journey onWord with us

So here is how my life has been going recently…

• God moved in a miraculous way answering a prayer of my heart for an opportunity to serve.
• We arrived at the one year anniversary of the tragic loss of a new baby cousin at birth.
• I had an outstanding annual review at work in the face of a very difficult year.
• My oldest son played the smartest baseball game I have ever witnessed.
• We celebrated the birth of a new baby cousin.
• I attended a funeral of a man I didn’t know on Good Friday and responded to the leading of the Spirit to speak a few words to a crowd of people, most of whom I didn’t know.
• My oldest son experienced a major embarrassment in the middle of a baseball game and met it with monumental courage.
• We received news that our cousins, who lost their baby just a year ago, are expecting a new baby boy or girl in the fall.
• Within the span of a few days, two dear friends received a diagnosis of cancer.
• Another round of personnel reductions was announced at work, and there was certainty it would directly affect people in the group I work for.
• I finished reading an inspiring biography of an author I love.
• A few days before I finished the biography, I learned that author had recently died.

This morning I opened my iPad, launched the Bible app and was met by the following verse of the day…

Hebrews 13:8 (ESV, NLT, HCSB, NIV, CEB, NASB)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

When I read those words, I let out a long exhale, and it was as if every one of those bullets above (and more) exited from my body on the current of that breath.  It was the “casting” in I Peter 5:7 (Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.).  It was the very real experience of biblical truth that in the midst of a crowded and tumultuous life, Jesus, and all that He is, remains the singular constant.

The bright, shiny, blinking lights of our circumstances so often cause us to take our eyes off Him and focus on them.  We see Jesus as a flat line above our circumstances, and we perceive closeness or distance as our life spikes moment by moment towards pain or joy.

As I sat a while longer with verse 8, I began to see the chart differently.  The flat line representing Jesus grew increasingly thicker, to the point where it encompassed the spikes.  I believe the truth of that specific verse declares that even in our most intense moments of pain or joy, we never leave that line.  There is no varying closeness or distance as our circumstances spike.  He is ever-present and unchanging, and our circumstances never extend beyond Him.

I don’t mean to reduce the present pain or joy you find yourself in today.  I am simply responding to a truth He reminded me of this morning, and I hope it encourages you.  I pray you experience an exhale common to mine as you read the verse, and you take heart that He is ever-present and unchanging in your bulleted list of how life has been going recently.

You may have noticed the multiple translations that were listed after the chapter and verse reference above.  In studying or responding to scripture, I often seek multiple translations.  As I did that this morning, with the exception of commas and an “and” here or there, multiple translations all spoke the same words.  The same verse … the same words … the same Jesus … yesterday, today, and forever.

There is one more thing I feel is worth noting about this significant truth and what it means in, and for, our lives.  I found it in the closing sentence of verse 7 in The Message, and it reads as a powerful preface to verse 8…

There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn’t change — yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.

Not only is Jesus an ever-present constant in the midst of our circumstances, There should be a consistency that runs through us all in the midst of those circumstances as well.

Exhale, then throw your arms around the Ever-Present Constant as your one and only help in living consistently in the sight of others through the spikes of your circumstances.  You have the opportunity to show Jesus to those around you as you navigate the bulleted list of your everyday.  Draw near and hold tight to the Ever-Present Constant.

Anyone looking back at the seasons of their life will certainly find some high points, and also times of discouragement and defeat. Often the times of defeat are due to our own selfishness and sin. God gives us a glimpse of real life through the pages of His Word. One of the most referenced real life heroes is David. Tracking the events of his life helps us relate our high points, discouraging moments and devastating defeats to those of a “man after God’s own heart.” He went from shepherd, to battle hero, then to a fugitive, and eventually a King. He committed adultery, had a man murdered, and lived with deep pain. Although our issues may not be exactly like his, we all know the peaks and valleys of real life. One particular high point for David is often overlooked but gives us great lessons.

David the king was a man of power. In II Samuel 9, we find an event that clearly shows him also to be a man of grace and kindness. To me, this event shows the heart of a man who loved God and showed that love to others. It is well-known that David had a special relationship with Saul’s (former King) son Jonathon. David lived as a fugitive from Saul, and over the course of that time, both Saul and Jonathon died. When news of their deaths came, another tragedy happened.

