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Jesus’ Lenten Legacy of Seemingly “Little Things” with Large Significance: They Fell to the Ground

Jesus’ Lenten Legacy of Seemingly “Little Things” with Large Significance: They Fell to the Ground

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Any Christian with even a passing knowledge of Jesus’ suffering and death is well aware of the “big things” that our Savior endured as our holy Substitute.  And make no mistake about it, the big things are indeed big! 

However, there are many “little things” that occurred along the way – lesser known and lesser noted things – that carry great significance as well.  For these weeks of the Lenten season, we’ll take note of some of those lesser things that carry large significance.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It’s only mentioned by one of the Gospel writers … and it’s essentially contained in just one verse.  It would be an easy thing to overlook. 

But we dare not!  The Holy Spirit moved John to record this event because it is significant!

Jesus had been begging his Heavenly Father in prayer to find another way to atone for the sins of the world, but there was no other way.  So Jesus resolutely set his heart, mind and body to the bloody and brutal task before him.

Meanwhile, Judas the betrayer had led an armed mob of soldiers, spiritual militants, and curiosity seekers to the Garden of Gethsemane where he knew Jesus would be found.  Matthew tells us this was “a large crowd armed with swords and clubs.” (Mt. 26:47).  John adds that the crowd included a “detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials.” (Jn. 18:12)

Were the soldiers present “simply” temple guards, or had Roman soldiers also been recruited?  (This is entirely possible if the Jewish leaders had argued to Roman leaders that legionnaires were needed to “keep the peace.”)  The Bible doesn’t provide us with the total number in the mob, but if Roman soldiers were involved, it could easily have been in the hundreds.

Here is where John’s Gospel picks up the account:

(John 18:4-6) Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”  “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.  “I am he,” Jesus said.  (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)  When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

There’s the seemingly little thing with great significance.  When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

A person working through John’s account could read those words and think, “Huh.  That’s interesting,” and continue right on reading without giving it much thought.   But this isn’t just some strange occurrence.  It’s a telling event.  A significant synopsis.  A brief summary with great importance. 

“A large crowd” that included soldiers and Jewish leaders – potentially numbering hundreds – were knocked off their feet by just a few words from Jesus!

Why do we dare not overlook this seemingly little event?  Because Jesus is demonstrating his extreme power … AND subsequently his willingness to go through with the suffering.

The Scriptures make it perfectly clear that Jesus was arrested … not because of the betrayal.  Not because of the “unexpected” and sudden appearance of the mob in the darkness.  Not because of the sheer numbers of his opponents.  Not because of the soldiers, swords and clubs.  Not because his disciples abandoned him.

Jesus was seized … because he refrained from using the power at his disposal.  Jesus ended up in his enemies’ hands … because he allowed himself to be seized.  While the crowd dared to believe that they controlled the situation and Jesus … it was actually Jesus who was in complete control.

This is a crucial truth that every Christian needs to comprehend.

The Son of God carried the full power of God.  He turned water to wine and fed thousands with a few fish and loaves.  He healed the sick (even those with incurable diseases!), and he raised the dead.  He walked on the water and calmed the storms.  In fact, just moments after knocking the mob to the ground, Jesus reattached an ear that Peter had sliced off.

Jesus was brimming with power.

When the mob arrived, he didn’t experience a sudden power outage.  His power wasn’t tapped out.  It wasn’t depleted, misplaced or unavailable.  Nor was Jesus temporarily unable to access his boundless capabilities.  He didn’t forget how to harness it or mysteriously neglect it.

Jesus deliberately chose to leave his boundless power unharnessed.  But he incapacitated an armed “army” with a few words to show what he could do … if he so desired! 

 But he didn’t desire it.

It was necessary for him to endure the rejection and ridicule, the torture and torment, the very horrors of hell.  It was necessary for him to be arrested by the mob, because that’s how the saga began.  Therefore, he capped his power and turned himself over to his enemies – willingly, and seemingly (but not really!) helplessly.

And note this truth well: that boundless power was able to be unleashed at any moment during all of his suffering.  During the mockings, beatings, scourging, nailing and dying.  Jesus could have easily revealed his absolute power at any moment and terrified and devastated his tormentors.

In addition, after Peter swung his sword, Jesus told him that as the Son of God he could call on his Father, “and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels!” (Mt. 26:53).

But Jesus never did either.  He never unleased his power, and he never called on the heavenly host of angels.  Because then his assignment to redeem the lost sinners of the ages would have been lost. 

Jesus had to refrain and endure the pain.  It was the only chance for the transgressors; it was the only chance for you and me.

Praise the Lord Jesus that he was overflowing with power … and that he deliberately didn’t use it.  That means that you and I are truly forgiven … and truly headed to heaven!

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Jesus’ Lenten Legacy of Seemingly “Little Things” with Large Significance: Jesus Knew

Jesus’ Lenten Legacy of Seemingly “Little Things” with Large Significance: Jesus Knew

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Any Christian with even a passing knowledge of Jesus’ suffering and death is well aware of the “big things” that our Savior endured as our holy Substitute.  And make no mistake about it, the big things are indeed big! 

However, there are many “little things” that occurred along the way – lesser known and lesser noted things – that carry great significance as well.  For these weeks of the Lenten season, we’ll take note of some of those lesser things that carry large significance.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This little sidenote isn’t even a full sentence.  It’s more of a parenthetical statement – a descriptive aside – inserted into a sentence.  They are just a few words, but they’re packed with significance.

The mob had arrived in the Garden to arrest Jesus, presumably by sheer numbers and brute force, if necessary.  Jesus calmly approached them to ask who they are looking for.  And that’s where the Holy Spirit inspires John to add the brief explanation: “Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him …” (John 18:4).

Of course, Jesus already knew the crowd’s sinister purpose, so the aside seems perfectly natural ahead of Jesus’ question-for-which-he-already-knew-the-answer.  But it’s not just that Jesus knew who their target was; the Holy Spirit is emphasizing a much larger and more significant truth. 

Jesus knew ALL that was going to happen to him!

By this point, the Scriptures already make it clear that Jesus is fully aware of the ugly circumstances swirling around him.  Jesus knew exactly who had betrayed him (Jn. 13:11) and he provided Peter with the very specific warning that he would deny Jesus three times before the rooster crows (Lk. 22:34).  Furthermore, Jesus knew he was about to be condemned with transgressors – that is, crucified (Lk. 22:37). 

But those words – “knowing all that was going to happen to him” – carry so much more weight than Jesus simply being aware of the course, facts and timeline of events that were about to unfold.  They bear the knowledge of the intimate and personal details of every second of suffering heading his way!

Not just the ridicule that would be rained upon him and the spittle that would settle on his face.  Not just the hatred and humiliation he would endure.  Not just the exhaustion of being dragged unsympathetically to multiple overnight “hearings.”  Not just the sorrow of seeing so many who loved him devastated by what he was experiencing.

