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Posts Tagged ‘sacrifice’

He Was Condemned

Posted in Lent, tagged , , on April 3, 2009| Leave a Comment »

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.

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Jesus Accepted the Pain

Posted in Lent, tagged , , , on March 31, 2009| 2 Comments »

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.

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The Arduous Journey

Posted in Lent, tagged , on March 28, 2009| Leave a Comment »

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.

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Will You Recognize God?

Posted in Lent, tagged , , , , , , , on March 25, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Luke 19:44b
“…They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

“If it was a snake, it would have bit me.” That’s an old Southern saying about missing something in plain sight. Will I miss God today? So often, when we talk about being in awe of God (“fearing God”), we remember an amazing nature scene or something cataclysmic that shows God’s power or, perhaps it’s something man-made, but of such beauty, that we are sure it is inspired by God. But, what about the ordinary? What about the rocks in the road that would have cried out when Jesus entered Jerusalem that fateful week of his sacrifice. They recognized God in Christ.

Jerusalem was a city of sophistication. There was culture, knowledge, money, power, and much, much more. And yet, the people did not recognize God coming. They had stopped looking. They accepted the normal flow of things and people and commerce, but didn’t really see.

Open my eyes today, Lord, that I might see You. Open my ears… Open my heart. Let me see You in the ordinary.

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