All of the Easter accounts in the Gospels leave off on Friday and pick up again on Sunday morning. Saturday is a silent day, at least as far as the narrative is concerned. What was going on? Nothing much, it was the Sabbath and the Jewish law would cause the whole country to shut down, at least as far as the locals were concerned.
But what was going on in the minds of the people, especially the disciples? What were their emotions on this "silent" day? No doubt they were in seclusion, hiding out from the authorities, lest they be caught up in any net they spread for His followers. But, what about their mental state after the heartbreak of the crucifixion?
There may have been a sense of loss of purpose, after all, the One they had counted on to be the Messiah, was gone, killed and buried. They may have felt duped, after all, they had faithfully followed this Man for three years, and everyone knew that fact. Now they could become outcasts, or, at the very least, the laughing stock of the community.
They knew He was a man sent from God. They had witnessed the miracles and heard the words. They believed. What had gone wrong? Saturday must have seemed a very long day. Their world had stopped, and God was silent also.
Looking back from our time advantage, it seems like the whole earth was in a holding pattern, waiting for Sunday. Friday was in the past, with all its horror, Saturday was sleeping, but Sunday was coming.
What a day it would be!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
It is Friday
Thursday's agony is over
Jesus has been betrayed by Judas
Peter has denied his Lord
The crowd has turned, yelling out Crucify Him
Pilate has washed his hands
The soldiers have mocked
The disciples are stunned
The cross has been prepared
The nails have been used to pin Him to that cross
The tomb is ready
"It is finished"
But Sunday is coming
Alleluia
Jesus has been betrayed by Judas
Peter has denied his Lord
The crowd has turned, yelling out Crucify Him
Pilate has washed his hands
The soldiers have mocked
The disciples are stunned
The cross has been prepared
The nails have been used to pin Him to that cross
The tomb is ready
"It is finished"
But Sunday is coming
Alleluia
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Serve and Remember
Today is Maundy Thursday in the Christian Calendar. It is celebrated as the day before the crucifixion of Jesus. It is the day and evening that Jesus washed the feet of the 12 disciples and instituted the Last Supper with those men.
The word maundy refers to a command or a mandate. In this case it would be something that Jesus commanded his men to observe. Some churches practice foot washing and most all observe the practice of the Lord's Supper on a regular basis, but the mandate seems to go much farther than just the observance of an act.
The foot washing in Jesus time was a menial job, done by a servant for the comfort of the guests in the home. It was a thankless job, and the person who performed the act was not looked up to by any means. It seems what Jesus was teaching his disciples with His act of washing their feet was that their service for Him should be that of a servant, looking to the benefit of others without regard of their standing or position. No one was too good for lowly work.
The other command had to do with remembering. Jesus told them to remember what was happening in that moment and what would happen over the next 3 days. Even though they did not comprehend all that He talked about, He commanded them to remember. Observance of the Lord's Supper is an act of remembrance. When we give out the wafer or bread, we use the words " this is the body of Christ, broken for you". Likewise with the cup we say, "this is the blood of Christ, shed for you", making it personal for the communicant, "It was for you".
So, I take all that Jesus has done for me, remembering the events and the conclusion, and carry all that with me as I serve others in His Name.
The word maundy refers to a command or a mandate. In this case it would be something that Jesus commanded his men to observe. Some churches practice foot washing and most all observe the practice of the Lord's Supper on a regular basis, but the mandate seems to go much farther than just the observance of an act.
The foot washing in Jesus time was a menial job, done by a servant for the comfort of the guests in the home. It was a thankless job, and the person who performed the act was not looked up to by any means. It seems what Jesus was teaching his disciples with His act of washing their feet was that their service for Him should be that of a servant, looking to the benefit of others without regard of their standing or position. No one was too good for lowly work.
The other command had to do with remembering. Jesus told them to remember what was happening in that moment and what would happen over the next 3 days. Even though they did not comprehend all that He talked about, He commanded them to remember. Observance of the Lord's Supper is an act of remembrance. When we give out the wafer or bread, we use the words " this is the body of Christ, broken for you". Likewise with the cup we say, "this is the blood of Christ, shed for you", making it personal for the communicant, "It was for you".
So, I take all that Jesus has done for me, remembering the events and the conclusion, and carry all that with me as I serve others in His Name.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Do Not Be Afraid
The words "Do not be afraid" appear twice in the narrative in Matthew 28. Once when the women come to the tomb and see the stone rolled away, and once when they meet Jesus as they leave that same area.
Are those words for me today?
Who would not be scared if they came upon an angel or one came upon them? Surprised, awed and scared would be the emotions that I would feel, I know. But how about being afraid of Jesus? I thought He was supposed to be meek and mild, full of grace and love. What is there to be afraid of here?
When Jesus met the women returning from the tomb, I'm pretty sure that He wanted to reassure them that it was indeed He, that He was not a ghost, and that they were not just dreaming all this up. I would want this calm assurance also.
