Mark 11:27-33
Again Jesus and the disciples came to Jerusalem. As he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin? Answer me.” They argued with one another, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘Of human origin’?” – they were afraid of the crowd, for all regarded John as truly a prophet. So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
***********************************
Imagine living near Jerusalem during Jesus' earthly We have seen miracles of healing and of power. Christ has fed thousands, walked on water, healed dozens and dozens of people. He has done all of these things in a servant-like manner. At no point has He come out and said to the crowds or priests, "I am the Son of God. Worship Me. I am the One you have been praying for over the centuries. I am Messiah."
Wouldn't it have been so much more simple if He had just come out and said who He was? Jesus has been building a case, compiling proof after proof that He is the Son of God, the Mighty Redeemer, Messiah. He has set everything up, so why doesn't He close the deal?
Of course, the answer is obvious. If He had stated these things, He may have been worshiped during all of His earthly life. He would have been marked among the great Prophets and compared to Abraham or Moses...Gandhi or Mother Theresa...Martin Luther King. But unless He continued to perform miracles time and time again, the memory of the three years of His ministry on earth would likely have faded over time.
During my teens years, I went to "church camp" every summer. I remember these times being not only a week of fun with friends, but a time when I felt very close to God. Some of my dearest and longest-lasting friendships came from those times at camp. Close to the end of each of these weeks, summer after summer, there would be a gathering one evening during which we would attend a worship service. During this service, each of us was asked to make a covenant with God. There was no pressure to promise any certain thing. Each of us were simply encouraged to pray, to talk to God and determine what He might be calling us to do.
I remember these worship services at the end of camp to be incredibly spiritual and emotional events. There was hardly ever a dry eye in the house, as each of us came to terms with our relationship with God.
But, the other thing I remember just as vividly, is how the feelings from that worship service faded in the weeks following camp. As each of us came back out into the world and the daily grind of our lives took over once again, the power of that moment, that evening seem to grow dim. The way we campers were able to keep that memory alive was to spend time with each other, encouraging each other in our faith as the months, the years passed along. However, even with this fellowship, the sharpness and clarity of that evening never quite regained its luster.
Why did Christ not proclaim Himself as God incarnate? Because He did not have to use words for this to be true. He put Himself below all, allowing Himself to be sacrificed for each of us. His death and resurrection spoke more than any words could tell. The ministry of the Apostles after He left this world showed more to us than Christ's attestation of His being could ever have done.
So, as we enter into the crescendo that is the last part of Holy Week, do not let the memories of the Last Supper, the Garden at Gethsemane, Golgotha or the Tomb fade as you continue with your lives after this season. Remember the sheer humility of washing the feet of a friend; remember the tears shed on Good Friday; remember the emptiness of the time when all hope seems lost. But most importantly, remember and rejoice in the power of the Resurrection! Recognize that the finality of His sacrifice is far greater than mere words could ever profess and that His conquering of Death will continue forever and never fade away.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Mar 30 - "Had Enough?"
Mark 11:12-25
Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”
*********************
Was there a time recently when you completely lost your cool? Are there days when you are in a crabby mood for no apparent reason?
I find this passage both interesting and confusing. Right before Jesus goes to the temple and shakes things up a bit, He is walking along, spies a fig tree and decides He would like one. He comes to the fig tree and finds none. Even though figs are not in season at this time, He curses the tree, soon after which it withers and dies. It seems a strange story to tell. But as always, we later see the divine purpose of the fig tree's undoing is to show the power of prayer. Jesus tells His disciples that nothing is impossible; whatever they ask for in the deep belief of their prayer will come to pass.
After sending the fig tree to an untimely demise, Jesus wreaks havoc at the temple. He turns over tables, chases people out and starts barking orders, telling people what they can and cannot do in the temple. This seems so uncharacteristic of Jesus. It was likely not a planned or staged event...nothing Jesus did had that false flavor. He must have simply been fed up and witnessed a scene which pushed Him over the edge. Even though we see times when Jesus rebuked or seemed angry, this is the first and only time we see Him really take action, lashing out in response to His anger or perhaps frustration.
How could He do this? Wasn't He perfect and beyond sin? Even though Jesus was fully God, He was also fully Man. Things angered and frustrated Him; He wept; He was tempted; He asked that this cup be passed from Him; Jesus even asked God why He was forsaking Him on the cross.
