. 

Don’t cry for Me…I know what I am doing to save you.

Through his sacrifice on the cross, Jesus fulfilled his earthly mission and atoned for sin—all the sins of the world—for those who believe on His Name and confess with their hearts that He is Lord—just as the thief did. 

Don’t cry for Me, says Jesus, cry for yourselves who do not believe in Me.

Luke 23, The Message

Skull Hill

^26-31 As they led him off, they made Simon, a man from Cyrene who happened to be coming in from the countryside, carry the cross behind Jesus. A huge crowd of people followed, along with women weeping and carrying on. At one point Jesus turned to the women and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t cry for me. Cry for yourselves and for your children. The time is coming when they’ll say, ‘Lucky the women who never conceived! Lucky the wombs that never gave birth! Lucky the breasts that never gave milk!’ Then they’ll start calling to the mountains, ‘Fall down on us!’ calling to the hills, ‘Cover us up!’ If people do these things to a live, green tree, can you imagine what they’ll do with deadwood?”

³² Two others, both criminals, were taken along with him for execution.

³³ When they got to the place called Skull Hill, they crucified him, along with the criminals, one on his right, the other on his left.

^34-35 Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing.”

Dividing up his clothes, they threw dice for them. The people stood there staring at Jesus, and the ringleaders made faces, taunting, “He saved others. Let’s see him save himself! The Messiah of God—ha! The Chosen—ha!”

^36-37 The soldiers also came up and poked fun at him, making a game of it. They toasted him with sour wine: “So you’re King of the Jews! Save yourself!”

³⁸ Printed over him was a sign: this is the king of the jews.

³⁹ One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him: “Some Messiah you are! Save yourself! Save us!”

^40-41 But the other one made him shut up: “Have you no fear of God? You’re getting the same as him. We deserve this, but not him—he did nothing to deserve this.”

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom.”

⁴³ He said, “Don’t worry, I will. Today you will join me in paradise.”

^44-46 By now it was noon. The whole earth became dark, the darkness lasting three hours—a total blackout. The Temple curtain split right down the middle. Jesus called loudly, “Father, I place my life in your hands!” Then he breathed his last.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus, Son of God, embodied God’s supreme love, compassionate mercy and outrageous grace that enabled Him to carry out God’s Plan of salvation for all who believe.  Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; they don’t know what they’re doing.”  This statement of prayer alone reveals the passion and power of our Savior.

Jesus cherishes women.  A group of women openly wept and lamented as they sympathized with Jesus and contemplated the terrible spiritual condition of their nation. “Don’t cry for Me, cry for yourselves” says Jesus.  Behind these words we hear the echo of the words the crowd had just spoken, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25). How these words have been fulfilled through the centuries!

It has been pointed out that, as far as the gospel records are concerned, no woman was ever an enemy of Jesus. Nor was Jesus ever the enemy of womankind. His example, His teachings, and most of all, His redemption have done much to dignify and elevate women. The news of His birth was shared with a Jewish maiden, His death was witnessed by grieving women, and the good news of His resurrection was announced first to a woman who had been demon-possessed.

Stop crying over what Jesus did to save us.  Stop crying over our own sin.  Stop complaining about the sins of others.  Stop blaming others for our own sins.  Let’s own our sin then repent of our sin.  It woud be a disservice to Jesus to continue to be revolted and mournful over the atrocities of Jesus being tied and nailed to a cross of wooden planks without believing in why He did it.  Jesus came to earth for the lost without a relationship with God.  Mankind had a sin problem that was merely “covered over” sin for a time by putting the sins of man on an unblemished lamb but this religious act and ceremony didn’t remove sin completely.  But religion also had a sin problem. 

God still loved us and had a plan to save us.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 Jesus became the Lamb of God, who was without sin, to be the sacrifice for all sin.  Jesus’ sacrificial act removed sin once and for all.  God loved us so much He sent His Son to put an end to our sin problem so we could come boldly to God in relationship with Him—ALL because of Jesus.  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

Don’t cry for Jesus who died and rose again to save us, weep over the unrepented sin that stands in the way of our relationship with Him! 

