Matthew 28
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.' Now I have told you."
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell His disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," He said. They came to Him, clasped His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priesdts everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, "You are to say, "His disciples came during the night and stole Him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
He is risen. He is risen indeed!
Showing posts with label Healdsburg Community Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Healdsburg Community Church. Show all posts
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday
Matthew 27:32-60
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' " In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
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!"
Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' " In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah."
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him."
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
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!"
Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
There were all kinds of reactions, that first Good Friday, to the cross. Simon of Cyrene was forced into service. The Roman soldiers gambled to divide Jesus' clothes. Others hurled insults and accusations at Jesus.
Still, there were those who asked insightful questions, saw the truth of who He was and reached out to minister to Jesus. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. Joseph took the body down from the cross and prepared it for burial after Pilate had Jesus certified as dead.
Why is this day so important? Because of this: Jesus went to the cross and died for you, so God offers you salvation. It's His free gift to you. There are no strings attached, there's no manipulation, there are no gimmicks. All you have to do is humbly receive that gift.
The apostle Paul wrote, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
Jesus' crucifixion warrants a response from each one of us. What will your response to Jesus be today?
RDM
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Maundy Thursday
Matthew 27:1-31
Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."
"What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility."
So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor.
"Barabbas," they answered.
"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"
"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"
All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
May I suggest a moment of quiet today?
I'm not primarily talking about turning off the TV and iPod (though that's a part of it). I'm suggesting a time when you are quiet. And when I am quiet. I'm suggesting this because of a stark contrast found in today's Scripture.
When Pilate asked Jesus to answer the accusations made against Him, Jesus was silent (verse 14). This silence astounded Pilate.
In contrast, when Pilate asked the mob what should be done with Jesus, they shouted "Crucify Him." When Pilate asked them why Jesus should be crucified, they oh so thoughtfully answered the question by screaming "Crucify Him!" louder.
We live in a noisy culture. Traffic and copy machines and weed whackers provide plenty of ambient noise. Music blares in markets and offices and our homes. Pundits shout on talk shows, and we shout at our children.
And with all that noise, it's hard to hear anything. So please, today take five minutes. Maybe you can take an hour. Shut out the noise. More importantly, be quiet yourself. Look at this passage of Scripture. And see if the silence of Jesus will speak to you.
Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."
"What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility."
So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, "Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?" But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
Now it was the governor's custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
"Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" asked the governor.
"Barabbas," they answered.
"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.
They all answered, "Crucify him!"
"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"
All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
May I suggest a moment of quiet today?
I'm not primarily talking about turning off the TV and iPod (though that's a part of it). I'm suggesting a time when you are quiet. And when I am quiet. I'm suggesting this because of a stark contrast found in today's Scripture.
When Pilate asked Jesus to answer the accusations made against Him, Jesus was silent (verse 14). This silence astounded Pilate.
In contrast, when Pilate asked the mob what should be done with Jesus, they shouted "Crucify Him." When Pilate asked them why Jesus should be crucified, they oh so thoughtfully answered the question by screaming "Crucify Him!" louder.
We live in a noisy culture. Traffic and copy machines and weed whackers provide plenty of ambient noise. Music blares in markets and offices and our homes. Pundits shout on talk shows, and we shout at our children.
And with all that noise, it's hard to hear anything. So please, today take five minutes. Maybe you can take an hour. Shut out the noise. More importantly, be quiet yourself. Look at this passage of Scripture. And see if the silence of Jesus will speak to you.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Wednesday of Holy Week
John 13:1-20
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'
"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
At the call of Christ, Peter had left everything to follow Him. Surely, he knew what it meant to be devoted to the Christ? Instead, Peter tried to stop Him with a question in v.6 and a retort in v.8 that amount to a very polite way of saying, “Not on my watch, Lord!”
Until now, Peter hadn’t let the Son of God love him and hadn’t allowed himself to be blessed by His love. He hadn’t allowed Jesus to draw him close.
Suddenly, in these verses, his Rabbi and Master approached Peter in the lowest servant’s role dressed to do the least desirable task. Peter recognized that he ought to be the one washing Jesus’ feet.
Jesus modelled selfless servanthood as the greatest devotion that anyone could show. Jesus restored the cultural standard of love to the high watermark of God’s love. And in blessing Peter with a humble love of heavenly portion, Jesus revealed that true devotion is pressing in to intimacy with Him.