At the end of this chapter, Jesus returns to His old self. He is back in the temple talking to the priests, telling the parable of the caretakers in the vineyard and how they mistreat the vineyard's owner. This is the Jesus we know. Even though He is still pushing the envelope, rebuking the priests and elders by means of the story He tells, He does it in a way that is non-violent, scholastic and almost meek.
So, we all lose our cool every once in awhile. It's OK, even Jesus did. Just make sure you return to your former self, loving peace and working towards harmony.
Then they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling and those who were buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. He was teaching and saying, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”
*********************
Was there a time recently when you completely lost your cool? Are there days when you are in a crabby mood for no apparent reason?
I find this passage both interesting and confusing. Right before Jesus goes to the temple and shakes things up a bit, He is walking along, spies a fig tree and decides He would like one. He comes to the fig tree and finds none. Even though figs are not in season at this time, He curses the tree, soon after which it withers and dies. It seems a strange story to tell. But as always, we later see the divine purpose of the fig tree's undoing is to show the power of prayer. Jesus tells His disciples that nothing is impossible; whatever they ask for in the deep belief of their prayer will come to pass.
After sending the fig tree to an untimely demise, Jesus wreaks havoc at the temple. He turns over tables, chases people out and starts barking orders, telling people what they can and cannot do in the temple. This seems so uncharacteristic of Jesus. It was likely not a planned or staged event...nothing Jesus did had that false flavor. He must have simply been fed up and witnessed a scene which pushed Him over the edge. Even though we see times when Jesus rebuked or seemed angry, this is the first and only time we see Him really take action, lashing out in response to His anger or perhaps frustration.
How could He do this? Wasn't He perfect and beyond sin? Even though Jesus was fully God, He was also fully Man. Things angered and frustrated Him; He wept; He was tempted; He asked that this cup be passed from Him; Jesus even asked God why He was forsaking Him on the cross.
At the end of this chapter, Jesus returns to His old self. He is back in the temple talking to the priests, telling the parable of the caretakers in the vineyard and how they mistreat the vineyard's owner. This is the Jesus we know. Even though He is still pushing the envelope, rebuking the priests and elders by means of the story He tells, He does it in a way that is non-violent, scholastic and almost meek.
So, we all lose our cool every once in awhile. It's OK, even Jesus did. Just make sure you return to your former self, loving peace and working towards harmony.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Mar 29 - "Beauty For Ashes"
2 Corinthians 1:1-7
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.
*********************************
It hurts to hurt. There are times when we struggle, are in pain, suffer. We wonder, what good can come of this?
Over the past couple of years, my Mom has been down quite a tough road. In the later months of 2006, her husband Mark started to exhibit behavior which pointed towards something not being right. Fast forward to February of 2007 when he is diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. This crippling and often terminal disorder took what was a strong, assured man and reduced him to a shell of his former self. Mark left this world and went into the loving arms of God on January 24, 2008.
For the period of over one year, my Mom was faced with the daily struggle of not only caring for her ill husband, but the prospect of gradually losing the man she loved for many years. How hard it must have been, dealing with caring for another who eventually could no longer care for himself and to have to do it without your best friend, your confidant to guide and support you through. She suffered greatly. The pain of this suffering has still not fully faded, nor may it ever. I am in awe of the courage she showed during this time.
But, good things can come from bad. During the past year, a dear friend of my Mom's went through a similar situation. Her husband also became ill, failing and falling towards what was to be his eventual passing late last year. Over the course of a few months, my Mom was able to give comfort to her. Because she had experienced what this woman was now experiencing, she was able to give words of support and show a caring love which had come out of her own trials. She was now able to relate in a way which she may have been unable to do, unless she had experienced the passing of her own husband.
My Mom also now volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House, helping families who have children with devastating, chronic or terminal illnesses. She is able to support them in a far richer and more meaningful way because she too has suffered their pain. By no means, do I want to imply that the Mark's illness and death occurred just so my Mom would now have the words to comfort those who are in pain. But, she has taken her pain and turned it into something magnificent.
