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Posts Tagged ‘Jesus’

On Good Friday, Jesus Dies So We Can Live

Posted in Devotions, tagged , , , on April 19, 2019|

jesus_nailed_to_the_cross

Today, thousands of pilgrims are walking the Via Dolorosa.  This is the processional route in the Old City of Jerusalem, that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion.  The path to the cross was difficult and he was weak with suffering.  It is marked by nine Stations of the Cross; with the remaining five stations being inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The week that started with people waving palms and singing as Jesus entered the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem ends in a kangaroo court sending Jesus into Roman hands for crucifixion.  Many want to blame the Pharisees for Jesus dying on the cross.  Others lay the blame on Pontius Pilate for making the final decision.  This perspective forgets Jesus instructing Peter to put his sword away.  Jesus reminds Peter that he could call down 12 legions of angels from heaven to stop his capture.  Instead, Jesus lays his own life down for us.

In his captivity, Jesus is jailed, beaten, spat upon, tortured, marched to Golgotha, and crucified next to criminals.  From the cross, Jesus makes provision for the care of his mother, cries out to God, forgives his killers, and shares with the penitent thief that those who believe in him will have a place in heaven.

When the soldiers confirm that Jesus is dead, his body is taken to a tomb.  It is sealed and guarded by Roman soldiers.  It seems that all is lost.  The disciples are scattered.  The promises of Jesus ring in their ears, but seem to fall silent.  It will take time for all to see, but this will be the weekend that changes the world.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

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The Light of the World

Posted in Christian Living, News & Commentary, Worship, tagged , , , , on December 24, 2018|

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Today is Christmas Eve. Our day is focused on completing tasks, chores, and jobs before families and friends gather together. We are quick to make our homes ready. But there is an older Christian practice of making our hearts ready.

As the world waits to proclaim that Jesus is the Light of the World, let us prepare our hearts to receive the message of Jesus again. Though you have heard the songs and scripture verses before, let the truth and joy of the message change you. Hear the promise of God’s Messiah arriving on earth and let it change you. Imagine a gracious Savior coming to earth for you to be redeemed and let it change you.

Christians are called to be changed people. We are called to live in a way different than the world. But change only comes when we experience Jesus. Those who have experienced Him are no longer the same. We are called to be transformed and to be children of light. People who now live in the love that they have received from Christ. We are called to be this group. One who puts off the old self and puts on the new. A person transformed by the grace of Jesus. Someone who can never be the same because of Jesus.

Precious God, allow us to make our hearts ready. May we hear the message of Christmas and feel the joy and love of Jesus in our hearts. We were once in darkness. Now we live in the light. Allow us to be transformed people who follow after Jesus, the Light of the World.

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Maundy Thursday – Remembering That We Are Loved

Posted in Devotions, Worship, tagged , , , , , , , on March 29, 2018|

foot washing

Maundy Thursday is celebrated many different ways in the Christian church. Tonight people will gather this evening to remember Jesus going into the Upper Room, washing the feet of His disciples, sharing the Passover feast, and instituting the Lord’s Supper. After singing Psalms and celebrating the faithfulness of God in delivering the Jewish people from bondage, Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane. Here Jesus prays for strength and is arrested as a common criminal. Ultimately, Jesus journeys to the cross. The story of deliverance changes. This time He will deliver the world from sin.

God didn’t just say that He loves you, He demonstrated it. Romans 5:8 shares, “God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

As we enter a time of worship this day, do so remembering that we are loved.

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Billy Graham, America’s Pastor

Posted in Christian Living, News & Commentary, tagged , , , , , on February 21, 2018|

Graham

Billy Graham, America’s pastor, died today. He became an ordained minister at the age of 21 in 1939. Across his career, Dr. Graham preached at racially integrated churches in the 1950s and 1960s. He took bold stands for truth and justice. He delivered countless crusades in stadiums across the world to share the message of Jesus Christ.

Billy Graham avoided sexual and financial scandals that ended the ministry of many pastors and televangelists. It is said that he spoke to over 200 million people across the span of his 99 years on earth.

A favorite quote shares that, “It is God’s job to judge, the Spirit’s job to convict, and our job to love.”

