If you can't hear the voice of God speaking to you through the account of Jesus' crucifixion, you may just not be listening with your heart. Let's go back to the account in John 19. Michele had a great post yesterday on the fact of Jesus caring for his mother in his final moments. Now let's sit in on the end in verses 28 through 30. Read it two or three times. Can you hear him? Why are these sayings so important?
Jesus said, "I am thirsty." (v. 28)
Why did John include this detail? Maybe it was because he had made a point of emphasizing that Jesus was the cure for that gnawing thirst inside each one of us. Jesus had promised to provide "living water" freely to anyone who wants it, and that we would never go thirsty again (see chp. 4). How ironic that he now thirsts himself.
But this is how it had to be. Only in dying could Jesus give us Life. And only in enduring parching thirst could he become the thirst-quencher. Do you see the symbolic significance in the fact that when his side was run through with a spear, along with the blood flowed water (v. 34)?
Jesus said, "It is finished!" (v. 30)
That's no give-up! That's the exclamation of a man who completed what he came to do. It's in the same category as tossing your graduation cap in the air. It's the Cardinals storming the pitcher's mound as they put an exclamation point on the last inning of the World Series. (Well, multiplied by the power of 10.) Jesus had a life mission, and he wrapped it up in his death on the cross to take the punishment for the sins of all who would accept him as their substitute. He checked out of this life knowing that he had completed his life's purpose.
That's how I want to go out, too. Don't you? Because I was put here for a reason, and so were you. I'm still alive today for one reason--because I haven't finished what God has planned for me to accomplish. Hopefully, I won't be done today! But I want to eventually come to the end of my life with the same kind of satisfaction that Jesus had. I want to be able to say with my dying breath, "I have finished what God put me here to do." I haven't left anything undone. I didn't shirk my responsibilities. I didn't close a deaf ear to my mission. I didn't sit around passively observing other people serving God. I accepted my mission. I let God lead me step by step as I did what he put before me to do. I served his cause.
And when that day comes and I face the reality of death and eternity before me, I will have the deep satisfaction and peace of knowing I did what God put me here to do. Those may be the best last words a person could have: "It is finished!"
It would be great to know how this speaks to your heart and life. Share it with me in the Comments section below. And invite your Facebook friends to join this conversation with God. Share this post by clicking the Facebook button ("f") below. Be blessed!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Jesus' Never-ending Love for Us
Are you ready to hear what God has to say to you today? Good! I, Michele, am taking you to John 19:25-27. Read it through and ponder what God is trying to get across to you. This is a wonderful example of the way Jesus' loves for us. One that should be read with great attention.
Standing near the cross were Jesus' mother, and his mother's sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, "Dear woman, here is your son." And he said to this disciple, "Here is your mother." And from then on this disciple took her into his home. (v. 25-27)
Do you think Mary understood what was going on? Did she understand the complete truth of who her son was? I don't know if she truly understood but I do imagine she felt Jesus' love for her when he made sure that she would be cared for after his final breath. In the midst of his suffering, Jesus was concerned for his mother. He knew how hard this was for her and he loved her so much. Although the text does not make it clear, we can assume that Joseph was already deceased by this time. Jesus wanted his mother to know that she would always be cared for, even after he was gone. Doesn't he care for us as well?
Have you ever felt his love for you so powerfully? Have you ever had to fall prostrate on the ground because you are overwhelmed with Jesus' love for you? Has there ever been a time when you felt Jesus' arms wrap around you with a feeling of pure peace and comfort? I have! This has happened to me on several different occasions, both in times of turmoil and times of pure bliss. I've felt Jesus' arms around me in times of complete an utter loneliness, when I've felt weighed down by the demands of this life, or when I've felt like a failure as a parent. Jesus has also wrapped me in his love in good times when I've accomplished something that has seemed impossible to me or when he brought into my life the wonderful man who will soon be my husband!! No matter what the situation may be, Jesus can surround us with a feeling of complete peace, protection and love.
His love is that far, that wide, that deep....it can and will reach into any situation to transform us. Feel his love for you, really take it in! Just as he made sure his mother would be continually cared for, he will make sure of the same for each one of us. He will never leave us to flounder on our own. It may feel that way at times, but he promises not to do that. He is always with us and no matter where we are or what our circumstances are he will never forsake us. He is never too busy for us. He was still caring for his people as he hung on the cross!
