Jesus Is Dead

Posted on by April 19, 2014
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Luke 23:54-56 — And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

It’s Saturday. At Easter it often seems as though we treat Saturday as just the day between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. It’s so much more …
The women prepared spices and ointments … And rested the Sabbath day. What do you think that “rest” was like — for the women, and the other disciples? I can’t think that it was very restful.
“Jesus is dead”. That was the only truth for the disciples on that day. They did not have the benefit of hindsight that we have. Nor, despite all Jesus’s best efforts, had they grasped the truth of his promises to them. All they could say is “Jesus is dead”.
Have you been there? Have you ever come to a point in your life when everything seemed at an end, and there was no future? I have. Myra has.
There was a time in my life when I lost my job. I loved that job. I was good at it. I’d been moving up nicely through the ranks. Then I was suddenly surplus to requirements. I had no job. No future. I was worthless. I had no value.
Myra’s husband died. The death was after a long lingering illness, but still shocking in it’s suddenness, from an unrelated, unexpected cause. Suddenly she was a widow. It happened, literally, on a Friday. On Saturday she was alone, with no friends calling and no future.
On those days when our works crumbles around us are the Good Fridays of our lives. The times after when we cannot see the future are the Easter Saturdays of our lives.
There is of course, a little wrinkle that we have to deal with. Our Saturdays can be long. Our Saturdays can be longer than we can ever imagine. Our Saturdays can be so long that we don’t even know that that is what they are.
Yesterday I mentioned “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming” — that great sermon of Good Friday hope. But where will we find Easter Saturday hope? There’s one place. You know where it is … I have no deep unexpected answer to the question. Our hope lies in our hindsight!
Unlike those disciples, we know about that Sunday. We know Saturday follows Friday … But we also know that Saturday is followed by that glorious Sunday. We know that today, Jesus is dead … But tomorrow, He’s alive!

Acceleration.

Posted on by April 18, 2014
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2 Peter 3:8-10 — But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Something has been on my mind this week.
Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday. Suddenly, stunningly, the King has entered his capital city, been betrayed, been crucified and has risen. Suddenly the pace has picked up, the trap has been sprung, Satan is defeated and the redemption of man has begun.
Now, despite the many educated men who have made estimates, we’re not honestly sure how many years there were between the Garden of Eden and the Garden of Gethsamene, but there were a lot! Nobody has managed to suggest many fewer than 4000. 4000 years of waiting and then boom! Jesus comes, and sets redemption in motion. 4000 years, and then a week turns the curve of history from seemingly inevitably, inexorably downwards to an upwards thrust towards glorious eternity.
Peter pointed out that anyone who thinks God is slow moving is making a big mistake, God’s perspective on time is very different from ours. It seems as though he is waiting patiently, but truly it is not so … He is not waiting to pick the right moment. He is all knowing and unchanging — the moment was always known to Him!
We should take the lesson to heart. As in the grand events of Passion week, so in the small details of our life. We have a foolish tendency, sometimes, to feel that we have “plenty of time”. It is not so. If we consider our own experiences most of us will know that there are times when we have seen the hand of God like a lightning flash in our lives … A death of a relative, the loss of a job or — on the bright side — an unexpected opportunity, or an unanticipated gift.
We are surprised by the events of our lives, but we can know that God is never surprised. Those events are part of His scheme for our lives. That scheme may seem to contain a long deep fall, and yet for each if us there is a moment when we can come to repentance — a moment that can turn the curve of our life from seemingly inevitable disaster to an upwards thrust towards glorious eternity.

Don’t Miss Thursday!

Posted on by April 17, 2014
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Luke 22:17-19 — And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: for I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, Good Friday … Days we love, and love to worship on. But Thursday? Yes, Thursday.
We don’t stop enough to meditate on the Thursday before Good Friday, but it contains moments of wonder and tragedy that should give seed for hours of quiet contemplation.
It was on that Thursday that the Last Supper took place. Jesus gave us the sacrament of Communion.
It was on that Thursday that Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane, and gave us the perfect example of obedience — “saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42 KJVA)
It was on that Thursday that Jesus was betrayed, “when he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.” (Luke 22:42, 47 KJVA)
That Thursday was a day of wonders and miracles. And yet, most often, those of us in the evangelical churches tend to skip over it. Other denominations look differently at this holy day.
Myra and I were raised in England, where the Church of England has a unique way of celebrating the day which is there called “Maundy Thursday”. The name “Maundy” refers to a Latin word, “mandatum” meaning “instruction” because of the instruction that Jesus gave us at the Last Supper that His followers should love one another.
The day is marked by a special ceremony during which the British Monarch ceremonially distributes small silver coins known as “Maundy money” to as many elderly men and women, chosen because of the Christian service they have given to the Church and community, as there are years in the sovereign’s age.
Over the years the ceremony has simplified. In the Middle Ages, The King or Queen washed the feet of beggars in imitation of Jesus, and presented gifts and money to the poor. In modern times the feet washing has been abandoned and extra money has replaced the clothing and other items that used to be given.
You might think the Church of England ceremony is a bit elaborate. (I happen to think it’s beautiful). However that might be, I hope these few thoughts might focus you, a little more, on this special day. Don’t miss Thursday!

