The One Greater than I

⁷And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I,
the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:7-8)

Here’s John’s message, there comes one more powerful than I. As ministry grows and influence increases, there’s a part of the human consciousness that likes, perhaps even craves the attention and popularity of others. However, we must never forget, we have been merely sent to prepare the way. All the road signs and on-ramps do not lead to us, but to Christ. Our ambition is not to be our notoriety, popularity or numbers, but in pointing others toward the One who is Famous. I love how the Gospel of John records John the Baptist’s comments. He sees himself as the “best friend” and “best man” of the “bridegroom.”

²⁷John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. ²⁸You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ ²⁹The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. ³⁰He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:27-30)

May I be like this! What best-man tries to steal the attention of the groom? Yet, how often do I/we, even unconsciously secretly wish to gain the attention of the masses, however small that “mass” may actually be?

God, show me any ways, however subtle that they may be, where I try or desire to draw attention to myself, rather than You – the bridegroom.

An Invitation to Journey

Prepare the way for the Lord.
(Mark 1:3)

Prepare

The word prepare means “to make ready” or “ to build.” As in to build a house and furnish it. It was used in reference to those who were about to commence on a journey. As such, they would begin to ponder the path before them. They would think through what supplies they would need and then they would begin “to pack up” and make ready for the trip.

The way

This word means “way,” “path,” “road,” “route,” also “course,” “journey,” “march,” and figuratively means, “procedure,” “manner.” Life is often compared to a way, as in phrases that speak about the path of life or the manner of life.^[1]

John is out to the wilderness. People come to hear him. He invites people on a journey. They are currently traveling down the path of their own demise. They are given an alternative. Each person is challenged to “repent,” to begin to think differently about who they are, where they are headed and ultimately who they are following.

Repent.

Change the trajectory of your journey – turn to God. And ultimately, follow the One who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

Christianity is more than a adhering to a prescribed set of beliefs or doctrines. It is a journey. As Eugene Peterson said, it is a long obedience in the same direction.

The operative word is long. It’s ongoing and progressive. As we journey with Christ, the paths of our life, the internal routes of our mindsets and heart-sets continually need to be made ready, renovated and refurnished. There are things, perhaps that we started this journey with that now need to be laid down. Baggage.

God, may I never reduce this journey you’ve called me on to a mere set of beliefs, duties or doctrines. May I never take on the mindset of one who has “arrived.” For, as Merton said, I shall always be a beginner. May I continue to walk with open hands and “backpack” before You. As I journey before and with You, may I with great courage lay down any and everything (the sin and the weight) that so easily entangles me.

---

^[1] Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (666–667). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.

The Wilderness Within

"a voice of one calling in the wilderness,

'Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.' " (Mark 1:3)

There’s a “wilderness” in me. Areas that have yet to become full formed to the image of Christ. What does it look like for these areas to be “prepared” for the Lord? How might they be made “straight paths”?

⁴And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. (Mark 1:4-5)

I have a part to play in my own formation. I am responsible for responding to the “voice” that is calling out to me – into these wilderness places. God is there, in the wilderness of my soul – calling – waiting – wanting for me to be baptized. To be immersed in the Holy Spirit. To experience forgiveness and freedom.

Will I go out to meet him there…? 

Will I confess my sin(s)…? 

Will I descend into the Jordan – the place of descending death to the self…

Prepare the Way

"a voice of one calling in the wilderness,

'Prepare the way for the Lord,

make straight paths for him.' " (Mark 1:3)

Are we each not called to be like John the Baptist? Perhaps not in the same scope or fashion, but in essence similar, in that, our very lives become a “voice in the wilderness” calling people in their next step in faith.

To “prepare.” To make ready. To cultivate the ground.

That, with the Holy Spirit, our actions and interactions and preparations would assist in preparing people to experience “the Lord” in new and meaningful ways.

Shouldn’t all preaching in some way “prepare the way” and “make straight paths for him”?

What if everything we did – our entire lives were seen from this perspective? All tasks, even the seemingly smallest, would suddenly become a component of a larger picture.