But Jesus knew exactly what horrific physical agony was about to be unleashed on his body.

Every bit of beard yanked from his face.

Every slap and every punch.

Every thorn that would pierce his head, and every strike from the staff that beat the thorns deeper into his flesh and skull.

Every lash from the scourge that tore open the flesh on his back.

Every ounce of agony as the nails were driven through his body to secure him to the cross.

Every excruciating instance he would have to push his flayed back up on the wooden cross to gain another breath.

Every moment of separation from his Heavenly Father.  (That is, every moment of hell he would have to experience as the proper punishment for the sins of the world.)

Jesus knew it all.  He knew it all before any of it happened. 

He even knew exactly who would wound him, exactly when and exactly where.  And yet he never flinched and he never shifted to lessen his suffering; he knew exactly what was coming and he willingly endured every bit of the agony. 

He endured it all because it was necessary to win redemption for you and me.

This is incomprehensible to us.  Only God himself could accomplish this!  And only a thoroughly loving God, driven by mercy for doomed sinners, would actually go through with it!

But let us never assume that Jesus was unaffected by all that he knew awaited him in his atoning work.  Luke disabuses anyone tempted to make such an assumption as he shares insights into Jesus’ passionate prayer in the Garden.

[Jesus prayed,] ‘“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”  (Luke 22:42-44).

Point number one: Jesus pleaded with his Father to find another way to save sinners and spare him the upcoming agony that he knew awaited him.

Point number two: Jesus as true Man was overwhelmed by what Jesus as true God knew was about to happen to him.  His emotional state was such that the Father actually sent an angel to strengthen and encourage him.

Point number three: Jesus’ anguish and dread affected him not only emotionally, but physically as well; he began to perspire profusely and blood actually seeped into his sweat.  (This is a rare phenomenon called hematidrosis … hemorrhaging of the sweat glands …  that may occur in highly emotional states.)

Jesus knew.  He knew it all.  Every horrific detail he would have to endure.  Every bit of agony his body was about to experience. 

But he also knew that there was no other way for sinners to be saved.  He knew that only he, the Lamb of God, could offer the holy sacrifice on the altar of the cross to make full atonement.  He knew he had to go through with it. 

So he resolutely set his mind, lifted his face, straightened his back, and marched into the mayhem and murder that awaited him.  He knew the horrors ahead, but he also knew that in the end the victory would be won.  Consequently, “for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame” (Hebrews 12:2). 

Jesus knew the excruciating pain before him.  Yet he persevered, because he also knew he loved us and he knew he wanted us to be with him forever in heaven. 

We know he knew.  God grant that we never forget it, and that we never stop treasuring it!

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Jesus’ Lenten Legacy of Seemingly “Little Things” with Large Significance: “Keep Watch with Me”

Jesus’ Lenten Legacy of Seemingly “Little Things” with Large Significance: “Keep Watch with Me”

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Any Christian with even a passing knowledge of Jesus’ suffering and death is well aware of the “big things” that our Savior endured as our holy Substitute.  And make no mistake about it, the big things are indeed big! 

However, there are many “little things” that occurred along the way – lesser known and lesser noted things – that carry great significance as well.  During these weeks of the Lenten season, we’ll take note of some of those lesser things that carry large significance.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Four simple words; a very simple message: “Keep watch with me.”

What significance do Jesus’ words bear?  The context in Matthew’s account certainly provides some insight. 

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”  He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.  Stay here and keep watch with me.”  (Matthew 26:36-38)

As true God, Jesus had no questions or reservations about what he needed to do to redeem the sinners of the world.  But as true Man, the concept was so daunting that it was almost more than he could bear.

He shared his innermost feelings with Peter, James and John: “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.”  And then he begged them: “Stay here and keep watch with me.” 

As God, Jesus needed no one beside his Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit; as Man, Jesus longed for human connection with his disciples who loved him.  He longed to have those men closest to him provide some emotional support.

The depth of Jesus’ sorrow and troubledness was demonstrated by some of the very next words in the Gospel which described the posture he fell into as he prayed.  Jesus’ body was prostrate on the ground; his face was buried in the dirt.  His angst dropped him as low as he could physically go, and also drove him to the lowest level of humility and the basest level of supplication. 

The Man part of him begged the Heavenly Father to find another way to rescue sinners.  Some other way!  Any other way!

But there was no other way.  As Jesus himself had stated to his disciples not long before this, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6).  It had to be Jesus; it had to be this horrific way.

Jesus acknowledged the fact with his repeated words to his Father this evening, “Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

But Jesus words of pleading with his disciples, “Keep watch with me,” were much more than simply the Man, Jesus, begging his disciples to emotionally support him. They were also the words of the Son of God, Jesus, begging his disciples of that evening (and of all time) to stay tuned in … stay connected … stay attentive to what he was doing for them.  (For us!)

Unfortunately, Peter, James and John failed both Jesus, the Man and Jesus, the Son of God.  The busyness and length of the day, the Passover Meal and the wine, and the high emotion of the previous hours sapped them of their ability to stay awake.  They weren’t present, and they weren’t observant.  In their weariness, they lost their focus.

As we begin our Lenten journey, Jesus words still speak to us: “Keep watch with me.” 

Keep watch and see the frailty of Jesus, true Man … wrapped in flesh so he could suffer, bleed and die.  See also the determination of Jesus, true God … completely committed to accomplishing what must be accomplished.

Keep watch and see the love.

Keep watch and see the faithfulness.

Keep watch and see the Scriptures perfectly fulfilled.

Keep watch and see the almost unbelievable agony – fully necessary to fully redeem sinners.

Keep watch and see the atoning sacrifice fully completed.

Like the disciples, our physical and spiritual eyes may be heavy and our minds and hearts inclined toward slumber.  Perhaps even apathy.  But Jesus begs us, “Keep watch with me.”

Because there is much for us to see.  It’s actually eye-opening and exhilarating stuff!  Even some of the seemingly “little things.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Matthew 26:36-46
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”  He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.  Stay here and keep watch with me.” 

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.  “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.  So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting?  Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.   Rise!  Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title and start typing.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

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Simply Unbelievable … But Absolutely True!

Simply Unbelievable … But Absolutely True!

What can a person believe anymore?

Different news outlets present “facts” in the framework of their own pre-conceptions and according to their particular agenda.  For that matter, political parties do too!  This is even the case in the history, science, biology, and social studies literature utilized in our public school systems.

Artificial intelligence (AI) makes it possible (and common!) to generate false images and fascinating accounts of “factual” events, places, people and creatures.  Social media is chock full of AI-spawned features which grab people’s attention.  In fact, the common approach and ultimate goal for many seems to be to post articles that generate excitement … not share facts.

Consequently, the running joke has become, “It must be true.  I saw it online!”  And everyone understands the implication: the fact is that the factuality of internet information is dubious at best.

All of which fosters even more skepticism in already skeptical people.

Now consider that three of the most implausible events in the history of the world involved a single individual, AND that the makeup of this individual was beyond believable.

Who in his or her right mind is going to believe that a fully human person would also be fully God?  Sure, in books and movies we root for superheroes who have abilities beyond human parameters.  But in real life?

Yet, that is how the Bible describes Jesus.  Truly God and truly Man – miraculously intermingled in a single human body!  “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity (God!) lives in bodily form …” (Colossians 2:9).  Seems pretty preposterous to many.

Which leads us to the first of the most remarkable and almost unbelievable events in history.  After a miraculous conception inside a young virgin named Mary, (Lk. 1:34-35, Mt. 1:20-22), “Immanuel, which means “God with Us,’” was born in a barn in Bethlehem. 

Now honestly, if God was truly going to come to earth, this would seem to be the least likely way he would arrive!  Just the concept of a god entering our realm through childbirth seems inconceivable. (Pun intended.)  Yet the Bible tells us this is exactly how Jesus, the Son of God, arrived. (Lk. 2:11).

Which makes Jesus’ birth one of the three most remarkable events in history.

But the second remarkable event raises the implausibility level even higher.  This God-Made-Man named Jesus was not only born … but born specifically to grow up and die an excruciating death.  For God to be born so that he could die is already a ridiculous reach of logic (at least to a human way of thinking!).  For God to be born to die a brutal, bloody and agonizing death seems beyond preposterous.

And doubly so when one considers that the Bible tells us that Jesus died this death deliberately so that he could be the sinless Substitute for sinful human beings.  Human rationale concludes that no real god would do this!  But the Bible tells us that the real God did exactly this!  (Isaiah 53:5).

Which makes Jesus’ death the second most remarkable event in history.

The second led directly to the third most remarkable event – a human body which was thoroughly dead for days came back to life. 

Once again, it was Jesus who accomplished this.  His resurrection sent spiritual reverberations through the world and throughout eternity.  It meant (and still means!) that every single sin of every single sinner … which Jesus was born and died to address … has been fully atoned for! 

Now all who believe in this almost unbelievable Jesus – his birth, death and resurrection – have “a living hope” and a “never perishing inheritance” in heaven.  (1 Peter 1:3-4).  It’s something that no sinful human has a right to expect from the sinless God.  Yet, our God Jesus provides it for us through absolutely astonishing historical events.

Yes, it all seems simply unbelievable.  But it’s all absolutely true!  And thank the Lord that it is!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

1 Corinthians 1
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

20 Where is the wise person?  Where is the teacher of the law?  Where is the philosopher of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 

… 23 we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block … and foolishness to [many], 24 but to those whom God has called, … Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.

Galatians 4:4-5
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

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A Different and Better Kingdom: A Story

A Different and Better Kingdom: A Story

“We will stop here for a moment,” Jesus stated to his followers.  The numbers traveling with Jesus continued to grow; his miracles and messages making him one of the most revered Rabbis in the land.  A murmur of surprise … with an undertone of concern … arose from the group.  This was not the safest area on the outskirts of Jerusalem. 

The questioning whispers rose in volume and intensity when Jesus gestured to “The Wandering Sheep” gathering house, and announced, “I must go in there.”  The facility was well-known for catering to the less spiritual crowd and their unwholesome fancies.  “Peter, John, James … come with me.”  To the others he said, “Rest a bit; we’ll be back shortly.”

A short distance from the entrance, Jesus paused and turned to the three disciples.  “I want you to simply watch, listen and learn.  No matter what, don’t get involved.”  His voice was firm and he locked eyes with each of them in turn.  “No matter what, don’t get involved,” he repeated.

The three exchanged uneasy glances.  Finally, Peter asked the question on all their minds.  “Teacher, is this safe?”

“No.  Not for most.  But it will be for us,” Jesus replied, then turned to the door.

Even before entering, the din of the clientele inside could be heard.  Boisterous exclamations, boasts, curses, and wine-fueled guffaws filled the air.  It all turned to silence as the four stepped inside the door.  They were greeted with menacing stares and shifting postures from the tables around the room.

“Don’t mind us.  We’ll only be here briefly,” Jesus announced matter-of-factly, and with a strikingly calm voice.  Though eyes remained on them, the newcomers didn’t appear threatening, so conversations gradually resumed.  But in a much more subdued tone.

Jesus led his disciples directly to a table in the corner, the eyes of most still following them suspiciously.  There sat three middle-aged men with wine cups before them, glaring at the newcomers.  The man in the center was tall and handsome with jet-black hair and piercing brown eyes.  Even at first glance, the disciples couldn’t help but notice his confidence and charisma.  And his menace.  The two others with him looked equally threatening.

“Who are you and why are you here,” the man in the center growled.

The Lord answered, “Hello, Jesus Barabbas.  Gestas.  Dismas.”

The leader leaned closer, glowering.  “How do you know our names?”

“I know many, many things, Barabbas,” said the Lord.  “You would be wise to listen to me.”

“And who exactly are you, that I should listen to you?”

The Lord replied, “You are Jesus Barabbas – which means ‘Savior, Son of the Father.’  Ironically, I am also Jesus, Savior, and Son of the Father.  But my Father is not of this world. (Mt. 23:9) Which is why the truly wise truly listen to me.”

At hearing his name, the three rogues started in surprise.  Barabbas scowled.  “I’ve heard of you, Jesus.  Ironic we have the same name, because you seem to preach a different type of salvation than I do.”

“Yes.  It is the Father’s holy irony,“ the Savior replied with a grim smile.  “Our paths are linked, Barabbas.  And in more ways than just our common names.  You can’t fathom it now, but it will be made clear to you in time.”  He paused.  “And you are correct; we preach a different salvation.  Yours is empty; mine is full – though it will seem for a time to be just the opposite.”

“You are speaking in riddles, teacher.”  The word “teacher” was spoken by Barabbas with acute sarcasm.  “I don’t much care for riddles.”

“The wise understand; the foolish do not.  Those who have ears … hear.” (Mk. 4:9)  Jesus glanced meaningfully at Dismas.  Dismas blinked in surprise.

“Are you insulting me … Jesus?”  Again, the derision from Barabbas.  “Because I don’t much care for insults either.”  The man half rose.  “And I don’t tolerate them either.”

“I am not insulting you or anyone, Barabbas.  I am simply stating a fact,” Jesus replied peacefully.

Barabbas slowly settled back into his seat, his gaze still treacherous.  Peter, James and John exhaled audibly. 

Barabbas smiled, but without a shred of kindness or mirth.  “So again I’ll ask: why are you here, Jesus?  Are you spying for the cursed Romans?”  Jesus shook his head.  Barabbas continued, “I’ve heard that you said to ‘Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.’  Is it true that you actually urged God’s enslaved people to gladly pay taxes to the thieving, Roman-backed publicans?”  His voice grew more intense as he spoke.

