Thursday Thought -- February 28, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

Name the most impressive person from history that you can think of?

I'm not sure who came to mind, but if you had asked that question of the Jews back in the early days of the church a lot of them would have said Moses. You may have seen his story in a movie theater or on your DVD. Oh, it was dressed up some to sell more tickets. The parting of the Red Sea looked very amazing. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that followed Moses and the people were pretty astounding, too. Moses seems to have been a great leader. He was powerful, wise, and full of integrity, too.

Moses was a very impressive man. He was made most impressive by his faith in God. But, there is One from history with whom Moses can’t even compare.

“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.” (Hebrews 3:1-6)

As powerful and wise and full of integrity as Moses was, he was still just a servant. As a very faithful servant, he deserves our honor and respect. But no servant can compare with the Son! Jesus isn’t a servant of God, He is the Son. Moses was a servant in God’s house, but Jesus is the Ruler of the house.

Give honor where honor is due. Honor Moses, and others who demonstrate the kind of integrity and wisdom and faith that he had. But don’t just honor and respect Jesus: worship Him! He’s not the servant, He’s the Ruler.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- February 27, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.  Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family.  So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.  He says, ‘I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.’  And again, ‘I will put my trust in him.’  And again he says, ‘Here am I, and the children God has given me.’  Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -- that is, the devil -- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:10-15)

Life is hard, there is no denying that.  I would never try to deny that.  God doesn’t try to deny it, either.  No one who takes an honest look at what is happening in the lives of the people around him can deny that life is hard.  Some of us have friends who have cancer.  We may have another friend whose father is dying and another whose mother probably won’t live another month or so.  We know pregnant women who are afraid that something might be wrong with the baby.  We hear stories of those whose children have been kidnapped.  We all know a whole bunch of stories like those.  Life is hard.

But here’s the point of today’s passage:  Jesus understands.  Jesus went through it, too.  His work of salvation was only made complete by going through the kind of suffering that other humans face.  He lost a father to death (at least that’s the assumption about Joseph).  His family turned against him.  One of His closest companions betrayed Him and another denied even knowing Him.  The government wouldn’t come to His aid and even assisted in His death.  The religious leaders who should have been His partners, instead thought He was a blasphemer and schemed to get Him killed.  And then there’s the mockery of the trials, the pain of the tortures, and the horror of the cross.  Life was hard for Jesus, too.  But it’s through the hard stuff that Jesus was able to complete what the Father sent Him to do.

It is only through the hard stuff that God will be able to accomplish in us and through us what He desires.

It is because Jesus suffered through the hard stuff of life and overcame it, that He is willing to call us brothers, who turn to Him to overcome the hard stuff that we go through.

Jesus is our blood Brother, our suffering Brother, our death Brother.  He went through what we go through, and He overcame it.  He overcame for us!

Thank You, Brother, Friend, Savior, Lord!  Thank You, Jesus!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- February 26, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking.  But there is a place where someone has testified:  ‘What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?  You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet.’  In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him.  Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:5-9)

There’s an encouraging phrase in the above passage from Hebrews:  “there is a place where.”  The author of the biblical text couldn’t remember exactly where that quote was from.  It’s somewhere in the Old Testament, no doubt, but his memory failed to place it.  I suffer from that problem a great deal!  It’s nice to see that this biblical author did, too.

But the primary lesson from today’s text is the humility of Jesus.  He was willing to be made lower than the angels.  He was willing to suffer death.  He didn’t deserve it.  He didn’t have to do it.  He willingly humbled Himself on our behalf.  He tasted death for everyone, even you and me.  He tasted death so that we won’t have to.  Oh, we’ll probably all die physically, but that’s not real death.  Real death is eternal separation from God.  And Jesus suffered physical death and separation from the Father for a short period, so that we won’t have to ever be separated from Him, not for all eternity.  That’s the most amazing demonstration of God’s grace!

But Jesus hasn’t been left in that state of separation from the Father nor has He been left in that state of humility.

He was lower than the angels while on earth, but not anymore.  The Father has crowned Him.  He has returned to His rightful place.  He has been given great glory.  And all things are being made subject to Him.  It’s not finished yet, there are still some people in this world and some demonic beings in the spirit world who have not been made subject to Him, but someday that will no longer be true.  “Every knee will bow, of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

Every knee will bow in submission to Jesus!  Every tongue will declare His glory!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- February 25, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.  For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?  This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:1-4)

One of the principle themes of the book of Hebrews is the recognition of the value of what we have and the importance of holding on to it.  That is a theme of which we need to be frequently reminded.  We are prone to grow complacent and take for granted what God has done for us.