There is a beautiful song by Crystal Lewis, based on Isaiah 61:3 ("To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."). The chorus of the song has a poignant message, putting into contrast the highs and lows we all experience:
He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair
So, brothers and sisters, know that when you suffer, you are not alone. Lean on those around you who have also suffered; allow beauty to come forth from their ashes. Remember that you have a Great Comforter in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is able to bring peace and solace to you because He also was persecuted and in pain. Gain peace with the recognition that you do not have to bear the burden of pain, sorrow or heartache by yourself.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.
*********************************
It hurts to hurt. There are times when we struggle, are in pain, suffer. We wonder, what good can come of this?
Over the past couple of years, my Mom has been down quite a tough road. In the later months of 2006, her husband Mark started to exhibit behavior which pointed towards something not being right. Fast forward to February of 2007 when he is diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. This crippling and often terminal disorder took what was a strong, assured man and reduced him to a shell of his former self. Mark left this world and went into the loving arms of God on January 24, 2008.
For the period of over one year, my Mom was faced with the daily struggle of not only caring for her ill husband, but the prospect of gradually losing the man she loved for many years. How hard it must have been, dealing with caring for another who eventually could no longer care for himself and to have to do it without your best friend, your confidant to guide and support you through. She suffered greatly. The pain of this suffering has still not fully faded, nor may it ever. I am in awe of the courage she showed during this time.
But, good things can come from bad. During the past year, a dear friend of my Mom's went through a similar situation. Her husband also became ill, failing and falling towards what was to be his eventual passing late last year. Over the course of a few months, my Mom was able to give comfort to her. Because she had experienced what this woman was now experiencing, she was able to give words of support and show a caring love which had come out of her own trials. She was now able to relate in a way which she may have been unable to do, unless she had experienced the passing of her own husband.
My Mom also now volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House, helping families who have children with devastating, chronic or terminal illnesses. She is able to support them in a far richer and more meaningful way because she too has suffered their pain. By no means, do I want to imply that the Mark's illness and death occurred just so my Mom would now have the words to comfort those who are in pain. But, she has taken her pain and turned it into something magnificent.
There is a beautiful song by Crystal Lewis, based on Isaiah 61:3 ("To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."). The chorus of the song has a poignant message, putting into contrast the highs and lows we all experience:
He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair
So, brothers and sisters, know that when you suffer, you are not alone. Lean on those around you who have also suffered; allow beauty to come forth from their ashes. Remember that you have a Great Comforter in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is able to bring peace and solace to you because He also was persecuted and in pain. Gain peace with the recognition that you do not have to bear the burden of pain, sorrow or heartache by yourself.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Mar 28 - "The Sweet Ain't as Sweet without the Bitter"
Zechariah 9:9-12
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
**********************
What a wonderful image we have today! Christ enters Jerusalem today as a king. He ministry has reached its crescendo and thousands rejoice at His magnificent yet humble entry through the city gates. The question is, to what event has He so triumphantly arrived?
As I have grown older, the feelings I have on this day have changed. I used to look at Palm Sunday as this big, exciting event where Jesus comes into Jerusalem like a king. I loved getting the palms at church, waving them around in the air. As we left church on this day, I knew we were only one week away from the Easter Bunny's arrival with baskets of goodies and a fun day spent with family.
For me now, it is the beginning of a week filled with a melancholic rise and fall. In the coming days, we will watch Jesus humbly serve His friends, washing their feet. We will sit with Jesus at a simple meal, creating a ceremony of remembrance. He will go to the Garden at Gethsemane, be taken in and beaten. We will stand in a crowd and shout "Crucify Him!!". Our Lord will trudge these same streets through which He rides in glory today, bearing a crushing cross, His body bleeding and broken. Even though I know how the story ends next Sunday, I still know the pain of the coming week.
I imagine Jesus felt the same way. He knew this entry into Jerusalem was a celebration based on Man's standards, not on God's. The waving palms were beckoning Him to His temporary demise. He could likely see the Pharisees standing in the back of the crowd, talking with the Roman authorities, convincing them that this man of no account from the backwater town of Nazareth was putting Himself above Caesar. Maybe He caught a glimpse of His friend Judas down a dark alley, accepting a bag of silver. He sees all of this and knows what is to come over the next week. Yet, perhaps there is gleam in His eye, the corner of one side of His mouth upturned into a slight knowing smile. He knows how the story will end.