Jesus didn’t break his gaze.  “I told God’s people to give to God what was owed to God, and to Rome what was owed to Rome.” (Mk. 12:17)

It happened so suddenly that Jesus’ disciples couldn’t have reacted even if they chose.  Barabbas had exploded from his seat, grabbed Jesus’ cloak in one fist, and held a dagger at Jesus’ throat with the other.  “So you admit it, traitor!  Are you here to check out the rumors of Barabbas?  I know they’re out there.”

While Peter, James and John instinctively cowered backward in fear, to their immense astonishment Jesus hadn’t even flinched.  He calmly replied, “No, Barabbas.  I am not here on behalf of the Romans.  I am actually here to speak with you about the kingdom you hope to establish.”

Barabbas glared at Jesus menacingly for a moment, then slowly withdrew his dagger and returned it to its sheath.  He settled back onto his stool.  He spread his hands wide and said, “So talk, teacher.”

The Savior pulled a stool from a nearby table and settled onto it.  He reached for the pitcher of wine on the table and poured some of it into a cup that hadn’t been there a second ago.  The eyes of the other men around the table grew wide.  The Lord took a lingering drink, then set the cup down.  He focused on Barabbas, then spoke.  His voice was calm, but his words carried power.

“Barabbas, we both have a same name, and we share the same goal – to establish a kingdom for God’s people.  But that is where our similarities end.  The kingdoms we hope to establish are radically different.” 

Jesus paused; the other three at the table were listening intently.  He continued, speaking slowly and deliberately.  “You are seeking a kingdom on earth; I am seeking to establish a kingdom in heaven.  You seek a kingdom of freedom and peace for bodies; I am seeking a kingdom of freedom and peace for souls.  You desire an end to the oppression of the State; I will bring an end to the penalty of sin with God.  You long for deliverance from a physical bondage to men; I will bring deliverance from a spiritual bondage to demons.  You are willing to fight for a kingdom of temporary glory; I will fight for a kingdom of eternal glory.”

Jesus folded his hands comfortably on the tabletop and spoke again. “You think that your kingdom will bring joy, but it will be in my kingdom that true and lasting joy will be found.” (Lk. 4:43)

“What is this fanciful kingdom you speak of?” asked the future insurrectionist with derision.

“It is the kingdom of God.  It is why I have come into this world – to testify to the truth and to establish a spiritual kingdom encompassing heaven and earth.” (Jn. 18:36-37)

“It seems to me that you testify to nonsense,” was the reply.

“To many it seems as nonsense,” Jesus said to Barabbas.  Then turning his gaze to Dismas, he added, “But a few recognize it as sense.”  Dismas shifted uncomfortably.  Keeping his focus on him, the Lord continued, “The kingdom of heaven is like discovering a treasure of incalculable value.  Once found, it is worth pursuing, sacrificing, gaining and embracing.” (Mt. 13:44-46) Dismas dropped his gaze to his cup.

Barabbas snorted.  “I think you are mad.  Or delusional.  I’ll tell you what: you show me evidence of this kingdom of yours and maybe I’ll consider it.”

Jesus responded with a small smile, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ … but the kingdom of God is real and it is in your midst.” (Lk. 17:20-21)

The tall man shook his head.  “You’re wasting my time.  I believe our conversation is over.”

“Barabbas, you are not the first to seek an earthly kingdom.  And you will not be the last.  As long as this current world stands, people will desperately seek their own ‘kingdom’ on earth.  Everyone’s kingdom is different, but all seek one.  Only those who find my kingdom will find deliverance.”  Jesus paused again, then leaned closer to the three and said softly, “Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and so many other things will be given to you as well.” (Mt. 6:33)

“Be gone, teacher.  I have no interest in your impractical teachings,” the leader replied, waving his hand dismissively. 

Jesus took another sip of wine.  He looked around the table sadly.  “Truly I tell you, what you have planned will not go well.”  Barabbas’ eyes narrowed.  Jesus continued, undeterred.  “But you won’t listen to me.  And your path is necessary.”

The Savior stood.  “Thank you for the wine.  It was refreshing.”  Once more he focused on Dismas, and said lovingly, “Remember me when you come to the end of your kingdom.”  Jesus turned and led his disciples out of “The Wandering Sheep.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

An unexpected and unnatural darkness hung over the execution hill at midday.  It had everyone spooked – Jews and Gentiles, the common people and the religious leaders, civilians and soldiers.  The natural order of things was disrupted; some actually wondered if the end of the world was imminent.  A few were convinced it was.

For the three condemned men hanging horribly and excruciatingly on the crosses, it didn’t much matter.  The end of their worlds was imminent.  (Or at least it was for two of the three.)  People nailed to Roman crosses didn’t get off them alive.

Dismas, Gestas and Jesus were together again.  Two of them didn’t want to be there; they no longer had purpose or hope.  But the one in the center – Jesus – still held both. 

Initially in their pain, frustration and hopelessness, the two rebels both lashed out at Jesus.  “You claimed to have a better kingdom coming!  Well look where it got you!” And, “You warned Barabbas that things wouldn’t go well for him … and here you hang on the very cross intended for him … while he runs free again!” (Mt. 27:44)

Jesus said nothing in reply.

Gradually however, Dismas grew quiet.  The conversation in “The Wandering Sheep” replayed in his mind.  First, some of Jesus’ initial words to Barabbas: “We preach a different salvation.  Yours is empty; mine is full – though it will seem for a time to be just the opposite.”

Also, as the Roman soldier drove the nails through Jesus’ body – even in the midst of his own searing pain, Dismas had heard Jesus shout out in a hoarse and agonized voice, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk. 23:34) 

Who says such a thing?  Who shows love and concern (and prays for!) someone as they torture him?  Gestas had demonstrated a much more likely reaction – he had cursed the soldiers with a bitter hatred!  They had laughed at him and spit in his face.

And this eerie, hellish darkness.  It wasn’t a coincidence.  It was creation itself protesting at some great injustice.  It was the Lord putting the world on notice that something wasn’t right.  Or perhaps that this was precisely right?

As he pushed himself back up the spine of the cross to purchase another precious breath, Dismas’ mind wandered back to Jesus’ words.  “I am seeking to establish a kingdom in heaven.  A kingdom of freedom and peace for souls.  An end to the penalty of sin with God; deliverance from a spiritual bondage to demons.  A kingdom of eternal glory.  It will be in my kingdom that true and lasting joy will be found.”

Jesus had seemed so certain; so confident as he spoke those words.  Even now, his torn body was dying, but there was no despair in him.  Was he indeed the King of the Jews?  Was he the Promised One, the Messiah?  Was this exactly what he needed to do to accomplish all that he said his kingdom would encompass? 

Maybe it was?  If so, then everything made sense!

Passers-by were ridiculing Jesus mercilessly.  “Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”  In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself!  He’s the king of Israel!  Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.  He trusts in God.  Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” (Mt. 27:39-43)

Rather than fueling Dismas’ disdain of Jesus, their taunts only seemed to remind and reaffirm his conclusions about Jesus.  Jesus wasn’t helpless.  He was in complete control; he was operating exactly according to his plan.  This was the path he had to take to establish God’s kingdom!