• ·      When I set up chairs for a gathering or class; I prepare the way.
• ·      When I study for a sermon; I prepare the way.
• ·      When I greet someone new with joy and care; I prepare the way.
• ·      When I stand up and communicate God’s Word; I prepare the way and make straight the paths….

God, may I engage others with the same level of intentionality as John. May I see everything I do, simply as a part of the larger picture of what you are doing in our community and within individual life. May I never dismiss a task, no matter how small, nor forget that it very well could be a part of preparing the way for You…

Ephesians 3:18-20 // REWRITE

The following is a rewrite of Paul's prayer found in Ephesians 3:18-20.

"May have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..." -Ephesians 3:18-20 NIV

REWRITE

You are not alone. You are a part of an eternal community of Christ followers – God’s very people. As you journey together, may you have the ability to comprehend and grasp with your whole being the love of Christ. His love, that stretches wide beyond geographical regions, ethnicity and race. That love, that runs long through the story of history itself, from eternity to eternity. The love, that extends toward the very throne of God, raising us up to sit with Him; forgiven, healed, restored, joint-heirs with Christ, who have been made alive with the same Spirit that raised Him from the clutches of Death, Hell, and the Grave. His love that reached downward into the mire of human depravity, taking on the very nature of humanity, stained by sin, stricken with the very punishment that belonged to us. May this love, become deeply lodged in the very core of your being, until it changes how you see everything (God, others, even yourself).

No longer shall you be satisfied merely making castles in the sand or paddling around in the shallowness of the shoreline. Rather, may you be drawn further and further out, deeper and deeper in, until you are completely consumed by His love. May you experientially know that which is beyond human rhetoric and comprehension.

Don’t be mistaken! You haven’t seen the least of it yet. Just when you think you’ve got a hold on His love, you’re swept still further out and further out beyond that. God is able to do anything, exponentially more than we can ask, think or imagine, according to His power that is presently at work within us…

Ephesians 3:16-17 :: REWRITE

The following is an expanded re-write of Ephesians 3:16-17.

 ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

–Ephesians 3:16-17 NIV

I pray that the very core of your heart, the executive center of your being, the citadel of your soul, will be fortified and strengthened by the endless power of God’s Spirit. May you be built up, not according to your lack, but His boundless supply. The purpose of such strengthening isn’t for your own honor, making a name for yourself, or even expanding your own kingdom. On the contrary, this infusing of God’s power is that you may, more and more, live out your life as if Christ were living His life through you. Don’t be content with Christ’s provision of an eternal destiny. But, implore Him to be your traveling companion throughout this journey called life.

Don’t just tidy up your soul the way you’d clean your house prior to a visit from an out-of-town guest. Yard mowed. Bushes manicured. Landry put away. Yet, all the while, the closets are a mess, and so will be the rest of the house, once they depart. No, invite Christ in. Give Him refrigerator rights. Grant Him keys to the closets and access to the attic. Don’t stop there, go ahead, turn over the title and move into the guest room yourself. Let Him run the affairs of your home and all of your comings and goings…

Paul's Ephesian Prayer :: Remixed

The following is a rewrite of Paul's prayer found in Ephesians 1:15-23.

Because God has chose you, predestined you, accepted you, redeemed you, forgiven your sins, lavished you with his grace, shown you his will, marked you with the Holy Spirit and given you an eternal inheritance that you can partake of in the here and now, I have not stopped giving thanks for you. Day and night I’m praying for you! I keep asking God, over and over, to give you in abundance the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. The Spirit that causes you to come alive with an awareness to God and His present-nearness, even in the most mundane moments of life. In all the arenas of your life, may you know God better. May your relationship with Him continue to move from the theoretical and abstract to the practical expressions of love and faith in action. May this experiential knowledge of God transform you from the inside out and cause you to walk in complete freedom with-Him.