But, dear friends, just because we know there is pain ahead it does not mean we can't enjoy the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on this day. Place yourself in the crowd, just inside one of Jerusalem's imposing gates. You are surrounded by the blind who can now see, the lame who can now walk, the diseased who are now clean. On your left and right are those who drank the sweet wine at the wedding of Cana; those who broke bread with the 5,000. Everyone is filled with great joy seeing the Man we have come to know and love being praised as a king.
So, sing with joy today! Praise the arrival of your King into the ancient city. Celebrate with those He has healed and made whole. Emmanuel...God with us...Messiah has come!
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
**********************
What a wonderful image we have today! Christ enters Jerusalem today as a king. He ministry has reached its crescendo and thousands rejoice at His magnificent yet humble entry through the city gates. The question is, to what event has He so triumphantly arrived?
As I have grown older, the feelings I have on this day have changed. I used to look at Palm Sunday as this big, exciting event where Jesus comes into Jerusalem like a king. I loved getting the palms at church, waving them around in the air. As we left church on this day, I knew we were only one week away from the Easter Bunny's arrival with baskets of goodies and a fun day spent with family.
For me now, it is the beginning of a week filled with a melancholic rise and fall. In the coming days, we will watch Jesus humbly serve His friends, washing their feet. We will sit with Jesus at a simple meal, creating a ceremony of remembrance. He will go to the Garden at Gethsemane, be taken in and beaten. We will stand in a crowd and shout "Crucify Him!!". Our Lord will trudge these same streets through which He rides in glory today, bearing a crushing cross, His body bleeding and broken. Even though I know how the story ends next Sunday, I still know the pain of the coming week.
I imagine Jesus felt the same way. He knew this entry into Jerusalem was a celebration based on Man's standards, not on God's. The waving palms were beckoning Him to His temporary demise. He could likely see the Pharisees standing in the back of the crowd, talking with the Roman authorities, convincing them that this man of no account from the backwater town of Nazareth was putting Himself above Caesar. Maybe He caught a glimpse of His friend Judas down a dark alley, accepting a bag of silver. He sees all of this and knows what is to come over the next week. Yet, perhaps there is gleam in His eye, the corner of one side of His mouth upturned into a slight knowing smile. He knows how the story will end.
But, dear friends, just because we know there is pain ahead it does not mean we can't enjoy the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on this day. Place yourself in the crowd, just inside one of Jerusalem's imposing gates. You are surrounded by the blind who can now see, the lame who can now walk, the diseased who are now clean. On your left and right are those who drank the sweet wine at the wedding of Cana; those who broke bread with the 5,000. Everyone is filled with great joy seeing the Man we have come to know and love being praised as a king.
So, sing with joy today! Praise the arrival of your King into the ancient city. Celebrate with those He has healed and made whole. Emmanuel...God with us...Messiah has come!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Mar 27 - "Temporary and Eternal"
2 Corinthians 4:13-18
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
****************************
There is no doubt about it. We grow older each day, our bodies microscopically changing and degrading every so slightly as we walk slowly towards the end of our days on earth. Our minds become a little less crisp, memories fade and physical activities we once used to enjoy without second thought become more difficult and leave us hurting after.
Should this stark reality weigh us down, depress and leave us without hope?
I have been blessed to know Bonnie Lucy Wilson my entire life. My Grandma Bonnie has been the steady rock of our family for as long as I can remember. Her deep love for family, her sharp wit and her vegetable soup have been mainstays in my extended family for all of my years. If you were to meet her today for the first time, you would see that her physical form is fading away. It is hard for her to get around and her short-term memory is not what it used to be.
But, in a beautiful way, she is getting younger every day. Whenever I see her, it seems she has a new perspective on the value of family and, most importantly, on the role God has played and continues to play in her family's life. She sits serenely watching all that is going on around her as children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren laugh, play and love in her midst. When I talk to her about the scene, the menagerie of activity, relishing with her the blessedness of the occasion, she often quotes Psalm 46, verse 10: "Be still and know that I am the Lord." It is now obvious to me that her sitting and watching is not a quiet disconnectedness, it is her way of praising God, letting Him "be".
Yes, the fact that we are growing older each day is right there in front of us. But what else is true? With each day we live, we come one day closer to that day, when we will stand with Christ, renewed and restored with the knowledge that the pain and trials we faced on Earth were only temporary. We will recognize that we are seasoned by this world. We are given the gifts of time and experience which wonderfully deepen our understanding.