If you haven’t let Jesus wash your feet yet, then give in and let God love you.
If you have let Him wash your feet but you have settled there and told Him, with one reason or another, that it was enough, then let God love you with a greater intimacy than you ever thought He could before.
These are the devotional times God is waiting for us to have with Him.
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'
"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
These twelve friends of Jesus knew the meaning of “devotional time with God.”
They didn’t set out fifteen minutes at the beginning or end of each day for a “devo;” they followed the Christ for close to three years: homeless, transient, outcast, and evading arrest.
They didn’t set out fifteen minutes at the beginning or end of each day for a “devo;” they followed the Christ for close to three years: homeless, transient, outcast, and evading arrest.
At the call of Christ, Peter had left everything to follow Him. Surely, he knew what it meant to be devoted to the Christ? Instead, Peter tried to stop Him with a question in v.6 and a retort in v.8 that amount to a very polite way of saying, “Not on my watch, Lord!”
Until now, Peter hadn’t let the Son of God love him and hadn’t allowed himself to be blessed by His love. He hadn’t allowed Jesus to draw him close.
Suddenly, in these verses, his Rabbi and Master approached Peter in the lowest servant’s role dressed to do the least desirable task. Peter recognized that he ought to be the one washing Jesus’ feet.
Jesus modelled selfless servanthood as the greatest devotion that anyone could show. Jesus restored the cultural standard of love to the high watermark of God’s love. And in blessing Peter with a humble love of heavenly portion, Jesus revealed that true devotion is pressing in to intimacy with Him.
If you haven’t let Jesus wash your feet yet, then give in and let God love you.
If you have let Him wash your feet but you have settled there and told Him, with one reason or another, that it was enough, then let God love you with a greater intimacy than you ever thought He could before.
These are the devotional times God is waiting for us to have with Him.
VS
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Tuesday of Holy Week
Matthew 26:1-16
When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, "As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. "But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.'
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, "As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified."
Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. "But not during the Feast," they said, "or there may be a riot among the people."
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.'
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Imagine doing an act of kindness which would be remembered for generations to come.
As our Lord proclaimed, this story of sacrificial love is a favorite of God's people. Many sermons are preached about this Mary who used nearly a year's worth of wages on perfumed oil for the body of Jesus. While others were worried about money, she was concerned only for her Master and His comfort. In spite of troubling comments from the disciples, she continued to perform this beautiful act of love.
In the background is Judas Iscariot, who is also remembered. His betrayal of Jesus is human nature at its worst. Have you ever met anyone or read about any other person named Judas? I have not.
Our world today is full of betrayals, but we are filled with the hope that is in the love and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. He will never betray and will always love. We are secure in His love.
PB
Monday, April 6, 2009
Monday - Holy Week
Matthew 21: 33 - 46
I am saddened that Jesus’ death came about from opposition to his preaching and teaching and gathering fame. The religious leaders hated him for the things he exposed about them.
In hindsight, we can see that these historic events and the first Easter were a gift to all of us, bringing us the hope we have because of Jesus’ miraculous resurrection and -- the best thing of all -- his Holy Spirit with us always. We have forgiveness of sin directly through Jesus. Like Saint Francis of Assisi, we can say:
"Lord, make me a channel of thy peace--that where there is hatred, I may bring love--that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness--that where there is discord, I may bring harmony--that where there is error, I may bring truth--that where there is doubt, I may bring faith--that where there is despair, I may bring hope--that where there are shadows, I may bring light--that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted--to understand, than to be understood--to love, than to be loved. For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life. Amen."
"Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.
"The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all, he sent his son to them. 'They will respect my son,' he said.
"But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and take his inheritance.' So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
"Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"
"He will bring those wretches to a wretched end," they replied, "and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time."
Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures: " 'The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'?
"Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables, they knew he was talking about them. They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet.
I am saddened that Jesus’ death came about from opposition to his preaching and teaching and gathering fame. The religious leaders hated him for the things he exposed about them.
In hindsight, we can see that these historic events and the first Easter were a gift to all of us, bringing us the hope we have because of Jesus’ miraculous resurrection and -- the best thing of all -- his Holy Spirit with us always. We have forgiveness of sin directly through Jesus. Like Saint Francis of Assisi, we can say:
"Lord, make me a channel of thy peace--that where there is hatred, I may bring love--that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness--that where there is discord, I may bring harmony--that where there is error, I may bring truth--that where there is doubt, I may bring faith--that where there is despair, I may bring hope--that where there are shadows, I may bring light--that where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted--to understand, than to be understood--to love, than to be loved. For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life. Amen."