II Samuel 4:4
Jonathon son of Saul had a son who was lame in both feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathon came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she hurried to leave, he fell and became crippled. His name was Mephibosheth.

Dad and grandfather are dead and this child is crippled for life. You can imagine the heartbreak and life struggles that ensued. But fast-forward about twenty years. Mephibosheth is a crippled young man in his middle twenties, and David is on top militarily, spiritually and financially.  One day David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathon’s sake?” (II Samuel 9:1  NIV)

David had earlier agreed to not destroy Saul’s family. But think about this for a moment – it is now many years after Saul’s death, and David is looking to show kindness. Sounds like a “man after God’s own heart” to me.

As the events unfold, we find David showing great grace and kindness to Mephibosheth. He restores the land that had belonged to his grandfather Saul. David also committed that Mephibosheth would always eat at his (David’s) table. David may have been honoring Jonathon’s legacy, but to me there is more. A man at the top, reaching out to the hopeless! I believe that he was being sensitive to His Father’s leading. What a significant example to us as we daily strive to follow our Father’s leading.  If we look outward, and submit to the Spirit, we too can be used to show kindness to a crippled Mephibosheth in our own life. Who is it in your life that needs grace and kindness?

My wife and I were on vacation last week when the eyes of America suddenly became fixed on Boston.  In a brief moment, the day of celebration and athletic accomplishment became a nightmare.  In the days following the tragic event, we all witnessed deep pain, remarkable heroism and a deep sense of relief when the standoff ended. An overriding emotion has captured me while viewing and re-viewing the Boston tragedy … Life can change so quickly!  Consequently, how can I (we) gain perspective personally to live each day well, knowing that life can change in the blink of an eye?

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been studying the life of David. I have pondered many insights about his life that can encourage us all.  But something that I read at thirty thousand feet last Wednesday helped me gain some personal perspective about living well.  Then yesterday afternoon, while going through a stack of old paperwork, the same article appeared.  I had used it in 2005. Reading it to others was great, but I have not always applied the principles well.  Finding the article twice in one week convinced me to share it with you. You may have heard it before, but maybe today you will see the need to apply the principles. Remember, one lesson from last week is that life changes ever so quickly.

If I had my life to live over, I’d try to make more mistakes next time.  I would relax. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I know of very few things that I would take seriously.  I would be crazier. I would be less hygienic.  I would take more chances.  I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers, watch more sunsets.  I would walk more.  I would eat more ice cream and fewer beans.  I would have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones.  You see, I am one of those people who live prophylactically and sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day.  Oh, I have had my moments, and if I had it to do over again, I’d have more of them.  In fact, I’d try to have nothing else.  Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead each day.  I have been one of those people who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat, and a parachute.  If I had it to do over again, I would go places and do things and travel lighter than I have.  If I had my life to do over, I would start barefooted earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.  I would play hooky more; I wouldn’t make such good grades except by accident. I would ride on more merry-go-rounds.  I would pick more daisies. (Steve May, The Story File)

Extreme? Yes, but since we get very few do-overs in life, why not live this one well, with a sense of laughter, fun and a desire to enjoy every moment. Because life can change so quickly! In trying so hard to be the perfect parent, make the most money, achieve every dream and somehow be the best at everything, we lose the laughter, the fun and the moments that we can never recover.  Life is brief at best. Christ came to give us life (eternally) and joy on this journey. Last week reminded me again to live it well, and to capture each moment. Life can change so quickly!

Although there is nothing I could write that could capture the essence of what we witnessed last week, I hope these brief words will cause you to live life well today. And never forget that there is hope in Christ!

Recently, while preparing to teach on the life of the Apostle John, I was struck with the picture of a man whose inward life looked much like our own. You may think that I’m stretching things a bit when I dare to compare our lives to that of one of the 12 men chosen to be the representatives of Jesus, but let’s take a closer look to see if this claim has any validity.

John grew up on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, becoming a fisherman like his father Zebedee. When I think of a fisherman, I think of someone whose character has been forged by hard work and back-breaking labor. Fishing, as a way of life, was not for the faint of heart. From the constant maintenance of the fishing nets and boats, to long hours and sometimes stormy seas, it was no easy life.  How about your life?  Do “hard work”, “back-breaking labor”, “long hours” and “stormy seas” sound familiar to you?  Whether you labor with your hands, heart or head, those all sound like things that are typical of our professional lives these days.