Meanwhile, Gestas’ abuse continued unabated.  “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

Dismas couldn’t bear it anymore.  The words arose unexpectedly from within him.  He gasped them out in halting fashion as his strength and breath allowed: “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.  But this man has done nothing wrong.” (Lk. 23:39-41)

Tears ran down Dismas’ cheeks.  How foolish he had been!  How sinful!  And how empty that kingdom he had chased now seemed. 

Jesus final words from their earlier conversation played once more in his thoughts, as they had so many times since they were spoken so lovingly … and, it seemed, directly to him!   “Remember me when you come to the end of your kingdom.” 

A sob broke from Dismas’ heart.  Here he was, very definitely at the end of his kingdom.  Again, his next words came unbidden.  “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Lk. 23:42)

Jesus actually turned his head and smiled at Dismas.  In the midst of his agony, Jesus smiled!  Looking deep into his eyes, Jesus said with hoarse voice through parched lips, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Lk. 23:43)

Dismas’ tears flowed freely now, but joyfully.  And he smiled too.  He had finally found his kingdom. 

Just a few hours later, he experienced that kingdom in all its magnificence.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A few words of explanation:

In my research, I was stunned to learn that in some ancient manuscripts of Matthew’s Gospel, Barabbas is referred to as “Jesus Barabbas.”  They are “variants,” of course.  But the inclusion of Jesus to Barabbas’ name would seem to argue that it was known by early scribes that Jesus, (a common name at the time and derived from Joshua, meaning “Yahweh is salvation”), was indeed a part of Barabbas’ name.  Certainly, some modern scholars argue that “the counter-intuitive similarity of the two men’s names is evidence of its historicity.”  It would be just like the Lord to intentionally and dramatically contrast Jesus Barabbas and Jesus, the Son of God.  However, since the canonical Bible does not definitively state Barabbas was also a Jesus, I will definitely not insist that he was.  But he might indeed have been.  And the contrast of the kingdoms the two Jesuses sought was too compelling to not borrow the possibility.

As for the other two insurrectionists, early Christian tradition (as well as the apocryphal book of Nicodemus), give them the names of Gestas and Dismas.  Of course, we can’t know, since the Scriptures don’t tell us.  However, it was helpful for the telling of this story to have names for the two men, so I decided to use the names tradition attributes to them.

As for the specific reasons why “Gestas” and “Dismas” were crucified, both Matthew and Mark refer to them as “rebels”(Mt. 27:38, 44 & Mk. 15:27).  Presumably, rebels against Rome.  Which makes perfect sense; men who were crucified by Rome were considered “enemies of the state.”  Of course, we know that Barabbas was an insurrectionist and murderer (Lk. 23:19, 25) – crimes definitely meriting crucifixion in the Roman world.  I have always speculated that the two criminals crucified with Jesus were actually tied to Barabbas, and that Jesus’ cross was indeed intended for Barabbas.  A passage in Mark is intriguing in this regard.  It states, “A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising.” (Mark 15:7).  (“Gestas” & “Dismas?”)  But please note that this premise that the two were part of Barabbas’ plot is merely speculation on my part.  We can’t know.  However, it is at least logical, and perhaps even likely.  And it made for what I felt was a fascinating story.

Both Matthew and Mark record the fact that the two rebels crucified with Jesus also mocked him.  In both accounts this is listed after the insulting words of the spiritual leaders of the day.  This doesn’t mean that those events were necessarily sequential; just that Jesus’ mockers were many … initially including even the two criminals crucified with Jesus.  Based on Luke’s words, however, it’s clear that while the ridicule by the spiritual leaders and the one criminal continued, the other criminal had a change of heart.

We obviously have no record of Jesus meeting with the insurrectionists.  Although it should be noted that it was not unusual for Jesus to specially seek out individuals he knew he needed to converse with.  In fact, we see it throughout the Gospels.  (Zacchaeus in Luke 19, the Samaritan woman in John 4, and a crippled man in John 5, to name just a few.)  In fact, it could be argued that every individual Jesus ministered to was sought out by him.  With the multiple examples provided, we can safely assume that this happened many other times as well that were not recorded.  Therefore, my premise in this story is not too extreme.  “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).  Please note that I am not arguing that Jesus did meet with these men in advance of their crucifixions.  Only that he could have.

Another assumption I am making is that even if Jesus did not speak with Dismas, the rebel did have some prior knowledge of Jesus, his teachings, and the “rumors” about Jesus.  By the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, he was one of the most famous individuals in the land.  Even Jesus’ enemies below the cross taunted him with the truths that Jesus had expressed about himself.  Perhaps Dismas had even heard Jesus preach somewhere along the line?  Therefore, I am assuming there was at least a seed or two that the Holy Spirit had sown in the criminal prior to this fateful day that fueled his repentance.  Or maybe not?  Perhaps it all happened in those dark, dreadful and momentous hours as death approached?  It’s a question we can ask Dismas (or whatever his name was) when we reach Paradise ourselves one day.

Finally, I encourage every reader to … “seek first [Jesus’] kingdom and his righteousness. (Matthew 6:33).  It will always be the best kingdom … for always.

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Guilty?

Guilty?

I’ve never been so innocent and felt so guilty.

It was a quick run to the local grocery store to pick up a few odds-and-ends.  I pushed a mini-grocery cart to toss the items in as I grabbed them.  Lying on the bottom of the main compartment of that cart was a store flier advertising this week’s deals – left behind by a previous shopper.  A common occurrence.  Nothing to even think about.

I gathered the things I needed, went through the self-checker, bagged the items, and began rolling the cart out of the store.  That’s when a nice young man who worked for the store stopped me, pointed in the cart and asked, “Is that yours?”

I thought he was referring to the stray flier, so I replied, “No.”  But apparently he was referring to the small block of cheese that had somehow slide under the flier … and had clearly not been paid for. 

I was mortified.  Everything seemed to indicate that I was guilty of trying to sneak out with some extra cheese … without paying any “cheese” for it!

Hopefully my shocked expression convinced the young man I was innocent of thievery.  That, and the fact that the cheese cost less than 3 dollars.  (I had much more valuable items than that in my grocery sack.)  But I suppose they see all kinds of people trying to sneak out with items of all different price values. 

I don’t know what his conclusions about me were, but he was certainly nice enough.  Even though it was truly an innocent mistake, at the moment I felt anything but innocent.

Perhaps something similar has happened to you?  Or maybe someone at some time has drawn false conclusions about you, assuming the worst, when in fact your words, actions or intentions were honorable and good?

It doesn’t feel good to be in those situations.  The stomach churns and the mind reels.  And maybe even the conscience is tweaked … despite your innocence?

Afterwards, my thoughts went to Jesus.  He was the literal embodiment of innocence appearing guilty.  The holy Savior hung on a Roman cross … a death reserved for only the worst of criminals … on open display for all to see and to draw their own conclusions. 