Thank you, dear God, for caring so much. Thank you for never leaving us to make it on our own. Your love for us never ends. You are King of my life! I will lay every burden and praise at the foot of the cross where they belong. Amen
Please share your comments with us. We love to hear what you feel God is saying to you in the daily reading. Share this blog with your friends as well. You just never know who may be blessed when you share God's Word!
Standing near the cross were Jesus' mother, and his mother's sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, "Dear woman, here is your son." And he said to this disciple, "Here is your mother." And from then on this disciple took her into his home. (v. 25-27)
Do you think Mary understood what was going on? Did she understand the complete truth of who her son was? I don't know if she truly understood but I do imagine she felt Jesus' love for her when he made sure that she would be cared for after his final breath. In the midst of his suffering, Jesus was concerned for his mother. He knew how hard this was for her and he loved her so much. Although the text does not make it clear, we can assume that Joseph was already deceased by this time. Jesus wanted his mother to know that she would always be cared for, even after he was gone. Doesn't he care for us as well?
Have you ever felt his love for you so powerfully? Have you ever had to fall prostrate on the ground because you are overwhelmed with Jesus' love for you? Has there ever been a time when you felt Jesus' arms wrap around you with a feeling of pure peace and comfort? I have! This has happened to me on several different occasions, both in times of turmoil and times of pure bliss. I've felt Jesus' arms around me in times of complete an utter loneliness, when I've felt weighed down by the demands of this life, or when I've felt like a failure as a parent. Jesus has also wrapped me in his love in good times when I've accomplished something that has seemed impossible to me or when he brought into my life the wonderful man who will soon be my husband!! No matter what the situation may be, Jesus can surround us with a feeling of complete peace, protection and love.
His love is that far, that wide, that deep....it can and will reach into any situation to transform us. Feel his love for you, really take it in! Just as he made sure his mother would be continually cared for, he will make sure of the same for each one of us. He will never leave us to flounder on our own. It may feel that way at times, but he promises not to do that. He is always with us and no matter where we are or what our circumstances are he will never forsake us. He is never too busy for us. He was still caring for his people as he hung on the cross!
Thank you, dear God, for caring so much. Thank you for never leaving us to make it on our own. Your love for us never ends. You are King of my life! I will lay every burden and praise at the foot of the cross where they belong. Amen
Please share your comments with us. We love to hear what you feel God is saying to you in the daily reading. Share this blog with your friends as well. You just never know who may be blessed when you share God's Word!
Friday, October 28, 2011
The Clothes Don't Make the Man
Welcome to our conversation with God! I love listening to his word and letting him speak into my life and reshape my heart. Let's follow Jesus a little further into his hours on the cross. Read with me John 19:23-24. Just two verses.
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. . . . they said to one another, "Let's decide by lot who will get it." (v. 24)
Is it just me, or is this a wierd scene? I mean, who fights over somebody else's used undergarments? But there is a stark irony here. Jesus is hanging there dying to satisfy God’s sense of justice for all the sins and evils that we’ve all committed. He’s there offering eternal life and hope and meaning and purpose and ultimate healing to a broken world. This is the pivotal moment of human history. And here are these guys. They remind me of the two British guards in the Pirates of the Carribean movies that were always comedically standing their post missing everything important that was happening around them.
These four Roman soldiers are standing there up close to Jesus, right at the foot of his cross. They could literally reach out and touch him. And what are they doing? They’re fighting over his dirty, used clothes! Okay, it would be kind of cool to have a piece of clothing Jesus’ wore. But what were they thinking?
They remind me of a lot of people around today--people so focused on Jesus’ “clothing” that they essentially overlook the essence of the man himself. It’s so easy to focus on the wrong things, the religious arguments, the externals and incidentals, and become a disciple who scarcely resembles his Teacher. We can fight over Jesus' clothes and miss the essence of his life and mission. These men focused on Jesus’ clothing laying there on the ground, and their eyes never really turned upward to take in the Man himself hanging there for them, for everyone.
I turned my eyes up to Jesus as a pre-teen. I just wanted to love him and trust him and learn to be like him. And then after I was baptized, voices in my life started pointing me to his clothing. It was almost like they were saying, “Look, it’s not really Jesus that you need to know. It’s his clothing that’s really important.” They introduced me to the fight going on at the foot of the cross for Jesus’ robe. And they started equipping me with all these arguments so that I could jump into the fray and be on the side that comes away with the robe.