Like the shutter of a camera that opens to let light in so that an image can be captured, I pray that the eyes of your heart will be opened, so that the image of who God created you to be, will be etched and developed deep in the core of your being. May every skewed image of this world that rises up to distort your true identity in Christ be exposed for what it is, a mirage - an illusion.

May you be consumed with the hope to which you have been called. All these truths that declare who you are in Christ, may they begin to cause you to see everything from His perspective (God, yourself, others and the world in which you live). May you be so infiltrated by the reality of God’s promises that you will never again settle for empty, stale or aimless living.

May you come to understand not only who you are in Christ, but how Christ Himself sees you. You are His treasured possession, a precious jewel, the very one who He suffered and died for to reconcile back to Himself.

May you know that you are no longer under the tyranny of sin, nor the power of Satan. No longer are you to be spellbound by the enchantments of this world or imprisoned by the fads and labels of this present age.

For the same dynamic force that God exercised to shatter the dominion of death, raising Christ from the grave is at work within you who believe. May you live in the sphere of His kingdom here and now…

Paul's Colossian Prayer :: Remixed

The New Testament letter's penned by the Apostle Paul contain instruction and doctrine, but they are also very personal. In 1 Thessalonians 2:8, Paul writes, "we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well."

Paul saw prayer as a significant element of the on-going transformation within the life of those he discipled. Not only their prayers, but the prayers he prayed for them. In nearly every letter we have by Paul, he makes note that he has been praying continuously for them. In a few places Paul even gives us a glimpse into not only the constancy of his prayers, but the content as well. There's much we can learn about prayer from simply reflecting on they types of things Paul prayed. The past couple of weeks in New Community, we've been reflecting on Paul's prayers. 

I've encouraged  everyone to take the passages/prayers that we're studying and commit to pray them throughout the week for: 

• themselves/immediate family, 
• someone they are close to, and 
• someone they have a hard time being around (but must interacte with on a regular basis). 

In addition to studying and reflecting on Paul's prayers as they are written, each week, I've offered a rewrite of the passage. A remix, if you will, of the passage, what it means and how we could practically pray it for ourselves and others.

The following is the rewrite for Colossians 1:9-14.

God I pray that you grant unto me an experiential encounter with Your truth – the knowledge of Your will. Renovate my mind and establish the blueprints to Your kingdom deep within my heart. God, help me to see things from Your perspective. Everything, from who I am to what I do. Invade every sphere of my life – private to public. May I live as if You were living through me. I pray the very minute details of my life will bring an unending smile to Your face.

God, more and more, let me learn how to keep in step with Your Spirit in every part of my life. As I follow Your leading, the way You want things to be done, may my life be marked by the out-flowing of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Father, expand the horizon of my vision, until I see Your present-activity in virtually every arena of my life. Strengthen me with the power of Your Spirit. As I’m empowered according to Your might, may I not bow down as a despondent coward in the face of adversity and difficult circumstances. No, in the power of Your might, may I find the wherewithal to stand and not give up. When I’m mistreated and in the midst of difficult people, may I be slow to anger and respond to others with love and grace.

Finally, I desire to be a wellspring of joy, giving thanks to you at every occasion. May I not get bogged down with the snares of this world to the point of my joy becoming strangled and my heart diminishing into decadence of complaining. May I never lose sight of the reality that I was once aimlessly wandering in sin, shrouded by death and held captive under the dominion of darkness. Not so any longer! I have been rescued out of darkness, snatched out of death and transferred into the kingdom of the Son of Your delight. I have been chosen, forgiven and redeemed because of Your never-ending love.

Recalling Prophecies

Timothy, MY SON,  I am giving you this COMMAND
in keeping with the PROPHECIES once made about you,
so that by RECALLING THEM
YOU MAY FIGHT THE BATTLE WELL -1 Timothy 1:18

God has a plan for each of us. At times in life, we are blessed by interacting with other followers of Christ who have an intuitive sense into what God is doing in one's life, even at discerning the special grace(s) God has imparted to a person. Elements of one's giftings, calling, etc. These words, messages and insights, when shared at a timely season, in a God honoring way, have tremendous power to direct one's course in God.