If It’s Friday, Hang On

Posted on by April 16, 2014
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Matthew 21:6-11 –,And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set Him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when He was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

It was wonderful. The Messiah entering the capital of His kingdom. Wonderful. All was going to be well. The Romans were going to be swept away. “Hosanna” the people cried. “Save now, we pray”.
It was terrible. The Messiah nailed to a cross outside of the city. Terrible. The followers scattered. It was a shambles. There was no saving from the barbarian oppressors. The people had turned on their “Messiah” and led the cry for the crucifixion.
This is the time, of course, to contemplate the happenings of that week in Jerusalem. I was praying about it this morning, and it struck me that the triumphal entry, followed by the swift rejection, was a picture of what happens to many new believers.
Do you remember when you got saved? Was it a great moment in your life? Was it a glorious revelation – and did you think Christ was going to come marching into your life, and drive out all the bad things that had you captive and start a whole new life for you? And what happened next?
After you got saved did life remain a struggle? In fact did some parts of it get even harder? It did for me. There were some parts of my life that became a shambles. I felt disappointed. Things were not what I expected at all. But then …
Did you ever hear Tony Campolo’s famous rendering of S. M. Lockridge’s sermon “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming”? The climax is glorious:

It’s Sunday, and the crucified and resurrected Christ has defeated death, hell, sin and the grave. It’s Sunday. And now everything has changed. It’s the age of grace, God’s grace poured out on all who would look to that crucified lamb of Calvary. Grace freely given to all who would believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary was buried and rose again. All because it’s Sunday.

So it is for the truly saved saint. Times might get tricky. There might by a triumphal entry into the kingdom, followed by dark times and even a Good Friday of the soul. But fear not … Sunday’s coming.  Recall this great promise that Paul writes in his letter to the Romans:

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Slow Down And Smell The Roses!

Posted on by April 15, 2014
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Matthew 6:28-29 — And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Proverbs 6:6-8 — Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

No, really, consider the lilies. Consider the ways of the ant. Spend time, stop, look and listen.
The “lilies” were probably the crown anemone, a showy flower with as many as 25 different color varieties in Israel. Not that it really matters precisely what flower is referred to. Israel is home to many beautiful species … Not only does God array the lilies, but He arrays his bride,Israel, too.
When you stop to look at them closely, flowers are amazing. You can count at least 9 separate parts … each with its own particular function … the stalk, the petals, the sepals and all the rest. Do you ever just stop and look?
Ants are pretty amazing too. They are strong, organized, and disciplined. Do you ever look at how fast they move? If an ant was the size of a racehorse it could win the Derby. An ant can lift 20 times it’s body weight. (If my Myra could do that she could raise a ton. She’s strong … But not that strong!) Ants use scent to pass messages, and move eggs and larvae around to keep them warm. Those little insects are designed by God to work together!
Lilies and ants … Miracles of creation. How many more are there? How many did you stop and look at today? The Jewish comedian Eddie Cantor understood the importance of slowing down and smelling the roses. He said:

Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going to fast-you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.

Every day as Myra takes me to work and back, we’re passed by people who are so focused on making progress that they completely ignore what’s going on around them.
What all this makes me wonder about is whether there are people who live their faith lives in the same way. Are they so busy with action that they don’t stop and smell the spiritual roses? I wonder if there are people who get through the daily reading plan, but don’t have time to contemplate the verses? Is there anyone who works through the prayer list but doesn’t have time to think about the people they’re praying for? I don’t know … I’m just wondering …

This Too Shall Pass

Posted on by April 14, 2014
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Psalm 39:4-5 — Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as a handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity.

How are things going for you? Is life good? Maybe life is tough?
Helen Steiner Rice’s poem might not be great art — but it teaches the essential lesson of life …

If I can endure for this minute whatever is happening to me,
No matter how heavy my heart is or how dark the moment may be

If I can remain calm and quiet with all the world crashing about me,
Secure in the knowledge God loves me when everyone else seems to doubt me

If I can but keep on believing what I know in my heart to be true,
That darkness will fade with the morning and that this will pass away, too

Then nothing in life can defeat me for as long as this knowledge remains, I can suffer whatever is happening for I know God will break all of the chains

That are binding me tight in the darkness and trying to fill me with fear
For there is no night without dawning And I know that my morning is near.

