A Straight-edged Horror

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (New American Standard Bible)

I was cleaning my church in preparation of Good Friday. I moved a large cross up on the stage and then sat down to contemplate in the quiet of the moment. As I did I had a chance to really look at the instrument that took the life of our Lord. The more I looked at that cross the more I was astounded that God would choose this way to redeem us from our sin. Incredible. I was thinking how I would think of other ways to do it rather than offering my only child, or taking the sin of a rebel race on myself instead of destroying the mess and starting over again. As I was looking at the cross I thought I'd dress it up so I put some of the silk planters around the base of it. It actually took away from the meaning, making the cross look “softer” in a sense. It certainly wasn't soft in any respect and it wasn’t meant to be pretty. I pulled the plants away from it and just left the cross as it is naturally, a straight-edged horror. It wasn't a soft and easy death for Jesus, but it was the way He chose to die.

The cross was never meant to be a merciful death. The idea of a merciful death is what John the Baptist and the Apostle Paul met. They were beheaded, dying quickly. Death on the cross was intentionally created and carried out to bring the highest degree of pain, suffering and humiliation to the criminal. Jesus, who was the perfect sacrifice, without sin (1st Peter 2:22), was executed as a common criminal, there was no mercy intended and He received none.

What kind of Being would not spare His own Son but allow Him to die such a horrible death to save a fallen race? I say this not as a judgment against God but with astounding awe. The love and devotion of God to a race of rebels is in itself a story that is beyond belief. God in His all-knowingness knew Adam and Eve would rebel when He made them and it was always His plan through the ages before it happened to redeem those very creatures He would create through sacrificing Himself on their behalf. The cross is indeed a straight-edged horror but a horror taken without hesitation on our behalf and the means of a new beginning. Through Christ’s redemptive act of shedding His blood on this horrible instrument of death we are able to be brought into a new relationship with God. This instant in history ended in Christ’s glorious resurrection and a throned seat at the Right Hand of the Father. It was a horrible way to die yet brought a wonderful way to live through Christ for the ages yet to come.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Silent Saturday

To Thee, O Lord, I call; My rock, do not be deaf to me, Lest if Thou be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. Psalm 28:1 (New American Standard Bible)

Passover had arrived but this Sabbath had been like no other under the Law of Moses. The Lamb had been slain but His body was in the tomb. Forty-eight hours before His disciples had been walking and talking with Him. Now they were in hiding from the religious authorities and God’s voice was still. Heaven had gone silent.

I can’t count the times in my own life when I’ve strained to hear a little of God's voice to me even hoping to hear a whisper. There were times I heard nothing but silence and could only trust that He was still there and still in control. The disciples of Jesus had witnessed God in human form; Jesus the Anointed Christ of God. They had lived with Him, walked with Him, saw Him eat and sleep having been firsthand witnesses of His mighty power and miracles. Now he was taken from them and in His place was only a deafening silence. As they huddled themselves away they were completely unaware that within 24 hours their world would be rocked and wonderfully redirected forever. Salvation in Jehovah God had been offered to the whole world through the sacrifice of this one Lamb and history would be liberated through what these men and women were about to witness.

When heaven is silent trusting God is one of the hardest things to do. Knowing He is near and working even when He isn’t speaking sometimes takes greater faith than I feel I have. However I have found when things are quiet He’s usually the hardest at work. Even as Jesus was silent to those who knew Him on this quiet Saturday His plan for their lives was still in dynamic motion. The world was turning and nothing could stop tomorrow and the sun from rising on an empty tomb.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

The Profound Pronoun

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” The Jews replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it again in three days?” But the temple he spoke of was his body. John 2:19, 20 (NIV)

As Easter approaches I recall a sad story that again proves truth is sometimes stranger than fiction. Years ago I read a newspaper account of how a dying Christian man told his family that God would raise him from the grave three months after his death. The account related how three months following the funeral the family had the grave reopened on the day the man had said God would raise him from the dead. The story sadly stated how the man’s casket was disinterred at the family’s request. As they gathered around the casket one of them tapped it with a shovel handle and called to their beloved husband and father to come out. He never did. The family left the cemetery that day with the finality of his death firmly before them as the cemetery personnel prepared to reinter the man’s mortal remains.