It wasn’t until years later that I rediscovered Jesus, the Man himself, and turned my eyes back on the One hanging on the cross for me and for the world, the one who humbly loved and healed and courageously challenged the broken systems of this world, who called his followers to be one as they simply followed him.
Just this past week I listened to a pastor speak to a group of other pastors, and he strongly asserted that he would "die" defending his position on the details of Christ's return. He wouldn't let anyone be a member of his church that didn't hold the same position. I couldn't help but think, "Really? Does Jesus really want you to die for that? Maybe he wants you to die defending the cause of the helpless. Maybe he wants you to die fighting off the modern day Pharisees who still pile up legalistic burdens on the backs of everyday people who just want to know God. Maybe he would have you die proclaiming his Lordship in a closed, Muslim country. But does he really want you to go to your death scrapping with other believers over the details of his second coming?"
The clothes don't make the man. I'll let others fight over his clothes. All I want is Jesus.
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. . . . they said to one another, "Let's decide by lot who will get it." (v. 24)
Is it just me, or is this a wierd scene? I mean, who fights over somebody else's used undergarments? But there is a stark irony here. Jesus is hanging there dying to satisfy God’s sense of justice for all the sins and evils that we’ve all committed. He’s there offering eternal life and hope and meaning and purpose and ultimate healing to a broken world. This is the pivotal moment of human history. And here are these guys. They remind me of the two British guards in the Pirates of the Carribean movies that were always comedically standing their post missing everything important that was happening around them.
These four Roman soldiers are standing there up close to Jesus, right at the foot of his cross. They could literally reach out and touch him. And what are they doing? They’re fighting over his dirty, used clothes! Okay, it would be kind of cool to have a piece of clothing Jesus’ wore. But what were they thinking?
They remind me of a lot of people around today--people so focused on Jesus’ “clothing” that they essentially overlook the essence of the man himself. It’s so easy to focus on the wrong things, the religious arguments, the externals and incidentals, and become a disciple who scarcely resembles his Teacher. We can fight over Jesus' clothes and miss the essence of his life and mission. These men focused on Jesus’ clothing laying there on the ground, and their eyes never really turned upward to take in the Man himself hanging there for them, for everyone.
I turned my eyes up to Jesus as a pre-teen. I just wanted to love him and trust him and learn to be like him. And then after I was baptized, voices in my life started pointing me to his clothing. It was almost like they were saying, “Look, it’s not really Jesus that you need to know. It’s his clothing that’s really important.” They introduced me to the fight going on at the foot of the cross for Jesus’ robe. And they started equipping me with all these arguments so that I could jump into the fray and be on the side that comes away with the robe.
It wasn’t until years later that I rediscovered Jesus, the Man himself, and turned my eyes back on the One hanging on the cross for me and for the world, the one who humbly loved and healed and courageously challenged the broken systems of this world, who called his followers to be one as they simply followed him.
Just this past week I listened to a pastor speak to a group of other pastors, and he strongly asserted that he would "die" defending his position on the details of Christ's return. He wouldn't let anyone be a member of his church that didn't hold the same position. I couldn't help but think, "Really? Does Jesus really want you to die for that? Maybe he wants you to die defending the cause of the helpless. Maybe he wants you to die fighting off the modern day Pharisees who still pile up legalistic burdens on the backs of everyday people who just want to know God. Maybe he would have you die proclaiming his Lordship in a closed, Muslim country. But does he really want you to go to your death scrapping with other believers over the details of his second coming?"
The clothes don't make the man. I'll let others fight over his clothes. All I want is Jesus.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Strangest Throne Ever
Hey everyone! This week is quickly winding down! And today as we enter into a conversation with God through his Word, we've arrived at the darkest part of the story of the Bible, the point at which everything seems lost. Let's step into the story as onlookers in John 19:16-22. It won't take you but a minute to read. Ask God to impress on your heart what he wants you to see and hear. It could change your life.
Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. (v. 19)
The implication of the notice was to say that this is what happens to men who would challenge Caesar's right to rule. "This is what we do with 'kings' other than the emporer around here." Jesus didn't look very kingly stripped and hanging from nails in his wrists, bloodied and bruised. In the minds of his enemies and those who had no regard for him, this was the ultimate humiliation of someone who dared insinuate that he was greater than they.
