WOULD JESUS WEAR JEANS?

It's a good question.

Now, hold on…

I don't mean this question to be facetious, flippant, disrespectful, or sacrilegious.

I want it to spur us on to some serious thought.


When my sons were young, they asked me questions about Jesus all the time.

Did He get tired and hungry?

Did He get sick?

Did He get blisters?

Did He ever have a headache?

Did He ever trip and fall?

On and on the questions went.  

At first, I was tempted to think that they were being impertinent.  But then I realized that they were very sincere, and that what they were really asking was this:

"Is Jesus like me?"

All these questions gave me a wonderful opportunity to tell my boys that yes, indeed, Jesus was just like us – except with no sin.


Sometimes I think about what it would be like if Jesus walked the earth today.  

I like thinking about that...

What would He look like and wear?

Where would He go, and who would He talk to?

What would make Him angry, and what would break His heart?

And who would rise up against Him?

It's interesting to me to contemplate these things.

And based on what we read about Him in the Bible, I think we can make some educated guesses to answer those questions.


What would He look like and wear?

I don't think that Jesus would look like a movie star or fashion model.

I don't think He'd be dressed in designer suits, stylish sunglasses, or fancy shoes. 

I don't think He'd be driving a Ferrari. 

Jesus was humble and simple.

Isaiah described Jesus as looking like an ordinary man, and that there was nothing special in His appearance that would make Him stand out.  

"He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him." (Isaiah 53:2, NIV)

So sure, He might be wearing jeans or cargo pants!

And maybe Birkenstock sandals???


Where would Jesus go?

I think we might be surprised at the answer to that.

I don't think He'd expect to be eating at gourmet restaurants or staying in five-star hotels.

I don't think He'd be seeking center-stage, or hungry for the spotlight.

I don't think He'd worry about crowds flocking to Him, or desire to perform in front of cheering throngs.

I don't think He'd be running for office.

Rather, I have a strong feeling that Jesus would go to places where He could encounter people in an intimate way.

(Maybe He'd find His way to the local Starbuck's, and wait for the opportunity to speak to someone?!)

He would quietly go about the business of His Father, wherever that led Him.

"'For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.'" (John 6:36, NLT)


Who would He talk to?

Again, I think we might be surprised.

Jesus was always reaching out to the marginalized, the ostracized, the minimalized, the victimized – the persecuted, the mistreated, the abused – the weak, frail, and infirm.

When I think about it, I can picture Jesus speaking to those same people today.

I can see Him on Skid Row or working in a soup kitchen.  I can see Him at the feet of a homeless person.

I can see Him in hospitals and hospice care centers – with the sick and dying.

At nursing and assisted living facilities – with the old and forgotten.  

On a college campus – with the seekers and the skeptics.  

In a prison – with the angry and hopeless.  

At a rehab clinic – with the addicted and broken.

I can see Him talking to the people that are so easily vilified by society…(and sometimes by Christians??).

People who persecute us, or whose lifestyles or religious beliefs are different than ours, or who do hateful and ugly things.

Jesus would be found in the company of those who needed Him most.

Even if it was politically incorrect, unacceptable, or scandalous.

"'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" (Mark 2:17, NIV)


What would make Jesus angry?

This is an interesting question to ponder.

Of course, my first inclination is to think that Jesus would be angry about the things that make me angry.

Injustice, hatred, cruelty.

And yes, Jesus would be angered by these things.

But He would also be angered by things He might see in me.

Hypocrisy, self-righteousness, pride.

And Jesus would also be angered by the things He might observe within His church.

By white-washed tombs of impurity, and empty words, and prideful boasting, and false piety, and critical spirits, and unforgiving hearts, and sanctimonious posturing.

By misinterpretation and misrepresentation of God's Word.

By anything and anyone who thwarts the cause of the Gospel.

"Do not cause anyone to stumble…even as I try to please everyone in every way.  For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved." (1 Corinthians 10:32-33, NIV)

Jesus would be angered by the *log-in-the-eye folks* who spend so much time pointing out the *specks* in others.


What would break the heart of Jesus?

I think it's easy to think of some things – disease, affliction, suffering, loss of innocence, and the like.

He would be saddened by the way His beautiful world is broken and filled with sin.

But, I think He would also be saddened by apathy and complacency amongst His beloved followers.

As I write this, it is Palm Sunday, the remembrance of Jesus' triumphal procession into Jerusalem.