Many biblical scholars describe John’s early character traits (before he met the Fisher of men) as hotheaded, rash, reckless and self-centered. I guess that makes sense in light of Jesus referring to John and his brother James as “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17). How about any of those early character traits, do any sound true of you?

Mark 1:19-20 (ESV)
“And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

The act of accepting the call and following Jesus did not immediately change John.  Consider the words and actions of he and his brother in Mark 10:35-37…

“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” (ESV) 

John and his brother go behind the backs of the other apostles with the express purpose of gaining position over the other ten apostles. They even went to the extent of enlisting their mother Salome to also speak to Jesus on their behalf.  In Luke 9:52-56, John and his brother ask Jesus if they should “…tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” after the people in a Samaritan village snub Jesus.  And, oh yes, what about the time when John took it on his own to tell Jesus about stopping someone from casting out demons because they were not part of their group? (Mark 9:38)  Desiring to be first, drawing someone you love into a selfish scheme, taking Jesus’ place in judging and punishing, discerning who is “in” and who is “out” when it comes to kingdom work … could any of these be true of us?

Each of the incidents mentioned above revealed John’s spiritual immaturity, and each brought a rebuke from Jesus. But each also shaped John into the man he was meant to be, and that Jesus and His church would need him to be.

Lets see what three years with Jesus did for John…

John was one of the first disciples chosen.
John was the only one of the twelve apostles present at the cross.
After pentecost John fearlessly preached the Gospel in Jerusalem suffering beatings and imprisonment.
John was part of Jesus’s inner circle (Peter,James & John).
John was present at the transfiguration.
Jesus entrusted John with the care of His mother at the cross.

I wonder if you see a little (or a lot) of “early” John in you?  I hope that is not all that you see.  I also hope you see how time spent with Jesus made all the difference in John’s life.  And how that should give you hope for what time spent with Jesus can do for your life too!

I met with a group of men this past Wednesday morning.  These men are from all walks of life. Their stories are wildly divergent, yet, at the same time, they are as common and resonant as can be.  I’ve known most of them for less than a month, yet they have instantly accepted me and, even at times, celebrated me.  I pray your life’s journey includes many scenic overlooks that display the kingdom of God like this group has for me.  And I pray that when you see the sign announcing them, you take the time to pull off the road and sit awhile.

Sometime during our discussion that morning, we got on the topic of God being both a God of love and a God of justice.  It was initially suggested that people desire and are most comfortable with the God of love.  This God is far easier to digest, and the picture of Him is far more attractive to both the believer and non-believer alike.  Something struck me as the discussion continued on in the general consensus of that belief.  The following was my offering when the moment presented itself.

While I believe that to be true, I also believe there are many who strongly desire the God of justice.  Especially in these times when so much of our world seems to be upside-down and so obviously contrary to God’s ways, we want the God of justice.  We want the God who David refers to in Psalms 11:5b-7 (NIV)

…but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.  On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.  For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.

I believe that at the same time we desire that God, we are also so often “disappointed” by that God.  I could recount many examples from the national news headlines, but I’d suggest that we wouldn’t have to go any further than the pages of our own individual lives to adequately prove that point.  Where is the justice, God?!

In the end, I believe our disappointment is derived from our distinctions.  We name him as a God of, and we apply him to our lives as such.  We bring Him to situations and need Him to meet them with an a la carte selection of His characteristics.  He cannot be that for us, He can only be who He is (which is not a God who is simply the sum of His parts).  When we bring Him to something that demands justice, I think we are really looking for judgement and punishment.  When He comes, He brings all of Himself, which encompasses judgement and punishment but also love, grace, mercy, patience, gentleness, and a great many other things that don’t line up with our distinction of Him as a God of “justice.”

Our distinctions shrink God to fit our situations.  When we leave our hearts wide open to the words of Scripture and the people who God brings into our lives, God becomes infinitely and increasingly bigger.  He is not a God of, He is a God who.  Who loves us, who corrects us, who never leaves us, who hates our sin, who takes us in His arms, who made a way when there wasn’t one.  If you know this God, know Him more.  If you don’t know this God, seek Him and you will find Him.

He faced huge problems.  He made right choices; He made wrong choices.  He overcame difficulty; He floundered in times of difficulty.  He was lonely.  He was humbled.  He was the baby in a large family.  He sometimes felt forgotten.  He had huge responsibilities in his life.  He was betrayed by those closest to him.  He was in a troubled marriage; he had a troubled child.