May we all strive toward the finish line and be faithful stewards of Christ like the late Dr. Billy Graham.

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The Scandal of Christmas

Posted in Devotions, tagged , , , , , , on December 25, 2017|

shepherds

The Christmas story sounds strange for a reason. It is. The events we find in Luke 2 give us a picture that doesn’t make sense.

First, we find an angel and the heavenly host proclaiming the Messiah’s birth in the remote region of Bethlehem. Jerusalem or Jericho would make more sense. These cities would have more people to hear the message. Instead, a small group of shepherds living in fields outside of Bethlehem receive the heavenly announcement.

Second, it is late at night when the angelic message is given. People are at home and asleep. Why not make the announcement during the day when the marketplace is bustling with activity and people.

Third, the announcement of Jesus is given to shepherds. While this was a worthy calling in the Old Testament, much had changed for the profession in the first century. At the time of Jesus’ birth, shepherds were considered the bottom rung of the social ladder. It was best for them to stay outside of the cities, in the fields. They were seen as petty thieves who could not be trusted. Shepherds were even prohibited from being witnesses in trial and court settings.

Bethlehem was the wrong place.  A dark evening was the wrong time. Shepherds were the wrong people.

The Christmas story is scandalous. It says much about our God and the kingdom that Jesus will establish. The Christmas story shares that God will go anywhere, at anytime, to anyone. Praise God for the divine example that our Father will go anywhere to seek and save the lost. It speaks to the hope and salvation that is found in Jesus Christ and is available to everyone.

When we look at the Christmas story we should see how deep it is with grace and love. The proclamation of Christ at that place, at that time, and to that people shows how great the Father’s love is for us all. May the gift of Jesus continue to be shared in the scandalous example of God’s great love.

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Palm Sunday Devotion

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, tagged , , , , , on April 7, 2017|

palm sunday

It is easy to get into a rut during Holy Week. While the music, pageants, processions, and lessons can easily feel the same consider where you are standing.

As we enter into Holy week, we should enter into the story. We should imagine ourselves watching and cheering as Jesus passes. But we shouldn’t just watch. We should go with him. We should join in the procession ourselves. We must follow along after Him and continue to shout and sing in the praises of our Messiah.

As Christians, we are not to remain spectators cheering from the sidelines. We are to fall in line. We are to join the procession. We are to become part of the parade itself. We are to follow Jesus, marching with him, moving wherever God’s voice is calling us to go.

Precious God, allow us to see Palm Sunday and Easter with new eyes.  Help us to see Jesus and follow after Him with our entire heart. Amen.

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Adults on Vaction

Posted in Christian Living, Devotions, News & Commentary, tagged , , , , , , on February 20, 2017|

protest

Protests, riots, general strikes, and shouting matches, oh my! Where did all the big boys and big girls go in America? Every time I watch the news or read a story, it seems that all the adults are on vacation.

Coastal elites are burning more American flags than the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Today’s coalition of discontent wants to make a lot of noise, set things on fire, and boycott their jobs. Everyone is entitled to shout and protest. But worse yet, no one seems willing to listen to each other.

We cannot plug our ears and runaway if we do not agree with the message. No matter which protest you attend, those protesting must be willing not only to shout, but also to listen. Folks should be civil and respectful.

When people behave in a purely secular manner, we will witness a purely secular response. The ultimate result is a place more destructive and bitter than what we have today. There is a better way.

In John 13, Jesus shares this with his followers, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Jesus teaches a meaningful and difficult lesson for people to learn in the first century and in 2017 – love those around you. Jesus was frequently criticized for the company that he kept. Jesus acquired a reputation for being a wild child. Jesus knew tax collectors, fishermen, zealots, and other rowdies. Jesus went to their homes and befriended them.

Jesus was a loving, laughing, Lord, someone who enjoyed a good time. He befriended the leper, the lame, the outcast, the downtrodden, the soldier, and the saint. It was done out of pure, perfect, and heavenly love. He showed the kind of affection that transforms lives and honors God.

When people are given that kind of respect and love, they are willing to listen to each other. The challenge is demonstrating the love that Christ commands. May God empower us to love one another, no matter what others say or how they express it.

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