What we have embraced came to us through miraculous means.  That’s how valuable it is.  God announced it first through His own Son.  Salvation by grace through faith in Christ had been God’s plan from the beginning.  But He kept it hidden until He sent Jesus into the world.  Jesus had the privilege of revealing it to all mankind.  He was the perfect messenger for the plan, not just announcing it, but living it, and then paying the price for it.

We have also received the message through the eyewitnesses who were around Jesus.  They were hand selected by Jesus Himself.  He let them see into His heart by living with them.  He let them see the miracles He performed up close.  He let them see the compassion that He felt toward all people, even those who were outcasts of society.  He let them hear His messages and ask questions so they could understand it better.  And they were faithful to Him, repeating His message through the rest of their lives and passing it on to us in written form.

And then we come to the miracles through which God has confirmed the authenticity of the message we have received.  Jesus performed miracles, marvelous demonstrations of power and love.  The apostles did, too.  And God continues to perform miracles in our own day, in direct and obvious answer to our prayers.  And one of the greatest miracles is the way He continues to use men, giving them the abilities they need to serve Him.

All of these things God has done so that the message might come to us and we might receive it.  But receiving it is but the first step.  All of these things He has done so that we will hold on to the message we have received.

Don’t ignore it.  Don’t take it for granted.  Don’t slip gradually away from it.  Grasp it tightly.  Appreciate it.  Be reminded of it.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- February 22, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“In speaking of the angels he says, ‘He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire.’  But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.  You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.’  To which of the angels did God ever say, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’?  Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:7-9; 13-14)

There is a distinct difference between the angels and Jesus.  The angels are servants being sent to do God’s bidding.  They bring messages that God wants sent through them.  They guard when God assigns them to do that (like at the Garden of Eden).  They fulfill whatever tasks God assigns to them.  That truth is not meant to diminish the importance of angels.  It is a marvelous thing to be a servant of God.  It is a privilege to be sent to do His will – whatever He asks.

The statement in Hebrews is not meant to diminish the importance of angels – it is meant to exalt Jesus, to declare His uniqueness and the majesty and power He holds.  Jesus is not a servant, but the ruler.  He is seated on the throne, ruling the kingdom and will be there for all eternity.  Neither time nor eternity will bring an end to Jesus as King.  And no enemy will be able to bring His kingdom down.  All of the enemies of Jesus and His kingdom will eventually be brought to complete submission, under His feet.

And one more thing about His kingdom, we need never fear what might happen in it.  The King hates wickedness, and will never be a part of it.  The King loves righteousness, and all that ever happens in His kingdom will be right and just.

Now there’s a King worth serving.  There’s a King worth worshiping.  Even the angels serve and worship Him.

His, by Grace,

Steve 

Thursday Thought -- February 21, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

Have you ever wondered what God was like?  He has made it so that we can know.  Oh, not what He looks like physically, but what He is really like.  When we look at Jesus, we see exactly what God is like!

“The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.  After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.  So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.  For to which of the angels did God ever say, ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father’?  Or again, ‘I will be his Father, and he will be my Son’?  And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’” (Hebrews 1:3-6)

Jesus shows God’s glory.  Jesus illustrates God’s character.  Jesus demonstrates God’s power.  Jesus deserves the worship we would give to God.  When you look at Jesus, everything about Him reflects what God is like, because He is God!

Jesus isn’t a being lower than the angels.  Jesus isn’t one of the angels.  Jesus isn’t the highest ranking angel.  Jesus is the One the angels worship!  Jesus is God!

And that’s what makes what He did so amazing.  Jesus is God, yet He provided purification for sins.  He died as a sacrifice for our sins.  He didn’t have to, He’s God.  He wanted to!

Even angels worship Him.  Even angels serve Him.  Shouldn’t we?

Take a close look at Jesus and you’ll see what God is like.  So … do toward Him what you’d do toward God … worship, serve and love Him!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- February 20, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” (Hebrews 1:1-2)

The Hebrew letter begins with a marvelous assertion:  God has spoken.  God was under no obligation to speak.  He was under no obligation to reveal Himself to man.  He was under no obligation to provide man with a clear explanation of His standards.  But God has spoken.

