Happy Memorial Day!

We have much to be thankful for. One of those things to be thankful for is those who serve our country – living and dead. May God bless them and their families today.

Happy Mother’s Day!

It’s Saturday, May 8 as I’m typing this. I just got done giving my son a bath after disciplining him for a few rounds of defiance. I’ve been alone with my three kids for about 27 hours and everyone’s ready for relief. When I have the kids alone for any significant chunk of time I spend money without conscience. I need diversions. Dinner out. Starbucks. Whatever. Throughoug the day I’ve taken any chunk of time I can get to catch brief naps here and there – whether it’s while the kids are napping or shortening their attention spans at the expense of Alvin & the Chipmunks: The Squeakel.

What does this have to do with Mother’s Day? Everything. My wife lives this and handles it with grace and wisdom – and doesn’t need the budget I expend. She’s amazing. Happy Mother’s Day!

And my mom did all of this before videos were commonplace and we lived so far away from anyone or anything to occupy me that I’m not sure how I kept from driving her insane.

Moms are amazing. Be sure you tell your mom how much she means to you today … whether she’s near or far. Thanks, Mom! You’re wonderful. Happy Mother’s Day.

Walking With Jesus During Passion Week: He is Risen!

Resurrection Witnesses

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise." 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. – Luke 24:1-12

Jesus’ Resurrection Appearances – John 20-21

Walking With Jesus During Passion Week: Silence

Walking With Jesus During Passion Week: Good Friday

Betrayal and Arrest

While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great
crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the
people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss
is the man; seize him." 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings,
Rabbi!" And he kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came to
do." Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. 51 And behold,
one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and
struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to
him, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish
by the sword. 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at
once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then should the
Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?" 55 At that hour Jesus said to the
crowds, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture
me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. 56 But
all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be
fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled. – Matthew 26:47-56

Jewish Trial

Annas

First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. 15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, "You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. 19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said." 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" 23 Jesus answered him, "If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?" 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. – John 18:13-24

Caiaphas

And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. 54 And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole Council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. 56 For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. 57 And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, 58 "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.'" 59 Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. 60 And the high priest
stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" 61 But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" 62 And Jesus said, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." 63 And the high priest tore his garments and said, "What further witnesses do we need? 64 You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?" And they all condemned him as deserving death. 65 And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, "Prophesy!" And the guards received him with blows. – Mark 14:53-65

Sanhedrin

And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole Council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. – Mark 15:1

Roman Trial (three phases)

And Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And he answered him, "You have said so." 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 And Pilate again asked him, "Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you." 5 But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed. – Mark 15:2-5

Crucifixion (approx. 9:00am-3:00pm)

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him. 32 As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross." 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 "He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, 'I am the Son of God.'" 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, "This man is calling Elijah." 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him." 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. 51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, "Truly this was the Son of God!" – Matthew 27:27-54

Walking With Jesus During Passion Week: Maundy Thursday

Preparations for Passover

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?" 18 He said, "Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'" 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. – Matthew 26:17-19

Passover Meal and Last Supper

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?" 23 He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, "Is it I, Rabbi?" He said to him, "You have said so." – Matthew 26:20-25

Upper Room Discourses – John 13-17

Prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray." 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand." – Matthew 26:36-46

Walking With Jesus During Passion Week: ‘Silent Wednesday’

Jesus and his disciples remain in Bethany

Judas makes arrangements for the betrayal

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. – Matthew 26.14-16

Walking With Jesus Through the Passion Week: Tuesday

Debates with Religious Leaders in Jerusalem and Teaching in the Temple - Mark 11.27-12.44

Olivet Discourse - Mark 13.1-37

Walking With Jesus Through the Passion Week: Monday

Cursing the Fig Tree on the Way to Jerusalem

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And he said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard it. – Mark 11.12-14

Cleansing the Temple

And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13 He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you make it a den of robbers." – Matthew 21.12-13

Return to Bethany

And when evening came they went out of the city. – Mark 11:19

Walking With Jesus Through the Passion Week: Palm Sunday

Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once." 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'" 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" - Matthew 21.1-9

Jesus Surveys the Temple and Returns to Bethany

And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. - Mark 11.11

Walking With Jesus Through the Passion Week: The First Saturday

Traditionally, Passion Week begins tomorrow – Palm Sunday. But this first Saturday is a day of preparation. Here’s the texts for today. Let’s enter into the narrative…

Jesus arrives in Bethany

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. – John 12:1

Evening celebration, Mary anoints Jesus

So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at the table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me." – John 12:2-8

Walking With Jesus Through the Passion Week: Introduction

This is different! We’ve been doing the Friday Book Club for awhile, but we’re going to take a break for a couple weeks. That will help us catch up, but we’re also approaching the most significant week on the Christian calendar – Easter Week. Also known as Passion Week.