“Who is this?”, you may ask.  This is David.  Yes, the David of Scripture.  And although he lived thousands of years ago, the study of his life is much like reading today’s paper or listening to the evening news.

God must have felt that David was significant enough for us to study in depth, since the story of David’s life spans 54 chapters..  This compared to a couple other heroes faith, like Abraham and Joseph whose story covers 13 and 14 chapters of Scripture respectively.  Only Moses and Paul can be compared in the amount of coverage in the Bible, yet Paul’s name is mentioned only 163 times in Scripture as compared to 1,127 times that David’s name appears.  I think I may understand a little bit of the reason why.  Not only does David’s life and challenges mirror ours today, but God was also always gracious to David, even when he did not deserve God’s grace .. Just Like Us!

The historical setting is 1075 B.C.  Israel had suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of the Philistines.  They had captured the Ark of the Covenant, and this led to the death of Israel’s leader, Eli.  Samuel succeeded Eli as prophet and judge, and would be the last such leader before God would bring a king back to the nation of Israel.  It took 20 years, but Samuel revived the nation spiritually, and God began to bless Israel militarily once again.  But now they wanted a king.  Saul was chosen, but he proved to be unsuitable.  He made many mistakes and lost faith in his Lord.  Finally, God tells Samuel there will be a new king, one of the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem.  Samuel had been told that the new king would be a “captain over his people,” so he was looking for an adult, strong, tall – someone who looked like a king, of course.

I Samuel 16: 10 – 11
Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.”  So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”  There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.”  Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

Every one at this meeting stood until David, the youngest, arrived from the pastures where he tended the family’s sheep.  The moment he arrived, God told Samuel he’s the one, and Samuel anointed him with oil as the future king.

David was all of 15 years old.

David returned to the pastures, and his sheep, where he must have spent many hours pondering what all this meant.  He also practiced his harp and became an excellent musician (which took him to the court of King Saul).  He also wrote beautiful poetry about his Lord, and His creation (ever read a Psalm?).  He also learned how to fight while defending the sheep from bears and lions, (ever read the greatest Bible story ever told?)

Have you ever been lonely?  Have you ever been overlooked?  How about, forgotten?  Have you ever wondered about the direction of your life?  Then be encouraged by the life of David – and know God can use you too.

Spring is trying to come to my town.  Today the temperature could even pass sixty degrees, but it will probably rain. Do I sound worn out after a winter of snow (not too much), clouds and cold weather?  You bet I am; but spring is coming and the clouds will clear, the grass will get greener and warm days are ahead.  Sometimes our spiritual and emotional journeys are reflective of a long cold winter.  Days seem cloudy and dreary and we long for spring (better days).  However, we all have choices. I can be happy on cloudy, cold, and snowy days and we can all live with joy in the midst of cloud-filled seasons.  I am convinced that all the “stuff of life” clouds our days and makes us long for spring-like changes, when in truth, winter days can be beautiful.

In thinking of writing encouraging words for today, I reflected on how easy it is for January (winter) resolutions to become April’s (spring) wishful thinking. But in my life and yours there is too much at stake.  How we live, and what we do matters.  My choice today was to write on Gideon, Samson or Ruth from the reading I have done over the last week.  However, I am convinced that you (like me) may be in need of some April refreshing.  I noticed in my own life that my firmly held resolutions of January began to fade in late March.  I came at this year with clear spiritual, personal and professional goals.  Turning my goals into permanent lifestyle habits not only benefits me, but all those who are affected in any way by my life.  All of the “stuff of life” can become an easy excuse to let those winter resolutions die before the fullness of spring has even taken hold.  But not this year!

Did you start the year determined to make this a different year spiritually?  Your winter may have begun with a strong determination to lose____ lbs.  How are you doing?  Goals such as working less, worrying less, praying more and enjoying the journey more may have been on your winter radar. As spring begins to blossom, how are you progressing?  Since I have already confessed to battling the winter blues and struggling to meet all of my objectives, I have no trouble asking you the same kinds of questions that are important to me.  My philosophy of life contains a thought that will help keep all of us moving if we really believe it. What we value gets done!  Of even greater importance is the thought that what you and I are doing should honor our Lord. So as spring begins this year, do we really value what we resolved to accomplish, and will completing our goals please the Father?