God has spoken in many ways in times past.  In the Garden of Eden, God spoke to Adam and Eve with an audible voice.  God sent His angels, at times, to deliver His message, as He did with Abraham.  God spoke with powerful judgment.  Those who saw what happened at Sodom and Gomorrah should have been able to hear God’s clear message.  God selected individual men and women to be His messengers, like Elijah and Isaiah.  One time, God used a donkey to speak His message, and even then it seems that Balaam had a hard time understanding it was God speaking to him.  In a still small voice, in a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night, on written tablets of stone, in miracles and signs, and in dozens of other ways, God has spoken in times past.

And God continues to speak to men today.  I’ve never heard of Him using a donkey in our age, but He does still speak.  He has spoken clearly through His Word, the Bible, and continues to speak through it to His people.  He speaks through prayer to the hearts of His followers.  He speaks through circumstances.  Sometimes, He speaks through miracles.  And I’m sure there are any number of other ways God speaks today to those who are listening for Him.

But God’s clearest revelation has already taken place.  God’s clearest communication of His character and His plan came through His Son.  In Jesus, we can see God’s communication of Himself.  There was no other way to clearly let people know what He was like and how very much He loved, and loves, us.  He came Himself so the message would be clear!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Tuesday Thought -- February 19, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

How do you change the cultural landscape around you?

We face that question today because there are ideas and actions that are common in our culture that are contrary to the basic beliefs and philosophy of Jesus.  For instance, we live in a culture that increasingly devalues life.  Abortion is accepted as a viable option for ending an unwanted pregnancy.  End of life questions and options are discussed without consideration of their moral implications.  In general, our culture just doesn’t value life in the way that the Lord does.

We have options for how to change our culture.  We can make a political fight of it, developing a powerful voting block to protect life.  Christians have tried that, largely unsuccessfully.  We can demonstrate, causing civil unrest until our voice is heard.  Some have tried that, too, and the result has been a powerful negative backlash against the church.

The early Christians faced the same problem.  One of the major cultural issues of their day was slavery.  There were millions of slaves in the Roman Empire.  The early church chose a different route to bring change to their culture.  Instead of focusing on the moral issues of the day and fighting for what was right, they worked to change the hearts of people, one person at a time.  That is a slower process, to be sure, but it proved effective.  Over time, as hearts were changed, the culture began to change, too.

When you read the book of Philemon you can see that effort at work.  Philemon is about a runaway slave named Onesimus.  Paul sends the slave back to his owner.  “I am sending him -- who is my very heart -- back to you.” (Philemon 1:12)  And with the slave, came Paul’s hope that Philemon’s attitude toward him would be changed.  “Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good -- no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother.  He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.  So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.” (Philemon 1:15-17)

When those who owned slaves began to “welcome their slaves” and treat them as “dear brothers” then hearts began to change.  Eventually, as enough hearts changed the whole culture changed!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- February 18, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.  He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  And these signs will accompany those who believe:  In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.’” (Mark 16:14-18)

Jesus’ final words express what was utmost on His heart – He wanted everyone to know about Him and to be offered the good news that He came to bring.

There is no more important assignment that God has ever given to mankind than this final assignment that Jesus gave to His disciples then – and that continues to be our assignment now.  Jesus cared about the whole world.  There isn’t a country that Jesus doesn’t have a heart to save.  There isn’t a language that Jesus doesn’t want the Gospel to be preached in.  There isn’t a people group – no matter how remote or how wicked – that Jesus doesn’t want reached with the Gospel.  There isn’t anywhere that Jesus doesn’t want His disciples to go with message and isn’t anyone that Jesus doesn’t want to have hear.  Jesus has a heart for the whole world and everyone in it.

Jesus invites – even commands – all of those who follow Him to allow Him to develop that kind of heart in us.  America is a great place to live, but it isn’t a place that God cares about more than He cares about Ireland or Mali or Lebanon or Japan or any other place you can name.  God has a world heart – and He wants us to have a world heart, too.

And Jesus promises that He will release His power as the Gospel is taken around the world.  He promised His first disciples that miracles would accompany the preaching of the Gospel.  The Book of Acts confirms that what Jesus promised did come to fulfillment.  God worked miracles to confirm the Gospel that was being preached to those who were not saved.  And the Gospel is still accompanied by that same power and that same willingness.  When we faithfully take the Gospel to places where it has never gone and to people who have never heard, God accompanies the preaching with power.  Missionaries around the world confirm the truth of that statement as they testify to the miracles God continues to do to confirm the truth of His message.