One of my professors in seminary, Mike Wilkins, gave us a handy little tool to help us walk with Jesus during Passion Week, beginning tomorrow. To find these materials in print, check out Matthew by Dr. Wilkins in the NIV Application Commentary, p. 708.

My hope for this series of posts through Easter is that we could engage the Scriptures and re-live that most significant of weeks – even just for a little bit of time each day. May we enter into the story and let it change us and live out God’s mission more fully in our lives.

We’ll get started tomorrow. I hope you’ll find it profitable.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

My wife’s amazing. We’re delaying our date for a night. Taking cookies to our friends who live in the motels (hard to bake in there!). We’ll grab a movie and get a few hours without kids tomorrow. (Saving our money to try to get away for a few days over spring break!)

In keeping with that schedule, at least in part, here’s a link to our church (be sure to click on Media in the left column). And be sure to see what they’re doing at Mosaic lately. And feel free to share what God taught you this morning at your worship service – or let me know a great mid-day date idea to help me out for tomorrow!

Happy New Year!

Each morning when I get to the office I take a minute or two to read a brief devotional. I finished The Passion of Jesus Christ by John Piper. Two page devotions on the difference the cross makes. Lately I’ve been reading Ragman and Other Stories by Walter Wangerin, Jr. He has a story called, “Meditation on a New Year’s Day.” It’s a meditation on God’s greatness and how amazing it is that He loves us. One particular thought reminds me of the last few chapters of Job – some of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I hope they challenge/encourage you, too.

Who knows the beginning of the things which we can know? Theory! Theory! We chirp theories like chickadees, because ignorance is a terrifying thing and we need the noise. But when I can with courage know I do not know; when I admit that I stand with my back to a void, that I am indeed blind to the beginning of my own things, then I am silenced. Then I am chilled by my own triviality – some dust at the edge of the desert. Nevertheless, you kneel down, and find me, and tell me that you love me. (p. 7)

He loves you. Happy New Year’s.

Beyond Christmas (Section 6d of the Nameless Luke Advent Thingee)

Home Alone

Happy New Year! I know I’m a little early, but I’ll be a little late if you check out the blog tomorrow.

I can’t believe we’ve made it through an entire month, working through the first two chapters of Luke. I hope it has helped keep you in the season of Advent, anticipating the revelation of God’s great love as He stoops to communicate to us in a way we understand – through the life of a man who was born as a baby in Bethlehem.

I was going to show my kids the movie Home Alone this year, but it was checked out at Blockbuster. Our passage today, oddly enough, relates a bit to home alone, but in an unexpected way. The passage begins with a faithful family (we’ve been through that) that travels each year to the temple. (Are you seeing how this is developing?) Read the rest of Luke 2 and see if you notice the twist.

Read Luke 2.41-52

Did you get it? Jesus wasn’t “home alone” in Nazareth when his family went on their journey. He was “home” in the Temple with His Heavenly Father. His residence was in Nazareth, but His home was with God.

This passage aligns Jesus with God the Father and starts to establish His identity as Messiah and preparing for Him to break on the scene ready for ministry.

Alignment with God. That’s an interesting thing to think about as we look forward to 2010. Some people are dismissive of resolutions and goals. I do them some years and not others, but nobody can dispute the need for some self-evaluation, or at least some Spirit-guided personal reflection on how well one is aligned with God.

Where are you with God? Where are you out of alignment? The last verse of this passage gives some potential areas where you may be out of alignment with God.

Jesus grew in wisdom. The mind is a vital battlefield when it comes to living the life God desires for you. Are you committed to an active life of the mind?

Jesus grew in stature. He was a growing boy, but God gave you a body to take care of. How are you doing? I need some work on this one, personally.

Jesus grew in favor with God. Are you aligned with God in the sense that you are pursuing relationship with Him? Seeking to be His friend? The first commandment is to love God with everything you’ve got.

The second commandment is like it. Jesus grew in favor with man. He grew socially. God created us to love our neighbors.

God has created you as a whole person. Mental. Physical. Spiritual. Social. Where do you need to better align with God in one or more of these areas in 2010?

May God bless you as you pursue Him in 2010. Happy New Year!

Beyond Christmas (Section 6c of the Nameless Luke Advent Thingee)

You’re Not the Only Righteous One

The title may scare you. You may think you’re not righteous. That’s possible, even likely, but one of the fears about following God faithfully and passionately and without reserve is that you feel like you’re alone. Yesterday we looked at how Mary and Joseph were a righteous couple. They must have felt so alone. They were still bearing a huge weight. Few would believe their story and they’ve only received the encouragement of anonymous shepherds. But as they’ve walked in righteousness, as they’ve followed what God has called them to do, they encounter the fellowship of other faithful pilgrims.

Read Luke 2.25-40

What an amazing encouragement for Mary and Joseph! Who are the people in your lives that have been a great encouragement to you in your faith? Take some time over the next couple days to thank them for their investment in your life.