My little situation was nothing.  Though I appeared guilty, I was innocent.  And I suffered no consequences.  

But the sinless Son of God bore the guilt of the sin of the world!  Though also innocent, he endured incomprehensible consequences for something he wasn’t responsible for in the least.

The Lord describes Jesus’ substitutionary atonement in these simple but striking words of the prophet Isaiah:

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”  (Isaiah 53:4-6).

Paul summarizes this wonderful truth in this way: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

What Jesus endured for you and me was nothing short of astonishing.  It’s almost unbelievable that the perfect God himself would do such a thing for sinners like us.  And indeed, many do reject the concept because, “It’s simply too good to be true.” 

They are right in that it is “simply too good.”  They are wrong that it isn’t “true!”  Praise God that Jesus took our place!  And praise God that we believe this almost unbelievable truth!

When I was “busted,” I felt terrible, even though my “crime” was completely unintentional.  What did our Savior feel as he, in his holiness, endured the penalty for a world of sinners?  Guilt?  Shame?  Embarrassment?  Anger?

No!  He felt joy! 

This is also astonishing, but it is also true.  The Scriptures tell us so!  The writer to the Hebrews reveals, “For the joy set before him [Jesus] endured the cross, scorning its shame …” (Hebrews 12:2).

Why was Jesus joyful?  Because he was accomplishing his Father’s will.  Because he was doing what only he could do.  Because he was redeeming sinners whom he loved.  Because countless people would now experience an eternity of salvation with him.

He who was innocent was counted as guilty so we who are guilty would be counted by God as innocent.  What a wonderful Savior we have!  What a wonderful salvation we have waiting for us!

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The Greatest Of All Time

The Greatest Of All Time

“Who’s the greatest of all time” is a question often asked and always debated.  It surfaces in every facet of our world.  And lists offering views on the greatest are easy enough to uncover. 

Consequently, as I pondered who might be referenced in a summary of the greatest people in history, I was confident that I would find multiple rankings.  What I wasn’t certain about was who would be on the lists, and especially who would be at the top of them.

While he wasn’t the first to compile a list, it seems that Michael H. Hart’s book, “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History” took the exercise to another level.  Published in 1978 and revised in 1992, his work is still regularly referenced on this subject. 

‘“Unlike various other rankings at the time, Hart was not attempting to rank on “greatness” as a criterion, but rather whose actions most changed the course of human history.  … Founders and shapers of successful religions were among the most influential in Hart’s view, as these shaped many people’s lives quite strongly over a long period of time.”’ (Wikipedia).

Sure enough, the person occupying the number one spot on his list is a religious person … Muhammad.  He gets the nod because Hart regarded him as extremely successful.  Not only did he start a new religion, but he gained great power and oversaw significant military conquests which unified Arabia.

The next highest religious figures on Hart’s list are Jesus at number 3, and Gautama Buddha at 4.

Of course, there are other lists.  A more recent one (2013) was compiled by TIME Magazine via a “data-driven” process.  In their list of the 100 most significant people in history, “a quarter of [their selections] are philosophers or major religious figures.” (Steven Skiena and Charles B. Ward – TIME).  Their top figure was Jesus; Muhammad came in third.

In fact, on most such lists, Jesus is indeed listed as the most important person in history.  But his ranking comes from a secular perspective and acknowledges his “secular” and “spiritual” contributions to the societies of the world. 

Biography Online provides a nice summary of the rationale for listing Jesus first:  (Buddha placed 4th on their list, and Muhammad 7th.)

“Jesus Christ (c. 4 BC – c. AD 30) was a spiritual Teacher, who preached a gospel of faith, love and forgiveness.  His life and teachings led to the emergence of a new religion – Christianity, which became the dominant religious force in the western world.  The Christian religion reveres Jesus Christ as the Son of God.  Jesus is also an important prophet in Islam, and his teachings are widely admired by other religious traditions.” (Biography Online).

As expected, the various lists all vary a great deal – not only in the ranking of those on the lists, but even of those who make the lists.  However, there is one fundamental, overriding assumption regarding all of the individuals mentioned on all the compilations: they are just human.

And, of course, this is absolutely true.  Except for one individual on the lists – Jesus.  Yes, he was also completely human; but he wasn’t just human.  He was also completely God.  That sets Jesus apart from every other person listed.  It sets him apart from every other person who ever lived!

Every “greatest” list includes people from every aspect of life.  As already mentioned, religious figures hold prominent positions.  But political and military powerhouses are also featured.  As are scientists, chemists, biologists, inventors, philanthropists and philosophers.  The arts are represented too, with writers, painters, composers, musicians, and even singers making the cut.

But no matter the list or the ones who happen to be on a list, each of those individuals started life at a certain time, and were given life by the Lord Jesus.  Furthermore, every one of them made mistakes; they all were imperfect; they all sinned.  And most significantly, no matter their contributions to history or society, they all died and were done … even if their teachings or advances live on.

Jesus is on a totally different level.  He is the eternal God; he always was, and he always will be.  His birth on earth was just a continuation of his existence.  He never ever sinned – his holy life a perfect sacrifice for the sinners of all time.  (Including everyone else on the top 100 lists!)

Though he had boundless power, he excelled in and exemplified humility and love instead.  To the point that he, the almighty God, offered himself to be tortured by humans he had created … suffering and dying even for his tormentors (and for you and me!). 

And yes, as true Man he did die … willingly giving up his life in atonement.  But unlike all the other “greats,” death could not hold him; on Easter morning Jesus exited his tomb – his daunting task of redemption completed.  He lives on in victory, and he always will! 

No one else on any list did that.  No one else who ever lives will either.

Our sins are paid for!  Our salvation is secured!  Our hope is a certain hope!  Our lives are immeasurably better than we could have ever dreamed they could be.  We are loved by God himself!  

Jesus is the greatest of all time.  No one else even comes close!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Philippians 2:6-11
Christ Jesus, … being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Colossians 2:9, 13-15
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form … When you were dead in your sins …, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

John 20:30-31, 21:25
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. … Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

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The Punishment Doesn’t Fit the Crime

The Punishment Doesn’t Fit the Crime

In a certain city lived a life-long criminal.  He was the true definition of the scum of the earth – a person who never did a proper thing if he could gain what he wanted improperly.  His perspective was a totally self-absorbed one, with no care or compassion for anyone else.  Consequently, he had no qualms about hurting anyone if it got him what he wanted.

This thug was a liar … a thief … an abuser … a rapist … and a murderer.  And since he lived out on the streets, he was filthy, smelly, and unkempt in every way – disgusting even to look at, much less to be around.

Outside of the city was a lovely palace where a wonderful king and his dearly-loved son resided.  They cared deeply about the people of the city and were constantly striving to serve them and help them to the best of their ability. 

