Feeds:
Posts
Comments

He Was Condemned

April 3, 2009 by Irmgarde Brown

Matthew 26:64-66
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
“He is worthy of death,” they answered.

It was all pre-meditated. The Sanhedrin knew that Jesus would be there that night; that they were to gather and condemn him, one way or another. To them, it was necessary. And so, in the end, it wouldn’t have mattered what Jesus said … or didn’t say. Their minds were made up ahead of time. They had their expectations and they merely waited to hear something… anything, that would confirm their suspicions.

We need to watch out for preconceived ideas. If we enter a situation or meet a new person with a negative expectation, it’s hard to see or hear with openness. How much better to walk into a room and prepare your heart by expecting the Lord to be near (Phil 4:5). If He is truly near, then there is always someone to meet, something to see, or a moment of value.

If you discover that you are the one who has “pre-judged” someone else, then ask forgiveness… for it is a great sin, not the least of which is pride.

And, at the same time, we must remember that predispositions happen both ways. Someone may have a biased view of YOU! I think, if you become aware of it, keep silent, for there is nothing you can say to change that kind of misconception. If someone wants to find reason to condemn you, they will. Any set of actions can be misinterpreted. If you are innocent under these circumstance, keep silent.

Posted in Lent | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

Judgment Without Mercy

April 2, 2009 by Irmgarde Brown

Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

I have to thank my new friend, Liz B, for this phrase, “judgment without mercy.” It captures the essence of what it means to “judge not.” There is such a difference between judging and discernment, but so often we fall into the judging mode. I know I do. Some would say, “but there is right and wrong and it’s appropriate to “judge” between them.” And I would ask you to keep in mind the mercy.

It is the quality of mercy that tempers the mind. It is the heart that that softens the mind. It is mercy that is the foundation for forgiveness. It is the spirit who reminds us of our sins. Oh yes, we all make mistakes and when we do, we are often deserving of the consequences (sometimes dire) … but isn’t it mercy that we count on? And aren’t we fortunate to love a merciful God? In James 2:13b, he says, “…mercy triumphs over judgment.” Thanks be to God.

Posted in Lent | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

Jesus Accepted the Pain

March 31, 2009 by Irmgarde Brown

Mark 15:23-24
Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.

Jesus allowed it all to happen. He allowed the mocking, the whipping, the accusations, the abuse, and the horrible, horrible pain. He understood his journey included pain. So many times in our own culture, we do anything and everything we can to mask or hide the pain. I am not saying that’s always bad. In fact, my mantra used to be “avoid pain at all costs.” And I did. I avoided physical pain and I avoided emotional pain. But, when there is no pain, there is a numbness that can cut us off from the reality of our experiences. I am trying to stop running from all the things that hurt.

Some years ago, Philip Yancey and Paul Brand wrote a book called Pain, the Gift that Nobody Wants. Although it is actually the story of Paul Brand’s work with lepers and leprosy (which, by the way, is really a bacteria that causes loss of sensation or feeling… first in the extremities and then other parts). But the book takes us to another other level as well… to remind us of the importance of pain, particularly in our bodies. Pain gives us information about things going wrong. If we always ignore or mask pain, we may miss something important.

Jesus had to feel it all. I don’t really know why, but it was definitely part of the package. It takes courage to face pain and to accept it. I marvel at those who have travailed in truly serious illnesses. They know about that pain. I am humbled in the face of it.

Posted in Lent | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments »

He is the Christ

March 30, 2009 by Irmgarde Brown

Mark 14:60-62a
Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”
“I am,” said Jesus.

The use of “the Christ” can also be translated, the “chosen one” or the “anointed.” When the high priest asked Jesus this question, he was also asking if Jesus was the Messiah, the promised and expected deliverer of the Jewish people. He said, “yes.” So, either Jesus was deluded, a liar or… the real thing. This was one question he agreed to answer despite being silent in the face of all the other accusations. In essence, I believe this was the only answer that was needed. If he is who he says he is, then all of the accusations were base and unfounded.

For me, despite all of my mistakes, misunderstandings, sins, bad choices, failures, pride, and fear… I know this, without a doubt, He is the Christ.

Posted in Lent | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment »

Cornerstone of the Kingdom

March 29, 2009 by Irmgarde Brown

Luke 20:17b-18
‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone’…Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.

As I meditated on this scripture this morning, I took a long time trying to figure it out. I didn’t even know who might the builders be or what are they building. Then I compared this reading with the Matthew version (Matthew 22:42-44) and it is quite clearly stated: it is the Kingdom of God being built. So, if Jesus is the foundation, the cornerstone, of that Kingdom, then those who fall on Him (trip over Him, ignore Him, try to cover up the reality of Him), will break. Bottom line, the Kingdom of God will not fail. It is not something that can be destroyed. Those who try, will break. And if someone tries to put something else as the foundation, that will be crushed, whether it be person, place, idea, or concept. The Christ is the true foundation whether one accepts/believes/understands Him or not… like gravity, a law.

Matthew 20:43 says, “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” We are the builders. And if we do not build on the cornerstone, we will fail and the kingdom will pass to those who do build upon the Christ. What is this kingdom? Where is this kingdom? It is broad and wide. It is small and deep. It is within. It is without.

We must first place the cornerstone within and from there, the kingdom of God that is uniquely me or you, grows and touches the unique (sacred) buildings of others and eventually, encompasses our world.

Posted in Lent | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

The Arduous Journey

March 28, 2009 by Irmgarde Brown

Luke 2:4-7
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

This was not an easy journey for either Joseph or Mary. To travel on foot or by donkey (no one really knows if Mary rode a donkey… it is also possible that they traveled in a caravan and not alone because it was dangerous to travel alone) … but in any case, the journey was at least 4 days and longer if they went around Samaria. And then, the birth, with no midwife? Of course, it’s possible the innkeeper’s wife assisted. Still, it was not easy… a strange place, her first child, and she was really so young.

Yes, this was an arduous journey. We have them too. And yet, I do believe God is in the hardest of paths. It is the only way I hold off despair.

Posted in Lent | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

Choose the Better Part

March 27, 2009 by Irmgarde Brown

Luke 10:41-42
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Not every decision we make is between good and evil. Sometimes, we must choose between good and better. These decisions are by far the more difficult ones. These decisions take discernment, wisdom, and trust. I know the trap for me has been to “do it all” and now, I realize that is the result of not “choosing the better part.” I don’t want to miss anything. I can see this habit even in the small things of life like packing for a trip and since I can’t decide what I will wear, I take it all, putting off that decision until later. Today, I know, there will be decisions before me and I ask God, right now, guide me, that I might choose well, for choose I must.

For more about Mary and Martha and the better part, see Wisdom Seekers discussions on the book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver.

Posted in Lent | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »