Hello everyone! Sorry to be a little late writing today. Our reading is taken from John 19:38-42. When I sit down and take the Bible, open it up and read, it seems as though a feeling of peace fills my heart! I hope you will read this short passage with me and thoughtfully let it speak to your heart. Today this is Katrinka writing, and always grateful for the opportunity to share this time with Chris, Michele, and especially you. May God bless us as we let more of His Word into our minds and souls.
In this section of John we have been reading about THE EVENT. Which event? The crucifixion of our Lord and Savior in detailed account, about the event that shook the earth and darkened the day, about the event that took our Lord Jesus into the realms of Death itself. At this point in the sequence of such momentous happeningss, the future looks quite uncertain. How is it possible that the life of Jesus come to this tragic end? His death on the cross was one of humiliation and shame! What does the future hold for his followers?
The funeral. In these few verses today we see the "funeral" that was held for Jesus. Surely the Son of God was buried in a showy, grand manner with loyal disciples all around him. Surely there were many flowers, and expressions of respect and honor for the departed Lord! That is how we would like to see it happen, but, sadly, that is definitely not the case.
Those who attended. Doesn't it seem strange to you that it was not Peter. or John. or James that came to Pilate and asked to have the body of Jesus? After all, they were his best friends, always-present followers, weren't they? But, as Jesus had already predicted, "the sheep would be scattered." Even John who was with Mary at the cross did not come and ask for the body so his mother could bury him! It all seems so tragic and disappointing to me. We cannot judge accurately, but it seems that they had all given up and were quickly moving our of range so that the authorities would not associate them more with Jesus, the crucified. No, instead of loyal friends around him to the end, it was only a couple of "secret believers" who stood up to bury him at the end of Jesus' earthly life.
Joseph of Arimathea surely had no idea that his act of asking for the body and burying it in his own new tomb would go down in the Word of God for generations of people to read! I ask myself, why was he so brave now? Why didn't he stand up and say that he was a believer in Jesus before, when things were going great for Jesus? His courage failed him then, but now, all of a sudden he stands up to be counted as a follower. Why? Could it be that he was there, watching, listening as the crucifixion took place? Could it be that, as some of the soldiers who were on the job there, he said to himself in the end: " Surely this was the Son of God!" Whatever it was, Joseph was a changed man. He did not allow himself to go into depression and give up on his belief just because Jesus had been killed! Instead he performed a service for our Lord that no one else did -- he honored and took care of Jesus' body! He stepped up and sacrificially gave his new tomb, his love and his service to His Lord when others abandoned him.
Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night, was there too. We read that he was there with Joseph of Arimathea. He had been reluctant to visit with Jesus in the daytime, also out of fear of the Jewsish leaders. And yet at this time he also steps forward boldly, participating in the "funeral" of Jesus, in the special care of his earthly body. His contribution demonstrated great love and respect for Jesus. He brought a mixture of expensive myrrh and aloes, and not just a little bit but a lot -- about 75 pounds worth! This was used to rub all over Jesus' dead body, to clean, scent and preserve it. He spared no expense and gave of himself to see that Jesus had a decent, Jewish burial.
Hands-on Service. These two men, apparently both quite wealthy, did not bring along their servants to do the work. They did it themselves! By this time Jesus had undergone so much! Beatings, scourgings, spit, thorns scraping his head -- all these along with the actual crucifixion and the spear in the side -- must have left the body of Jesus in quite a horrible state. I can't write this without tears filling my eyes! Still, these two men took the body of Jesus and personally did all that it took. They cleaned it, rubbed it all over with the spices and expensive perfumes. Then, with their own hands, they wrapped Jesus in strips of linen. They did it all according to Jewish burial customs. They placed his body in a clean, new tomb and left. They had done all they could do as mere men.
These two men fulfilled what was written above the cross: "King of the Jews." They took the body of Jesus and honored it in the Jewish way as it should have been done. They honored Jesus with their actions when others honored him with words. Joseph and Nicodemas performed the funeral for Jesus. And I feel sure that when he arose from the dead, they were rejoicing and being glad they had done what they had done! And I feel sure in my own heart that they will be given a place in heaven for their efforts and faith.
