Getting Engaged In The Mission

Weekly Review: As I look at these three entries...which should have been more than that...it seems that the two major themes come together in a challenge. That challenge is to let the world know that I really do believe through the way that I behave. What I mean is this...If I say that I believe that Jesus rose from the dead; if I believe He is seated at the right hand of God's throne; if I believe He is coming back to judge the living and the dead; if I believe all those who fail to trust Christ will be lost; if I know that I have been sent as His messenger to save as many as possible; then how can I just go on with life as usual? How can I just go on with that which seems most comfortable and convenient? Is that Jesus' goal for my life...to make me cofortable and give me all the conveniences I need? I think no. I am called to enter the world with Jesus' gospel as a means of reaching the world for Christ. So, let's get at it. This Easter Season, let's get out of our houses and into the world just as Jesus came out of the tomb and appeared to the world. Let's get engaged in the mission!

Going Back To The Familiar

Friday, April 22, 2011

Reading: John 21:1-14

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2021&version=NIV

Reflection: While there is one final section in the book of John, we will finish out the blog here. In some ways, that seems appropriate. Here, at the end, we go back to the beginning. Peter finds himself back on familiar ground...back when he received his original call to discipleship. One is left to wonder if Peter is so filled with doubts that he is tempted to return his old way of life. After all, he failed his Lord and three times denied that he even knew him. So now, filled with shame and frustration, he announces that he is returning to something familiar...something from the old life...fishing with his nets. Maybe he feels he has lost his calling...lost his right to follow Jesus...lost his chance due to repeated failure.

We know how Peter felt, don't we? To seek to step out and follow only to make mistakes and fail. To claim to unbelievers that we are followers of Jesus and then do things that dishonor that testimony. We feel like we have failed so badly, that we might as go back to the way we used to live before committing to Jesus...at least then we wont feel hypocritical. I can't help but think there is a bit of that in Peter...when nothing else makes sense he returns to the comforting feelings of his old life.

But Jesus meets him there and restores him to his position of leadership. When He does, we all find out that our failures are not fatal. If we are still alive, we still have hope. Jesus will meet un in our failures and restore us to life. The only question is, when we see Him, will we jump out of the boat and come running for help, or will we row even harder away from the love available to us. May all of us, when tempted to run from discipleship and go back to the familiar failures of the past, have the courage to turn around, get out of the boat, and swim to Jesus. Peter will be there waiting to meet us.

Believing Without Seeing

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Read: John 20:24-29

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2020&version=NIVwww.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2020&version=NIV

Reflection: OK...so I am sorry I didn't blog yesterday but the day got away from me. So, I am actually doing Thursday's devotional Wednesday evening as tomorrow is also a crazy day and I don't want to miss this. As I read this passage, it strikes me that Thomas is unfairly labeled the doubting disciple when all he asked to see was the very same thing that the other disciples saw. In addition, once he sees what they saw he believed as well. So, Thomas only needed to see what the others saw and when he did...he believed. So I don't think Thomas failure was necessarily that of doubting. So what was it?

Well, I think maybe Jesus final statement gives us a clue here. Jesus tells Thomas that the reason he believed was because he "saw what the other disciples saw." However, it was not supposed to be so. Thomas was to be the first to believe in the resurrection not because he "saw" something, but because he "heard" something. The something he was to hear was the testimony of those who had seen Jesus. So, get this. Thomas was to be the first of countless millions who would believe based on verbal testimony. However, he failed in that regard. He demanded to see, or he would not believe.

I hope we do not make the same mistake. Sometimes we insist on seeing or experiencing something to believe, as though the verbal testimony of God's spoken word is somehow not sufficient. Not until we see something amazing, or experience something special, do we believe. However, we are called to trust not in an experience or a miraculous vision. We are to trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ properly proclaimed. This is the path to faith we all need to take now that Jesus has been raised to the right hand of God. So, may we not see...but hear...and chose to believe. When we do, we join a long line of those who do not need to see to believe.

Getting What We Need To Believe

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2020&version=NIV

Reading: John 20:11-18

Reflection: Have you ever been inside a cave before the sun came up? I have. Let me tell you, not only is it a bit spooky, it is very, very dark. It is hard to see your hand in front of your face, let alone where your next step is going to be. I bring that up because sometimes people question the fact that, in our reading today, Mary does not recognize Jesus. However, we are told that Mary had gone to the tomb "before it was light." Now, its true that some time has passed, so there could be a little light...but perhaps not much. In those situations, it would indeed be hard to recognize someone. In addition, she would naturally assume that this was not Jesus. Remember, she has gone to annoint a dead body. She has no expectation of Jesus being alive. So, we have here a very emotionally upset woman at a time of little light inside a cave like tomb who is not expecting to see Jesus. No wonder she didn't recognize him. We might have to question it if she did.