By faith in Christ, we gain access to all of God’s treasures—joy, peace, and eternal life. Don’t wait another minute. Believe.  Repent of all sin and be saved from the sins that had a hold on you.  He removes our sins “as far as the east is from the west”!  Receive Christ as your Savior and Lord. Commit the rest of your life to following his teachings.

David, the King who sinned against God then later asked forgiveness.  This is his song of praise to the One who removed his sins (transgressions) as far as the east is from the west.  God does the same for us because what Jessus did for us. 

Psalm 103–Of David.

¹ Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
³ who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

⁶ The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all the oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
    his deeds to the people of Israel:
⁸ The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
⁹ He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;
¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,
    he remembers that we are dust.
¹⁵ The life of mortals is like grass,
    they flourish like a flower of the field;
¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone,
    and its place remembers it no more.
¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting
    the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
    and his righteousness with their children’s children—
¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant
    and remember to obey his precepts.

¹⁹ The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
    and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Praise the Lord, you his angels,
    you mighty ones who do his bidding,
    who obey his word.
²¹ Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
    you his servants who do his will.
²² Praise the Lord, all his works
    everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

Lord,

Thank you for removing our sins, cleansing our hearts, renewing our minds, refreshing our souls and restoring the joy of your salvation at work within us daily as we pray and call on your Name.  I cry for those not yet believing and pray that soon, very soon, all might call on your name and be saved for eternity.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Our son-in-law is a high ranking official of our city’s coliseum where crowds gather for concerts, exhibition shows, political along with sporting events. Over the years of employment, he has learned a great deal about crowd control.  Control is a must so no one gets hurt in the process of giving the people what they want in entertainment without the crowd banning together to do harm. Teams of people work together to maintain peace for the safety of all people.

A crowd has gathered outside Pilate’s place of judgement. Peace and safety for this crowd is not the concern for the religious leaders—getting their way is of most importance.  A few days earlier, this same crowd honored Jesus with palms and cheering.  They joyfully danced and sang, “Hosanna, which means “save us, rescue us”!  “Blessed is He who come in the Name of the Lord!”  This crowd knew nothing of the plot of the religious leaders vehemently opposed to Jesus brewing beneath the surface of their joy of seeing their Healer, Miracle Worker, and now Savior, as He rode in on a donkey.  The rejoicing crowd prompted the religious leaders to work more swiftly and diligently to gain control of this crowd and turn public opinion to their way of thinking.  They incited the crowd to now shout, “Crucify Him”!  The desperate leaders decided it was their right to rid the world of the One who was robbing them of their power over the people.   

God knew.  God loved.  God used the situation to carry out His Plan of salvation for all who would believe.  God is in control.  Jesus’ accusers think they are in complete control of the situation.  God uses each player in His Plan to redeem the world as Jesus is being mocked, tortured, and examined for wrong doing. Jesus is found blameless time after time—fulfilling scripture with each accusation. 

God’s Plan cannot be thwarted by man. The Enemy thinks he is in control as he uses people as pawns in his game to stop God and His Plan; but God’s Plan will be carried out exactly as God told His prophets, centuries earlier, that it would. 

At just the right time and place, Jesus came into the world with God’s purpose to seek and to save the lost, guiding all who will listen back to God—beginning with His Chosen people.  God promised a Messiah.  God fulfilled His Promise.  “The one who will save”—has come and walks among His people.  And His very own people rejected the Promised Messiah!

Luke 23, The Message

Pilate

^1-2 Then they all took Jesus to Pilate and began to bring up charges against him. They said, “We found this man undermining our law and order, forbidding taxes to be paid to Caesar, setting himself up as Messiah-King.”

³ Pilate asked him, “Is this true that you’re ‘King of the Jews’?”

“Those are your words, not mine,” Jesus replied.

⁴ Pilate told the high priests and the accompanying crowd, “I find nothing wrong here. He seems harmless enough to me.”