I had read today’s verses for years and the astounding meaning of Jesus’ words always seemed to glaze over my understanding. Then one day as I read His words I was stunned. Wait a minute I remember thinking, Jesus said He would raise himself from the dead?! “I will raise up this temple in three days,” displays a Power behind the Pronoun that is not merely a mirror reflection of the Profound, it is the exact nature and essence of the Father. From the very lips of Jesus comes the confession that He and the Father are One (John 10:30). Everything we believe about Jesus Christ revolves around this central event; that is, that Jesus of Nazareth said He would raise Himself from the dead and was witnessed after He did so by hundreds of persons. Hallucinations are rarely shared and the same hallucination is never shared by hundreds of folks at different places and times. These people eye-witnessed the risen Christ and the evidence cannot be explained away as mere hysteria. If the resurrection of Jesus is removed from belief the wheel of Christianity flies apart for us. Our faith is just another ordinary religion of rules and regulations.

It’s been centuries since that first Easter morning and our Profoundest Pronoun, Jesus Christ, continues to be as powerful and actively interested in us. This personal interest is about to finish in our triumph. This same friend who raised Himself from the dead also says, “Behold, I am coming soon.” He is the Power and the Glory forever. On the day He comes to get us no one who died believing on Him will leave the cemetery disappointed. They’ll be out of there in the blink of an eye. And the rest of us who are still standing will be right behind them. Wow, now that’s profound.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Multi-Dimensional

“And you shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.” Exodus 19:12, 13 (New American Standard Bible)

“God is love.” I’ve heard it mostly from folks who really want to have nothing to do with Him. In fact, that’s all they want to believe He is. Just love. Imagine the God of the Universe as a one-dimensional being. I don’t know anyone who is one-dimensional, do you? People tell me I have a sense of humor, but I can be serious, too. I love my grandkids and reveal to them great grace but if I need to be firm with them I can be. I’m capable of compassion but I can also stand for justice when it is warranted. I am surely not one-dimensional and neither is any other human being so why is God only love to the majority?

Today’s verses sound pretty harsh, don’t they? Most folks won’t see that God demanded the Israelites respect His awesome holiness, instead they will see in these verses a vengeful and terror inducing deity who would kill anyone who approached Him. Why is God so serious about it? Holiness is the first thing He wants to be known for, not His love. I smile at that recalling when I taught on this a few years back I asked my group if God wanted to be known first for His love or His holiness. Every one of them to a person said “love” and gasped in astonishment when I said “He wants to be known first for His holiness.” My point is He is just not one character trait.

God’s personality is well-rounded and not one-dimensional. While He is neither all love He is neither all thunder and lightning. While He is indeed love He is so much more for me. He is multi-dimensional. He is my provider (Genesis 22:13, 14), my health (Exodus 15:26), my banner (Exodus 17:8-15), my peace (Judges 6:24), my shepherd (Psalm 23:1), my righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6), and is always present for me (Ezekiel 48:35). Personally, I’m glad He isn’t just love. His being so much more means He has so much more to offer me as His child and His perfect holiness makes all of that for me perfect.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

When Christians Collide

And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Colossians 3:12, 13 (New American Standard Bible)

Disagreements happen among Christians and sometimes they can be heated. Two instances in the early church are when Paul faced Peter for his flip-flopping before the believing Jews concerning believing Gentiles (Galatians 2: 11, 12) and when Paul had a disagreement with Barnabas over John Mark to the point they decided it would be better to part ways for awhile. (Acts 15:36-41). It is inevitable that we will not always agree with fellow Christians on every issue. As Christians it is OK to disagree agreeably with one another when different views are discussed. The Spirit of Christ admonishes us to be agreeably disposed to one another in love even when someone has an alternative view in mind. Paul may have disagreed with his fellow Christians yet he never allowed bitterness to lead to the festering of his heart. He was a Christian with a definite point of view but his spirit continued to see his fellow Christians in the light of God’s love.

We Christians do tend to collide with one another on occasion but when it happens we ought to never allow it to bring division. When any part of the body is cut off it dies. It’s all right to have opposing opinions and at times it is a healthy thing for the body to have diverse input and suggestions. Healthy anger is sometimes good as it can help to change intolerable situations. But rage and bitterness have no part in application of our lives. Total agreement is impossible in some discussions and that’s OK, the thing Christ wants us to do is remain open and loving.