It's not until she hears Jesus speak her name that she recognizes him. So, unlike Peter and John who seem to believe as a result of the visible evidence, Mary believes as a result of a personal encounter. Later, in Luke's gospel, we see two disciples coming to faith as a result of the biblical record. So, it seems that there are multiple ways that people come to faith. Some are convinced by the consistency and clarity of scripure, some by carefully evaluated evidence, and others like Mary through personal encounter. It's not as though Mary could care less about the bible or about evidence. It's just that, for her, a personal encounter needed to open her eyes. So, rather than ask why she didn't initially recognize who Jesus was, let's celebrate that she got what she needed to understand and believe.

Being Faithful Every Day

Week In Review: It seems that this week the Lord has been reminding me of the need to be faithful to Him daily...particularly in the public aspects of life. On Monday, it was about taking Jesus' side in life by seeking the truth rather than protecting myself. I was reminded that those who are on Jesus' side are those who are truly seeking truth. Tuesday called me to make sure that Jesus is actually Lord of my life rather than simply play acting. On Wednesday I was challenged to lift up Jesus in the public square and Thursday to finish the work Jesus has given me so that I can look back with no regrets. Finally, Friday brought the call to move behind secretly declaring faith in Jesus to declaring it loudly in the public square. So, as I move toward Palm Sunday and the final week prior to Resurrection Sunday, I find myself challenged to willingly and faithfully embrace Jesus in a public way both in what I do and what I say. May we all do exactly that in life!

From Secrecy To Public Confession

Friday, April 15,2011 Reading: John 19:38-42 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2019&version=NIV Reflection: It's interesting to note that Joseph of Arimathea is called a secret disciple. Now, that seems a bit awkward to me...and not a good place to be. To be a disciple is to be a disciplined follower. It means to bear the marks of a mathetes, forfeiting all in an effort to live the way of Jesus. Yet, this man is afraid to openly do so because he fears what the Jews might do to him. So, it would seem, he follows in his heart only, always looking over his shoulder to see if the world around him can see his dancing between two worlds. He is never fully a child of the world, as he seeks to follow Jesus. Yet, he is never fully a follower of Jesus because he fears what the world might do to him. So he finds himself ever wavering between two positions. That can't be a fun place to be. It seems, however, that he has finally cast his lots in with Jesus. First, he goes to Pilate asking for the body of Jesus...certainly something the religious leaders would be unwilling to do. Second, he finds him a tomb...some actually think it was his own tomb. Third, he recruits help to properly care for the body and give a decent burial. All of this will no doubt be discovered by the religious leaders. They will certainly suspect that this Joseph is now a follower of Christ. Yet, he does it anyway. So, while he was on the sidelines for some time, he has now gotten into the game and is making his choice. Maybe you too have been a casual, half-hearted, or secret follower of Jesus. Maybe you said you were his disciple within the private walls of the church building, but publicly laid low out of fear of what following Jesus might cost you. Maybe the time has come to step forward and openly declare your loyalty. Maybe you should stop dancing between two worlds and make your choice...firmly planting your feet in Jesus' camp. If you do, you will find a life that does bear a cost, but also unmeasured reward. Ultimately, the choice is yours.

Finishing One's Work On Earth

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Reading: John 19:28-37

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2019&version=NIV

Reflection: Now, I realize that what I am about to say is a secondary lesson from this passage of scripture. However, I do believe this lesson is present...and I also believe that there is a lesson for all of us within it. It is interesting that John begins this section with a phrase highlighting that Jesus, "knew that everything had been finished." Have you ever wondered what it must feel like to reach the end of your life...regardless of how long or short that life might be...and realize that everything God planned for you to do you have now completely fulfilled? It must be an amazing feeling. Now, you might say that there is no way that anyone other than Jesus could ever know what that feels like. However, that is not true. While the Apostle Paul was certainly a great and godly man, he was still just a man. And yet, when he reaches the end of his life, he tells Timothy that he has "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Wow! I have stood by the bedside of many a person who are fighting back tears as they realize the many opportunities they have allowed to slip past them and the many years they have wasted chasing things that never mattered. That is not a feeling with which either Jesus or Paul wrestled...and I pray one neither you and I will face either. Let us live this day, and every day, as though it is the last one we have been given. Let's be sensative to what God has for us to do, and let's do it. If we do, then no matter when our end comes, we will face it with feelings of fulfilment rather than regret. Let's finish our work here on earth.