Along our journey in this world there are many things that can serve to distract and derail us from God's preferred path for our lives. Relationships, busyness, pressing needs, even forces of darkness can rally to twart our way.

At other times, discouragement and apathy settle in on our souls like a fog on a spring morning. Subtly it settles, barely noticable at first, and then before one knows it, they find themselves unable to see ten-feet ahead. Likewise, discouragement and apathy, slowly, yet steady settle in on our souls, until without nearly noticing, we are surrounded, clouded, stagnant and lacking in any sense of motivation and direction.

Timothy, as a young man, seemed to face his share of discouragement and opposition in life and ministry. Paul "urges" him to "recall" those things that had been spoken over his life prior to the fog settling.

To "recall" these prophecies, and by them, "fight the battle well." God's perspective, often found not only in His written Word, but the very words at time spoken to us by God, through others.

Over the years, there have been various influential people in my life, who at times, have spoken a timely word into and over my life. Words, that I knew were from God. Words, that either resonated with something God Himself had spoken to me or perhaps a word confirming something someone else had spoken. Regardless, there was power in these words - they brought life to something deep within.

I've kept many of these words written down on pieces of paper. At times, like Paul's instructions to Timothy, I've found it helpful to go back to those pieces of paper and simply re-read, remember and reflect on these messages. And, it is during those discouraging seasons of the soul, that these words have the potential to strengthen us, to cause something to rise up within us, to enable us to "fight the battle well."

• Have you ever experienced someone speaking a word like this to/over you?
  
  
  
• Do you have people in your life like this? People who can give perspective and insight into life, especially during the difficult seasons of the soul?

• Are there things that you have sensed God has spoken to you? Things, that in times of discouragement or misdirection could be "recalled" to help you "fight the battle well"…?

"Like golden apples set in silver is a word spoken at the right time."
-Proverbs 25:11

"A person finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word!"
-Proverbs 15:23

"Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets

so that a herald may run with." 

-Habakkuk 2:2

Decided but not Discipled...

I'm currently reading through King Jesus Gospel by Scot McKnight. The aim of the text is to explore the meaning of Gospel and Salvation as presented throughout the New Testament. His premise is that we've settled for a view of "gospel" and "salvation" that may be less than biblical. The book explores how the Gospel and Salvation are presented theologically in the New Testament (via Gospels, Paul, Peter, etc).

The foundational introduction contends that we have placed much emphasis on people Making a Decision for Jesus. However, such a decision may not be congruent with them actually becoming Disciples of Jesus.

Below are a few quotes from the opening chapter:

"The primary barrier to the power of Jesus' gospel today - that is, a view of salvation and of grace that has no connection with discipleship and spiritual transformation. It is a view of grace and salvation that, supposedly, gets one ready to die, but leaves them unprepared to live now in the grace and power of resurrection life."

"Evangelism that focuses on decisions short circuits and - yes, the word is appropriate - aborts the design of the gospel, while evangelism that aims at disciples slows down to offer the full gospel of Jesus and the apostles."

"We cannot help but conclude that making a decision is not the vital element that leads to a life of discipleship."

"Our focus on getting young people to make decisions - that is, "accepting Jesus into their hearts" - appears to distort spiritual formation... focusing youth events, retreats, and programs on persuading people to make a decision disarms the gospel, distorts numbers, and diminishes the significance of discipleship."

Images of the Cross

Often the phrase "Jesus died on the cross for my sins" is used to explain the purpose of Jesus' death. This is true, but it seems that this pat-answer is a bit flattened for what really transpired. Interestingly, the writers of the New Testament utilized a number of images, words and metaphors to communicate what happened on the cross. It's almost as if in each instance there were saying, "the cross... it's like this.... and it's like this... and it's like this" Each time pulling from another sector of life, culture and understanding. The following are a few of the images of the cross and what transpired that are found in the New Testament.