When the King heard about the increasing crime in the city, he sent his son into the heart of it to look into the problem and to try to make a difference.  Since they were looking for unfiltered information, the prince set out without his usual guards.

The prince was a good man; wise yet humble, kind, loving and gracious.  He entered the city with pure intent – eager to associate with the people there, assess the situation, and to help those in need.

While walking down a street he happened to unknowingly approach the life-long criminal who was hovering in the shadows of an alley, waiting and watching for his next opportunity.  The evil man spotted the prince’s fine clothes and jewelry, and he coveted them.  They would bring him an abundance of coin from the backstreet dealers.

So the hidden predator pounced without warning … pulling his prey into darkness of the alley. The prince was brutally beaten.  But no, it wasn’t enough for the thug to incapacitate his victim; he didn’t stop until he had killed him.

A couple of town constables on their rounds happened to be nearby and heard the prince cry out.  They shone their lanterns into the alley to investigate and caught the murderer (literally) red-handed, as the brut was stripping the body.  The wicked man was so intent on gathering his new-found payday that he was slow to react.  The constables were not; they swooped in and tackled the murderer. 

The constables were horrified that someone’s life had been snuffed out so casually and cruelly.  And even more so when they realized whose body it was!  The prince had been killed!  The king would be devastated.  Oh, what a terrible day for the kingdom! 

They quickly gathered help to transport the son’s body to the palace while they escorted … none-too-nicely … the terrified and trembling criminal there to face the monarch.  They were immediately brought before the king, where they threw their prisoner on the floor.  Then with halting tongues and downcast eyes, they reluctantly revealed what had happened.

The King was heartbroken and sobbed that his son was dead.  “My dear son!  My only son!  The focus of my heart and my hope for the future!”  The entire court cried with him.  Not for show but with sincere grief; the prince was dearly loved by all. 

Every person present wanted and expected the harshest judgement to be levied, and not a single one among them would have questioned it when spoken – no matter how severe.   In their profound grief, they were almost eager to see the horrific punishment the King would pronounce upon his son’s lowlife murderer.  They wanted proper vengeance!

Finally the king steadied himself.  Then he spoke … tears still streaming down his cheeks.

“You have been a brutal criminal all your life.  You have lied, stolen, beaten, abused, raped, and killed.  And to top it all off, you even murdered my son.  So this shall be your punishment:

“Since you have my son’s blood on you, I will clean you up.  I will dress you in the finest of clothes and feed you the finest of foods.  You will eat at my table, live in my palace and remain in my presence, enjoying the very best blessings I can give you.  Your future will hold great joy; my son gave his life for yours!”

The criminal collapsed in disbelief, and the king’s court gasped in shock.  Had the king lost his mind in his grief?  It was beyond comprehension for anyone in this world to give such a sentence after such a crime by a lifelong criminal!  Yet, the king remained resolute, and his son’s murderer was pardoned and pampered from that day on … something no one could ever understand.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And it is beyond comprehension for such a sentence to be spoken in those circumstances, isn’t it?  I can’t imagine anyone doing what that king did in this world. 

However, there is a king in the heavenly kingdom who has done just that.  If you haven’t put it together yet, we (you and I) are the life-long criminal in that story.  And perhaps your reaction is, “Woah!  I’m not that bad!  I’ve got some faults, but I’m not as evil as that guy!”

But if you remember that the Lord, the Heavenly King, said, “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).  And when you realize that we have broken every single commandment in one way or another, (if not with our body then with our mind), suddenly we recognize that we are every bit the life-long criminal that the man in our story was.

We tend to compare ourselves to other people, who are also sinful, so we come to the conclusion that we aren’t so bad.  But the reality is that we should be comparing ourselves to God, who is perfect in every way.  And when we do that, the conclusion is quite different: we are very, very bad.  We are every bit as evil in God’s eyes as the criminal.

In fact, one could properly say that we killed God’s Son.  It was our crimes that brought Jesus to earth.  It was our sinfulness that caused Jesus to die.  It was our wickedness that demanded proper payment.  It was in love for us that Jesus died on that cross.

If we properly recognize this, we …. like the criminal … stand before God’s judgement seat trembling and terrified.  We can’t expect anything but the worst.  Yet what does the King say?

“Since you have my son’s blood on you, I will clean you up.  I will dress you in the finest of clothes and feed you the finest of foods.  You will eat at my table, and live in my palace and remain in my presence, enjoying the very best blessings I can give you.  Your future will hold great joy; my Son gave his life for yours!”

How do we respond to that?

When we recognize the extent of our lostness, hopelessness, and our deserved punishment, but that instead of punishment we are given love … and grace … and forgiveness … and salvation … and peace … and joy through our Savior, we are overwhelmed!

How do we respond to that totally unexpected … and completely undeserved … blessing from our Heavenly King? 

Maybe we fall to our knees.  Maybe we cry.  Maybe we raise our arms above us and shout in victorious joy.  Maybe we do all of the above.  Almost certainly we immediately send up heart-felt and extremely emotional words of thanks to the Lord.

We cannot be unaffected by this amazing mercy from our God.  We must praise him!  And it’s not just an immediate and one-time praise, but praise that is on-going through our entire life.

The punishment Jesus suffered in our place was proper and necessary for full atonement for our sin to be made.  But the “punishment” we experience definitely doesn’t fit our crimes!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I fully recognize that there are some profound differences between the Father and Jesus, and the king and the prince in the story above.  First of all, Jesus knew that he was sent by the Father specifically to be killed.  Secondly, both the Father and the Son recognized that Jesus would not stay dead.  Finally, God’s spiritual blessings become ours through faith.  Where faith does not exist, the Lord justly judges and punishes.  He is a merciful God, but also a righteous God.

These are significant differences.

However, my intent with this story was to underscore how radical God’s mercy to you and me really was and is.  Even with the differences mentioned in the paragraph above, God’s mercy to us who know and love our Savior is truly profound, truly underserved, and absolutely unprecedented.  If the story accentuated these truths, then God be praised.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ephesians 2:1-5
2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.

Psalm 103:8-10
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

Lamentations 3:22
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

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Christmas All Year Long

Christmas All Year Long

My wife will likely be unhappy with me for sharing this, but I’ve always liked living on the edge.  So here goes …

The truth is that we still have our Christmas tree and decorations up.  I imagine this is shocking and even unimaginable to some readers.  However, the fact is that if you keep them up long enough, you don’t have to dig them back out and put them back up again! 

Though this seems rather practical to me – rest assured, this is not our intention. 

The simple reality is that this past year has been one of massive transition for my wife and myself.  Really, for our entire family.  Suddenly, none of our children live with us anymore.  (Which is part of the issue: there’s no one to help take it all back down like the past 25 years or so!)

But the bigger issue is that my wife and I are both fully immersed in full-time service to the Lord.  So much so that while we’re kinda settled, we’re still a lot not-settled.  (I know that last sentence has some improper words and grammar, but I like it; it seems to sum up our situation well.)