Lifting Up Jesus In The Public Square

Wednesday, April 13, 2011 Reading: John 19:17-27 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2019&version=NIV Reflection: It's easy to overlook just how cosmopolitan the death of Jesus actually was. This historic incident didn't take place in a small, private backwoods village where everyone spoke the same language, lived the same way, followed the same customs, or for that matter worshipped the same God. Jesus is crucified in a place so mixed with culture and customs that they had to record His title in 3 different languages so that everyone who passed by could read it. We are told that the title was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. It was written that way so that all who passed by could read it and understand, thus this was a public place. It was also a place where people talked smut and where soldiers gambled. In addition, it took place within a city where some worshipped Yahweh, some the Greek gods, and some no gods at all. So, it seems, that Jesus died right in the midst of those He came to save...people who are lost and come from a variety of cultural groups. This is not unlike our own world. Our world is increasingly seeing signs and labels written in a wide variety of languages. Ours is a world of multiple religions and multiple cultures pressing in on each other. It seems to me that our role is not to try to save people from all thes different backgrounds, because the truth of the matter is that we can't save anyone. Rather, our role is to ensure that the cross of Christ and the work of Jesus takes center stage, just as it did on that day many years ago. As we lift up the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, God draws people to himself. So, as we do our work today, let's do it in the public sector in a way that people from every religion and language can clearly see that Jesus is in their midst. Let's lift Him up, and let's just see if God will draw people to himself as a result.

Have I Ever Slapped The King?

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 Reading: John 19:1-16 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2019&version=NIV Reflection: To the best of my knowledge, I have only been slapped one time in my life. It was many years ago in the presence of a young lady that I was dating. I don't remember all the details now...either because I'm too old or my behavior was so shameful that I've blocked the details out of my my mind...but I do know that I said something in public to a group of our friends about her character that was extremely inappropriate. You, on the one hand I was suggesting that she was someone important and special to me, but on the other hand I was treating her in a manner that suggested the opposite. She was greatly offended and, as a result, slapped me. Something similar happens here in our scripture reading this morning. On the one hand the soldiers pretend that Jesus is someone important to them. They dress him up in the color of royalty and put a crown on his head. On the other hand, they treat him with disdain when they weave the crown out of thorns and mockingly hail him as a king. However, in this situation it isn't Jesus who slaps the soldiers. Rather, it is the soldiers who slap Jesus. There actions indicate how we should feel about the way they are hailing Jesus as King...its little more than a slap in the face. Now, it's easy for me to look upon these men with disgust...and I should! But, when I honestly look at myself in the mirror I have to wonder if I too, in some way, have worshipped Jesus in a way that is little more than a slap in the face. You know what I mean, don't you? Suggesting that Jesus is the Lord of my life, and yet enjoying various forms of media that are a direct afront to His vision and values for my life. To handle my money, my time, my attitude, my life in a way that suggests Jesus is King of my life in title only, but when it comes to the nitty gritty of life I remain in firm control. In fact, notice how I repeatedly used the word "my" in the earlier sentence when if Jesus is Lord it should all be "His." When I do this, I act in a way inconsistent with what I have said, and it is in some way a slap in the face to Jesus. As Resurrection Sunday approaches, might this be the year where I really do make Jesus Lord of all in my life...that my words and actions show that I have embraced His rule, not slapped Him in the face.

On Jesus' Side

Monday, April 11, 2011 Reading: John 18:28-40 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2018&version=NIV Reflection: One of the things we find out in this passage is part of the reason the religious leaders refused to listen to or support Jesus. I say one of the reasons, because people being complex I'm sure they had multiple reasons. However, Jesus states in verse 37 that everyone who listens to the truth is on Jesus side. But the religious leaders are not interested in the truth. This is evident in many ways, but in this passage we see it in the hint we are given that Jesus was tried at night. That was against Jewish law. People were to be tried during the day so that witnesses would be available and the truth could be discovered. But the religious leaders weren't interested in the truth. They were interested in getting rid of Jesus, regardless of what happened to the issues of truth and justice. It seems ironic that those who were religious leaders were more interested in the preservation of power than in the discovery of truth. However, while this is certainly sad, it is not unusual. It is easy for a religious leader, whether we call them priest or pastor, to slip into the mode of self-preservation or institutional protection. We can begin to make decisions and manipulate communication in ways that mask the truth in order to protect the church or advance our own reputations. Sometime we may not even be conscious of what we are doing. For this reason, it is critical that all leaders be accountable to the church and willing to examine whether they are seeking truth or protecting themselves. When we fall down on the side of selp-preservation, we need to repent and return to seeking and revealing the truth. After all, we always want to be on the side of Jesus. At least, I certainly do.