⁵ But they were vehement. “He’s stirring up unrest among the people with his teaching, disturbing the peace everywhere, starting in Galilee and now all through Judea. He’s a dangerous man, endangering the peace.”

^6-7 When Pilate heard that, he asked, “So, he’s a Galilean?” Realizing that he properly came under Herod’s jurisdiction, he passed the buck to Herod, who just happened to be in Jerusalem for a few days.

^8-10 Herod was delighted when Jesus showed up. He had wanted for a long time to see him, he’d heard so much about him. He hoped to see him do something spectacular. He peppered him with questions. Jesus didn’t answer—not one word. But the high priests and religion scholars were right there, saying their piece, strident and shrill in their accusations.

^11-12 Mightily offended, Herod turned on Jesus. His soldiers joined in, taunting and jeering. Then they dressed him up in an elaborate king costume and sent him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became thick as thieves. Always before they had kept their distance.

^13-16 Then Pilate called in the high priests, rulers, and the others and said, “You brought this man to me as a disturber of the peace. I examined him in front of all of you and found there was nothing to your charge. And neither did Herod, for he has sent him back here with a clean bill of health. It’s clear that he’s done nothing wrong, let alone anything deserving death. I’m going to warn him to watch his step and let him go.”

^18-20 At that, the crowd went wild: “Kill him! Give us Barabbas!” (Barabbas had been thrown in prison for starting a riot in the city and for murder.) Pilate still wanted to let Jesus go, and so spoke out again.

²¹ But they kept shouting back, “Crucify! Crucify him!”

²² He tried a third time. “But for what crime? I’ve found nothing in him deserving death. I’m going to warn him to watch his step and let him go.”

^23-25 But they kept at it, a shouting mob, demanding that he be crucified. And finally they shouted him down. Pilate caved in and gave them what they wanted. He released the man thrown in prison for rioting and murder, and gave them Jesus to do whatever they wanted.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Pilate is caught in the middle, a political player who wants to diffuse trouble, washing his hands of putting a man to death for doing no wrong. Herod merely wants to be entertained and disappointed when he is not.  The Crowd follow the loudest voice in their ears.  God’s Chosen decide it is time to kill the Son who is disrupting the religious community with Truth.  All will play a part in God’s Plan without knowing the Truth.  Very soon Truth will rise and each person must decide individually; “what do we do with this Jesus?  The result of this decision is a matter of life or death.

Later, led by God’s Holy Spirit, Peter (“upon whom I will build my church”) will preach for the first time to a crowd numbering a few thousand.  He will remind the people of their sins of crucifying the One who came to save them.  “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” –Peter after Jesus’ ascension. Acts 2:22-24

“God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” Acts 2:32-33

Peter, the once lowly fisherman, now is fulfilling what Jesus called him to be, “I will make you fishers of men.”  (Mark 1:17) Now filled with God’s Holy Spirit power with the words to speak, Peter confidently begins the work of Jesus called him to do.  “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades (Hell) will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18 Jesus is Peter’s confidence.  So Peter continues… “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.  When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”  Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’  With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:36-40

God’s Plan to save the world from sin’s hold on us was completed in Jesus’ death and resurrection.  This question requires our response: what will we do with Jesus?  What must we do to reverse our sin problem?  Peter shows us the way to Jesus: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” 

Caught in the middle of the political pull is saying no to Jesus.  Following crowd opinion is a no to Jesus.  Wanting to be merely entertained is not following Jesus. 

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” Acts 16:31  So, we ask, do I really believe what God says really real?  What we believe in our hearts and decide with our minds will be revealed in our behaviors.  Be reconciled (reconnected) to God through Jesus, His Son. Then be in communion (intimate conversation) with Him daily.  God promises to never leave us or forsake us.  God does not lie. God is faithful.  Always and forever.