In short, there is precious little spare time for extras like packing up the Christmas things.  And especially for her, who commutes to her school and is gone 12 hours a-day for 5 days of the week.  That leaves only the weekends for her to get all of her other personal stuff done.  And by the way, as a pastor, weekends are extremely busy for me.

Which is why the Christmas tree still commandeers a corner of our living room, the stockings are still hanging off the fireplace mantle, the wreath still occupies the front door, and the Christmas knick-knacks and do-dads still remain where they were originally placed.

With God’s blessing, they’ll be dealt with in the next few days.  (Which unfortunately means I’ll have to drag them all out again next winter and put them all back up again.)  Nevertheless, the visuals of Christmas will get tucked away.

Even though the tree and all the other Christmas sparklies will be returned to their proper storage boxes, and the boxes returned to their storage places, it is appropriate for us all to remember that Christmas is something we can and should celebrate all year long. 

I recognize that this next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday … the first day of the Lenten season when we spend six weeks remembering our Savior’s suffering and death.  Consequently, it may strike some as odd to mention Christmas now.  Yet, I stand by my statement: Christmas is something worthy of continued celebration, no matter the date. 

Had Jesus not be born, he could not have been crucified.  Had he not allowed himself to be killed, he could not have risen back to life.  In fact, the primary purpose for Jesus’ birth was so he could eventually take his holy life to the cross to make atonement for sin.  And his resurrection was the holy receipt that full payment had been made by the true God, whom death could not hold.

They all tie together in the most necessary and wonderful way!

Christmas is incredibly pertinent through the entire church year, and through the entire calendar of our lives as well.  And so is Good Friday (Jesus’ crucifixion day).  And so is Easter Sunday (Jesus’ resurrection day).

These cardinal events are not just highlights of the church year … but of every day of our lives!  They are, in fact, the most significant events in the history of the world!  Consequently, they are worthy of celebrating any day.  Every day! 

Christmas in February?  August even?  Certainly! 

Easter in December?  Definitely!

The Holy Spirit moved the writers of the Scriptures to combine these mind-boggling and eternity-altering activities a number of times in God’s Word.  Jesus’ miraculous birth, his holy life, his horrible death and his glorious resurrection are often listed as corresponding parallels on Jesus’ path to saving us.

Such as when Paul wrote, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures …”  (1 Cor. 15:3-4).

Even more lengthy, detailed and remarkable summaries are included elsewhere in the Bible, such as Isaiah 53 and Philippians 2.  (See below!)

Which means Christmas décor is never out-of-date or out-of-place.  It’s always appropriate because for Christians it’s always Christmas.  And it’s always Easter too!

So merry Christmas, blessed Good Friday, and happy Easter to you all – today and every day!

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Philippians 2:5-11
… Christ Jesus … being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Isaiah 53:2-12
[Christ] grew up before [the Father] like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on [Jesus] the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished.

 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.

Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

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When Red Makes White

When Red Makes White

After thirty years in the moderate Pacific Northwest, the Lord was gentle with my wife and me early on in our first winter back in Michigan.  Temperatures have been unseasonably warm; the days remarkably pleasant for much of the past few months. 

In fact, I went fishing off our dock a day or two after Christmas!  The weather was almost balmy and the lake was ice-free – something that is nearly unheard of in central Michigan in the center of the winter season.

However, it seems the Lord has determined that it’s now time for us to experience true Midwestern winter weather.  As I write this, the wind is howling and the snowflakes are falling.  And both are supposed to continue for much of the night.  Then, if the forecasts are accurate, the temps will be plummeting like an icicle dislodged from a roofline.

The snow is certainly lovely!  I’ve always thought of it as God’s way of wrapping the world in white … covering over the flaws for just a little while with a gorgeous white coat.  The evergreens decked with God’s glimmering mantle of snow are especially eye-catching; I find them breathtakingly beautiful! 

Contemplating the heavy layer of white that is accumulating outside, I recall the striking words of Isaiah 1:18: “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

If one pauses to consider the Lord’s words, they seem to offer a strange contrast.  Red sins becoming white?  Why those choice of colors?  And how can that happen?

The comments in the verses preceding those thought-provoking words offer some clarification.  Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord is sharing some harsh but crucial criticisms to his people. 

He informs his supposed followers that their many sacrifices to him hold “no pleasure” for him (Is. 1:11).  Their offerings to him are “meaningless,” their incense “detestable,” and their assemblies “worthless” (Is. 1:13).  In regard to the religious festivals they observed … (which God himself told them to celebrate!) … the Lord states, “I hate them with all my being” (Is. 1:14).

If that wasn’t severe enough, God goes on to state, “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening.  Your hands are full of blood!” (Is. 1:15).

Now the contrast between red and white becomes clearer.  God’s own were following God’s instructions on how to worship him, but “their hearts were far from him” (Isaiah 29:13).  Consequently, their hands were red with the blood of pointless sacrifices.  Furthermore, their hearts and lives full of iniquity … including the blood of fellow humans who suffered through their loveless actions … also stained their hands crimson.

It’s not a pretty picture.  Blood is messy.  It seeps everywhere.  And when on one’s hands, it gathers and congeals in the creases, sticks between the fingers, and creeps under the fingernails.  It takes some serious effort to clean it all off.

Even more so when the blood is a spiritual stain.  In fact, that crimson can’t be removed!

But then the Lord in love makes an incredible offer to these blood-stained people: “Turn to me and I’ll settle this matter – I’ll make your scarlet sins as white as snow!”

Of course, many (most even) of the people in Isaiah’s day disregarded the Lord’s merciful proposal and continued to simply go through meaningless motions in their worship and selfish, hurtful actions in their lives.  But some took God’s words to heart and rejoiced in his loving and graceful promise.

Yet the faithful couldn’t begin to understand how the Lord would bring it about.  They didn’t realize that all those countless lamb sacrifices God commanded weren’t the atoning factor.

Rather, they pointed ahead to God’s own ultimate Sacrifice of his Son – Jesus, the Lamb of God, who could and would “take away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).  In the most perfect example of love, Jesus would offer his holy life as the all-atoning Substitute for the sins of all sinners on the altar of the cross.

Jesus bloody birth in a barn was his first step to the bloody cross.  His life on earth began in blood, and it ended in holy blood … deliberately and specifically shed so that he could remove the unholy blood from our hands and our lives.  (For our hands are every bit as stained as the people in Isaiah’s day!)

What a concept!  The pure Jesus poured his blood over our blood-stained hands (and hearts), and instead of making them bloodier, it washed them clean!

That’s the affect Jesus’ blood has!  It is his blood that “purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).  It is his blood that makes it possible for sinners like us to enter salvation.  The white robes worn in heaven gain their gleam from being washed in Jesus’ blood (Rev. 7:14).

Yes, the snow is lovely.  But not nearly as lovely as pure souls miraculously and wonderfully washed white in the red blood of our Savior!

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title and start typing.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

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