What if Jesus was to call me into His presence today? Would I have some fear? Are there commandments that I have not kept? Are there words of His that have not guided my life? Has my time been well spent? Would I be fearful that I would not hear His words, "Well done good and faithful servant"?
Perhaps fear is too strong a word to be used in this instance. Maybe I should use embarassment, or shame or extreme discomfort.
True fear would be meeting Jesus one day and realizing that I had slandered His name and not accepted His sacrifice for my sins.
Do not be afraid.....Trust Me
Are those words for me today?
Who would not be scared if they came upon an angel or one came upon them? Surprised, awed and scared would be the emotions that I would feel, I know. But how about being afraid of Jesus? I thought He was supposed to be meek and mild, full of grace and love. What is there to be afraid of here?
When Jesus met the women returning from the tomb, I'm pretty sure that He wanted to reassure them that it was indeed He, that He was not a ghost, and that they were not just dreaming all this up. I would want this calm assurance also.
What if Jesus was to call me into His presence today? Would I have some fear? Are there commandments that I have not kept? Are there words of His that have not guided my life? Has my time been well spent? Would I be fearful that I would not hear His words, "Well done good and faithful servant"?
Perhaps fear is too strong a word to be used in this instance. Maybe I should use embarassment, or shame or extreme discomfort.
True fear would be meeting Jesus one day and realizing that I had slandered His name and not accepted His sacrifice for my sins.
Do not be afraid.....Trust Me
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Really Listen
When Mary Magdalene comes back to the disciples with the word that she has seen Him on that resurrection Sunday, Mark in chapter 16 says "they would not believe it."
In the same chapter, when Mark relates the experience of the two men on the road to Emmaus and their return to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples, he writes, "but they (the other disciples) did not believe them."
Belief in the experience of others is hard. It is so easy to be skeptical and to explain it away with a shrug and a hand wave. What does it take to truly believe?
I believed what the Bible said about Jesus and about God's love and grace and mercy, but until I actually felt like He was calling me, my belief was shallow and not worth very much at all. Most of the time it was like the man who answered Jesus' question about his belief and stated "Lord, I believe, help me in my unbelief".
Until God calls me in some way, all of the experiences of others may ring true, but are not transferable to my own life and situation. The disciples believed in Jesus, but at that moment of despair in their lives, it was not enough. Only after they had experienced Him personally, did they truly believe.
So what is my responsibility in all of this belief stuff? After I have accepted what the Bible states is true, and after I have accepted the testimony of others about God and Jesus, what do I need to do?
In my experience, I believe that I need to keep putting myself in places where I can hear God speak to me in some way. Maybe physical places, maybe situational places and maybe just in the attitude of wanting to hear and trying to listen.
Easter is a great time to hear what God is saying to me (and you). I will hear words in song, words from the pulpit, words from the Bible and words from other believers. All of these words can be true, but not enough. I need for God to make it personally true for me. I need to put myself in a place where He can get my attention and speak those words into my life.
God, help me to get out of myself, my intellect, my abilities and my self justification. Help me to listen as You call.
Really Listen....
In the same chapter, when Mark relates the experience of the two men on the road to Emmaus and their return to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples, he writes, "but they (the other disciples) did not believe them."
Belief in the experience of others is hard. It is so easy to be skeptical and to explain it away with a shrug and a hand wave. What does it take to truly believe?
I believed what the Bible said about Jesus and about God's love and grace and mercy, but until I actually felt like He was calling me, my belief was shallow and not worth very much at all. Most of the time it was like the man who answered Jesus' question about his belief and stated "Lord, I believe, help me in my unbelief".
Until God calls me in some way, all of the experiences of others may ring true, but are not transferable to my own life and situation. The disciples believed in Jesus, but at that moment of despair in their lives, it was not enough. Only after they had experienced Him personally, did they truly believe.
So what is my responsibility in all of this belief stuff? After I have accepted what the Bible states is true, and after I have accepted the testimony of others about God and Jesus, what do I need to do?
In my experience, I believe that I need to keep putting myself in places where I can hear God speak to me in some way. Maybe physical places, maybe situational places and maybe just in the attitude of wanting to hear and trying to listen.
Easter is a great time to hear what God is saying to me (and you). I will hear words in song, words from the pulpit, words from the Bible and words from other believers. All of these words can be true, but not enough. I need for God to make it personally true for me. I need to put myself in a place where He can get my attention and speak those words into my life.
God, help me to get out of myself, my intellect, my abilities and my self justification. Help me to listen as You call.
Really Listen....
Monday, April 2, 2012
The Challenge of Easter
How many times have I been through an Easter season? How many times have I read, or listened to, or watched the events of Easter as they took place 2,000 years ago? How many times have I stood in church and sang "Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Alleluia"?