Easter

“I have seen the Lord!”
John 20:18

“The disciples had seen the strong hands of God twist the crown
of thorns into a crown of glory, and in hands as strong as that they
knew themselves safe . . .
They had expected a walkover, and they beheld a victory; 
they had expected an earthly Messiah,
and they beheld the Soul of Eternity.”
Dorothy L. Sayers

In the book, Sit, Walk, Stand, Watchman Nee said, “Christianity begins not with a big DO, but with a big DONE.”  He continues: “We begin our Christian life by depending not on our own doing but upon what Christ has done.  Until you realize this, you are no Christian; for to say: “I can do nothing to save myself; but by His grace God has done everything for me in Christ,” is to take the first step of faith.  If I put a dollar bill between the pages of a magazine, and then burn the magazine, where is the dollar bill?  It has gone the same way as the magazine – to ashes.  Where the one goes the other goes, too.  Their history has become one.  But, just as effectively, God has put us in Christ.  What happened to Him happened also to us.  All the experiences He met, we too have met in Him.

“Our old man was crucified with Him,
that the body of sin might be done away,
that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin.”
Romans 6:6

This verse is not an exhortation to struggle.  That is history: our history, written in Christ before we were born.  Do you believe this?  It is true! Our crucifixion with Christ is a glorious historical fact.  Our deliverance from sin is based, not on what we can do, nor even on what God is going to do for us, but on what He has already done in Christ.

Action: Based on this reflection, give thanks to God for what He has done.

“The crowning evidence that Jesus was alive was not a vacant grave, but a Spirit-filled fellowship.  Not a rolled-away stone, but a carried away church.”
Clarence Jordan

Join a group of Christ-followers, and together celebrate the risen Christ.

“The death of Jesus is for us nothing if we have not died with Him;
the resurrection of our Lord is for us nothing
if we have not been raised with Him.”
Swiss Theologian, Emil Brunne

Day 40 of Lent :: Tombstone

“Mary stood outside the tomb weeping.”
John 20:11

The disciples had left everything to follow Christ.  Many had abandoned personal aspirations, hopes and dreams.  They had placed all their trust in this Rabbi – Jesus.  They believed He was about to establish a new kingdom, but now He lies lifeless within the tomb.  “What will we do now?” they wondered.  “I suppose I can go back to work with my dad,” added another.  Others sat despondently on the verge of depression, unable to sort out the events of the past seventy-two hours.

Have you ever wondered what they would have done had Jesus never risen from the dead?  I imagine they would have somehow found their way back into the rhythms of life, as they had once known it.  But who knows?  After all, Peter had once said, “Where else can we go?”  What if the tomb remained darkened with death?

Reflection: Take a few moments to reflect on this dark question:

•  What if Jesus had never risen from the dead?
  
• What would your life be like today, had Jesus never invaded the darkness of your soul?
  
• What struggles, pain, wounds, and addictions would still have you entrapped?

This may, indeed, be a dark reflection, but do not be too quick to climb out of the grave.  Allow yourself to feel the darkness of sin and death without a Savior in sight.  Allow yourself to experience the ambiguity that these first disciples felt.

Day 39 of Lent :: Good Friday

“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said,
‘It is finished!’  And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.’”
John 19:30

“Good Friday,” Virginia Stem Owens writes, “is the day when you can do nothing.  Bewailing and lamenting your manifold sins does not in itself make up for them.  Scouring your soul in a frenzy of spring cleaning only sterilizes it; it does not give it life.  On Good Friday, finally, we are all, mourners and mockers alike, reduced to the same impotence.  Someone else is doing the terrible work that gives life to the world.”

Today, we recognize we are powerless to change ourselves or to make amends for our sins.  We stand in awe of the One Who is suffering for our sakes.  We gaze at the One who willingly laid down His life so that we may live.  Today, we are reminded again that He is everything that we need.

“As you sit and gaze, it will be born in you
that only a crucified Savior could meet your need.”
William Sangster

Prayer:  Spend a few moments gazing at the One Who suffered for your sin and died so that you may experience true life.