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Palm Sunday
Matthew 21: 1 - 11
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' "
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Saturday
Psalm 118:22-29
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.
The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;
the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
O LORD, save us;
O LORD, grant us success.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
From the house of the LORD we bless you.
The LORD is God,
and he has made his light shine upon us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.
The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone;
the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
O LORD, save us;
O LORD, grant us success.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
From the house of the LORD we bless you.
The LORD is God,
and he has made his light shine upon us.
With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession
up to the horns of the altar.
You are my God, and I will give you thanks;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
During their 400 years of slavery in Egypt, God's chosen people were held together by their belief in God -- the capstone of their lives. God heard the cries of the faithful and rescued those who put the blood of the lamb on their door posts, as He had commanded. The angel of death passed over, and Jews continue to celebrate that rescue at Passover every year.
This Lenten season is a time to reflect on what Jesus has done for all mankind.
Jesus, who came from God to show us all the way back to God, was THE CHRIST, MESSIAH and SAVIOR. He was the Lamb that was sacrificed so that death would pass over all who believed in Him.
On Palm Sunday, masses hailed Him as King. One week later, He was rejected and crucified. The capstone, the one who holds all things together, was rejected -- but by His death we are free. He is the cornerstone, the foundation, on which we build our lives.
Easter provokes much thought; it relates sadness but ultimately JOY. Let us remember that this was the day the Lord made and "...let us rejoice and be glad in it."
YR
Friday, April 3, 2009
Friday
Psalm 118:10-21
They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
They swarmed around me like bees,
but they died out as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the LORD helped me.
The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
"The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!
The LORD's right hand is lifted high;
the LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"
I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
The LORD has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD
through which the righteous may enter.
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.
They surrounded me on every side,
but in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
They swarmed around me like bees,
but they died out as quickly as burning thorns;
in the name of the LORD I cut them off.
I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the LORD helped me.
The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
"The LORD's right hand has done mighty things!
The LORD's right hand is lifted high;
the LORD's right hand has done mighty things!"
I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
The LORD has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
Open for me the gates of righteousness;
I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
This is the gate of the LORD
through which the righteous may enter.
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.
I think we have all experienced extreme moments, seemingly hopeless and overpowering situations in which we feel ourselves stretche to our utter limit and about to fall. Perhaps some of us feel that way right now.
Such experiences are frightening, painful and difficult, but they are necessary and useful elements of the Christian journey, providing us with unique opportunities to recognize and appreciate the inadequacy of our own resources and perceptions and to discover (or rediscover) the unimaginably profound dimensions of the life that God, at all times and in all places, is ready to give to us.
Only when we are willing to release control and ownership of our lives back to Him, can His resources and perceptions become a living and life-saving reality in us. The full significance and power of faith can only be realized in the context of genuine challenge, and though He opens the gate for us, it is up to us to walk through. Only then can His strength become our strength, and His song become our song.
Just as an eagle soaring high in the sky does not concern itself with bridges to cross, so too can we shout for joy in a world plagued with misery and fear.
RM
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Thursday
Psalm 118:1-9
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Let Israel say:
"His love endures forever."
Let the house of Aaron say:
"His love endures forever."
Let those who fear the LORD say:
"His love endures forever."
In my anguish I cried to the LORD,
and he answered by setting me free.
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
The LORD is with me; he is my helper.
I will look in triumph on my enemies.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
Let Israel say:
"His love endures forever."
Let the house of Aaron say:
"His love endures forever."
Let those who fear the LORD say:
"His love endures forever."
In my anguish I cried to the LORD,
and he answered by setting me free.
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
The LORD is with me; he is my helper.
I will look in triumph on my enemies.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes.
During the first World War, my grandparents decided to leave their home and flee to Turin. Their hometown and all that part of Italy was under the Austrian-Hungarian empire, which meant that sooner or later my grandfather would have been conscripted by the Austrian army and forced to go to war against his fellow Italians. Even though my grandparents knew it was dangerous to run away, (soldiers were patrolling the trains all the time), they had faith that God was going to protect them.