How about us? How do you and I honor Jesus? -- in words or in deeds? Actually, our Lord and Messiah deserves both! He deserves our everything and our all! We can honor Him best in real service to His church and to those around us. Thank you, Lord, for letting us know how Jesus was buried. It has some great lessons for us. And let us never forget that partaking of the Lord's Supper can be a continuation of honoring His death for us. Blessings on each of you!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Broken Heart
God is speaking to anyone who would listen. All we have to do is open the Bible and read. The final scene from the cross will frame our conversation today. Let's read John 19:31-37 together and then reflect back over it. What is he wanting us to hear?
...[T]hey came to Jesus and found that he was already dead.... [O]ne of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. (v. 33-34)
The notes in my NIV Study Bible explain that the phenomenon of water flowing along with the blood could be caused by the spear piercing the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium) and the heart itself. That fact tells me three important things.
One, Jesus was really human. Yes, he is fully God, but he's also fully human. There were other times in Scripture where God or an angel took human form. They made themselves look human to interact with humans, but they didn't really become human. This was not one of those times. Jesus wasn't just God in human form. He was God in human flesh. And that means he experienced the human condition. He knows how it feels to be a man. He can relate to me. He understands me. And I can aspire to be like him. I can lay aside those thoughts that I can never be the kind of person that he was. I can't do it perfectly like he did. But by his grace and strength, I can be Christ-like.
Two, Jesus was really dead. Accepting the reality of Jesus' resurrection from the dead is no small thing. I need evidence. And this is one solid piece of it from an eyewitness who had nothing to gain and a lot to lose by lying about it. Could Jesus maybe have just been unconscious? in a coma? mostly dead but not all dead? And then he just woke up in the tomb and broke out? Not a chance. His heart was run through with a spear head.
Three, in bearing the brunt of my sins, Jesus' heart was broken. It cut him straight to the heart, literally. He was broken-hearted about my plight, my stubbornness, my brokenness and my hopelessness. And he cared so much for me that he took it all on himself, even though it killed him. He has literally changed my life, made me whole and given me hope and a brilliant future. I don't want to break his heart anymore. I want him to feel how much I love him, and I will show him everyday.
Spread the word by sharing this post to your Facebook page. It might be a lot more meaningful to someone than anything else you share.You're invited to share your reflections about what Jesus did for you. Comment below (sign in first at the top right of the page, or choose "Anonymous" in the "Comment as" field).
...[T]hey came to Jesus and found that he was already dead.... [O]ne of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. (v. 33-34)
The notes in my NIV Study Bible explain that the phenomenon of water flowing along with the blood could be caused by the spear piercing the sac that surrounds the heart (pericardium) and the heart itself. That fact tells me three important things.
One, Jesus was really human. Yes, he is fully God, but he's also fully human. There were other times in Scripture where God or an angel took human form. They made themselves look human to interact with humans, but they didn't really become human. This was not one of those times. Jesus wasn't just God in human form. He was God in human flesh. And that means he experienced the human condition. He knows how it feels to be a man. He can relate to me. He understands me. And I can aspire to be like him. I can lay aside those thoughts that I can never be the kind of person that he was. I can't do it perfectly like he did. But by his grace and strength, I can be Christ-like.
Two, Jesus was really dead. Accepting the reality of Jesus' resurrection from the dead is no small thing. I need evidence. And this is one solid piece of it from an eyewitness who had nothing to gain and a lot to lose by lying about it. Could Jesus maybe have just been unconscious? in a coma? mostly dead but not all dead? And then he just woke up in the tomb and broke out? Not a chance. His heart was run through with a spear head.
Three, in bearing the brunt of my sins, Jesus' heart was broken. It cut him straight to the heart, literally. He was broken-hearted about my plight, my stubbornness, my brokenness and my hopelessness. And he cared so much for me that he took it all on himself, even though it killed him. He has literally changed my life, made me whole and given me hope and a brilliant future. I don't want to break his heart anymore. I want him to feel how much I love him, and I will show him everyday.
Spread the word by sharing this post to your Facebook page. It might be a lot more meaningful to someone than anything else you share.You're invited to share your reflections about what Jesus did for you. Comment below (sign in first at the top right of the page, or choose "Anonymous" in the "Comment as" field).
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Sweet Accomplishment
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!
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!
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
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