God cares deeply for the world.  The question is – do we?

His, by Grace,

Steve 

Friday Thought -- February 15, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.  Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, ‘Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?’  But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.  As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.  ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said.  ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.  He has risen!  He is not here.  See the place where they laid him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter, “He is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see him, just as he told you.”’” (Mark 16:1-7)

By the time the women got to the tomb of Jesus the resurrection had already happened.  The most amazing and meaningful event in the history of the world occurred while no one was watching.  There were no eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus.  In the middle of the night, or more accurately, in the early morning hours, something astounding happened inside the tomb of Jesus.

Jesus came out of His grave clothes.  He left them just lying there on the rock ledge on which they had placed His body.  The stone was moved.  The heavy stone that several women knew they could not move, someone else had rolled it away from the entrance to the tomb.  Jesus was gone.

Now that’s strange.  Dead men don’t just leave their tombs!  But Jesus did!  And that’s just the first sign that would prove Jesus came back to life.  The second, and more convincing sign, would happen again and again as Jesus Himself appeared to followers of His.

Jesus had to rise from the dead, that’s what the scriptures say.  Why?  Because if death held Him in its grip, there would be no hope for us.  If He couldn’t conquer death for Himself, what chance is there that He could conquer it for us.  But conquer it for Himself, He did!  And conquer it for us, He has done that, too!

He’s not in the tomb any longer.  His grave clothes were there, but He wasn’t.  He’s alive, He still is!  Now that’s amazing and wonderful and life-changing!  It was for those women that morning.  It has been for millions of others through the years.  It has been for me.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Thursday Thought -- February 14, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, ‘Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?’  But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.  As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.  ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said.  ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.  He has risen!  He is not here.  See the place where they laid him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter, “He is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see him, just as he told you.”’”  (Mark 16:2-7)

Jesus wanted Peter back.

Peter had denied the Lord.  He hadn’t done it just once, but three times.  When he denied Him the third time, he cursed and swore that he did not know Jesus.  Peter played the coward that night, just like Jesus had warned him that he would.  And when Peter realized what he had done, he wept bitterly.  He was ashamed.

Peter was at an important crossroad in his life.  He could come back to Jesus and throw himself on Jesus’ mercy.  Or, he could let his shame get the best of him and turn his back on Jesus thinking Jesus would never be able to forgive him.

And Jesus knew Peter was at that crossroad.  And Jesus wanted Peter back.  Jesus wanted the chance to see Peter again.  Jesus wanted the chance to let Peter know he was forgiven and that God still wanted to use him in His kingdom.

So, one of the first messages of the angel who announced Jesus’ resurrection was this instruction, “Tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee.’”  Jesus wanted to be sure that Peter would be there.  Jesus wanted Peter to know that He wanted to see him.  Jesus wanted Peter back!

Jesus hasn’t changed in the 2,000 years since then.  He still wants people back.  Those who sin, those who fail Him – He always wants them back!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- February 13, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!’ … It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath).  So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.  Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead.  Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died.  When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph.  So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock.  Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.  Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.” (Mark 15:29; 42-47)

It didn’t take long for the death of Jesus to make an impact on some people.

The centurion in charge of His crucifixion saw Jesus die and witnessed the things that happened when He died and that impacted him.  There is no way that Roman military officer would have declared Jesus to be the Son of God before He was crucified or during the crucifixion.  But there was something very powerful about the way Jesus died – even a hardened executioner could see that.

And then there is the impact on Joseph of Arimathea.  He was a prominent member of the Jewish Council.  That means he was there when they debated what to do about Jesus and all the trouble He was causing the Jewish leaders.  That means he was there when Jesus was brought before the Council after His arrest.  He was there when the Council decided they had to seek the death of Jesus.  He was there through all of those events and had the kind of influence that might have made some difference – but he kept quiet through all of those sessions.  Then Jesus is executed and suddenly Joseph gets bold.  Joseph gets bold enough to tell Pilate – the man who had sentenced Jesus to death – that he wanted the body of Jesus.  After Jesus’ death, Joseph was willing to do something he didn’t do before He died.