Every Christian knows, in his heart of hearts, that whatever happens in this life is two things — a learning opportunity, and a prelude to eternal life.
The challenge, of course, is that it’s easy in the abstract — easy to know that this life is temporary and eternity is … well … eternal. When it comes to real life it’s harder. It’s easy to believe the good times will roll forever or to forget that even all bad things come to an end.
The Psalmist reminds us that it’s not always even “in the long run” — we are frail, and our days are but a hand breadth … The theme, or variants of it occurs elsewhere in the Psalms:

For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Psalm 90:9-10)

There is a limit to our lifespan. Day by day that thought should motivate us to make the best use we can of every moment, and give us courage and strength to endure through any difficulties.

That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. (Psalm 104:28-28)

During life we can — indeed we must — depend on God’s provision. We need to know, too, that we must depend on — but not resume on — that provision that can end at any moment.
Scripture gives us the assurance of eternity … And reminds us of the brevity of earthly life. So whatever you’re living today, remember “This too shall pass”.

Got Your Priorities Straight?

Posted on by April 13, 2014
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1 Timothy 4:8 — For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Spent some time this afternoon watching the U.S. Masters. You might think it odd that a non-athletic type like me, who has never even played golf, should be so interested. But I’m fascinated by the twists and turns, and the interplay between the characters involved.
My sporting interests had to be suspended this afternoon though, as we had a choir practice. Of course I’d rather be singing than watching golf so it was a pleasure. What was great to see was that most of the choir obviously feel the same way, although I know there’s quite a few avid golfers in the number.
It’s not like that all the time with everyone. Sometimes I’m saddened when I’m in the choir loft looking out on a congregation that obviously fluctuates according to what other attractions might be on offer.
Of course, after I’ve self-righteously mused on the fickleness of other church goers there’s that voice speaking up in the back of mind. “Oh yes, and how many Sundays have you missed recently because you’ve been away for work?” “Well, yes,” I say, “but that’s different. That’s work.” Back comes the answer — “So you have your priorities, and they have their’s and your’s are more important?” Ouch!
Balancing priorities might be the hardest problem, day-to-day, that a man has to deal with. Maybe it’s the same for a woman too, but I’m not fool enough to claim that I know! But when you have work, family, church, leisure … Ministry, mission, vocation … All these to weigh against each other, what’s a man to do?
God makes the issues quite plain. First things first — “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” Nothing can come before God in our priorities. Though it’s not so explicit, I think what comes next is pretty clear too: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” That’s a very high order of sacrifice, and it seems to me that it makes a man’s wife number two in the priority list. Then comes work. God gave us work, so I’m pretty sure that’s important.
What about all the other stuff? Well to me it’s a sort of pyramid. God’s on top. Wife next. Then work. All the rest — sport, leisure, hobbies … Even ministry … whatever … only matters to the extent that it supports those top three priorities.
You know I’m not certain that my priorities are right for everyone. They are my priorities, as best I understand them. How about you, have you got your priorities straight. Here’s a clue. If golf comes first, read what Paul says about bodily exercise!

Enough Is As Good As A Feast

Posted on by April 12, 2014
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Proverbs 30:7-9 — Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Sometimes I think the chapter of Proverbs credited to humble Agur might be the one that moves me most. These verses, above all, express desires of my heart.
First Agur says “Keep me far away from vanity and deceit”. The ideas of vanity and deceit are internal wickedness and its external expression. “Don’t let me be influenced by evil, and don’t let me behave evilly. In fact, don’t let bad influences come anywhere near me.”
The first of Agur’s requests is, perhaps, not so unusual. The second is different … “Don’t let me have too little.” Perhaps that’s obvious enough. But also, “Don’t let me have too much.” In this modern age, the idea of saying “Please give me my daily bread … and not a morsel more” is an unusual one.
Agur provides very understandable motives for his material desires. Too little might lead him to the sin of theft. Too much might lead him to the sin of ingratitude. Now I don’t know that I would become a thief but I have seen a lot of people, growing wealthy beyond their needs, becoming proud. I have seen them forget to whom they owe their prosperity. I don’t know that I am bold enough to claim that such a thing could never happen to me. I know that “things” sometimes have an unhealthy attraction for me, and I know Jesus’s warning against trying to serve God and wealth.
Agur’s requests have the deepest of underlying reverence for God. On the one hand he fears denying the adequacy of God’s provision and on the other hand he fears denying God the credit for His provision.
In his reverence, Agur acknowledges that God knows best. He knows the truth beautifully expressed by the Reverend Richard Halverson:

In His providence, God knows how much joy and sorrow, how much pleasure and pain, how much prosperity and poverty is proper for His child. He knows the correct balance of sunshine and storm, the precise mixture of darkness and light it takes to perfect a son.