When soldiers checked the train compartment where they were sitting, they carefully looked at everyone, including my grandfather, and then left without a word. My grandfather often declared afterward he believed that God had made the soldiers see his unmistakably black beard as if it were the white one of an old man. God had indeed saved them all.
This Psalm reminds us that God is always able and willing to protect us, save us, and bless us. This is such a wonderful song of joy at His deliverance, and it is a promise that we can rediscover every time we are scared and worried or anguished and lost.
God is indeed good.
When soldiers checked the train compartment where they were sitting, they carefully looked at everyone, including my grandfather, and then left without a word. My grandfather often declared afterward he believed that God had made the soldiers see his unmistakably black beard as if it were the white one of an old man. God had indeed saved them all.
This Psalm reminds us that God is always able and willing to protect us, save us, and bless us. This is such a wonderful song of joy at His deliverance, and it is a promise that we can rediscover every time we are scared and worried or anguished and lost.
God is indeed good.
DV
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Wednesday
Psalm 22:22-31
I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the congregation I will praise you.
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
For he has not despised or disdained
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.
From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.
The poor will eat and be satisfied;
they who seek the LORD will praise him—
may your hearts live forever!
All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,
for dominion belongs to the LORD
and he rules over the nations.
All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
They will proclaim his righteousness
to a people yet unborn—
for he has done it.
I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the congregation I will praise you.
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
For he has not despised or disdained
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.
From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
before those who fear you will I fulfill my vows.
The poor will eat and be satisfied;
they who seek the LORD will praise him—
may your hearts live forever!
All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,
for dominion belongs to the LORD
and he rules over the nations.
All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
They will proclaim his righteousness
to a people yet unborn—
for he has done it.
Psalm 22 begins with David desperately crying out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” But as David processes his despair throughout the Psalm, an amazing transformation happens. In verses 22-31, David resolves to praise God and even encourages others to praise God as well. How does this happen?
The turning point seems to be David’s remembrance that the Lord is good, gracious and sovereign. He recalls that God has listened to the cries of the afflicted in the past – it’s in His nature. So David proclaims that “the poor will eat and be satisfied.” God will bring this to pass because He’s in control and He’s good.
As we prepare our hearts during this season of Lent, let’s reflect on the Lord’s goodness and power, especially when we feel overwhelmed and discouraged. We can come to God with all of our despair and grief, and by His grace, He will comfort us. Jesus also wrestled with God, as, with David’s words, he cried out to his Father on the night he was betrayed. May we not hold back from these intimate times with our God, especially when we so desperately need Him.
J&JG
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday
Psalm 22:11-21
Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.
Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
Roaring lions tearing their prey
open their mouths wide against me.
I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted away within me.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.
Dogs have surrounded me;
a band of evil men has encircled me,
they have pierced my hands and my feet.
I can count all my bones;
people stare and gloat over me.
They divide my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing.
But you, O LORD, be not far off;
O my Strength, come quickly to help me.
Deliver my life from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dogs.
Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;
save me from the horns of the wild oxen.
Do not be far from me,
for trouble is near
and there is no one to help.
Many bulls surround me;
strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.
Roaring lions tearing their prey
open their mouths wide against me.
I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;
it has melted away within me.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;
you lay me in the dust of death.
Dogs have surrounded me;
a band of evil men has encircled me,
they have pierced my hands and my feet.
I can count all my bones;
people stare and gloat over me.
They divide my garments among them
and cast lots for my clothing.
But you, O LORD, be not far off;
O my Strength, come quickly to help me.
Deliver my life from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dogs.
Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;
save me from the horns of the wild oxen.
Some of the words in this passage describe exactly what happened to Jesus on the cross. As a result, He cried out asking why God had forsaken Him. Of course, He knew the answer. God did it for us. Jesus was forsaken in that moment so that we would never be. So that we could "come nigh to God"; could be called "children of God"; could know with utter certainty that He will "never leave" us.
When I ask why it seems like God lets me get into terrible fixes or doesn't rescue me when things go badly, I don't have one comprehensive answer, but a few partial ideas. Some things are ill effects from my own actions, lessons I can only learn the hard way. Some are a way to change and grow me, teach me empathy to others' plights, teach me to "trust God when there is no apparent evidence of Him -- as Job did. Trusting in His ultimate goodness."*
Someday there will be a new heaven and a new earth. Then all will be perfect, and by God's grace I will understand that His will was perfect all along.
JSC
*Disappointment with God, Philip Yancey, page 224
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday
Psalm 22:1-10
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, and am not silent.
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the praise of Israel.
In you our fathers put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
They cried to you and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by men and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads:
"He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him.
Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."
Yet you brought me out of the womb;
you made me trust in you
even at my mother's breast.
From birth I was cast upon you;
from my mother's womb you have been my God.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,
by night, and am not silent.
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
you are the praise of Israel.
In you our fathers put their trust;
they trusted and you delivered them.
They cried to you and were saved;
in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by men and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
they hurl insults, shaking their heads:
"He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him.
Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."
Yet you brought me out of the womb;
you made me trust in you
even at my mother's breast.
From birth I was cast upon you;
from my mother's womb you have been my God.
These waves pound me, force me into the dark ocean depths. My legs and feet are tiring. All I can see on the horizon is my own hopelessness. Only You can save me, Lord. But where are You?
Have you forgotten me? Abandoned me? Why, when I need you most, can I not find you? In my desperation, I make promises to you, but Your promises are what come to mind, "...it is by grace you have been saved, through faith... and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."
God, I need that gift. I know your powers. You can still the waters, clear the skies. I become quiet. In the stillness, I relax -- let go.
Dreamlike, I see a boat on the horizon. My Savior is using someone whose heart is open to be a part of my miracle! In the middle of the ocean, swallowing water with each wave, I'm smiling.
You have drawn me close to you, and I give you praise. My hope has been resurrected.
Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
SH
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Saturday
Isaiah 53:7-12
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah foretells the coming of God's chosen one, who will save His people from their sins. Because of His love for His Father and for us, Jesus was willing to undergo incredible suffering.
Scripture tells us that the wages of sin is death -- but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. He took our sins upon Himself and died our death. Isaiah states this truth throughout this short passage:
"...For the transgression of My people He was stricken..."
"The Lord makes His life a guilt offering..."
"He will bear our iniquities..."
"...He poured out His life unto death...He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."
Through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, we can live our lives free and forgiven. Our relationship with God is restored, and we experience His love and presence in our lives. We can never repay Jesus for what He has done...it is impossible. But we can thank Him. We can thank Him and live our lives in a way that brings honor and glory to Him. We can give ourselves to the One who gave Himself for us.
BJ-I
Friday, March 27, 2009
Friday
Isaiah 53:1-6
Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Lent is different from Advent. Preparing to remember the death of God -- even when we know the Resurrection follows -- is not like preparing to remember God coming to live with us.
We sang, "O come let us adore Him" at Christmas, remember?
But who wants to look at, let alone adore, a man who's been beaten until he's bloody and bruised with nails driven into his hands and feet?
We, just like Jesus' followers and family, look away from Him in horror.
But all He suffered, all the ugliness that makes me hide from the crucifixion, is for me, for you. His punishment...the punishment we deserve for our many turnings away from God ... is for our sakes. Its purpose is to bring peace and healing to us. From the foggy dark of Ash Wednesday to the sunshine and flowers of Easter, the season of Lent helps us recognize our sin, His suffering and the redemption His suffering has won for us.
MLA
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday
Isaiah 52:11-15
Depart, depart, go out from there!
Touch no unclean thing!
Come out from it and be pure,
you who carry the vessels of the LORD.
But you will not leave in haste
or go in flight;
for the LORD will go before you,
the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
See, my servant will act wisely;
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
Just as there were many who were appalled at him—
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness—
so will he sprinkle many nations,
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.
Depart, depart, go out from there!
Touch no unclean thing!
Come out from it and be pure,
you who carry the vessels of the LORD.
But you will not leave in haste
or go in flight;
for the LORD will go before you,
the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
See, my servant will act wisely;
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
Just as there were many who were appalled at him—
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness—
so will he sprinkle many nations,
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.
So does God go before us or does He stand behind us? And the answer that Isaiah gives to that question is "Yes."
Using the imagery of battle, God is the scout who spies out the territory ahead of us and takes the brunt of the first shots of battle, and He is the reargard who protects us from unexpected attacks from behind.
The Servant as Warrior then bears all the scars of battle. "Marred more than any man." Veterans of wars between nations have, through the centuries, returned to their homes marked with amputations, burns and all kinds of hideous injuries and blemishes. This Servant, though, suffered more than any -- perhaps because He was less deserving than any to receive harm.
Yet this Servant will cause Kings to "shut their mouths." He will prosper and be exalted.