If you are battling the “stuff of life” and feeling a bit guilty, it may be time to re-think your goals. After all, it is spring, and a great moment to refresh your value-based objectives.  John Greenleaf Whittier once wrote a phrase that can challenge all of us.  “For all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: ‘It might have been.’”  Attach those words to what you need to do spiritually, personally and professionally.  Remember what we do and how we live matters.  What was started this winter needs to continue as spring begins to blossom.

I am determined to grow in meaningful ways this year. I’m sure you are just as determined.  To gaze back over this year with the words “it might have been” is just not acceptable. Too much is at stake!  We will all fail along the journey, but if we value real change, change we will! As your friend, I would like to challenge you to review what you determined was important in January (winter). If you still value those same objectives, let them leap to life again with the newness of spring. And remember, never let the words “it might have been” be said of you.

Do you ever come to a turn in the road and sense that your emotional tank is on empty? It may not sound spiritual to admit it, but I do. As you advance in your journey, I am inclined to believe that you (like me) often feel like you are running on fumes. If not careful, you will find that your emotional equilibrium has many “tank drains” with very few “fill-ups”. If you have followed Christ for any length of time, you can glowingly articulate key verses of scripture that give hope. But if you are honestly struggling to not “stall out,” something needs to change. My trust is the next few thoughts are just the journey fuel that you need.

Over the years a friend from another century has blessed me. He is my friend because of his mentoring in my life through his journey. Hudson Taylor was serving God in China, sacrificing for God’s purpose and running on empty. Something happened that changed his life forever and the principle is timeless. From the book of his life, Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret, look at what happened.

“Then came the question, is there no rescue? Must it be thus to the end-constant conflict, and too often defeat? How could I preach with sincerity that, to those who receive Jesus, “to them gave he the power to become the sons of God” (i.e. Godlike) when it was not so in my own experience? Instead of growing stronger, I seemed to be getting weaker and to have less power against sin; and no wonder, for faith and even hope were getting low. I hated myself, I hated my sin, yet gained no strength against it. I felt I was a child of God. His Spirit in my heart would cry, in spite of all, “Abba Father.” But to rise to my privileges as a child, I was utterly powerless.”

If you have ever sensed your emotions were starting to stall-out, you probably have a strong connection to what Hudson Taylor felt. But there was a fill-up on his travels. In a letter from a friend, the Holy Spirit gave him the answer for which he was looking. It was short, but life changing.

“But how to get faith strengthened? Not by striving after faith, but by resting in the Faithful One.”

He was trying too hard to generate faith, and not understanding that he could simply rest in the Faithful One. He grabbed the principle and stopped striving.  Rest came! Our culture is all about striving to succeed. Although we know better, “I can do it” logic bleeds into our spiritual journey. For years, I found myself working (striving) to have His rest. It was futile.  Are you willing to quit trying so hard to grow in faith, and willing to rest in the Faithful One? When the emphasis moves from our striving to His all-powerful, infinite care for us, there is a change that takes place. I call it rest!

Life will continue to have its travel twists and turns, but you no longer need to feel like you are running on fumes. God’s design is not for His children to feel empty. He is waiting to give you a fill-up of emotional and spiritual energy for the next leg of your journey. It won’t cost you four dollars a gallon and you can’t generate the fuel on your own. Stop trying so hard to be faithful, and listen to my mentor – rest in the Faithful One

Special thanks are due to a dear friend and partner at Journey on Word, Mark Robb, for sharing his Passion Week experiences with us. Writing daily articles is a monumental task, and Mark did it well as he opened up himself, and shared great truths that culminated with Christ’s death and resurrection. He is Risen!  For all Christ-followers, the ramifications of Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday are much more than just nice holidays. They gave us our birthright.  However as we head back to work and the normal routines of life, it is certainly easy to minimize the significance of what that birthright means to us. It’s Monday, so what now?

It must have been life-changing as the disciples met with Christ after His resurrection. He showed care for “doubting Thomas” and restored Peter. He also commissioned the disciples to go and make more disciples. Their lives were not to be about self, but about others. Centuries later, we can all be grateful for how they responded. We have no less obligation to be conduits of His love and grace in our 21^st century, fast-paced, technologically driven world. The hope of the resurrection still matters! Wherever this post finds you today, look around and view your opportunity to care for others … all because He Lives in you. It’s Monday, so what now?