Will it be any different this time around? Will I really grasp how all of this plays out in my own life? Will this day make any difference in the way I live and respond to God? Will I hear the angel in the tomb say to me "Don't be afraid, go back out into your world and live like this really matters"?
The Scripture for this morning was in Mark 16, concerning the women coming to the tomb on Easter morning and their reaction to the angel. It is a story that I have read many times. I've heard it preached and sung, but has it really sunk in?
The narrative is old, but the message needs to be new every day. I tend to treat it like an old shirt, just put it on this week and be comfortable, it won't upset your plans. You have a lot of things on your calendar, and this series of days will just fit right in, as usual. You can pay lip service to an extraordinary series of events without letting them change your life in any way. I can easily do that.
But I am challenged this morning to do it differently this time around, to make Easter, not just another Sunday on the calendar in 2012, but to make it mine, really make it mine. I am not even sure what that all means, but God knows, and I want to.
Today is Monday, but Sunday is coming. Get ready......
Will it be any different this time around? Will I really grasp how all of this plays out in my own life? Will this day make any difference in the way I live and respond to God? Will I hear the angel in the tomb say to me "Don't be afraid, go back out into your world and live like this really matters"?
The Scripture for this morning was in Mark 16, concerning the women coming to the tomb on Easter morning and their reaction to the angel. It is a story that I have read many times. I've heard it preached and sung, but has it really sunk in?
The narrative is old, but the message needs to be new every day. I tend to treat it like an old shirt, just put it on this week and be comfortable, it won't upset your plans. You have a lot of things on your calendar, and this series of days will just fit right in, as usual. You can pay lip service to an extraordinary series of events without letting them change your life in any way. I can easily do that.
But I am challenged this morning to do it differently this time around, to make Easter, not just another Sunday on the calendar in 2012, but to make it mine, really make it mine. I am not even sure what that all means, but God knows, and I want to.
Today is Monday, but Sunday is coming. Get ready......
Sunday, April 1, 2012
The Tension of Holy Week
Once upon a time, many, many years ago, there was a Passion Play put on in the Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga. It may have been sponsored by the Kiwanis Club because, somehow, my brother and I had a part to play. My Dad was active in that club and the whole family participated in the various activities. I remember Christmas programs for needy kids, horse shows to raise money for various projects, and who knows what else our family helped in.
Regardless, I was part of the crowd scenes in this play, two in particular. One was the Palm Sunday entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. We all had palm branches (or something) and our line was one word, over and over and loudly; Hosanna, Hosanna..... It was a joyous crowd, and we got to run around the stage, following the route Jesus took.
The other scene was in front of Pilate as Jesus was tried on the Friday morning. Again the line was repetitive and this time two words; Crucify Him, Crucify Him. Again we were loud, but this time there was no joy, only anger as the religious leaders walked through the crowd, stirring the people to do their bidding.
It is strange, perhaps, that the last crowd scene is the one that I remember the best. I really felt bad that I had to yell out "Crucify Him" and to turn against Jesus, when I knew deep down that He was innocent, and had come down to earth to do us good and not harm. I did not fully understood why it had to be that way, only that it made me feel like a traitor to play that part.
I wish I could say that I have always tried to play the part in my life of that Palm Sunday crowd, with joy, and giving God the glory for what He had brought down to man, but I'm afraid a lot of the time I have been willing to crucify Christ again and again by my denial of His salvation in my life. I don't have to yell it out, just live as though it did not matter what He did for me.
As in that crowd around Pilate, I feel ashamed for what my life says sometimes, and I want to turn back the clock, to be proud of what I thought about Jesus then.
Thank God for Grace and Forgiveness.
Regardless, I was part of the crowd scenes in this play, two in particular. One was the Palm Sunday entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. We all had palm branches (or something) and our line was one word, over and over and loudly; Hosanna, Hosanna..... It was a joyous crowd, and we got to run around the stage, following the route Jesus took.
The other scene was in front of Pilate as Jesus was tried on the Friday morning. Again the line was repetitive and this time two words; Crucify Him, Crucify Him. Again we were loud, but this time there was no joy, only anger as the religious leaders walked through the crowd, stirring the people to do their bidding.
It is strange, perhaps, that the last crowd scene is the one that I remember the best. I really felt bad that I had to yell out "Crucify Him" and to turn against Jesus, when I knew deep down that He was innocent, and had come down to earth to do us good and not harm. I did not fully understood why it had to be that way, only that it made me feel like a traitor to play that part.
I wish I could say that I have always tried to play the part in my life of that Palm Sunday crowd, with joy, and giving God the glory for what He had brought down to man, but I'm afraid a lot of the time I have been willing to crucify Christ again and again by my denial of His salvation in my life. I don't have to yell it out, just live as though it did not matter what He did for me.
As in that crowd around Pilate, I feel ashamed for what my life says sometimes, and I want to turn back the clock, to be proud of what I thought about Jesus then.
Thank God for Grace and Forgiveness.
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