Day 38 of Lent :: History in the Making

“These who have turned the world upside down
 have come here too.”
(Acts 17:6)

“Not only countless individual lives but civilization itself was transformed by Jesus Christ.”  These are the words of Dr. Paul Maier, professor of Ancient History at Western Michigan University.  Professor Maier continues,

In the ancient world, his (Jesus’) teachings elevated brutish standards of morality, halted infanticide, enhanced human life, emancipated women, abolished slavery, inspired charities and relief organizations, created hospitals, established orphanages, and founded schools.

In medieval times, Christianity almost single-handedly kept classical culture alive through recopying manuscripts, building libraries, moderating warfare through truce days, and providing dispute arbitration.  It was Christians who invented colleges and universities, dignified labor as a divine vocation, and extended the light of civilization to barbarians on the frontiers.

In the modern era, Christian teaching, properly expressed, advanced science, instilled concepts of political and social and economic freedom, fostered justice, and provided the greatest single source of inspiration for magnificent achievements in art, architecture, music, and literature that we treasure to the present day.1

Prayer: Spend time reflecting on the influences Jesus Christ has had on the history of civilization.  Think about what the world would be like today had Jesus never come to earth.

But as we gaze, it is not pity that we feel,
but a profound reverence,
for there on Calvary is the great turning point in the course of human affairs.

Hughell Fosbroke

1 Quoted by Alvin J. Schmidt, Under the Influence, 8.

Day 37 of Lent :: Unlikely Candidates

He appointed twelve that they might be with Him 

and that He might send them out to preach.
(Mark 3:14)

At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, He spent all night in prayer, seeking God’s direction, and He then chose twelve individuals to be His disciples.  Consider His perspective.  As the Son of God, He was going to choose twelve men to carry on His mission on earth once He returned to the Father.  For what character and temperament qualities should He look?  What type of selective process should He use? 

Suppose Jesus had consulted a local employment agency to assist Him in His selection of future leaders.  How would this agency have assessed the twelve men Jesus selected?  Consider the following as a possibility:

Memorandum

TO:
Jesus, Son of Joseph
Woodcrafter Carpenter Shop
Nazareth

FROM:
Jordan Management Consultants
Jerusalem

Thank you for submitting the résumés of the 12 men you have chosen for management positions in your new organization.  Each of them took our battery of tests, and we analyzed the results.  Our psychologist and vocational-aptitude consultant then interviewed each one.
It is the opinion of the staff that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education, and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking.  They do not have a concept of working as a team.  We would recommend that you continue your search for people of proven capabilities and managerial experience.

Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper.  Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty.  Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale.  We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau.  James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus definitely have radical leanings, and they both register high manic-depressive tendencies.

One of the candidates, however, shows great potential.  He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind and has contacts in high places.  He is highly motivated, ambitious and innovative.  We recommend Judas Iscariot as your comptroller and right-hand man.  All other profiles are self-explanatory.
We wish you every success in your new venture.1

Reflection: Are you glad God does not see things the way humans do? As you go through your day, reflect on the following verse.  As you meditate on it, ask God to increase your ability to see situations and people as He does.

No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, 

Never so much as imagined anything quite like it—
What God has arranged for those who love Him.
(1 Corinthians 2:9)

1 Greg Ogden, Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time, 77.

Day 34 of Lent :: Fish and Bread

Jesus said to them,
“Come and have breakfast.”
(John 21:12)

Just before the arrest that would lead to His death, Jesus gathered His disciples together for a meal of preparation.  Shortly afterwards, they all fled in fear and dismay.  After Jesus rose from the dead, He gathered His friends together for another meal, this time for restoration.  At this meal, they brought the fish, and He brought the bread.  They brought their shame-filled brokenness.  He brought the resurrection power of forgiveness and acceptance. 