So, rejoice in growing older. Know that we live in this strange yet beautiful way; growing older and closer to the end of our earthly lives, yet becoming newer and more childlike with each passing day. Love the hauntingly bittersweet dance of this world, for each moment, each temporary instance of joy and pain, bring us ever-closer to eternity of being in the loving arms of God.
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
****************************
There is no doubt about it. We grow older each day, our bodies microscopically changing and degrading every so slightly as we walk slowly towards the end of our days on earth. Our minds become a little less crisp, memories fade and physical activities we once used to enjoy without second thought become more difficult and leave us hurting after.
Should this stark reality weigh us down, depress and leave us without hope?
I have been blessed to know Bonnie Lucy Wilson my entire life. My Grandma Bonnie has been the steady rock of our family for as long as I can remember. Her deep love for family, her sharp wit and her vegetable soup have been mainstays in my extended family for all of my years. If you were to meet her today for the first time, you would see that her physical form is fading away. It is hard for her to get around and her short-term memory is not what it used to be.
But, in a beautiful way, she is getting younger every day. Whenever I see her, it seems she has a new perspective on the value of family and, most importantly, on the role God has played and continues to play in her family's life. She sits serenely watching all that is going on around her as children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren laugh, play and love in her midst. When I talk to her about the scene, the menagerie of activity, relishing with her the blessedness of the occasion, she often quotes Psalm 46, verse 10: "Be still and know that I am the Lord." It is now obvious to me that her sitting and watching is not a quiet disconnectedness, it is her way of praising God, letting Him "be".
Yes, the fact that we are growing older each day is right there in front of us. But what else is true? With each day we live, we come one day closer to that day, when we will stand with Christ, renewed and restored with the knowledge that the pain and trials we faced on Earth were only temporary. We will recognize that we are seasoned by this world. We are given the gifts of time and experience which wonderfully deepen our understanding.
So, rejoice in growing older. Know that we live in this strange yet beautiful way; growing older and closer to the end of our earthly lives, yet becoming newer and more childlike with each passing day. Love the hauntingly bittersweet dance of this world, for each moment, each temporary instance of joy and pain, bring us ever-closer to eternity of being in the loving arms of God.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Mar 26 - "Conflicted"
Psalm 22
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me and are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; by night as well, but I find no rest. Yet you are the Holy One, enthroned upon the praises of Israel. Our forefathers put their trust in you; they trusted, and you delivered them. They cried out to you and were delivered; they trusted in you and were not put to shame. But as for me, I am a worm and no man, scorned by all and despised by the people.
*********************************************
Have you ever felt forsaken by God? Has there been a time in your life when you wondered if He was with you, if He was still watching over you?
Whenever I read the 22nd Psalm, I am struck by the spectrum of feelings it represents on behalf of the Psalmist who wrote it. I encourage you to get the Bible you have on a shelf somewhere in your house, or the one you keep close by at all times (you can just Google it too, of course), and read through the whole thing. It is such an interesting piece of scripture because of its constant turns between despair and praise. You can almost see the giant pendulum of the Psalmist's mind and heart, swinging over its long course...back and forth...back and forth.
The picture the Psalmist paints is that of a man who has lost everything. What comes to mind, for me is Smeagol, the scrawny bag of bones, half-naked character from the Lord of the Rings movies. Not only is the first part of Psalm 22 reminiscent of the constant dialogue Smeagol has with evil alter-ego, Gollum, but the physical appearance the Psalmist describes, "I am poured out like water, all my bones are out of joint...I can count all of my bones..." seems to match this character too. This is a man who is likely standing alone out in a dusty street, walking around in half-crazed circles, shouting at the sky, then weeping in a curled mass in the dirt.
The opening to the Psalm also represents one of the "Last Seven Words of Christ", which he spoke while hanging on the cross. As we all do at times, Christ looks to Heaven and pleads with God on His seemingly forsaken status. Yes, even Christ, who although was fully God was also fully Man, and therefore had a conflicted spirit.
It is also ironic that this Psalm is immediately followed by the 23rd Psalm, arguably the most famous of all the Psalms. The 23rd Psalm sits in stark juxtaposition to the prevalent theme of questioning woven throughout Psalm 22. It is almost a palate-cleansing response, standing assured, saying "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."; and, "Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil." I encourage you to read this one too.