But as Jesus approaches the city, we see a most unusual reaction:

"...as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep." (Luke 19:41, NLT)

Why did He cry?

Surely not for His own sake, though He knew He was approaching the crucifixion.  

No, He wept for His own:

"'How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes…because you did not accept your opportunity for salvation.'" (Luke 19:42, 44, NLT)

Jesus was anguished by those who were not saved – and His heart still bleeds for them today.

He is grieved when we who do know Him do not obey Him, when we shirk the responsibility of bringing His Gospel to others.

He is troubled when we remain in our comfort zones.


And finally, who would rise up against Him?

Truth be told, I don't think it would just be the "bad guys."

Because I think Jesus, the Person, would rail against all the artifice of "religion."

He would single-mindedly oppose counterfeit teachers and false doctrine.

He would speak out against idolatry, and all of the myriad ways that it manifests itself – fame, fortune, reputation, beauty, possessions, people.

He would hate everything fake and conceited and pretentious.

Jesus is still the two-edged sword, the One who divides households and nations. 

The One who brings controversy and contention, because He stands for Truth.

He would not win a popularity contest.

"'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.'" (Matthew 10:34, NIV)

If Jesus walked the earth today, would He still be crucified?

Sadly, my friends, I believe He would.

Because Jesus would not remain quiet.

And the world would want to silence Him.

For the heart of mankind is still proud, selfish, stubborn, and cruel.


Next Sunday is Easter.

The day when we celebrate the greatest day on earth.

The day when Jesus rose from the grave, paying our sin debt, and conquering death.

But just 40 short days later, He returned to heaven, sending the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.

So, in every real and mysterious and overwhelming way, He now walks the earth in us.

Therefore, we must go where He would go, talk to who He would talk to, be angry at what would make Him angry, and let our hearts be broken by what would break His.

We must be courageous and brave, determined and resolute, when others rise up against us.

We must open ourselves to His work in our lives, and seek to obey His calling.

We must venture out of our comfort zones.

We must represent Him well.


Would Jesus wear jeans?

Maybe.

But let me just say this – 

Truthfully, He's wearing what YOU put on this morning…

Now go and be His hands and feet!!



How can you *wear* Jesus this week?

I'll be Your hands
I'll be Your feet
I'll go
where You send me
And I'll try
to touch the world
like You
touched my life.



(From the lyrics to "Hands and Feet" - songwriters:
Tyler Burkum, Bob Herdman, Charlie Peacock,
William McGinniss, Mark Stuart) 

"This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin." (Hebrews 4:15, NLT)

"For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering." (Romans 8:13, NIV)

"Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God.  Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people." (Hebrews 2:17, NLT)

"Because God's children are human beings – made of flesh and blood – the Son also became flesh and blood.  For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death." (Hebrews 2:14, NLT)

"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." 
(2 Corinthians 5:18-20, ESV)

"As God's partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God's kindness and then ignore it." (2 Corinthians 6:1, NLT)

"'You are the salt of the earth.  But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again?  It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.  You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.  Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.'" (Matthew 5:13-16, NLT)

"'…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.  And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere – to the ends of the earth.'" (Acts 1:8, NLT)

"…in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…" 
(1 Peter 3:15, ESV)

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19, NLT)

"Sing to the LORD; praise his name.  Each day proclaim the good news that he saves." (Psalm 96:2, NLT)

"I will tell everyone about your righteousness.  All day long I will proclaim your saving power…" (Psalm 71:15, NLT)



HAPPY EASTER!  


HE IS RISEN!  HE IS RISEN INDEED!!



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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

THE OUTSTRETCHED ARMS

Yesterday was Easter Sunday.

I trust that everyone had a very blessed day.

And I hope that we all felt the real impact of what Jesus actually accomplished for us on that cross…

…and what He achieved when He walked out of that empty tomb.

I don't know about you, but the Easter story is so familiar that sometimes I wonder if I miss the meaning.  Not really, of course, for I never take salvation for granted.  But sometimes I have to make myself stop – I have to stop my SELF – and truly ponder the effects of that momentous act of sacrifice in my life.

Today I am thinking about Jesus' outstretched arms.

Those bloodied, pain-stricken, weak, disjointed, frail arms.

I picture them in my mind.

Would you take a moment and do that, too?