It seems to me that most of those who are executed have the opposite impact on people.  They may have some impact while they live, but once they die, they are forgotten and ignored.  But not Jesus.  There was something incredibly special about the way He died – something incredibly special about Him.

Jesus had astounding impact on people while He lived and taught.  He taught as one with authority and many people listened and followed.

Jesus had amazing impact on people when He died.  Immediately some lives were changed.

Jesus still has incredible impact on the lives of people today.

His, by Grace,

Steve 

Tuesday Thought -- February 12, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.  And at 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 near heard this, they said, ‘Listen, he’s calling Elijah.’  One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink.  ‘Now leave him alone.  Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,’ he said.  With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.  The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!’” (Mark 15:33-39)

That God the Father forsook Jesus must have been one of the most difficult aspects of the cross.  Jesus had been with the Father from before the beginning of the beginning – into eternity past.  Jesus will be with the Father beyond the end of the end – into eternity future.  But here, on the cross, is the one time that the Father forsook Jesus.  Here is the one time their relationship was broken.  It was broken because Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us on the cross. (2 Corinthians 5:21)  God, who knows only righteousness, turned away from Jesus as He carried our sin.

That had to heart-breaking for Jesus – and heart-breaking for the Father, too.

Remember, however, that it was planned.  They both knew the full extent of the cost of the cross and still they willingly went forward to pay that cost.  David, in Psalm 22, writes prophetically about the cross.  David mentions that He would be scorned by men, despised by the people, and mocked by those who saw Him.  That Psalm mentions Jesus’ bones being out of joint and His heart melting like wax.  It mentions that His garments would be divided and they would cast lots for His clothing.  And David begins that Psalm by mentioning the words that Jesus would speak from the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1)  David mentioned all of that – things which Jesus and His disciples could not have orchestrated – to demonstrate that God knew what was going to happen, down to the details of it.  He knew how painful it would be, how heart-breaking – and still, He went through with it.

There’s only one reason God the Father would be willing to forsake His only Son – because He knew what was being accomplished through Jesus’ death and He was willing to pay any cost – no matter how high – to accomplish it.  He did it for you and me.

There’s only one reason Jesus was willing to be forsaken by His Father – because He knew what He would accomplish through the cross and He willingly paid the high price that was required.  He did it for you and me.

His, by Grace,

Steve 

Monday Thought -- February 11, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left.  Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘So!  You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!’  In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves.  ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can’t save himself!  Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.’  Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.” (Mark 15:27-32)

I’m amazed at the utter cruelty of people.  Jesus was being crucified, horribly killed.  Yet, they weren’t even satisfied with that.  They mocked Him and jeered at Him, even as He hung dying on the cross.

They challenged Him to come down from the cross and save Himself.  That’s the one miracle that Jesus would not perform.  He’d already struggled with that decision in the Garden of Gethsemane and settled the matter.  He would not save Himself.  He would not walk away from the cross.  Not because He could not, but because He would not.  He loved us too much.  His death meant too much for us.

The chief priests decided He could not save Himself.  The reality was that He could have, but would not!  They did not understand.  Most of them never would.

Jesus Himself made it clear that the cross was His own choice, “No one takes it (my life) from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.  I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” (John 10:18)

I’m glad He didn’t come down off the cross.  I’m glad He loved me that much!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- February 8, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by.  When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.  ‘You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,’ she said.  But he denied it.  ‘I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,’ he said, and went out into the entryway.  When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, ‘This fellow is one of them.’  Again he denied it.  After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, ‘Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.’  He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, ‘I don’t know this man you’re talking about.’  Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.  Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him:  ‘Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.’  And he broke down and wept.” (Mark 14:66-72)

There are very few men or women in the Bible that are portrayed as being as bold and brave as Peter is.

Peter is the only one of the disciples who gets out of the boat and walks on the water toward Jesus.

Peter is the one who answered Jesus’ question so clearly and boldly when Jesus asked who the disciples thought He was.  Peter was unafraid to put his opinion out there for everyone to hear, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

Peter is the one who challenged Jesus when Jesus said He was going to be killed.  Peter declared that he would never allow it to happen.

Peter is the one who grabbed his sword and quickly cut off the ear of one of those who came to arrest Jesus.

Peter is the one who jumped out of the boat and ran to the shore when he saw that it was Jesus was there.