On the flip side, who are you investing in? Pray for God to direct you to, or bring someone in your life, who you can invest in. God has used examples in your own life. It might be time for you to step up and be one yourself.

Beyond Christmas (Section 6b of the Nameless Luke Advent Thingee)

A Commitment to Righteousness

Sometimes I don’t finish well. For example, I don’t feel like writing this post today. I’m sensing a great accomplishment coming on. Posting for a full month consecutively on the blog. But it wouldn’t take much for me to blow it off. I don’t know who’s reading this, but I know there aren’t many. I’m a bit ADD so I’d happily move past Christmas now and not worry about this any longer.

Mary and Joseph have done the heavy lifting here. They’ve borne the shame in Nazareth. They’ve processed their confusion with angelic intervention. Mary has given birth to Messiah. Joseph has stood by and will take the role of parenting this child that is not his own.

We might excuse them if they cut some corners. They don’t. Check it out.

Read Luke 2.21-24

What’s this all about? It was time for circumcision. So they did it. It was time for purification. So they did it. As righteous people, they fulfilled the expectations God put upon them through the Law.

Think of the excuses they may have had to cut corners. They’re poor (they gave two birds instead of a lamb). Marry got a pass on being an unwed mother and Joseph received a divine permission slip via an angel to excuse Mary. In short, they’ve had unmatched spiritual experiences. They’ve also suffered. Remember the looks Mary would have received? Joseph would be thought weak for not divorcing her – or it would be assumed he really was the father. They paid their dues. None of us would blame them for taking an easy way out.

But that’s not what they’re made of. They are committed to righteousness. They’re going to set a great example for their Messiah-Child.

It’s important to focus on Jesus during this time of year, but we shouldn’t forget the examples of those who are around Him. Mary and Joseph are committed to righteousness. Righteousness sometimes has bad connotations: legalism, boredom, dour faces. But it seems like it is something different in their lives. I might be reading too much into it, but there seems to be an eager overflow of grace in their lives.

They’ve been taken on quite a ride. When you experience God and walk faithfully, the response isn’t to cut corners. It’s to move in ways that please God.

As you’ve sought to experience God during this Advent season, how has it affected your righteousness? Are you more inclined to keep following Him closely into the New Year? What will that look like? If you’re not inclined to follow Him, what are the things that are holding you back?

Beyond Christmas (Section 6a of the Nameless Luke Advent Thingee)

Surveying the Scene

This is it, the home stretch. Jesus has been born, but there’s more to the story. Don’t worry. We aren’t going through the whole gospel, but there are several more passages on the reception of the baby Jesus by faithful men and women. We’re going to look at their expectation and how we can look ahead to 2010 as we follow in their footsteps. For now, survey the passage we’re going to look at and jot any pertinent notes or questions.

Read Luke 2.21-52

Sunday Services

Just like the last couple weeks, spend today thinking about how your pastor’s Sunday message can apply to your life. If you’re not at a church, below is our church’s link (Cypress Church) and Imago Dei Community in Portland (one of the churches that spearheaded the Advent Conspiracy).

Cypress Church

Imago Dei Community

If you’re not in a church, consider giving one a try this New Year, asking God to show Himself to you and how you can contribute to a local church family.

Messiah Arrives (Section 5d of the Nameless Luke Advent Thingee)

Lingering Worship

People don’t necessarily think much of shepherds. We’ve covered that much. But these shepherds are models for all of us. They encounter the angelic host and are moved by the message. We can easily be ‘moved’ without actually moving. The shepherds were moved to action. From the testimony of others (the angels), they were moved to see this baby and testify of the things they’ve heard. As you read, take note of what happened after they encountered Mary and Joseph.

Read Luke 2.15-20

Did you notice that? Their story was compelling. Imagine Mary’s bewilderment. It has been a fantastic promise coming to fruition, but could it really be true? Might she be confused? Her faith has been resolute so we don’t want to assume the worst, but if there was any wavering, the testimony of these unlikely heralds, shepherds, would calm those fears. It gave her wonderful images to ponder in her heart.

But there’s more. I love the rest of the shepherds’ story. There isn’t much to it, but it is a story that lingers, that carries on. They encounter Jesus in the manger. They tell Mary the story. And they can’t stop. They’re changed. They continue to worship and delight in what they’ve experienced.

It’s the day after Christmas. There are probably sales to get to and errands to run. I understand things need to get done, but don’t forget to keep an attitude of worship. Christmas is a time to re-focus, but it isn’t a time to re-focus and then forget. It’s a time to re-focus and stay as focused as we can to live like Jesus, to incarnate God’s presence into the lives of those we touch. Don’t forget to worship Jesus today – and stay focused on doing it throughout the New Year, too.

This series of blog posts will go through January 1. I hope it helps you dwell in the Advent season and move into the new year with that same awareness of God’s presence in your life as you take His presence to others.