Maybe just close your eyes and hold your own arms out to the side.  Hold them for a while.  Hold them there until they begin to ache.  And in the moment when you feel like you can no longer hold them up, please do this – whisper to the Lord, "Thank You."


Yes, those outstretched arms.

Weak, yet strong.

Full of love.

How grateful I am for them.


When my sons were little boys, I remember telling them often how much I loved them.  Sometimes they would ask me, "How much, Mommy?"  And then I'd hold my arms out as wide as I could and say, "This big."

Do you know how *big* Jesus loved you on the day He died?  Do you understand how much He gave you when He walked out of that tomb?

And do you recognize what those outstretched arms represent?

They are the very picture of grace.

Grace that stretches over all of our lives.  From beginning to end, and into eternity.  Those outstretched arms of Jesus are like protective wings that shield us from death and judgment.

This Easter, I found myself contemplating the impact of grace in my life.

I know that Jesus' sacrificial death bought forgiveness for my sins.  I know that He covered all my sins – even the ones I haven't yet committed.

But as I pictured those outstretched arms, I realized something anew.

Grace goes backwards.

Yes.

Grace covers the sins I commit today, and most certainly covers the sins that I will commit tomorrow.

But it also covers the sins that I committed yesterday.

This is what I felt in a different way this Easter when I pondered the outstretched arms of Jesus.  I saw His grace and forgiveness covering everything that I have ever done in my life.  And that includes my past.

It's almost like grace is retroactive.


I don't know about you guys, but I have a very hard time forgiving myself for the things I've done wrong in the past.  And trust me, I've done some things that I am very "un-proud" of!!

And the memories of those things, if I let them, would open like Pandora's box until I was overwhelmed and consumed with regret, guilt, and shame.

I've had moments when that exact thing has happened.

Times in my life when I've been paralyzed with guilt, unable to move forward.  I've been besieged with doubts about my worth as God's child. I've been weighed down by the remembrance of pain and shame.

And I have forgotten that the forgiveness of God, as expressed through Jesus' death, is much bigger than all of that.

Grace is big enough to go backwards.


Dear friends, are any of you paralyzed with guilt over past sin?  Are you besieged with doubts about your worth as God's child?  Are you weighed down by the remembrance of pain and shame?

Have you forgotten that the forgiveness of God is bigger than all that?

Then come again to the foot of the Cross.

Contemplate the outstretched arms of Jesus.

Weak, yet strong.

Full of love.

And be grateful for them.

Whisper from the very depths of your soul, "Thank You."

Thank Him for opening His heart to save us.

Thank Him for being willing to die a terrible death to redeem us.    Thank Him for His humble self-sacrifice.  Thank Him for enduring the worst sort of torture – including a loss of intimacy with His Father – just for you.

Thank Him for stretching His bloodied, pain-stricken, weak, disjointed, frail arms out on a cross.

Know that His forgiveness spans your whole lifetime.  From one end to the other, and into eternity.  There is no end, and no beginning, to the infinite forgiveness of salvation.

Grace is like an umbrella – a shelter of protection that reaches out into the future, covers the present, and washes away the past.

This is what Jesus meant when He proclaimed:

"IT is finished."


(Most interesting sidenote:  – The Greek word for the phrase, "It is finished" is tetelestai, which is an accounting term that means "paid in full." These words, found only in the Gospel of John, are the most important and poignant words spoken by Jesus.  When He uttered those words, He was declaring the debt owed by mankind to His Father – the debt of sin – was wiped away completely and forever.)



Yes indeed, Jesus paid it all.

And when we look at Him and say:

"How much do you love me?"

See His outstretched arms and hear Him say:

"This big."

Oh, how we are blessed!

 There you saw
how the LORD your God carried you,
as a father carries his child,
all the way you went.

I have made you
and I will carry you,
I will sustain you
 and I will rescue you.

"Then the LORD passed by in front of [Moses] and proclaimed, 'The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin…'" (Exodus 34:6-7, NASB)

"The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love." (Psalm 145:8, NLT)

"He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.  For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.  He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:10-12, NLT)

"'And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.'" (Hebrews 8:12, NLT)

"'I…am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.'" (Isaiah 43:25, NIV)

"Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people?  You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.  Once again you will have compassion on us.  You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!  You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love…" (Micah 7:18-20, NLT)

"'Come now, let's settle this,' says the LORD.  'Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow.  Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.'" (Isaiah 1:18, NLT)

"It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not." 
(Lamentations 3:22, AMP)

"Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." (Lamentations 3:23, NLT)

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people…" 
(Titus 2:11, ESV)

"...when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  This is a trustworthy statement…" 
(Titus 3:4-8, NASB)

"Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:16-17, NIV)

"And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.   