And you may be able to think of other stories in the Bible that are similar.  Peter is brave.  Peter is bold.  Peter is unafraid to declare his allegiance to Jesus.

So, what happened in the courtyard of the high priest?  What made someone so brave be so quick to deny even knowing Jesus?

If someone as bold and brave as Peter could so quickly turn to deny Jesus – then I need to be careful.  I’m not nearly as brave and not nearly as bold and not nearly as unafraid as Peter was.

Even the strongest can waver.  Even the strongest can sin.  Thank God for the grace that brought Peter back.  Thank God for the grace that’s available to you and me when we fail, too.

His, by Grace,

Steve 

Thursday Thought -- February 7, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any.  Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.  Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him:  ‘We heard him say, “I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.”’  Yet even then their testimony did not agree.  Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer?  What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’  But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.  Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?’  ‘I am,’ said Jesus.  ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’  The high priest tore his clothes.  ‘Why do we need any more witnesses?’ he asked.  ‘You have heard the blasphemy.  What do you think?’  They all condemned him as worthy of death.” (Mark 14:55-64)

There was false testimony against Jesus.  The Sanhedrin (the Jewish Council) was looking for any evidence that could be used to accuse Jesus of doing something worthy of death.  But they could not find the evidence that they needed.  Not even the false testimony was sufficient to condemn Jesus to death.  It wasn’t because of the false testimony that Jesus was crucified.  Jesus was crucified because of His own testimony.  Jesus was crucified for telling the truth!

The truth that Jesus told the Sanhedrin was amazing.

Jesus said He was the Christ – God’s chosen One.

Jesus said He was the “Son of Man” – the biblical title given by God to His Messiah.

Jesus said He would sit at the right hand of the God Himself – the place of power.

Jesus said that He would come again from heaven.

All of those are true statements and all of those are amazing statements of Jesus’ identity and authority.  For those Jesus was crucified.  He was crucified because He told the truth and the Jewish authorities weren’t ready to hear it – weren’t willing to hear it.

Why should it surprise us that when we speak the truth – even amazing truth – sometimes people don’t believe it?  It’s always been that way.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Wednesday Thought -- February 6, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared.  With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.  Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them:  ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’  Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him.  The men seized Jesus and arrested him.  Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.  ‘Am I leading a rebellion,’ said Jesus, ‘that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?  Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me.  But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.’  Then everyone deserted him and fled.” (Mark 14:43-50)

Jesus was betrayed by one who should have been a friend and defender.  Jesus was condemned by those who should have rallied the nation to follow Him.  Jesus was arrested by the soldiers who should have protected Him.  Jesus was deserted by everyone who had shown support of Him.

I can’t imagine the depth of hurt that Jesus felt that night in the Garden when He was arrested.  Already, He had poured out His heart to the Father, asked to be relieved of the responsibility that was ahead, and the Father said, “No.”  There was no way to accomplish what needed to be done except through the pain that lay ahead.  But the pain was so deep.

I don’t think the cross was the worst of what Jesus experienced.  The physical pain would have been bad enough.  The spiritual agony of carrying the sin of the world would have been unbearable for anyone but Jesus.  But I think the worst of the pain was the betrayal and desertion.  The betrayal of Judas – with a kiss, a symbol of love, Judas sold Him to His enemies.  The desertion by all of His followers – no one was left to go with through the pain.  And even the Father turned His back on Jesus as He hung on the cross.  He bore the pain – all of it – alone.

If you are ever betrayed – and many of us have been or will be at some point in our lives in some way – remember that Jesus felt betrayal, too.  He understands.

If you ever feel deserted – left alone by all that you counted on – remember that Jesus felt desertion, too.  He understands.

If you ever find out what it feels like to have the one that you knew would never turn his back on you do it – remember, that Jesus felt that, too.  He understands.

There is no pain that we have ever gone through or ever will, that Jesus hasn’t felt and doesn’t understand.

And He felt all that pain and went through all that agony – for us!

His, by Grace,

Steve 

Tuesday Thought -- February 5, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’  He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.  ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’   he said to them.  ‘Stay here and keep watch.’  Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.  ‘Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you.  Take this cup from me.  Yet not what I will, but what you will.’” (Mark 14:32-36)

Not everything that God asks of those who follow Him is easy.  Sometimes the will of God is difficult.  As Jesus thought about what lay ahead, the trials, the mocking, the beating, the crucifixion, He was deeply distressed and troubled.  His soul was overwhelmed by what the Father was asking Him to do.