In ancient times, bread was not merely the substance of a meal, it was what they shared to make a covenant.  Jesus specifically addressed Peter in a heart-penetrating conversation. Kenneth Wuest’s translation offers one of the richest renderings of this passage found in the Gospel of John 21:15-19:

“Then when they had breakfasted, Jesus says to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, do you have a love for me called out of your heart by my preciousness to you, a devotional love that impels you to sacrifice yourself for me?  Do you consider me more precious and thus love me more than these [fish]?’  He (Peter) says to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, as for You, You know positively that I have an emotional fondness for You.’  He (Jesus) says to him, ‘Be feeding my little lambs.’ Jesus says to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, do you have a devotional love for me called out of your heart by my preciousness to you, a love that impels you to sacrifice yourself for me?’  He (Peter) says to Him, ‘Yes, Lord. As for You, You know positively that I have a friendly feeling for You.’  He (Jesus) says to him, ‘Be shepherding My sheep.’  Jesus says to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonas, do you have a friendly feeling and affection for me?’  Peter was grieved that He said to him the third time, ‘Do you have a friendly feeling and affection for me?’  And Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, as for You, all things You know positively.  You know from experience that I have a friendly feeling and affection for You.’  Jesus says to him, ‘Be feeding My sheep. Most assuredly, I am saying to you, When you were younger, you were accustomed to clothe yourself and to walk where you were desiring to walk. But when you grow old, you shall stretch out your hands, and another shall bind you around and carry you where you do not desire.’  And this He said, indicating by what kind of death he will glorify God. And having said this, Jesus says to him, ‘Be following with me.’”[i]

Reflection: What do you notice about Jesus’ interactions with Peter? Jesus asks Peter some very poignant and piercing questions.  Pay attention to the honesty of Peter’s answers.  This is quite a contrast to the boastful claims made just a few days earlier.  Peter now stands before Jesus, a humbled man.  As you go through your day, reflect on the following statement:

Victory begins with the name of Jesus on your lips;
but it will not be consummated
until the nature of Jesus is in your heart.
Francis Frangipane

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[i] Kenneth Wuest, The New Testament  : An Expanded Translation (John 21:15).

Day 33 of Lent :: At a Distance

“Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.”
(Matthew 26:56)

At Gethsemane, the angry crowd “seized Jesus and arrested Him.” (Matthew 26:50)  Jesus, fully expecting the mob to come, did not put up a fight.  In fact, Jesus said this had happened so that “the Scriptures would be fulfilled.” (Matthew 26:54) At His arrest, “all the disciples deserted Him and fled.”  No one was closer to Jesus than His disciples.  If anyone should have stood with Him, it should have been one of them.  They had seen and been a part of more miracles than anyone else, but they caved in.  They forsook Him.  They fled.  They left Jesus alone. 

Soon Peter would deny Christ three times.  It is easy to criticize Peter for his outright denial, but there were others who were not even close enough to the scene to disavow knowledge of Him.  Matthew’s Gospel tells us, “Peter followed Him at a distance.” Tricia McCary offers an insightful reflection on this scene:

“We often think of Peter as the one who betrayed Christ, but in reality, he was one of the few who stayed near Him after the arrest.  What might have been his thoughts, feelings, and fears as he followed at a distance?  Place yourself in the courtyard that night.  See yourself being asked about your relationship to Christ.  How would it feel to deny Him as Peter did?  Do you at times deny Him by your life?  By your words or lack of words?

“Jesus was neither surprised nor discouraged at Peter’s failures – He knew it would happen.  In fact, after His resurrection, it seems He may have sought out Peter.  Their conversation is not recorded – just the fact that it took place. (1 Corinthians 15:3-5)  Imagine those moments together.  If it were you, what would you want to say?  What would you want to do?

“Consider your own weaknesses, failures, and sin.  Christ is not surprised or discouraged.  Come to Him today and receive His love and forgiveness, and pour out your heart in love.  Write a prayer of response.”