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever!  Amen." (Ephesians 3:18-21, NLT)


Yes, amen!



What do the outstretched arms of Jesus mean to you?



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BLOG = “Blessedly Leaning On God!”

JESUS - MEEK AND MILD??

Pictures of Jesus.

There are so many, aren't there?

I don't know about you, but I've seen a bunch.  Some pictures make Him look way too attractive, in my opinion, for someone the Bible tells us "…had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him."  Other pictures make Him look weak and frail, like He needed a good tan and some weight training.

I don't know if any of them come close to the way He actually looked.

All I know is that my impression was always that Jesus was meek and mild.

And not necessarily in a good way.

The word that always came to my mind was – dare I say it – WIMP.

So, yeah, I always knew Jesus was my friend.  But I wasn't sure that He was the guy I wanted on my side in the playground of life.

Sure, if I got knocked down He'd be there to pick me up.  But then He'd tell me, "Turn the other cheek" – and walk slowly away from the bullies.

Or He'd tell me to "Love your enemies" – when what I really wanted was someone who'd squish my enemies like bugs.

So yes, I learned that Jesus was sweet, gentle, and kind.

And I appreciated those qualities.  But, I secretly wanted something else, something more.

I wanted a Savior who was strong.

Tough, powerful…maybe even a little scary.


Let me tell you something.

I finally met this Jesus when I read through the New Testament!

The first time I did that, I tried to insert myself into the Gospels.  I tried to picture myself right there beside Jesus and the disciples.  I tried to use my senses to engage the moment – the sights and sounds, the smells.

I tried to imagine Jesus' tone of voice as He spoke.

Sometimes the Bible translates His speaking by using the words – told, said, answered…

But I wonder sometimes.

Scripture tells us WHAT He said, but I wonder – HOW did He say it?

Did He whisper or shout, did He speak with anger or with sympathy, did He smirk or smile or laugh, did He speak with a twinkle in His eye or a scornful frown?

What was His tone, what was His facial expression, what exactly was He conveying?

These things captivate me!

As I perused those cherished *words in red*, a new picture of Jesus began to emerge.

Sometimes He was angry, sarcastic, condescending.  Sometimes He was patient, sympathetic, caring.  Sometimes He spoke quietly, and sometimes He spoke harshly.

Jesus was a multi-faceted person – a PERSON just like you and me.

And upon my reading it became very clear to me that Jesus was not a wimp.

The words that began to form in my mind were these: intelligent, clever, cagey, articulate, combative, confrontational, bold, confident, audacious, daring.

Jesus used His words like weapons when needed.  And He used them wisely and incisively.

He chose His words intentionally – and they were keen, perceptive, insightful, penetrating.


Let me relate one example.

This past week I've been working on my taxes.  Ugh.

And I got to thinking about a particular encounter between Jesus and some spies.  Jesus' enemies were always on the lookout for an opportunity to "trap" Him.

This situation was no different.

First of all, they approach Jesus with false flattery and smarmy groveling:

"Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God."  (Luke 20:21, ESV)

OK, so they're hoping to *butter up* Jesus by using a flattering title and complimentary words.  They're trying to manipulate Him, trying to steer Him to an openness and freedom of conversation with them so they can then ensnare Him.

(As if Jesus is going to fall for this…)

"Is it lawful for us to give tribute [taxes] to Caesar, or not?"
(Luke 20:22, ESV)

(The trap is laid…)

And then, there is this – the part that I just love:

"But he perceived their craftiness…"  (Luke 20:23, ESV)

Other translations use these words: duplicity, trickery, deceit, cunning, guile, scheme.

Jesus KNEW their hearts, knew what they were plotting, and pointedly addressed their intent:

"Why tempt ye me?"  (Luke 20:23, KJV)

OK, so here is one of those times when I try to imagine how Jesus said this.  Did He glare at them with squinty eyes and say this quietly under His breath so only they could hear?  Did His words drip with barely-contained wrath?  Or did He say it loudly so that their plot was exposed to everyone within hearing distance?

And how did they react?