Pilate wrote the notice the way he did, rather than saying that Jesus "claimed" to be king, out of spite for the Jews that had manipulated him into crucifying him. It was a little humiliating for them, too, for Rome to rub in their face the fact that they were an occupied nation under foreign domination.
I think John saw a different significance to the notice, though. He recorded the conversation because he wanted you and me to see the irony of the truth. Jesus transformed the instrument of his death into his throne. What was meant to shame him ended up bringing him the glory of a thousand kings. And why? Because he went there out of ultimate love for the world, for people like me, willingly, to turn the tables on evil and sin and human depravity, defeating them with pure goodness and grace. He suffered and died for others. He laid down his rights to free the enslaved.
In that was his glory. And it was a glory that could not and cannot ever be taken from him. When they tried to get Pilate to change the inscription, he declared:
"What I have written, I have written." (v. 22)
Jesus is King. And he will show himself to be King. Nothing can change that. No one can stop him from claiming his Kingdom. He is the King whose throne was a brutal cross. It took his life but, in doing so, gave Life to everyone who puts their trust and hope in him.
What I hear him saying to me is, "Am I really your King? Keep showing me your allegience by your choices. Carry out my will. Be devoted to the mission I've given you. Obey my commands. Have I not proven that your well-being is my first and foremost concern?" Yes, you have, Jesus. And I will, by your help and grace. You are my King.
Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. (v. 19)
The implication of the notice was to say that this is what happens to men who would challenge Caesar's right to rule. "This is what we do with 'kings' other than the emporer around here." Jesus didn't look very kingly stripped and hanging from nails in his wrists, bloodied and bruised. In the minds of his enemies and those who had no regard for him, this was the ultimate humiliation of someone who dared insinuate that he was greater than they.
Pilate wrote the notice the way he did, rather than saying that Jesus "claimed" to be king, out of spite for the Jews that had manipulated him into crucifying him. It was a little humiliating for them, too, for Rome to rub in their face the fact that they were an occupied nation under foreign domination.
I think John saw a different significance to the notice, though. He recorded the conversation because he wanted you and me to see the irony of the truth. Jesus transformed the instrument of his death into his throne. What was meant to shame him ended up bringing him the glory of a thousand kings. And why? Because he went there out of ultimate love for the world, for people like me, willingly, to turn the tables on evil and sin and human depravity, defeating them with pure goodness and grace. He suffered and died for others. He laid down his rights to free the enslaved.
In that was his glory. And it was a glory that could not and cannot ever be taken from him. When they tried to get Pilate to change the inscription, he declared:
"What I have written, I have written." (v. 22)
Jesus is King. And he will show himself to be King. Nothing can change that. No one can stop him from claiming his Kingdom. He is the King whose throne was a brutal cross. It took his life but, in doing so, gave Life to everyone who puts their trust and hope in him.
What I hear him saying to me is, "Am I really your King? Keep showing me your allegience by your choices. Carry out my will. Be devoted to the mission I've given you. Obey my commands. Have I not proven that your well-being is my first and foremost concern?" Yes, you have, Jesus. And I will, by your help and grace. You are my King.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Pitiful Pilate
Good morning to all of you! This is Michele with you today and we are moving into Chapter 19 of John verses 1-16. Yesterday, Chris wrote about Jesus' trial in front of Pilate and today we will move a bit further into the things that happened before his crucifixion. As I read this text, I am very disappointed in Pilate and the way he caved to peer pressure. Both in 19:1 and again in 19:16, Pilate made decisions based on his inability to withstand the desires of those around him.
Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. (v.1)
In the verses that preceded this, Pilate states that Jesus is not guilty of any crime. Pilate knows that Jesus is innocent but he decides it may be easier for himself if he orders some sort of punishment for him. After all, the people are so strong in their passion to have this man killed. Pilate doesn't do what's right because he doesn't have the backbone to stand for what he knows is right. He gives in. He can't handle being the only one who seems to care about Jesus' innocence. Pilate becomes just one of the crowd. Have you ever done something like this before? Have you ever singled someone else out because you don't want to stand alone and defend the underdog? Something like this is easy to identify in children. So many times there is one child who is targeted and picked on by the rest of the class. If you were to ask the other children why this is occurring, they would most likely not know how to answer. Don't be fooled, this happens in adult settings also. Obviously, since we are studying such a scenario in today's reading. Sad, isn't it?