Prayer: “Oh, Lord, how often I follow You at a distance. The cost of staying by Your side at times seems too great.  I have denied You – maybe not with words, but in a thousand deeds of disobedience.  I need to see Your eyes of love across the courtyard of my life, but too often I find myself running away, tears of regret coursing through my days.  Seek me out, Lord – draw me to Your side with the lovingkindness I sorely crave.”[i]

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[i] Ibid., Tricia McCary Rhodes, 45-46.

Day 32 of Lent :: Turning Back

“I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.
And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
(Luke 22:31-32)

Satan requested to sift Peter as wheat.  Jesus did not deny that request. Instead, Jesus prayed for Peter.  Jesus knew that Peter had to be sifted as wheat because He knew that Peter had his share of chaff that needed to be blown away.  Peter was blinded by his own pride.  Rather than thanking Jesus for His prayers or inquiring about how he could withstand the sifting, he rebutted Jesus by saying,

“Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.”
(Luke 22:33)

Jesus foresaw Peter’s denying Him three times (see Luke 22:34, 54-62), but Peter would not hear it.  After all, just a few minutes earlier, he was in the running to win the dispute concerning which of them was the greatest.  Jesus knew Peter did know his own heart, yet Jesus accepted Peter just as he was—blinded by presumption and pride.  Jesus does not give him three tips for resisting Satan’s sifting or five steps for standing firm.  No, Jesus knew that as long as there was chaff, sifting was unavoidable.

The understanding grace of Jesus is unmatched and astounding. Knowing full well what would transpire, He prayed that Peter’s faith would “not fail,” and that “when he turned back” he would “strengthen his brothers.” Just as the wounds of Christ bring us healing, God intends to use the lessons we learn from our being wounded and our overcoming our shortcomings to help others.

Reflection: How does it make you feel to know that God can take what was once your lowest, deepest, darkest moment of life and use it to bring strength, healing and encouragement to others? This is your story, and He wants you to share it with others.  Stories remind us of who we are, from where we have come, and to where we are going.  Take a few minutes and reflect on how far God has brought you, how He has changed your life, and how He is currently directing your steps.  Thank Him for what He has done and is doing in your life.

You and I may give one another the impression of being earnest, godly Christians, but before the cross we have to admit that we are not that sort of person at all.  At Calvary the naked truth is staring down at us all the time from the cross,
challenging us to drop the pose and own the truth.

Roy Hession

Day 31 of Lent :: Satan's domain

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.”
(Luke 22:31)

As far as we know, Simon (also known as Peter) had not gone out and initiated a fight against Satan.  Jesus indicated that in some form or fashion, Satan had initiated an attack, or at least had permission to do so against Peter.  The Bible does not give us details of this exchange between Jesus and Satan.  Jesus does not say that He rebuked Satan or denied Satan access to “sift” Peter, but rather it says Jesus prayed for Peter.   Jesus did not refuse Satan’s request.  Why?  Did Jesus see a greater purpose in allowing Satan access to Peter?  Was there something going on within Peter that Satan saw as an entry point of attack?

To this day, Biblical scholars debate whether Satan is on earth or in hell.  Can he dwell in people or only in the world?  As inconclusive as some of these arguments may be, one thing seems to be agreed upon: Satan, the devil, is darkness. Therefore, we can rest assured, wherever spiritual darkness exists, there the devil is.

“If we tolerate darkness through tolerance of sin,” writes Francis Frangipane, “we leave ourselves vulnerable for santanic assault.  For wherever there is willful disobedience to the Word of God, there is spiritual darkness and the potential for demonic activity… Satan has legal access, given to him by God, to dwell in the domain of darkness. We must grasp this point: The devil can traffic in any area of darkness, even the darkness that still exists in a Christian’s heart… Let us recognize, that the areas we hide in darkness are the very areas of our future defeat.”[i]

Reflections: Do you know the areas where you are vulnerable to Satan’s attacks?  Is there an area of your life that is hidden in darkness?  If so, are you willing to ask for forgiveness and rid yourself of that darkness?

The greatest defense we can have against Satan
is to maintain an honest heart before God.
Francis Frangipane

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[i] Francis Frangipane, The Three Battlegrounds, 6-7.