There was great physical pain involved in the cross and the tortures that surrounded it.  Crucifixion was one of the most painful ways to be killed.  It was designed to be so cruel that people would radically alter their lifestyle in order to avoid it.  But there was more than physical pain that troubled Jesus.  The spiritual agony of the cross was worse for Jesus than the physical pain.  Paul wrote, “He became sin.”  He took the guilt of our sin upon Himself, and that was agony for Him.  The Father turned His back on Jesus and Jesus cried out from the cross, “Why have You forsaken Me?”  That was an overwhelming burden, unlike any burden Jesus had ever carried before.

The physical pain and the spiritual burden were God’s will for Jesus.  Those are the things that God asked Jesus to do.  He could not accomplish what God wanted Him to accomplish without going through those things.  Jesus asked the Father to find another way, but there was no other way.

Sometimes the will of God is difficult and painful.  It was for Jesus!

His, by Grace,

Steve

Monday Thought -- February 4, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, ‘Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?’  So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, ‘Go into the city and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you.  Follow him.  Say to the owner of the house he enters, “The Teacher asks:  ‘Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’  He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready.  Make preparations for us there.”’  The disciples left went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them.  So they prepared the Passover.” (Mark 14:12-16)

This is an amazing story.

First, note the attitude of the disciples.  Jesus gave them instructions that didn’t seem to make any sense.  They were to go into the city and when they met a man carrying a jar of water they were to ask him where the room was where the Lord would share the Passover with His disciples.  If anyone in the world gave you that kind of instruction you would think he was crazy and you wouldn’t do what he told you to do.  But the disciples had been around Jesus enough and seen Jesus do enough amazing things that they did just what Jesus told them to do.  That is an amazing demonstration of the faith of the disciples.

Second, note that what Jesus said would happen did happen just as He said it would.  When the disciples got into the city they met a man carrying a jar of water.  When they asked the man about the room where Jesus would share the Passover with His disciples, the man showed them the room.  It was as if the man was expecting Jesus to eat the Passover in his room.  It was already prepared and no one else was planning to use it – or if they were they quickly made other arrangements so Jesus could have it.  That is an amazing demonstration of the foreknowledge of Jesus.

Finally, consider how the man responded to the request of Jesus.  There was no arguing that someone else was planning to use the room for the Passover – perhaps even the man himself and his family.  There was just immediate submission to the request of the Master.  That is an amazing demonstration of submission, without question.

This is a simple story from the life of Jesus, but it says so much about His power – so much about His disciples’ faith – and so much about His followers’ submission.

His, by Grace,

Steve

Friday Thought -- February 1, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard.  She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.  Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, ‘Why this waste of perfume?  It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’  And they rebuked her harshly.  ‘Leave her alone,’ said Jesus.  ‘Why are you bothering her?  She has done a beautiful thing to me.  The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want.  But you will not always have me.  She did what she could.  She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.  I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Mark 14:3-9)

People use a number of words to describe me – conservative would be a polite way of saying what they think.  Cheap is one that is not quite as kind – but still accurate.  I don’t like to spend money.  I’m not one for splurging very often, at least in most ways.  I shop for bargains when I buy clothes and would never wear something with a designer label unless it was on clearance.  I drive well-made but relatively inexpensive cars and keep them for a long time.  I rarely buy jewelry – and am thankful I have a wife who prefers not to wear much jewelry.  It’s always been a struggle for me to buy cut flowers – they cost so much and die so quickly!

From the story above it seems like I would have fit in well with the men Jesus chose as His apostles.  They seemed to be conservative, too.  They were appalled at the extravagant gesture of the woman who “wasted” her expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet.  They had other uses for the money that could have been raised by selling the perfume.

But Jesus didn’t rebuke the woman for her extravagance.  In fact, Jesus indicated that her extravagant gesture of love was a beautiful thing and something that would become world famous in the years and generations ahead.  Of course, Jesus was right.  Her act of love is still being talked about some 2,000 years after she did it.

The point is – sometimes extravagance is worth it.  Roses on the right occasion speak volumes to a woman.  A diamond can melt a heart.  There are few men, smitten by love, who have not done something wildly extravagant to show their love.

So – how much do you love Jesus?  Maybe some extravagance toward Him would be appropriate, too!

His, by Grace,

Steve