Explanations Without Excuses

Friday, April 8, 2011 Reading: John 18:25-27 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2018&version=NIV Reflection: The phrase that sticks out to me in these couple of verses is, "...Again Peter denied it..." It's not the fact that Peter isn't strong enough to live up to his words. After all, that seems consistent with his character. Peter was always talking big and underperforming. And it's not that Peter has denied knowing Jesus. All of us have done this from time to time. It's the fact that Peter did it again...and again...that stands out. It seems to me that Peter should have known better. After all, Jesus had just told him that he would disown him three times before the rooster crows. Sure, maybe the first time he was caught off guard. But certainly by the second time he has had a bit of time to realize that what Jesus said was occurring. Then, by the third time, he is without excuse. Now, you might disagree. But it seems to me that Peter has no excuse for his behavior. He may have an explanation...we all do. But an explanation about why we did something is not an excuse for doing something. Especially when you are making the same mistake over and over and over. But that is actually what I love about this story. You see, the fact that Peter repeatedly makes the same mistake and has no excuse for it, and yet Jesus still forgives him after the resurrection, gives me great hope. You see, I too make the same mistakes over and over. I too have explanations without excuses. I too know better and have no way to rationalize my guilt away. And yet, as I throw myself on the mercy and grace of Jesus, He grants me forgiveness. So, for all of those who have explanations without excuses, take hope in the fact that Jesus forgave Peter...and He will forgive you as well.

Examining Jesus

Thursday, April 7, 2011 Reading: John 18:19-24 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2018&version=NIV Reflection: It's interesting to note how Jesus stays completely calm, respectful and truthful in the face of injustice. I say that Jesus is facing injustice because this so-called trial is taking place at night, which is actually against Jewish law. In addition, twice Jesus asks them to produce witnesses that can speak for or against him. This, too, was in the Jewish law and witnesses for and against him should have been brought. But, of course, those examining Jesus are not looking for truth. They are looking for ways to trip him up and justify their own actions as they plan to kill him. It's interesting how this pattern seems to repeat itself, though in an altered way, in our day. Many of those who claim to reject Jesus have never really authentically examined Him and His claims in a genuine pursuit of truth. They dismiss Jesus without talking to His witnesses and examining the evidence. And yet, Jesus does not force Himself on any of these people. He is calmly present in the world, ready to reveal Himself to those who would authentically explore His life. May God grant us the ability to be competent witnesses when given the chance to tell others about who Jesus is.

Acting Contrary To Our Commitments

Wednesday, April 5, 2011 Reading: John 18:12-18 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2018&version=NIV Reflection: While some of the information in this passage, when compared with the other gospels, is difficult to track, there is one thing that is quite clear as I read the text. Under the pressure of pain and rejection, Peter acts contrary to his previous commitments and denies knowing Jesus. Gone is the cocky follower who got out of a boat to walk on water. Gone is the self-confident disciple who claimed that he would die before he would ever deny knowing Jesus. When the pressure is on and Peter is caught off guard in a moment of weakness, his courage faulters and he disowns Jesus in public. While I would like to be hard on Peter and ask, "What in the world is wrong with this spineless man?", the truth of the matter is that I know I struggle with the same temptations. I find myself in a situation where I have the chance to speak for Christ, and due to public pressure or the desire to avoid the pain of ridicule or standing out in the crowd, I shrink back in silence. That silence, when I should speak, is as much of a denial as Peter's words before a servant girl. In both cases, our public identification to Christ and obedience to our calling is denied. So, when we see Peter here, we see a portrait of ourselves. Maybe this is why it is so important to stay connected to Jesus...so that when my flesh grows weak His spirit can give me the strength to stand.

Not Shrinking Back

Tuesday, April 5, 2011 Reading: John 18:1-11 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2018&version=NIV Reflection: Two things strike me as I read this passage. The first is how Jesus never tried to run and hide from the consequences of his actions and his calling. When Judas arrives with a group of people to arrest Jesus, he steps forward and confesses that He is the man that they are looking for. He didn't hide hoping they would go away. He didn't use His disciples as human shields. He simply stepped to the front, identified himself as the man for whom they were looking, and willingly accepted His fate. In fact, in accepting His own fate Jesus actually tried to protect His disciples by asking that they be set free. So, rather than using His disciples to save His own life, Jesus offers His life to save His disciples. How different this is from what many leaders do in our day. The second thing that strikes me is that part of Jesus motive was the fulfillment of scripture. John, while recording this event, adds the comment that what happened in this incident fulfilled what was written in the scriptures. So, it would appear that Jesus' actions were not impromptu decisions made on the fly. Rather, Jesus did what the scriptures said He should do so that not only would God's will be accomplished through Him, but that it would be accomplished in the intended way. So Jesus does God's will God's way...He does the right thing in the right way. May it be that we know the word well enough so that when life comes at us, we can apply His word to our actions and end up doing God's will in God's way...moving forward in faith rather than shrinking back in fear.

