Those Dirty Guys

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. Hebrews 11:1, 2 (New American Standard Version)

Abraham had a tendency towards being a liar (Genesis 12:13, 20:2), Jacob was a conniver and a thief taking advantage of his brother Esau to get the elder brother’s birth rite and later stealing his blessing (Genesis 25:30, 27:19), King David had a man murdered to cover his adultery with the man’s wife (2nd Samuel 11:15), the wicked king Manasseh led and encouraged Judah in idol worship (2nd Chronicles 33:13), Peter denied his Lord (Matthew 26:74), and before Saul became Paul he sanctioned the death of at least one Christian and was a respected leader in the persecution of the early church (Acts 8:1, Galatians 1:13). In the eyes of most people these trespasses would brand these fellows as a bunch of reprobates not to say some of them as outright criminals.

One thing I do know that as often as we pull away from obedience to the Lord grace for each one of us does much more abound (Romans 5:20). Grace is solid, overwhelming and always there for you and me. Abraham lied to Pharaoh and King Abimelech yet God made him the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4), Jacob the thief and conniver became the father of the 12 Tribes of Israel (Genesis 35:22-26). Manasseh repented and was restored to his throne ruling Judah for a total of 55 years (2nd Chronicles 33:13, 2nd Kings 21:1). Peter was restored to fellowship with the risen Christ (Mark 16:7). Paul became the chosen instrument to give the Gospel to the Gentile world (Galatians 1:15, 16).

The Lord God has been miscast by many as a cosmic killjoy or worse yet an impatient father ready to strike with fear, terror and punishment. In reality He is full of lovingkindnesses and graciousness to the point of blessing us in spite of ourselves, just like the men of old. As believers in Christ when others look at our mistakes and say “Why that dirty guy, “the Lord only sees His Son, living within us; His Son in whom He is well pleased. All He will say of us is, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Faith is trusting God will take care of us in all of our choices, even when we can be dirty guys. Grace to us is the incredible and finished work.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Snakes and Sticks

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. Acts 28:3 (New American Standard Bible)

As a prisoner of Rome, Paul was being taken by ship to appeal his arrest to Caesar himself. On the way his ship encountered a fierce Mediterranean storm and was battered by winds and waves for two weeks. Finally the ship ran aground on the island of Malta and all 276 persons aboard survived. Soaked to the skin, cold and hungry the tired group was immediately taken under the care of the local Maltase who built fires to warm them and care for their needs. While gathering firewood, Paul was bitten on the hand by a poisonous snake. Paul shook the viper into the fire and went on as before showing no ill effects from the venomous bite. The locals were amazed.

For many years the miracle after the snake bite was the slant I gave the story when I read it; a miracle for Paul and a witness of God’s power to unbelievers. One day as I was sharing this with a friend he said in passing, “I think the real miracle was that the great Apostle Paul was gathering firewood and serving the needs of the others.” I chewed on that one for awhile and came to the conclusion my friend had been on to something there. Didn’t Jesus say to let the person who wanted to be the greatest be the servant of all (Luke 22:26)?

Great people expect to have done for them and not to condescend to any task below their station. The example of Paul humbling himself to gather wood for a fire was mirrored in the examples of Jesus as how the King of Glory humbly washed the feet of His disciples when they should have been kneeling at His; how Jesus humbly created a fire on a beach and cooked breakfast for them showing the True Servant’s Heart. Truly the ground at the foot of the cross is level. There are no superstars in the kingdom of God although there are some who think they are and expect that if firewood is to be gathered someone else ought to do it. There is more than just a calling to esteem others higher than ourselves; there is the example of our Lord Jesus Himself and the great men and women of faith who humbled themselves and displayed the greatest courage in being faithful in the menial tasks. A miracle healing from a snake bite or gathering sticks to warm and comfort others? In the eyes of Jesus I wonder which situation would give Him the greater pleasure. I think I know.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

Breakfast on the Beach

And so when they got upon the land, they saw a charcoal fire already laid, and fish placed on it, and bread. John 21:9 (New American Standard Bible)

The world of Jesus’ disciples had been turned upside down after His resurrection. The Master they thought they’d lost had never really been misplaced. His Heavenly Father knew exactly where He was those three days after His crucifixion. I imagine it was all a bit to take in for guys like Peter, James and John. When life became a little too much for Peter one evening he said to his buddies, “I’m going fishing.” Some of the disciples chose to go with him. They got in their boat and pushed out about 100 yards, casting their nets all night but catching nothing. But as the sun rose a man they didn’t recognize walked onto the beach and asked them how it was going. When they told Him they’d caught nothing He suggested they put the net over the right side of the boat. As they pulled in the net it was so heavy with fish they couldn’t get it in the boat. Some disciples had to bring another boat to help drag the catch back to the beach.

Where God guides, God provides. It became aware to them that this mysterious stranger was none other than Jesus Himself. He had already prepared a charcoal fire, laid some fish on it and prepared bread and invited the boys to bring some of the 153 fish they’d just caught and join Him for breakfast.

Peter said, “It’s the Lord!” Wow, how many times have I suddenly turned around after a discouraging time of labor to find Jesus standing there so intensely interested in how I was doing? Why am I so amazed that I cry, “It’s the Lord”? I am moved by this account that the King of Glory was acting in a servant’s role having built a charcoal fire, laying out a meal for His disciples. Do not kings require that done for them? This King was meeting the needs of His own by seeing to the littlest details. He just doesn’t meet some of my needs but all of them. He looks out for me and you. The little details may not seem that important but I’ve always found Jesus is very interested in them and goes to great length to see they are complete. He just doesn’t help me catch my fish and says, “OK, you caught ‘em, now cook ‘em.” He’s already on the beach with the charcoals glowing and the bread ready to eat. Breakfast with the Great King is a study in how He takes care of the smallest details.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

And Peter Too

“But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He said to you.’” Mark 16:7 (New American Standard Bible)

The past three days had been the worst the disciples of Jesus had endured. Their Master had undergone a kangaroo court trial and had been crucified as a common criminal. The only disciple who stood before the cross and watched Him die a cruel death was John. During the trial Peter had even denied with curses that he even knew Jesus. And now the Master was dead, or was He? As heavenly angels announce the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave there is already reconciliation between Master and servant Peter who miserably failed Him in His greatest hour of need.

Jesus had His angels make a special point in singling out Peter for loving reconciliation. As a human I can identify with how badly Peter must have felt. How many times have I blundered in my Christian walk and was left with the feeling I was totally unworthy of Jesus’ love and affection. I can only imagine how badly Peter felt and how he must have berated himself for his fear and lack of faith. But Jesus saw more in this man who had so fully let Him down. The angel at the tomb instructs those witnesses to tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead.

The account tells me that God isn’t a God of never-ending anger as many think. My mistakes aren’t anything new to Him. He’s always known me personally being very aware of my weaknesses and tendency to fail Him. Even with all my warts Jesus is a personal Savior who is deeply interested in me second to second. This deep love put Him on the cross for me and for every person since. Who or what shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation? Will it be distress or Persecution? Will it be famine? Nakedness? Peril? As in Peter’s example Jesus says there is nothing that will ever lessen, diminish or destroy His love for myself or you. The Apostle Paul is convinced that not death, life, angels, principalities, things that exist now or will exist in the future, nor powers, or height or depth or any other created thing will separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:37-39). Tell the disciples and Peter too. Put your name in place of Peter’s and you’ll have some idea just how much He loves you and will love you for eternity no matter all the mistakes or failures you’ve ever done. Jesus is risen indeed. Blessed be His holy name.

Ken

www.devotionstoday.blogspot.com

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