Did they jump back in surprise and fear – even just for a moment?

Then Jesus answers their question:

"Show me a denarius.  Whose likeness and inscription does it have?" 

They said, "Caesar's."

He said to them:

"Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."  (Luke 20:24-25, ESV)


Do you see how clever this reply was?

Jesus was smart, and He was also wise.

And He used His words perfectly.

I have a vision of Him saying this loudly to the crowd, and then turning back around to the spies and looking them full in the face as if to say:

"Aha!  You have your answer, and yet, you have not trapped Me!"

I think Jesus might have smirked in triumph…just a little.

Finally, my favorite part:

"And they were not able...to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent."  (Luke 20:26, ESV)

Other translations say they were: surprised, astonished, amazed, stunned.

But the part that I like the very best?

THEY. BECAME. SILENT.

Yup!

Shut up, speechless, thunderstruck, bowled over, flabbergasted.


You know, I'm kinda re-thinking that whole scene that I mentioned earlier – the encounter on the playground of life.

Perhaps Jesus doesn't walk away from the bullies.  Perhaps He just uses His words, His Word, and they are silenced.

And that, my friends, is not meek and mild.  It is not weak or wimpy.

It is strong, tough, powerful…and yes, maybe even a little scary.

In a good way.


As we ready ourselves for Easter this year, I would encourage you to read those beloved *words in red* in your Bible.

Let them speak to you anew.

Contemplate and ponder – 

How might Jesus have said them?

What was His tone of voice and His intent?  What were His facial expressions? Did He say them with sarcasm or pity or impatience or kindness?  Were they spoken quietly or loudly?

Put yourself there.

And look at Jesus.

The REAL Jesus.

The Jesus who will one day squish our enemies like bugs.  Who will confront those bullies with more than words.  Who will vanquish the foes, win the victory, and reign like a champion, a conqueror, a King.

Jesus.

This Jesus, who died for us.

Paid the price.

So we would never, ever again have to cower in fear.

For He defeated the greatest weapon of our greatest enemy.

He overcame death, and overpowered Satan.

And uttered these triumphant words:

"It is finished!"

"Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!'  And having said this he breathed his last."

(John 19:30 & Luke 23:46, ESV)


Nope.

Jesus is not a wimp.

Not a coward, not a pushover, not a featherweight, not a fool.

He is the strongest man that ever lived.

And He is, indeed, my Friend.

How about you?!

He's got the whole world
in His hands.

(The actual words of Jesus Himself are italicized):


"And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written." (John 21:25, NASB)

"Then the high priest asked him, 'Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?'  Jesus said, 'I AM.  And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God's right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.'" 
(Mark 14:61-62, NLT)

"'But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.  And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.  And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.'" (Mark 13:24-27, ESV)

"In that day the heir to David's throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world.  The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place." (Isaiah 11:10, NLT)

"Stop weeping!  Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David's throne, has won the victory." (Revelation 5:5, NLT)

"'To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.'" (Revelation 3:21, NIV)

"Jesus replied, 'I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones...And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.'" 
(Matthew 19:28-29, NLT)

"'Look, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.'" (Revelation 22:12, NIV)

"'I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.'" (John 16:33, NLT)



What do you think about Jesus?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONDAYS, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, SOLI DEO GLORIA, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAYS, MOTIVATE & REJUVENATE MONDAYS, UNITE, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, WISE WOMAN, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYS, TELL HIS STORY, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMAN TO WOMAN WEDNESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, 
RA RA LINKUP, BELOVED BREWS, EVERYDAY JESUS, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAYS, GRACE AT HOME, HOUSE TO HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, SHINE, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LIST, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, A GROUP LOOK, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, GRACE & TRUTH, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SATURDAY SOIREE, RECOMMENDATION SATURDAY, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND BREW, GIVE ME GRACE, SUNDAY STILLNESS



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

EASTER WEEK - SAME OLD STORY??

So, yes, here we are at the beginning of Easter week.

And I am sitting in front of my laptop wondering what I can say about these most miraculous events.

What can I say that might be new and fresh and exciting?

And then I realize something – what on earth has happened to make me think the story needs a facelift?

Wow.

But really, isn't this part of the enemy's grand plan?  If he wasn't able to stop the crucifixion in the first place, then let's just spend the next 2,000 years trying to minimize it.