Lord,

I believe.  I love you with all my heart, mind, and soul because You loved me first. Cleanse my heart, renew my mind, refresh my soul, and restore the joy of your salvation at work within me—daily.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen

I don’t think anyone on the planet has avoided teasing with words that pick on what others judge about us as “weak” areas of our being.  I venture to guess; we have all done our fair share of teasing, too.  We seem to love seeing the arrogant “brought down to size” as we tease them.  Some of us take teasing on as a sport in which we must compete with fervor to win.  We love to “get someone’s goat” as the saying goes. 

Fun Fact:  Getting someone’s goat is defined as making someone annoyed or angry: “Gavin may seem unflappable, but I know a way to get his goat.” This expression comes from a tradition in horse racing. Thought to have a calming effect on high-strung thoroughbreds, a goat was placed in the horse’s stall on the night before the race. Unscrupulous opponents would then steal the goat in an effort to upset the horse and cause it to lose the race, thus “getting someone’s goat”. 

Family teasing seems inevitable and unavoidable as we gather to celebrate various life events.  It hurts the most when carried too far and crosses the line into sheer meanness.  It seems they ones we love the most take pleasure in this sport.  We have a few relatives in our family who would take on this sport as a way to deflect what could be said about them.  Over the years I have discovered that hurting people hurt people.  Frustrated people escalate teasing into mocking of those who are (or appear to be) at peace.

Our beloved church families can be and are guilty of this as well because we are imperfect people who gather seeking perfect forgiveness.  Wonder why visitors don’t return?  Our teasing of each other “in fun” makes it awkward for those watching and listening who don’t know the inside jokes and feel left out.  We must realize that this newcomer has thought long and hard about getting up the nerve to come seeking Jesus and those who know Him.  And what do we do—tease and mock each other—just like the world.

Why are my thoughts leading me here?  Because, when I read about the teasing that turns to ugly mocking, spitting, and physical abuse of our dear Savior, Jesus, my heart aches, and the tears flow.  He stood there and took it for you and for me.  No one was able to “get his goat” or force Jesus from finishing the mission God sent Him to accomplish—for us!

Luke 22, The Message

Slapping Him Around

^63-65 The men in charge of Jesus began poking fun at him, slapping him around. They put a blindfold on him and taunted, “Who hit you that time?” They were having a grand time with him.

^66-67 When it was morning, the religious leaders of the people and the high priests and scholars all got together and brought him before their High Council. They said, “Are you the Messiah?”

^67-69 He answered, “If I said yes, you wouldn’t believe me. If I asked what you meant by your question, you wouldn’t answer me. So here’s what I have to say: From here on the Son of Man takes his place at God’s right hand, the place of power.”

⁷⁰ They all said, “So you admit your claim to be the Son of God?”

“You’re the ones who keep saying it,” he said.

⁷¹ But they had made up their minds, “Why do we need any more evidence? We’ve all heard him as good as say it himself.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Satan is having the time of his life as he uses people to mock the One who he wanted to be—God.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” I Peter 5:8-9, NIV

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. — 1 Peter 5:8, KJV

Simon Peter had many battles with the devil while transforming to Jesus’ way of thinking.  When Peter thought he was saying all the right things, Jesus rebuked (confronted) him.  “Get behind me, Satan” … (See Matthew 16:23), for example.

So, listen to Peter’s words written after all his messes became messages that preach truth!  He had many lessons from Jesus Himself!  Satan worked hard on Peter to “get his goat” throughout his life until Jesus came and changed Peter’s mind.  Spend some time reading all the words of Peter!

Satan is a dangerous enemy. He is a serpent who can bite us when we least expect it. He is a distracter, deceiver, deflector, destroyer and an accuser (Zechariah 3:1–5; Revelations 12:9–11). He has great power and intelligence, and a host of demons who assist him in his attacks against God’s people (Ephesians 6:10). He is a formidable enemy; we must never joke about him, ignore him, or underestimate his ability. We must “be vigilant” and have our minds and our mouths under control when it comes to our conflict with Satan.  Because who we believe and follow is reflected in our behavior. 