Dear friends, all of us have dry times. Each of us wonders if God is with us. We waffle between the sure knowledge of God's work in our lives and the questioning spirit of the seemingly abandoned. God created each of us and His creation is perfect. Do not fear that your spiritual conflict somehow puts you out of favor with God, because you, even in your time of fear and doubt, are a part of that perfect creation.
Read Psalm 22 all the way to the end. You will see the Psalmist rising from the dusty and dry ground. He stands up, straightening his appearance, the countenance of peace crossing his face. He is filled with the spirit of the Lord and stands firmly, praising the power, majesty and grace of the one true God. He has come full circle and is at peace.
So, even in times of great despair, praise the Lord. We all feel conflicted. Remember that words have power, and that by praising God even in your times of doubt, your spirit will once again swing slowly back into the assured faith of His presence, love, care and mercy.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me and are so far from my cry and from the words of my distress? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not answer; by night as well, but I find no rest. Yet you are the Holy One, enthroned upon the praises of Israel. Our forefathers put their trust in you; they trusted, and you delivered them. They cried out to you and were delivered; they trusted in you and were not put to shame. But as for me, I am a worm and no man, scorned by all and despised by the people.
*********************************************
Have you ever felt forsaken by God? Has there been a time in your life when you wondered if He was with you, if He was still watching over you?
Whenever I read the 22nd Psalm, I am struck by the spectrum of feelings it represents on behalf of the Psalmist who wrote it. I encourage you to get the Bible you have on a shelf somewhere in your house, or the one you keep close by at all times (you can just Google it too, of course), and read through the whole thing. It is such an interesting piece of scripture because of its constant turns between despair and praise. You can almost see the giant pendulum of the Psalmist's mind and heart, swinging over its long course...back and forth...back and forth.
The picture the Psalmist paints is that of a man who has lost everything. What comes to mind, for me is Smeagol, the scrawny bag of bones, half-naked character from the Lord of the Rings movies. Not only is the first part of Psalm 22 reminiscent of the constant dialogue Smeagol has with evil alter-ego, Gollum, but the physical appearance the Psalmist describes, "I am poured out like water, all my bones are out of joint...I can count all of my bones..." seems to match this character too. This is a man who is likely standing alone out in a dusty street, walking around in half-crazed circles, shouting at the sky, then weeping in a curled mass in the dirt.
The opening to the Psalm also represents one of the "Last Seven Words of Christ", which he spoke while hanging on the cross. As we all do at times, Christ looks to Heaven and pleads with God on His seemingly forsaken status. Yes, even Christ, who although was fully God was also fully Man, and therefore had a conflicted spirit.
It is also ironic that this Psalm is immediately followed by the 23rd Psalm, arguably the most famous of all the Psalms. The 23rd Psalm sits in stark juxtaposition to the prevalent theme of questioning woven throughout Psalm 22. It is almost a palate-cleansing response, standing assured, saying "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."; and, "Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil." I encourage you to read this one too.
Dear friends, all of us have dry times. Each of us wonders if God is with us. We waffle between the sure knowledge of God's work in our lives and the questioning spirit of the seemingly abandoned. God created each of us and His creation is perfect. Do not fear that your spiritual conflict somehow puts you out of favor with God, because you, even in your time of fear and doubt, are a part of that perfect creation.
Read Psalm 22 all the way to the end. You will see the Psalmist rising from the dusty and dry ground. He stands up, straightening his appearance, the countenance of peace crossing his face. He is filled with the spirit of the Lord and stands firmly, praising the power, majesty and grace of the one true God. He has come full circle and is at peace.
So, even in times of great despair, praise the Lord. We all feel conflicted. Remember that words have power, and that by praising God even in your times of doubt, your spirit will once again swing slowly back into the assured faith of His presence, love, care and mercy.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Mar 25 - "This Woman's Work"
Collect of the Day: The Annunciation of Our Lord to the Virgin Mary
"Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
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Today is the celebration of Mary being visited by an angel, giving her the news that she was to bear the Son of God. (only 9 months until Christmas...start shopping now!)
Can you imagine what it must have been like to be Mary? A young girl, likely not even 20 years old at the time, being told that she would carry this Gift, this Precious Child. She would be responsible for raising Him and caring for Him. As if the news of being with child is not challenge enough for any woman, but to have the Son of God in your womb. Wow...that's some pressure!