Once, while doing some personal reading, I read an unforgettable quote by Soren Kierkegaard. His words resonate with me as I think of living out the hope of my birthright. “Now, by God’s help, I shall become myself.”  Don’t we all want to be the “me” that God designed us to be? Living out His design will always involve others, just as it did for the disciples. In thinking of this quote, I can’t help but think of Peter. Dramatic failure must have haunted him as Christ hung on the cross. But the resurrected Lord restored him, and sent him out to serve. Eventually he died, having been used of God mightily. Undoubtedly he still made blunders and failed the Lord at times, but in view of Scripture it seems that Peter progressed in being the “me” that God designed for Him to be. It’s Monday, so what now?

All Christ-followers need to reflect our birthright. It came by way of the cross and His miraculous resurrection.  Just like Peter, we can be effective in showing others hope and peace through Christ. A few days each year the world turns to a cross and an empty tomb, but daily we can live out its implications. Certainly we need to be appropriate, but never silent about our most important relationship … with Christ! Being the “me” that God has designed us to be won’t look just like Peter, but it will reflect the attributes of Christ. It’s Monday, so what now?

Next year, churches will again gather around the world and celebrate Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. From now until then, you and I have the privilege of living out the truth that He is Alive! It is our birthright! Who on your journey is in need of hope and peace? Your birthright has provided you what they need; be who God designed you to be by sharing it.

Good Friday … Resurrection Sunday … It’s Monday, so what now?

“HE IS RISEN!”  (I can hear your reply, “HE IS RISEN, INDEED!”)  I almost feel like making those three words the only sentence in this Resurrection day post.  The silence of Saturday is burst open with those three words, and the light that radiates from them warms my face and blinds my eyes.  The darkness of Friday is forever conquered by the bright, brilliant dawn of Resurrection!  HE IS RISEN!  HE IS RISEN, INDEED!

I have come to treasure the entirety of Lent as a proper advent to the story of God’s redemptive plan for all humanity: a perfect lamb, a cross, and an empty tomb.  And this “final” week as a proper crescendo to the climax of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  It has once again been an overwhelming joy to dive into each day and walk the path of Jesus during his last days.  There is so much to gain from slowing down and walking each step with Him.  I pray that you have enjoyed the journey.  I have loved being your traveling companion.

I feel as though I have done my fair share of challenging you this week.  I have challenged you to stand in the midst of events in Jesus’ last week and observe.  I have suggested that those imperfect people on the pages of scripture might just be us.  I have asked you to “look around” and see if there might be any tables in yourself or in your communities of worship that should be forcibly removed.  I have spoken of birthday parties and prostitutes, and going out into the margins to invite people into a wedding feast.

In my personal studies and preparations for writing this week, I have observed so much that is wrong with us (myself certainly included).  The crowds that completely missed the beauty and power of the kingdom Jesus was here to bring.  The temple currency cashiers, sacrifice salesmen, corrupt inspectors and priests that had turned God’s house into a thoroughly human institution that stole from those who had little.  The dinner guests who were outraged and completely missed the sacred anointing of the perfect Passover Lamb.  The disciples that sat at the table and argued who was the greatest, during the Seder where Jesus made the most central elements new in Himself.  And even in the events of today, the disciple who couldn’t stop mentioning that he was faster, and made it to the tomb first.

So many of the events and details of this week cast an unfavorable light on us as fallen and imperfect creatures.  Is there any doubt that Friday was necessary, judging from all that we have done?!  But just as Satan would love to leave us with that lingering and languishing thought.  Just as he would have loved for the punctuation of this week to have been Friday and a cross.  Just as he would have loved for the despair and helplessness of Saturday to have been its second and final act, dawn breaks on Resurrection day and all those lies are blown apart forever!  Life explodes and death is its victim!

Jesus’ blood covered everything and his resurrection changed everything.  We must acknowledge what is wrong with us, but it is not ours to fix it.  There is nothing we can do to save ourselves, He has already accomplished it!  If you are reading today, and you have experienced this, praise God!  You know the gift of believing and the truth of this blessed resurrection day.  If you have haven’t yet, let this be the day!  Know that we are always here to share the story of this Jesus that loved you so much, He gave His own life to ransom yours.

HE IS RISEN!