I think the thing that speaks so loudly to my heart in this text is Jesus' lack of reaction to the wrongdoing that occurred. The only retort he has for Pilate is to remind him that he has no power outside of the power given him by God. ".....You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin." (v. 11) Very calmly. Very matter-of-fact. He could have stopped it all right then and there....but, he didn't. He had so much faith in his Father's plan, he accepted what was happening because he realized the end result would be well worth the price he had to pay.
This perspective is a great one to carry with us in all areas of life. When I feel like certain people are ganging up on me. When I feel hopeless. When my reaction to a situation is less than desirable or godly. I want to always remember that nobody has any power over me unless it is given to them by God. I don't have to be victim to other people's behavior or choices. I also have a choice to make. I will choose to have faith, to trust that God has me covered and guarded. I don't want to be like Pilate and give in to what I know is wrong just because others are trying to persuade me into doing what they want. I trust that God's plan is worth taking a stand for!
And, yet again, Pilate gives in to the torment of others:
Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified." (v. 16)
Wow! I bet that was a hard decision to live with.
Lord, help me to stand for you. Help me to stand for what I know is right. Give me a clear mind so that I can see through the fog of certain circumstances and keep my mind focused on you. Help me not to give into the pressures of this world and the wickedness that so many don't even see in their own lives. I want to be free to live and move and breathe for you!! Dear Lord, I am yours! Guide me and help me to rest in your arms. Amen
Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. (v.1)
In the verses that preceded this, Pilate states that Jesus is not guilty of any crime. Pilate knows that Jesus is innocent but he decides it may be easier for himself if he orders some sort of punishment for him. After all, the people are so strong in their passion to have this man killed. Pilate doesn't do what's right because he doesn't have the backbone to stand for what he knows is right. He gives in. He can't handle being the only one who seems to care about Jesus' innocence. Pilate becomes just one of the crowd. Have you ever done something like this before? Have you ever singled someone else out because you don't want to stand alone and defend the underdog? Something like this is easy to identify in children. So many times there is one child who is targeted and picked on by the rest of the class. If you were to ask the other children why this is occurring, they would most likely not know how to answer. Don't be fooled, this happens in adult settings also. Obviously, since we are studying such a scenario in today's reading. Sad, isn't it?
I think the thing that speaks so loudly to my heart in this text is Jesus' lack of reaction to the wrongdoing that occurred. The only retort he has for Pilate is to remind him that he has no power outside of the power given him by God. ".....You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. So the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin." (v. 11) Very calmly. Very matter-of-fact. He could have stopped it all right then and there....but, he didn't. He had so much faith in his Father's plan, he accepted what was happening because he realized the end result would be well worth the price he had to pay.
This perspective is a great one to carry with us in all areas of life. When I feel like certain people are ganging up on me. When I feel hopeless. When my reaction to a situation is less than desirable or godly. I want to always remember that nobody has any power over me unless it is given to them by God. I don't have to be victim to other people's behavior or choices. I also have a choice to make. I will choose to have faith, to trust that God has me covered and guarded. I don't want to be like Pilate and give in to what I know is wrong just because others are trying to persuade me into doing what they want. I trust that God's plan is worth taking a stand for!
And, yet again, Pilate gives in to the torment of others:
Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified." (v. 16)
Wow! I bet that was a hard decision to live with.
Lord, help me to stand for you. Help me to stand for what I know is right. Give me a clear mind so that I can see through the fog of certain circumstances and keep my mind focused on you. Help me not to give into the pressures of this world and the wickedness that so many don't even see in their own lives. I want to be free to live and move and breathe for you!! Dear Lord, I am yours! Guide me and help me to rest in your arms. Amen
Monday, October 24, 2011
Off the Fence
Here in Pearland it's a gorgeous day! God has shown me his goodness in several ways already today. I've been prayed for by two people, one in person and one over the phone. That's pretty cool when you get to hear others pray for you. Think about who you could pray for today--via phone, text message or in person. You'll be giving them a huge blessing, and you'll get one in return!
I'm taking this ongoing conversation with God to the next page of this story of Jesus' arrest and trials. I'm reading the rest of chapter 18 today, starting with verse 28. Why don't you join in?
Pilate is back and forth, in and out, flustered and torn within. Jesus, on the other hand, is calm, cool and collected. Who’s on trial here, anyway? Who do you feel more sympathetic to: Pilate or the religious leaders? The religious leaders are foaming at the mouth. They’re violently against Jesus and make no bones about it. Pilate is uncertain, torn between justice and what will best serve his career. In his heart, he knows Jesus is innocent, a good man, but he is unwilling to commit to him because it will put him in a disadvantageous position politically.