There are times in our lives when we receive really big news, good and bad. What often measures us is how we respond to that news. How does Mary respond? Well, here is when we see the strength of a woman, when put in a tough situation. She says, beginning in Luke, chapter 1, verse 46:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for He has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name."
Now that is grace under pressure. She does not run away or ask that someone else be chosen. She must have known how hard things were going to be, explaining to her family and her soon-to-be husband Joseph, what she had been asked to do. Mary glorifies God and gives thanks for the gift she has been given, relishing in the great responsibility which has been thrust upon her.
In comparison, what do some of the more famous men of the bible do when called by the Lord or similarly challenged? Moses asks God to pick someone else; Jonah takes a boat in the opposite direction of where God told him to go; Zechariah discounts God's power to make him a Father; Joseph initially wants to ditch Mary; Peter denies knowing Christ three times. We men are such goofballs, most of the time. We strut around thinking we are "all that". But when the rubber hits the road, we sometimes fall short and it is a woman who brings us around and points us in the right direction.
Some of you faithful readers who are men and are reading this may say, "Wait a minute, I work hard...I do good things...I help with things!" All of this is true. But, guys, if we are being honest with ourselves, we know that the reason many of us are as "successful" in life as we are, is because at least one woman has or had a hand in it. Was it your Mom or Grandma? Maybe a teacher or a good friend? Your wife? Certainly, my wife Greta makes me a better man every day. My daughters inspire me to be more than I would be if they were not in my life.
So, today, celebrate the glory of all that is being a woman! Gives thanks for grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, nieces and granddaughters...all women. Women, spend today rejoicing in the essence of being a woman. Men, tell a woman today how much you value the gifts she brings to your life. Thank you, Lord, for the beauty and grace you have given to the world in the gift of women. Praise to you, Heavenly Father, for making women distinct and special in a way that glorifies your wisdom and power.
"Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
**************************************
Today is the celebration of Mary being visited by an angel, giving her the news that she was to bear the Son of God. (only 9 months until Christmas...start shopping now!)
Can you imagine what it must have been like to be Mary? A young girl, likely not even 20 years old at the time, being told that she would carry this Gift, this Precious Child. She would be responsible for raising Him and caring for Him. As if the news of being with child is not challenge enough for any woman, but to have the Son of God in your womb. Wow...that's some pressure!
There are times in our lives when we receive really big news, good and bad. What often measures us is how we respond to that news. How does Mary respond? Well, here is when we see the strength of a woman, when put in a tough situation. She says, beginning in Luke, chapter 1, verse 46:
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for He has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His Name."
Now that is grace under pressure. She does not run away or ask that someone else be chosen. She must have known how hard things were going to be, explaining to her family and her soon-to-be husband Joseph, what she had been asked to do. Mary glorifies God and gives thanks for the gift she has been given, relishing in the great responsibility which has been thrust upon her.
In comparison, what do some of the more famous men of the bible do when called by the Lord or similarly challenged? Moses asks God to pick someone else; Jonah takes a boat in the opposite direction of where God told him to go; Zechariah discounts God's power to make him a Father; Joseph initially wants to ditch Mary; Peter denies knowing Christ three times. We men are such goofballs, most of the time. We strut around thinking we are "all that". But when the rubber hits the road, we sometimes fall short and it is a woman who brings us around and points us in the right direction.
Some of you faithful readers who are men and are reading this may say, "Wait a minute, I work hard...I do good things...I help with things!" All of this is true. But, guys, if we are being honest with ourselves, we know that the reason many of us are as "successful" in life as we are, is because at least one woman has or had a hand in it. Was it your Mom or Grandma? Maybe a teacher or a good friend? Your wife? Certainly, my wife Greta makes me a better man every day. My daughters inspire me to be more than I would be if they were not in my life.
So, today, celebrate the glory of all that is being a woman! Gives thanks for grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, nieces and granddaughters...all women. Women, spend today rejoicing in the essence of being a woman. Men, tell a woman today how much you value the gifts she brings to your life. Thank you, Lord, for the beauty and grace you have given to the world in the gift of women. Praise to you, Heavenly Father, for making women distinct and special in a way that glorifies your wisdom and power.
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