Let's face it, there's not much room in our culture for a Savior anymore.  Most people are too busy chasing the almighty dollar, or seeking their 15 minutes of fame, or doing their best to run faster than old age…

Most people don't have time for Easter week.

I'm not trying to point fingers here – because I know that sometimes I am guilty of this mindset, too.

I can be guilty of sidelining Jesus because He just doesn’t *fit in* sometimes.

This year is different, though.

This year I am pondering it all in a different light.  And I've come up with three lessons, and some questions I want you to ponder along with me.


The first thing that fascinates me about Easter week is how quickly Jesus went from being a hero to a zero.

Today (Palm Sunday) Jerusalem is feting Him as the King.  There is noise and praise and oh-so-much-attention.

And yet, in less than a week, Jesus will spend a lonely vigil in a garden, sobbing with soul-wrenched tears, frightened and exhausted and humbled to death.

What happened?

Well, Jesus became unpopular.  Jesus offended the "powers that be."  Jesus acted like Jesus, instead of conforming to the expectations of the crowd.


Lesson One:

Jesus does not fit into a neat little package.  He doesn't "perform."  He will not be at our beck and call to execute our wishes.  He is no genie.  No, He is the great I AM – and that one fact, that He is God, makes Him unpredictable.

So this is my first question:

Are we guilty of re-making Jesus into our own image – of wanting a comfortable God? 


OK, so here's the second thing that fascinates me about Easter week.  

Jesus didn't have to die.

Oh sure, our sins would not have been forgiven if He didn't.  But think about it – in reality, our sins didn't need to be forgiven.  Oh sure, if our sins weren't forgiven, we could never be reconciled to God and have a relationship with Him.  But think about it – in reality, God didn't need a relationship with us.  He wasn't incomplete without us.

Do you see the theme?

Yes, God did set up a system of sacrifice in the Old Testament – a way to atone for sins.  But, He didn't have to follow that up with a Savior.  Not really.

The plain fact of the matter is that Jesus didn't HAVE to die…

He wanted to.

And God chose to have Him die.

This is what stops me – there is an almighty choice in this matter of the crucifixion.  God didn't have to do anything to restore the relationship that we broke in the Garden of Eden.  He wasn't obligated to clean up our mess.

He wanted to.

Because of a love that we can barely conceive of – a love that wants relationship.  A love that cost Jesus His very life.

You know, if I never do anything else in my entire life except sit at the feet of the Lord and thank Him for this unspeakable gift, I would be complete.


Lesson Two:

Jesus didn't have to die, but He chose to because of His tremendous love for us.  His love cost Him His life.  It was a choice that He made.  Though He could have stopped it at any point by calling down a host of angels, He didn't.  Why?  Because He wanted a relationship with us, though we didn't deserve it.

So these are my second questions:

Why do we lose sight of the tremendous, all-fulfilling love of God? Why do we look for anything else to fill us up?


Finally, this Easter week is holding a new meaning for me as I contemplate it in view of my dad's recent death.

How many years have I gone through all the Easter services and been tremendously blessed by what I hear?   (Don't answer that – you might need a calculator).

But this year, as I look forward to Easter Sunday, I am thinking about the Resurrection in a new light.

The simple statement that resounds in my mind is this:

Jesus didn't STAY dead!

Actually, Jesus tells us that we never really die if we believe in Him.   Our bodies, these paltry earthly tents, will cease – but the real person, the whatever-it-is that makes us *us* – well, that never dies.

My dad died in January.  And after we received the call from the rehab facility that he had passed away, my brother went over.  He said that he got one last look at Dad's face.

I asked him what it was like.  Words like "surreal" and "eerie" came to mind. But he also said something to the effect that though Dad's face looked peaceful, you could tell that he was gone.

That's it, isn't it?  HE was gone – the spirit that was the real Dad was with Jesus.

Does this make sense?

Let me tell you, the whole experience with my dad was, indeed, surreal and eerie.  It's the closest death I've ever known.  And I've spent a lot of time trying desperately to comprehend it all.  But here's the conclusion that I've come to…

Death cannot be understood.

And that is why it's scary – it's the biggest unknown we'll ever face.

But, is it really??

This Easter, I'm finally beginning to understand that it isn't unknown – it's just un-experienced by me.

Jesus told the thief on the cross, "Today you will be with Me."