Know any Pilate’s? (Not the kind that fly airplanes.) There are plenty of people who will side with what best protects their place in the world over what is true. I see other Pilate's around me that are similarly indecisive about Jesus, running in and out of the church, back and forth, stuck in this awful position of being pulled and tugged from both sides, confused and anxious. It's not a good place to be.
In the final frame, Pilate just as surely rejects Jesus as do the Jewish leaders, even though he isn’t nearly as hostile to Jesus as they are. To stay stuck in neutral about Jesus is to reject him.
Jesus: "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." (v. 37)
That invitation to come to him as the source of truth is met by a predictable sarcasm:
"What is truth?" (v. 38)
For all of us, as for Pilate, there is the truth Jesus speaks of—what is right and good and noble and just and ultimately meaningful. And then there is the truth of the way things are, the reality that we live with in this social vise, squeezed between the way of the world and the Way of Christ. And we sometimes wonder which should we choose? Is either really truth? Is there even such a thing? Everybody puts their own spin on things, right?
Pilate stands as a representative of all of us, it seems. He was really the one on trial here, not Jesus. And so are we. Will we leave our empty shadowlands and embrace the Light, even when it threatens our place in the world that we've worked so hard to construct and protect? Jesus stands tall and confident, as can we who choose him. Truth and justice will rise to the top. Light will overcome darkness, even though it may look at times like just the opposite is happening. As long as we stand in God’s grace, living under his reign, we have nothing to fear.
I'm hearing you, Jesus. And right now, today, I choose Truth, the reality of who you are. And I'll sacrifice whatever I have to to have you and the Life you alone can give.
I'd love to hear your own heart's impressions of what Jesus is saying to you here. You can comment below anonymously (choose that option in the "Comment As" box) or by name (by signing in first). Click the Facebook icon (f) below to share this post with your friends who may still be on the fence.
I'm taking this ongoing conversation with God to the next page of this story of Jesus' arrest and trials. I'm reading the rest of chapter 18 today, starting with verse 28. Why don't you join in?
Pilate is back and forth, in and out, flustered and torn within. Jesus, on the other hand, is calm, cool and collected. Who’s on trial here, anyway? Who do you feel more sympathetic to: Pilate or the religious leaders? The religious leaders are foaming at the mouth. They’re violently against Jesus and make no bones about it. Pilate is uncertain, torn between justice and what will best serve his career. In his heart, he knows Jesus is innocent, a good man, but he is unwilling to commit to him because it will put him in a disadvantageous position politically.
Know any Pilate’s? (Not the kind that fly airplanes.) There are plenty of people who will side with what best protects their place in the world over what is true. I see other Pilate's around me that are similarly indecisive about Jesus, running in and out of the church, back and forth, stuck in this awful position of being pulled and tugged from both sides, confused and anxious. It's not a good place to be.
In the final frame, Pilate just as surely rejects Jesus as do the Jewish leaders, even though he isn’t nearly as hostile to Jesus as they are. To stay stuck in neutral about Jesus is to reject him.
Jesus: "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." (v. 37)
That invitation to come to him as the source of truth is met by a predictable sarcasm:
"What is truth?" (v. 38)
For all of us, as for Pilate, there is the truth Jesus speaks of—what is right and good and noble and just and ultimately meaningful. And then there is the truth of the way things are, the reality that we live with in this social vise, squeezed between the way of the world and the Way of Christ. And we sometimes wonder which should we choose? Is either really truth? Is there even such a thing? Everybody puts their own spin on things, right?
Pilate stands as a representative of all of us, it seems. He was really the one on trial here, not Jesus. And so are we. Will we leave our empty shadowlands and embrace the Light, even when it threatens our place in the world that we've worked so hard to construct and protect? Jesus stands tall and confident, as can we who choose him. Truth and justice will rise to the top. Light will overcome darkness, even though it may look at times like just the opposite is happening. As long as we stand in God’s grace, living under his reign, we have nothing to fear.
I'm hearing you, Jesus. And right now, today, I choose Truth, the reality of who you are. And I'll sacrifice whatever I have to to have you and the Life you alone can give.
I'd love to hear your own heart's impressions of what Jesus is saying to you here. You can comment below anonymously (choose that option in the "Comment As" box) or by name (by signing in first). Click the Facebook icon (f) below to share this post with your friends who may still be on the fence.