However, Satan’s power is limited by God.  Jesus tells all believers to remember; “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Paul advises all believers with ways to live for God: 

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

(I’ve never known teasing which leads to mocking and eventually bullying to be helpful.)

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:30-32

Those who believe, are humbled, and cherish the forgiveness of Jesus—forgive.

Believers who remember how Jesus was mocked—encourage.

Believers who know God know love and—love.

Oh Lord,

Help me not to be the one who teases and mocks but rather encourages and helps. And when we are teased, especially when it is about who we believe, may we stand firm and love our accusers anyway—”for they know not what they’re doing”—yet.  Thank you for taking it, even though sinless, while standing in the place I deserve for my sins.  Put your power in us to defeat the one who wants to destroy us. Help us to remember the war has already been won!

In Jesus Name, Amen

As I grew up I was blessed with grandparents and parents who loved the Lord.  They were dedicated to teaching me “in the way to live so I would not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6) with discipline and examples that were appropriate.  Sometimes it was loudly appropriate but needed to keep this inquisitive, curious child from getting hurt or hurting someone else.  I didn’t require loads of reprimanding as I was a child because I wanted to please those I loved dearly.  If fact, I was that weirdly complacent child who after doing wrong and would punish myself before my parents could intervene!  Doing wrong things brought immediate guilt that I didn’t want to live with for very long.

I remember a tool of discipline that was developed and perfected.  It was “The Look” that brought me to my knees most times.  You know “the look” if you went to elementary school.  The best teachers I knew could discipline a room full of chatty kids with “the look” without saying a word.  As I became a teacher, as well as parent, I developed “the look” and used this tool often.  (Maybe, still do!)

But as I think more deeply about “the look,” I realize that “the look” affects only those who have developed a loving relationship with each other. Each one in the relationship knows, really knows, each other well.  They know what is expected, what each other are thinking, how they will react in certain circumstances, because of this knowing. 

I loved my Grandpa Lacquement dearly.  I loved how he took care of Grandma and related to his family and friends by serving them well.  He showed me all the things he loved to do on his farm full of animals while I tagged along behind him. Grandpa made his work seem like play as he sang while milking a cow or feeding a sow.  As a child, I believed this man, who was also a gifted carpenter, could do anything.  So, that day I decided to mock Grandma (what was I thinking?!), all Grandpa had to do was turn to me and give me “the Look”, without saying a word!  I felt the pain of guilt in the pit of my stomach and immediately gave Grandma a hug, telling her, “I’m sorry.”  We never spoke of it again.  The Look took care of my behavior.  All was well.  Love never left the building of my soul or my relationship with Grandpa and Grandma.

Jesus told Peter what he would do before he did it.  Jesus knew Peter from the inside out and outside in.  Jesus saw his heart of passion, his boldness in protecting those he loved along with the often, inappropriate behavior of acting without first thinking it through. Peter knew enough about Jesus to love Him like a brother.  Peter left everything to follow Jesus.  Peter hung on every word Jesus said.  Peter declared Jesus, Son of God.  Peter also deemed himself the protector of Jesus. 

But in the heat of the moment, around a campfire; Peter forgets.  Peter denies.  Peter gets “The Look” of Jesus.

Luke 22, The Message

A Rooster Crowed

^54-56 Arresting Jesus, they marched him off and took him into the house of the Chief Priest. Peter followed, but at a safe distance. In the middle of the courtyard some people had started a fire and were sitting around it, trying to keep warm. One of the serving maids sitting at the fire noticed him, then took a second look and said, “This man was with him!”

⁵⁷ He denied it, “Woman, I don’t even know him.”

⁵⁸ A short time later, someone else noticed him and said, “You’re one of them.”

But Peter denied it: “Man, I am not.”

⁵⁹ About an hour later, someone else spoke up, really adamant: “He’s got to have been with him! He’s got ‘Galilean’ written all over him.”

^60-62 Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” At that very moment, the last word hardly off his lips, a rooster crowed. Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” He went out and cried and cried and cried.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

THE LOOK

When the rooster crowed immediately after Peter’s third denial, Peter begins to recall what Jesus had predicted. But it is “The Look” that brought him to his knees.  “Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter.” 