And I truly believe that is what He says to me, right now, on this side of eternity –

"Sharon, don't be afraid.  I died and I am alive!  One day, the same thing will happen to you.  One moment you will be in your body, and the next moment you will be with Me.  There will be no limbo, no black unconsciousness, no moment that I will EVER leave you alone.  

And because My life-giving Spirit lives within you, you are now living a resurrected life.  You, the real you, will never, ever die.  In life, in death, you are held by Me."


Lesson Three:

Jesus didn't really die, and neither will we.  Dying might be surreal and eerie because we don't understand it.  But it doesn't have to be the big and feared unknown.  Death is only the doorway that will transport us to the Lord's Presence.  

So these are my last questions:

Why do we let our enemy fool us into thinking that death is an ending?  Why do we allow him to torture us with fear about the moment we meet Jesus face-to-face?


Friends, as I enter this week of Easter, I am more fascinated than ever by the person of Jesus Christ.  He is a gold mine of wonder than can never be fully explored.  But oh, the joy in the journey of getting to know Him more and more!

Jesus, the King who doesn't conform to our expectations.  The One who is always an unpredictable surprise.  

Jesus, the Savior who didn't have to die, but chose this way because of Love.  The One who sacrificed everything because He wanted a relationship with us.  

Jesus, the Victor who didn't stay dead.  The One who proved that death isn't a scary ending, but a thrilling beginning to eternity in His presence!


Jesus, the Risen Lord.

Jesus, Only You!

 "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?
He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!" 

"But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.  So they went in, but they didn't find the body of the Lord Jesus."  (Luke 24:1-3, NLT)

"They said to each other, 'Didn't our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?'" (Luke 24:32, NLT) 

"And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them.  'Peace be with you,' he said.  But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!  'Why are you frightened?' he asked.  'Why are your hearts filled with doubt?  Look at my hands. Look at my feet.  You can see that it's really me.  Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies, as you see that I do.'  As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet." 
(Luke 24:36-40, NLT)

"And he said, 'Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day.  It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: 'There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.'  You are witnesses of all these things.'" (Luke 24:46-48, NLT)

"'Don't let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust also in me.  There is more than enough room in my Father's home.  If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.'

'No, we don't know, Lord,' Thomas said.  'We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?'

Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.'" (John 14:1-6, NLT)



As you begin Easter week - what is one new thing you can ponder this year?


Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Laura at PLAYDATES WITH GOD
Jen at UNITE
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Jen at SOLI DEO GLORIA
Kathy at TITUS 2 TUESDAYS
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Kasey at WALKING REDEEMED
Rosilind at A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS
Judith at WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY
Beth at THREE WORD WEDNESDAY
Jenifer at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Lyli at THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY
Crystal at THRIVING THURSDAY
Bonnie at FAITH BARISTA JAM
Julie at FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Mel at ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS
Wanda at THE FRIDAY FIVE
Sandy at STILL SATURDAY
Barbie at THE WEEKEND BREW
Janis at SUNDAY STILLNESS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

EARLY TO BED, EARLY TO RISE...

…makes a man (or woman?) healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Except for me.

In my case, this little adage might read more like this:

"Late to bed, early to rise
Makes one cranky, grumpy, with puffy eyes."

I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON.

Never have been – probably never will be.

So, it's no surprise that most mornings, the first thing that pops into my head is this sentiment:

"I do not wish to face this day."

Most days, there's no real reason to feel this way.

Most days, the calendar is free.  There's no impending root canal, no looming tax appointment – most days I am relatively healthy, most days are sunny.

However, if you are a person beleaguered by anxiety, most days arrive with an aura of doom about them.

I hate my anxiety.

You see, anxiety does not require a REASON for the feelings it generates.

It doesn't need to make sense, it just needs to make fear.

Sure, there have been a few mornings when I received a phone call with unsettling or scary news.  There have been days where something scheduled has brought legitimate anxiety.

I have been sick.  There has been cloudy or rainy or snowy weather.

But, most days there is NO. GOOD. REASON.

Just a free-floating sense of dread – like I'm waking up just to wait for the phone call or the piece of mail or the "event" that I'm so afraid will happen – to happen.

Hence, most days I just want to roll over and go back to sleep.  To escape reality.

Does this sound like a victorious Christian?

It doesn't to me.

But, unfortunately…it DOES sound like me.