My prayer is that I too may have Agur’s wisdom, and reverence, and trust.

Give Me Clean Hands And A Clean Heart

Posted on by April 11, 2014
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Psalm 18:20-24 — The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.

I have always found this passage in Psalm 18 astounding. Could you make the claims David makes here? Be honest now … could you look at yourself in the mirror, read those words, and not blush? I couldn’t.
Now don’t get me wrong … I’m not a villain … in fact I like to think that by any human terms I’m not really a bad guy at all. But i’ve certainly done some things in my life that I’m ashamed of and I’m well aware, day to day, that I do things I shouldn’t and think thoughts that were better unthought.
But never mind my self-centered point of view. How about David? Was he really as clean-handed as he painted himself? In fact if you read his story you’ll find some pretty dubious activities, even before the shameful business with Uriah the Hittites wife. David himself seems to paint a very different story in the so-called “Penitential Psalms” — 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130 and 143. How are we to reconcile the two stories?
There is a deeper issue than the one of behavior. God’s view of David … and you, and me … is not based on behavior. His view is based on the heart. David knew that, no matter how his foot might slip from time, his integrity was sure. Spurgeon puts the case when he reflects on verse 21 in “The Treasury of David”:

The words of this verse refer to the saint as a traveller carefully keeping to “the ways of the Lord,” and “not wickedly,” that is, designedly, wilfully, persistently, defiantly forsaking the ordained pathway in which God favours the pilgrim with his presence. Observe how it is implied in the expression “and have not wickedly departed from my God,” that David lived habitually in communion with God, and knew him to be his own God, whom he might speak of as “my God.” God never departs from his people, let them take heed of departing from him.

Living our lives as best we can there is no inconsistency in honestly confessing and repenting our faults as David did, and asserting our integrity as David did — especially if we consider the context of David’s claim.
David is making no grand universal claim to perfection. Written at the start of this Psalm we find:

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who addressed the words of this song to the LORD on the day when the LORD rescued him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.

David is claiming that as Saul unjustly attacked him, he had not responded wickedly. We know it is true, and that he did not raise his hand — ever — against the Lord’s anointed. His claim is that The Lord has blessed him for his obedience. When we show similar obedience, and when it is against a background of integrity, we may similarly anticipate that blessing!

Are You As Ungrateful As Me?

Posted on by April 10, 2014
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Romans 1:21 — because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

I’m on my way back from a long and tiring business trip — the second one I’ve taken recently, and I know there’s more to come. This morning I was feeling a bit sorry for myself, as the airlines have started making simple things like checking in online and getting a seat assigned much more difficult than I am used to, so I had to get to the airport extra early.
As I was doing my usual morning stuff (I’m trying not to be detailed, those are images you don’t need!) I started to think … or more likely the Holy Spirit started to do some thinking for me, and I realized how uniquely privileged and (again) how very ungrateful I am.
One way to look at things is to think about all the people in the world, and to try to understand how many don’t have food, running water, shelter, healthcare or education … never mind all those little niceties that make life in modern Western societies so comfortable and convenient.
The time dimension provides another perspective. For most of history somebody like me, coming from a poor family and with no practical skills, and no great physical strength, could have expected to live in miserable circumstances. My daily work would have been manual and menial. My daily diet would likely have been minimal and monotonous. I would have had no very pleasant house, and running water could well have been a luxury (as it is, inside toilets were rare until I was lucky enough to be able to go to college). And that would have been the way of it for the vast majority of the population, in all societies, throughout history.
There is one other aspect to my good fortune, one other privilege that has been denied to most people throughout the ages and throughout the world. I am a follower of The Lord Jesus Christ, which in itself is a source of abiding joy.
Isn’t it odd that although we live our lives on a platform of joy, the irritants of day to day living can reduce us to being, like the Israelites in the wilderness, a murmuring whining crew!
So am I resolved to do better? Certainly I am.Will I succeed? Not if it depends on my human will! I like a quotation from Daniel W. Blair (about whom I know nothing else!): “Man in his spiritual pride has exchanged God’s method of self-denial for Satan’s plan of self–improvement.” I will not become more grateful and less whiney by my own efforts, but only by the application of Paul’s instruction to the Romans: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)