What was going through Peter’s mind?  Peter, the impetuous, loved Jesus so much he could not stay away from him.  On impulse, Peter didn’t flee the area as did the other disciples, but found a way into the courtyard.  He didn’t sell Jesus out as Judas had done, but was caught up in lying to protect himself while staying close to the “action”.  Was his denying of knowing Jesus a ploy of manipulation?  Did Peter think he could save the Savior?  Was he thinking of a way to rescue the One who would rescue him?  So much is happening at once.  Yes, Jesus told them what would happen but Peter just could not accept it or allow this torture to happen to his Master.  He must do something, but what?

Just then, while all these thoughts and questions swirl madly in Peter’s mind, his beloved Master Teacher, bound by His accusers, turns his head and looks at Peter.  The Look broke Peter’s heart.  Peter’s tears flow as he remembers all the words Jesus had said.  The Look of Jesus probably reminded Peter of the love Jesus had for him.  The Look may have reminded Peter of all the plans Jesus had for him but now Peter thinks all is lost.

But we know that what seems like the end is only the beginning of what Jesus will do for all who believe and follow Him.  Jesus is not finished with Peter yet.  Jesus knows Peter’s heart and sees his potential.  Jesus sees our hearts and is not finished with us either!

Turn to look at Jesus!  He is looking for us!

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace…”  This childhood chorus reminds me this morning that “the look” of Jesus is something to be desired.  We need Jesus every hour of every day. Jesus is our Savior and Lord of our lives.  Jesus’ sacrifice, willingly taking the punishment for our sins, is God’s Plan to bring us into a rock solid, intimately loving relationship with God forever.  When we believe in Jesus, we are rescued, forgiven, restored, and renewed with new life!  Hallelujah, oh, what a Savior!

Believe, repent, follow, and tell others. 

Thank you, dear Jesus. 

Help us to look up and live expectantly for you!

In Jesus Name, Amen!

There are times in all our lives when we face problem-solving dilemmas.  These dilemmas most often occur as we arrive at a crossroads of decision making that tests our resolve and faith. It is like stepping into the rushing waters of a river of problems that have been plaguing us for a long time and now the time comes when we must forge ahead, through the high waters, to resolve these problems whether anyone goes with us or not.

We know that God is leading, but we want to verify before entering dangerous territory.  We realize that we must stand firm as we rise up against the enemy of the problem. We want to make sure this is what God wants before we make the leap into the unknown with His light shining as we go to a dark place we have never been before. 

It is not a lack of trust in God but a slight wondering about our own strength and abilities to handle what lies ahead. So, we pray, asking God for His “ever present help in times of trouble” as the Psalmist teaches. (Psalm 46) We soon discover that God goes before us, is behind us, and is with us.  He is the God of angel armies and is always by our side.  Whom then, shall we fear?

Then there’s our Savior’s agonizing prayer, which goes beyond what our human minds can grasp. 

Luke 22, The Message

A Dark Night

^39-40 Leaving there, he went, as he so often did, to Mount Olives. The disciples followed him. When they arrived at the place, he said, “Pray that you don’t give in to temptation.”

^41-44 He pulled away from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, remove this cup from me. But please, not what I want. What do you want?” At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him. He prayed on all the harder. Sweat, wrung from him like drops of blood, poured off his face.

^45-46 He got up from prayer, went back to the disciples and found them asleep, drugged by grief. He said, “What business do you have sleeping? Get up. Pray so you won’t give in to temptation.”

^47-48 No sooner were the words out of his mouth than a crowd showed up, Judas, the one from the Twelve, in the lead. He came right up to Jesus to kiss him. Jesus said, “Judas, you would betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

^49-50 When those with him saw what was happening, they said, “Master, shall we fight?” One of them took a swing at the Chief Priest’s servant and cut off his right ear.