Friday, October 21, 2011
The Dread Rooster
Welcome to your weekend! I'm glad you want to hear from God as you kick it off. So do I, so let's gather up and blend into the crowd of onlookers in John 18:12-27. It's a dark and ominous night, and the darkness is making its best attempt to engulf the Light of the world. What do you see or hear? I can't read this without putting myself in Peter's sandals.
He was there at the place of the first mock trial for one reason. He was deeply concerned about Jesus and what might happen to him. He wanted to stay close by and witness what took place. All but two of the disciples had scattered. But as he tries his best to blend in with the other onlookers, people just won't leave him alone. "You're not his follower, are you?" "You're not one of his crew, are you?" "I remember seeing you with him."
He replied, "I am not."
He denied it, saying, "I am not."
Again Peter denied it... (v. 17, 25, 27)
Oh, the pressure! I can imagine it building, pressing down on Peter. Sometimes our best intentions go awry. Have you ever done the one thing you never thought you'd do? For Peter, this was it. He had adamantly promised that he would stand by Jesus and even go to his death with him. Even when Jesus predicted just an hour or two earlier that Peter would deny him three times before dawn, there was no way Peter could believe that about himself. He was sold out to Jesus, in it to the end.
But not now. He had gone and done it. The sound of that rooster crowing must have been thunderous in Peter's ears. Failure. Guilt. Shame. The haunting question: "How could I have done this?" There is no lonelier place on earth. It's amazing how far we can fall even when we have the best intentions in the world.
My takeaway from this hauntingly familiar scene is that I can never imagine myself to be exempt from human brokenness and temptation. We feel betrayed when our heroes fall. But that's only because we see our own failure in them--people we thought were above us. But I see something else here. The absolute epitome of failure doesn't have to be fatal. This could have been the end of the story for Peter. He could have checked out like Judas did. But I know that he didn't. This is the same man who got to be the first to proclaim to the masses the fact of Jesus' resurrection and call them to faith in him. While I would never want to stand where Peter stood again and hear the rooster's crow in my own life, there is grace and there is mercy and God is a God of second chances...even when we've done the one thing we never thought we would do. Thank you, Jesus!
Please share your thoughts below! I'd love to hear them. And if you wouldn't mind, share this post with your Facebook friends (click the "f" icon below). It's an easy way to spread the Good News!
He was there at the place of the first mock trial for one reason. He was deeply concerned about Jesus and what might happen to him. He wanted to stay close by and witness what took place. All but two of the disciples had scattered. But as he tries his best to blend in with the other onlookers, people just won't leave him alone. "You're not his follower, are you?" "You're not one of his crew, are you?" "I remember seeing you with him."
He replied, "I am not."
He denied it, saying, "I am not."
Again Peter denied it... (v. 17, 25, 27)
Oh, the pressure! I can imagine it building, pressing down on Peter. Sometimes our best intentions go awry. Have you ever done the one thing you never thought you'd do? For Peter, this was it. He had adamantly promised that he would stand by Jesus and even go to his death with him. Even when Jesus predicted just an hour or two earlier that Peter would deny him three times before dawn, there was no way Peter could believe that about himself. He was sold out to Jesus, in it to the end.
But not now. He had gone and done it. The sound of that rooster crowing must have been thunderous in Peter's ears. Failure. Guilt. Shame. The haunting question: "How could I have done this?" There is no lonelier place on earth. It's amazing how far we can fall even when we have the best intentions in the world.
My takeaway from this hauntingly familiar scene is that I can never imagine myself to be exempt from human brokenness and temptation. We feel betrayed when our heroes fall. But that's only because we see our own failure in them--people we thought were above us. But I see something else here. The absolute epitome of failure doesn't have to be fatal. This could have been the end of the story for Peter. He could have checked out like Judas did. But I know that he didn't. This is the same man who got to be the first to proclaim to the masses the fact of Jesus' resurrection and call them to faith in him. While I would never want to stand where Peter stood again and hear the rooster's crow in my own life, there is grace and there is mercy and God is a God of second chances...even when we've done the one thing we never thought we would do. Thank you, Jesus!
Please share your thoughts below! I'd love to hear them. And if you wouldn't mind, share this post with your Facebook friends (click the "f" icon below). It's an easy way to spread the Good News!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)