Witnessing, Belief And Prayer

Monday, April 4, 2011 Reading: John 17:20-26 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2017&version=NIV Reflection: Three things stuck out in my mind as I read verse 20 of John 17. The first is that Jesus assumes that His disciples will bear witness to what they have seen, heard, and come to believe. We know this because of His reference to "those who will believe in me through their message..." So, one of the functions of the disciple is to witness to the world concerning who Jesus is, why Jesus came, what Jesus has done, and why that matters not only to me, but to the world. I do this when I both tell the story of what Jesus has done for me (my story) and the details of the gospel that tell people how Jesus has saved the world (the gospel). As the season of Easter approaches, maybe I would do well to seek to tell someone about Jesus. Second, Jesus assumes that some people will come to faith as a result of the disciple's testimony. Jesus clearly states that some will believe through the witnessing of those who are His followers. So, while it is true that many people will choose not to believe, it is also true that some will come to faith. The difficulty is that I never know who is who as I share my faith...or maybe that's a blessing. Maybe my role is not to try to figure out who will ultimately come to faith...who is ready to hear the message...who is worth my time and energy in sharing the gospel. Instead, maybe I should share the gospel to every person who presents me with a door of opportunity, and let God lead them either to faith or to rejection. After all, He is certainly better equipped to do that than I am. Third, it is comforting to know that Jesus not only prays for me, but that He actually prayed for me before I ever became a believer. Here in John 17, some 2,000 years ago, when Jesus was at the edge of facing His own death, He stopped and prayed for me. That is a pretty amazing thing to think about. It is also true that Jesus is still interceding form me, and has given me His Spirit who leads me in my own prayers. So as I come to the Father in prayer, I come not on my own. I come in the name of Jesus who saved me and intercedes for me, and in the power of the Holy Spirit who searches me and intercedes for me as well. So how amazing is this. Jesus assumes that we, as His disciples, will share with others the good news of the gospel. As we do, Jesus will lead some to believe and so expand our faith family. And, when those people come into the family, they have already been prayed for by the very Savior who made their life possible. This is the link between witnessing, belief and prayer.

He Watches Over Us

Week In Review: As I review my reflections this week, it seems amazing to me how Jesus watches out for us. He warns us about the future because he not only knows the future, but desires that we not be tripped up by those certain future events. Because He is aware of all future events, those challenges and opportunities that appear to be random happenings in our mind are actually history unfolding just as He has decided. Within those events, Jesus guides us in what to say and do, so that what we do contributes to the unfolding drama of God's redemptive plan. Finally, through these events, Jesus not only protects us but also sanctifies us so that day by day we become more like the Savior who is leading us. So when we say that Jesus is with us and watching over us, they are not quaint theological realities that we are talking about. We are talking about the very real presence of a very real God who is made very real in our world as we enter each day as faithful disciples. What a great life we have as believers!

Protected and Sanctified

Friday, April 1, 2011 Reading: John 17: 6-19 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2017&version=NIV Reflection: It seems to me as I read this passage this morning that Jesus has two major requests of the Father concerning His disciples...which, by the way, includes you and me. The first of those requests is that the Father would protect the disciples. That protection is exclusively because they are being sent into the world, not rescued from it. They are being sent into the realm of the evil one in order to rescue those held captive in his grip. They are in enemy territory, and for the sake of the advancement of God's kingdom, Jesus asks His Father to watch over them and protect them. So, it's interesting to note that our protection is not from the risks of ministry as though we are to hide in a corner and hope for the best. Rather, we are to be on the move within enemy territory and praying that our Father sees and provides the needed protection. Second, Jesus asks that the Father would sanctify us. To be sanctified is to be purified, transformed into the image of the son, cleansed from the stains and pain the sin causes within the life of the believer. This is done so that while we are in enemy territory, we do not represent the enemies lifestyle or value. One of our great weapons in this epic battle against evil is our holy living. As a result, the Father must send the Spirit to indwell and change us as people so that we are matured and brought to completeness. And while we have certain spiritual disciplines we need to practice as we move along, we don't sanctify ourselves. Rather, the Father sanctifies us for the battle, then protects us in the battle. So, let's get out there and seek to engage the evil so prevalent in our world, doing so through holy living and with the confidence that our Father will protect us.