⁵¹ Jesus said, “Let them be. Even in this.” Then, touching the servant’s ear, he healed him.

^52-53 Jesus spoke to those who had come—high priests, Temple police, religion leaders: “What is this, jumping me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? Day after day I’ve been with you in the Temple and you’ve not so much as lifted a hand against me. But do it your way—it’s a dark night, a dark hour.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“Pray so you won’t give in to temptation.”

Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives to pray. His followers tagged along as He asked. Jesus warns and advises them to pray so they won’t give in to temptation but they fall asleep instead.  Jesus also realizes the enemy is there in the garden, ready for his schemes through Judas to be accomplished. 

Jesus talks things over with the Father who sent Him to earth to accomplish God’s Plan of salvation.  Jesus is going over the details of what He alone must do. As he prays for God’s will to be done in the ways God has planned and foretold over the ages, Jesus asks, “but what do you want?” Jesus knows the answer.  God knows He knows.  So, our compassionate God responds to the Son of Man’s need and sends an angel to strengthen Jesus.  God is there with Him in the garden and attends to the agony of our Lord!  This powerful strength and encouragement from God, the Father caused Jesus to pray all the harder through blood, sweat and tears.

The Cup

The cup Jesus is referring to is the cup of suffering on the Passover Table that signifies the coming of the Messiah, “the one who will save us.”  Jesus is the Messiah.  Jesus is the One God’s people have been waiting for!Jesus knew that He alone must drink this cup of sacrifice as the Messiah who has come to redeem the world from sin. 

Jesus came out of eternity knowing that the cross was at the end of the road, for He knew that He was coming as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. As a man, He left Galilee and went to Jerusalem with determined “face set” on walking this road, never wavering or faltering. (Luke 9:51)

But now He had come to the end of the road, and there stood that ghastly thing of death. Jesus knew that He not only was called to die a physical death, but more importantly, was also required to die a spiritual death. Spiritual death meant separation from God, the ultimate sacrifice for this divine man who had never known sin. THIS is what caused the agony of crying out to God, His Father.

Jesus went to hell and back for us!

Jesus knew that He was required to take on the sin of mankind, which required separation from His Father and a descent into the depths of hell. This prompted the question from Jesus the Son of God to ask, “Lord, if there is any other way, take this cup from me.” However, Jesus knew that there was no other way. He alone was the way, and His mission was clear. He was to conquer death and pay the penalty so that all of mankind could be reunited with God.

As the two or three or four hours of fervent, agonizing prayer passed, His resolve strengthened by God’s angel, He got up ready to do God’s will to save mankind.  Our human minds cannot comprehend the immensity of His task and His sacrifice. We simply know that it was to save us and that Jesus’ suffering is the most blessed influence the world has ever known. 

Believe and be saved for eternity.  The price for salvation has been paid in full!

Interesting to note:

It is noteworthy that Jesus could have merely taken a 15-minute walk eastward, over the top of the mountain, and vanished into the Judean desert. Yet He chose not to flee, but to stay and be captured, tried, tortured, humiliated, and crucified on our behalf.

Believe, repent of sins that have been paid in full.  Be saved for forever! 

Sometimes, when faced with doubt we ask, why? It is the love of God for us that sent Jesus to defeat death and rise again to life with hope of eternity.  It is God’s desire that no one perish.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

THE GARDEN

Jesus, the Last Adam, obeyed the Father in a garden and conquered Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12–21).  The human race started in a garden. The first Adam sinned in a garden and was condemned to living by the sweat of his brow (Genesis 3:19). Jesus suffered His agony in a garden. He was crucified near a garden and buried in a garden (John 19:41). Paradise will be a garden.  And, Jesus is coming back, you know…

Lord,

There are not enough words to tell you how grateful I am that you came to save us by removing the sin that separates us from you.  The agony you endured is beyond my thinking and humbles my worthiness.  So, I will live gratefully today as I meditate on all you have provided all because of your great love. May your love expand and grow every believer so the world may know you, too! Help us to love like you love us.

In Jesus Name, Amen