When I think of the way that we believers are supposed to face the day, I think of this verse:

"This is the day the LORD has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it." 
(Psalm 118:24)

A great verse, yes.  But a verse that usually makes me feel guilty – because I am not rejoicing.

So, in an effort to assuage my sense of guilt, and in an effort to find out how I just might actually rejoice – I have decided to study this verse more closely.


First of all, who wrote this verse?

Interestingly enough, the writer of this psalm is anonymous.

I kinda like that idea.

It isn't David, or Solomon, or Moses, or Asaph – or one of the other named psalm writers.

It's just an unnamed person – a person just like you or me.


Second, that means that we don't know exactly when this psalm was written.

However, my research indicates that is was most likely written after the return from the Babylonian exile.

I find that interesting.

This was a psalm written after a terrible time in the history of the nation of Israel.

This was written by someone who had endured the pain of being forced from their homeland, taken against their will to a foreign and pagan nation, subjugated to harsh and difficult circumstances.

This was a person, in my opinion, who had experienced anxiety.

And now, this person had experienced a miraculous homecoming.  An unexpected and exciting return to Israel.  (Maybe the feeling could be compared to a POW being freed, and brought home to America after a war).

Joy, yes – unmitigated joy at newfound – RE-found – freedom.


So, finally this brings me to the issue of context.

What was the context of this verse?

Well, much of my research pointed out that this verse is often taken out of context.  It is usually understood just like I have always understood it – referring to the new day.  In other words, TODAY – the day that God has given us.  And so, we should rejoice in it.

Yes, that's true, but Psalm 118 is actually talking about the work of God in Christ, and the future day when God will lay His foundation stone – the Lord Jesus – the Stone that will bring salvation.

So, let's read the two verses that precede Psalm 118:24:

"The stone the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.  This is the LORD's doing, and it is wonderful to see."

NOW…we read Psalm 118:24:

"THIS is the day the LORD has made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Indeed.

The day of the coming Messiah was a day that the nation of Israel had looked toward for centuries.  And this psalmist, after recently returning from exile, perhaps had this future day of salvation on his mind like never before.

He had just experienced a foretaste of that future day of rescue.

Freed from an evil and powerful nation, returned to where he belonged, he looked deeper into his feelings of exultation.

He looked forward to the day of the Lord's ultimate salvation.


So, I'm looking at this verse in a whole new way.

"THIS is the day the LORD has made…"

Well, my friends, that day is  Resurrection Day!

And that is truly a day to rejoice and be glad.

And also, because of that day, every other day you or I will ever face is forever changed.

There are no "bad" days – in the sense that nothing that ever happens now can affect us eternally.  

Every day is clothed in the protection and the promise of salvation.


We were saved on THAT DAY from a world ruled by the evil one.

We were saved on THAT DAY from slavery to sin.

We were saved on THAT DAY from the fear and the power of death.

We were saved on THAT DAY to ensure a future homecoming to where we belong.

We were saved on THAT DAY to live forever in the Presence of God.


Ahhh, I'm smiling.  Are you?

Sure, there are going to be days when the last thing I want to do is rejoice. I'm going to wake up in a bad mood, or life is going to be out of hand, or I might be plagued with sorrow or guilt or overwhelming anxiety.

But…

(And this is the crucial crux of everything…)

…because of THAT day, each new day is a day to love and serve God.

Because of THAT day, each new day is a day to remember that I no longer belong to this world, I am no longer controlled by sin, I am no longer a prisoner of death.

So.

This perspective radically changes my thinking.

Yes, I probably will wake up many mornings with this sentiment:

"I do not wish to face this day."

But, because of THAT day, I can now add this:

"But Lord, because of Your gift of salvation, I need not fear today or tomorrow.  For I am securely wrapped in Your love, and I face nothing alone.  Whom then, what then, shall I fear?"

And because of THAT day, every day that I wake up on this earth is just another day closer to the day when I wake up and see Him face-to-face.

Ahhh, I'm smiling.

Are you?!

God himself will be with them.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.
All these things are gone forever.

"And the one sitting on the throne said, 'Look, I am making everything new!... It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.  All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.'" (Revelation 21:5-6)



How does THAT DAY, the day of salvation, change your perspective on today?


(SIDENOTE:  Today I am honored to be a guest on ENCOURAGE 24/7, a wonderful website hosted by Tracy.  Please feel free to visit and read my post about "EN-couragement."


Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Pamela at A SHELTERING TREE
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"