Even though Paul had a serious contention with Peter and with Barnabas it did not affect the outcome of their relationship to one another as brothers in Christ. As long as we are in these human bodies it will be inevitable we collide with some brother or sister. This is not always comfortable but stewing in our anger and resentment drives a wedge into our relationship with Christ and with our brothers and sisters in the family of God. The Lord Jesus admonishes us to forgive whatever grievances we do have. It is what the Lord calls us to do. It is what He has done for us.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Shortcuts

Again the devil took Him to a very high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory; and he said to Him “All these things will I give You, if You will fall down and worship me.” Matthew 4:8, 9 (New American Standard Bible)

I love to take shortcuts. I’ll look for highways and roads that will cut time from my driving, shortcuts when I do projects, and yes ladies, I do occasionally take shortcuts when I help with house work. Not always, but I do tend to look for ways to get around the agony of dish pan hands.

Satan asked Jesus to take a shortcut from His Heavenly Father’s plan of redemption. Satan tried the same maneuvering he used with Adam and Eve, misrepresenting the word of God. He inferred that God’s plan was a waste of time and pretty much useless. In the temptations of Christ he twisted Scripture appealing to physical appetites and pride. When that didn’t work he offered a way to circumvent the cross by offering Jesus instant power and glory. Thankfully Jesus didn’t fall to the temptation and chose the cross, a more difficult but perfect way.

The hard way initially bums me out. Sometimes I’d rather take a beating than push through some difficult circumstance. I will look for ways around it, look for another course and rationalize many reasons for taking it just to avoid the hard way. But you know every time I come out on the other side of a tough trial I find I am stronger and revel in the blessings of Christ. Going through hard times with God’s help isn’t pleasant yet it’s like pumping spiritual iron. I am strengthened in my faith and find my trust in God is greatly increased at the end. God in His wisdom knows the sinews of growth I will receive in my spirit by persevering through a hard situation. Jesus knew it too and praise be to God He didn’t choose a shortcut thereby giving me a way to relationship with God the Father, Himself and the Holy Spirit. The hard way is usually something that is not all that pleasant but it is still something to be embraced with faith. Jesus was well aware of it when He stepped out of that tomb on the third day and I and all believers are better for it. Praise His Holy Name.

Jesus, help me to trust in You through the hard times and difficult places, knowing that I will, as you did, come out fully in our Heavenly Father’s will.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

I'm a Doulos Too

Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12 (New American Standard Bible)

I remember a funny story about a young man who thought his life at home was composed more of being a servant than being his own man. He came home one day and announced, “I’ve joined the Army.” His Father looked up from his newspaper and asked, “Why did you do that, son?” The young fellow pulled himself up in a huff and said, “Because I’m tired of people telling me what to do!” I’m sure that young man got an education in self-determination as soon as he stepped off the bus at his basic training base. As humorous as the story is I have to say I am much like that young fellow in my distaste of being under authority.

The Greek Christian Epaphras considered himself a bond-servant as did the Apostle Paul. Being a bond-servant (Greek doulos, doo-los) meant the servitude could be voluntary as well as enforced. In the Law of Moses, recorded in the book of Exodus, a Hebrew man could enter into a contract of servitude for 6 years. In the 7th year the Law said the man’s master had to release him from his service and let him go. If the man brought his wife and children into the contract at the beginning he could leave with them. If the master gave the man a wife during his 6 years when he left the wife and any children were the master’s property and remained in the master’s house. The husband had to go out on his own. There was a condition however that would allow the servant to remain. If he loved his wife, children and master he could elect to remain in the master’s service and stay with his family for the rest of his life. After witnesses were brought the master took the servant to a door post and with a hammer and an awl (a tool with a sharp point) he would punch a hole in his servant’s ear. This mark indicated the man was bonded to his master for the rest of his life. Remember this was done voluntarily.

As much as I have a natural aversion to being under authority I realize servanthood is not something too heavy to bear. Would I rather be a slave to sin or a willing bond-servant of Jesus Christ? Even the yoke of Jesus is an easy thing to bear made all the easier by a daily surrender to overflowing of the Spirit He said would lead us into all truth (John 16:13). The alternative is the reality too heavy to bear. The result of sin gains me nothing but a sterile, empty room where I need to return again and again to be fulfilled for a few minutes. It becomes a vicious cycle. It is more fulfilling to go to my Master, pledge my devotion and affection to Him and allow Him to mark my ear on the doorpost of His home. Being a doulos to Christ is valuable and advantageous. Being His bond-servant truly makes me free.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com