This is a passage of paradox. How can the Servant be victim and victor? (How can God be before us and behind us?) How can we possibly understand such things? I really don't know. But Isaiah assures us that we will understand.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday
Isaiah 52:1-10
Awake, awake, O Zion,
clothe yourself with strength.
Put on your garments of splendor,
O Jerusalem, the holy city.
The uncircumcised and defiled
will not enter you again.
Shake off your dust;
rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem.
Free yourself from the chains on your neck,
O captive Daughter of Zion.
For this is what the LORD says:
"You were sold for nothing,
and without money you will be redeemed."
For this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
"At first my people went down to Egypt to live;
lately, Assyria has oppressed them.
"And now what do I have here?" declares the LORD.
"For my people have been taken away for nothing,
and those who rule them mock, "
declares the LORD.
"And all day long
my name is constantly blasphemed.
Therefore my people will know my name;
therefore in that day they will know
that it is I who foretold it.
Yes, it is I."
How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion, "
Your God reigns!"
Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices;
together they shout for joy.
When the LORD returns to Zion,
they will see it with their own eyes.
Burst into songs of joy together,
you ruins of Jerusalem,
for the LORD has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The LORD will lay bare his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth will see
the salvation of our God.
Awake, awake, O Zion,
clothe yourself with strength.
Put on your garments of splendor,
O Jerusalem, the holy city.
The uncircumcised and defiled
will not enter you again.
Shake off your dust;
rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem.
Free yourself from the chains on your neck,
O captive Daughter of Zion.
For this is what the LORD says:
"You were sold for nothing,
and without money you will be redeemed."
For this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
"At first my people went down to Egypt to live;
lately, Assyria has oppressed them.
"And now what do I have here?" declares the LORD.
"For my people have been taken away for nothing,
and those who rule them mock, "
declares the LORD.
"And all day long
my name is constantly blasphemed.
Therefore my people will know my name;
therefore in that day they will know
that it is I who foretold it.
Yes, it is I."
How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion, "
Your God reigns!"
Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices;
together they shout for joy.
When the LORD returns to Zion,
they will see it with their own eyes.
Burst into songs of joy together,
you ruins of Jerusalem,
for the LORD has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The LORD will lay bare his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth will see
the salvation of our God.
Have you ever done something so wrong that the stress of that event resulted in unbearable stress? I have. Last year I had a nervous breakdown. I had violated a company policy, resulting in falsification of company records.
In verses 4 through 6, Isaiah talks about when the Israelites lived in Egypt and their exiles in Assyria and other foreign lands. We all, at times, are living in exile. I was exiled in a land called stress, caused by sin.
Verse 6 ends with God's words: "Here I am."
God sends His messengers to proclaim the Good News!
This is what Isaiah tells us in verse 7:
How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of the messenger bringing good news,
Breaking the news that all's well,
proclaiming good times, announcing salvation,
telling Zion, "Your God reigns!"
(The Message)
The good news is that our God reigns, and He has sent His Son to us and to die for us, so we can have Good News and be free of our sins -- and return from our exile to our Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.
ML
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tuesday
Isaiah 50: 4 - 9
The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears;
I have not been rebellious,
I have not turned away.
I offered my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face
from mocking and spitting.
Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.
He who vindicates me is near.
Who then will bring charges against me?
Let us face each other!
Who are my accusers?
Let them confront me!
It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me.
Who will condemn me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
the moths will eat them up.
I'd like this passage to be true about me -- but as I read it, I have to admit I don't usually know the word to sustain the weary. I do hide my face from mocking and spitting. I have been rebellious, and I know I've turned away.
Then I read verses 8 and 9: "He who vindicates me is near" and "It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me."
Jesus suffered scorn and death. He was spit upon and despised. His ears were open to His Father's words, and He spoke the words that sustain the weary. and because of this, I am no longer accused. God Himself helps me, and I will not be disgraced.
Wow.
The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears;
I have not been rebellious,
I have not turned away.
I offered my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;
I did not hide my face
from mocking and spitting.
Because the Sovereign LORD helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.
He who vindicates me is near.
Who then will bring charges against me?
Let us face each other!
Who are my accusers?
Let them confront me!
It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me.
Who will condemn me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
the moths will eat them up.
I'd like this passage to be true about me -- but as I read it, I have to admit I don't usually know the word to sustain the weary. I do hide my face from mocking and spitting. I have been rebellious, and I know I've turned away.
Then I read verses 8 and 9: "He who vindicates me is near" and "It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me."
Jesus suffered scorn and death. He was spit upon and despised. His ears were open to His Father's words, and He spoke the words that sustain the weary. and because of this, I am no longer accused. God Himself helps me, and I will not be disgraced.
Wow.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Monday
Isaiah 42:1-13
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope."
This is what God the LORD says—
he who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth with all that springs from it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
"I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
"I am the LORD; that is my name!
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you."
Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise from the ends of the earth,
you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,
you islands, and all who live in them.
Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices;
let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice.
Let the people of Sela sing for joy;
let them shout from the mountaintops.
Let them give glory to the LORD
and proclaim his praise in the islands.
The LORD will march out like a champion,
like a warrior he will stir up his zeal;
with a shout he will raise the battle cry
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope."
This is what God the LORD says—
he who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth with all that springs from it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
"I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
"I am the LORD; that is my name!
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you."
Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise from the ends of the earth,
you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,
you islands, and all who live in them.
Let the wilderness and its towns raise their voices;
let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice.
Let the people of Sela sing for joy;
let them shout from the mountaintops.
Let them give glory to the LORD
and proclaim his praise in the islands.
The LORD will march out like a champion,
like a warrior he will stir up his zeal;
with a shout he will raise the battle cry
and will triumph over his enemies.
Many years ago, I was watching the 60 Minutes letters section when Harry Reasoner read a letter from a man complaining that words of Isaiah were used in a news story to describe Jesus Christ. The letter writer argued that Isaiah could not have been talking about Jesus because he lived hundreds of years before Jesus. Reasoner answered simply, “Isaiah was a prophet.”
Many years ago, I was watching the 60 Minutes letters section when Harry Reasoner read a letter from a man complaining that words of Isaiah were used in a news story to describe Jesus Christ. The letter writer argued that Isaiah could not have been talking about Jesus because he lived hundreds of years before Jesus. Reasoner answered simply, “Isaiah was a prophet.”
Jesus Himself agreed with Reasoner. In Luke chapter 4, Jesus read from the book of Isaiah and said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
In the centuries before Jesus came to earth, there was much debate among Jewish scholars as to who this “Suffering Servant” described by Isaiah could be. The best answer anyone could come up with was the nation of Israel. Jesus believed He Himself was the answer to that puzzle.
Pastor Ray Stedman wrote two commentaries on the book of Mark, The Servant Who Rules and The Ruler Who Serves. Those two titles quite aptly describe both the descriptions of this servant in Isaiah and Jesus as described in the Gospel of Mark.
What an extraordinary thing, that God sent Jesus, our Lord, to be our Servant.
DA
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Saturday
Luke 18: 9-14
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
This passage challenges me to look at myself. How often have I come to church as the Pharisees did -- out of habit or duty? When that happens I’m unhappy with the music or wonder why the pastor has to talk so long, or I think of all of the things on my to-do list. And I wonder why I leave church feeling unfulfilled, unstimulated or critical.
But then there are days when I go to church with a heart filled with so much gratitude to God. I have a sense of his majesty and am in awe of him. I realize my need of him. And in that attitude, I am teachable. I praise God through the music and I soak up his Word, and I think the minister really spoke straight from the Word that day.
It all boils down to attitude. When I am so wrapped up in myself, I’m holding on to my ideas, my concerns, my expectations, and my agenda. But when I’m willing to let go of me and look to God, my hands will be open to be filled afresh with his love and his teaching.
MJC
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
This passage challenges me to look at myself. How often have I come to church as the Pharisees did -- out of habit or duty? When that happens I’m unhappy with the music or wonder why the pastor has to talk so long, or I think of all of the things on my to-do list. And I wonder why I leave church feeling unfulfilled, unstimulated or critical.
But then there are days when I go to church with a heart filled with so much gratitude to God. I have a sense of his majesty and am in awe of him. I realize my need of him. And in that attitude, I am teachable. I praise God through the music and I soak up his Word, and I think the minister really spoke straight from the Word that day.
It all boils down to attitude. When I am so wrapped up in myself, I’m holding on to my ideas, my concerns, my expectations, and my agenda. But when I’m willing to let go of me and look to God, my hands will be open to be filled afresh with his love and his teaching.
MJC
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