Lent

The Gospels tell us a little of what happened after Jesus rose from the grave. But the story I love best is when he spoke to Mary Magdalene.

She was weeping as she thought someone had taken the body of Jesus away. The tomb was empty. Who could have done such a horrible deed?

When Jesus appeared she did not recognize him at first. Perhaps her tears blurred her eyes. Of course, she was expecting to find a dead body, not a live man talking to her.

Then Jesus spoke her name. “Mary!”

What a moment! At the sound of her name on his lips she knew who he was.

Imagine the joy! Imagine the astonishment! Imagine the love!

I imagine Jesus speaking to me. “Barbara!” While I have never “heard” his voice calling my name, I have heard him speaking to me in difficult times. The most endearing one I have shared before.

The Day the Angels Sang to Me

Saturday had to have been a long, long day.

The disciples were hiding in fear for their lives. They, along with the many women who had stood at the cross and watched Jesus die, were filled with grief. No doubt confusion filled their hearts.

This was not supposed to be how it ended. Jesus was supposed to set up His kingdom. The disciples would be leaders in this new world.

What went wrong? All hope was gone.

We all have probably had moments in our lives where we also felt like this. A loved one died way too young. The promotion on our job that looked so sure suddenly went to another. After several weeks of feeling bad, we got the “C’ word from our doctor.

This was not supposed to be happen to us. All hope was gone.

Jesus had told them plainly that He would be killed. He also told them plainly that He would rise again on the third day.

Yet when He died, they were in shock, so surprised. They clearly did not understand or believe that He would rise again. There had been instances where a prophet had raised someone to life after death. They had seen Jesus raise at least three people from death. Just a short time before Lazarus had come out of the tomb at the command of Jesus.

But it was one thing for a living person to be able to bring life to the dead. How could a dead man bring himself back to life?

Just as they failed to really understand the words of Jesus…Just as they failed to look beyond what their eyes could see…Just as they were looking for a conquering king, not a suffering servant, we too in the Saturdays of our life often forget the words of Jesus.

He told us, “ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

He also said, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”

Following Jesus is not a guarantee of no suffering, no disappointments, no pain. But as the disciples discovered on Sunday, following Jesus always bring ultimate victory. On Sunday, the disciples discovered a hope that is greater than any despair. A hope greater than any sorrow.

They went on to write:

“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”  1 Peter 5:8-10

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans:38-39

We have an advantage the disciples did not have. They knew only the anguish of Friday. We know the victory of Sunday.

I posted this a few years ago, but I found it interesting that my pastor shared much of the same story today. As we enter Holy Week, time to reflect again on that Sunday years ago when our Savior rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.

Growing up in a typical Protestant home, I heard over and over how the crowds cried out in praise as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday.  Often we would wave palm branches while singing, “Hosanna!”  This was all based on the familiar verses in the Gospels.

And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

For many years I have sang songs of praise crying “Hosanna” thinking I was just singing a praise to God.

Before the week was out, the crowd was crying “Crucify him!”

Many sermons have been preached on how changeable, how unreliable the crowd in Jerusalem was.   Many have questioned how they could praise Him one day and cry out for His death a few days later.  Of course, some have said this was two different groups of people.

Recently I have been reading the New Testament in the Complete Jewish Bible.  This Bible is an English version fully Jewish in style and presentation. It includes Dr. Stern’s new version of the “Tanakh” (“Old Testament”) and his highly acclaimed “Jewish New Testament.”  This Bible follows the Hebrew Bible order of the Tanakh’s books.  This would be the order as Jesus knew it.  It helps to connect Christians with the Jewish roots of our religion and connects Jews with the Jewishness of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).  It offers the original Hebrew names for people, places and concepts.

Dr. Stern states that his purpose for producing the Complete Jewish Bible was “to restore God’s Word to its original Jewish context and culture as well as be in easily read modern English.”

Reading that same verse in the Jewish Bible has given me a new outlook on that day – and on my own relationship with Messiah Yeshua.

The crowds ahead of him and behind shouted, “Please! Deliver us!” to the Son of David; “Blessed is he who comes in the name of Adonai!” “You in the highest heaven! Please! Deliver us

They were quoting from the Psalms – their songbook – their praise book – their poetry book.

Please, Adonai! Save us! Please, Adonai! Rescue us!  blessed is he who comes in the name of Adonai.  We bless you from the house of Adonai.

While I have always thought of the word “Hosanna” as a praise to God – and clearly they were praising Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem – reading it with the original Jewish meaning, it has taken on a new life to me.

Hosanna is a combination of two Jewish words:  yasha and na.

to deliver – NASB Translation –  avenged, avenging, brought salvation, deliver, delivered, deliverer, deliverers, deliverers who delivered, delivers, endowed with salvation, gained the victory, help, helped, preserve, safe, save, saved, saves, savior,  victorious.

I (we) pray, now – NASB Translation – beg, beseech, come, implore, may, now, Oh may, please, please, pray.

They were praising Jesus – but why?  Because they saw Him coming to save them from the Roman occupation, to rescue them from a life of servitude to Rome.  Their praises were for a conquering hero, not a dying savior.

I do not know if the crowd on Palm Sunday was the same as the crowd on Good Friday, but I can understand how they could have been the same.  They could praise Him when they thought He would meet their needs in the way they wanted.  But praise could easily turn to scorn when they saw their needs would not be met in the way they wanted.

Often I go to God in prayer and my prayers consist of telling Him not only what I need or want, but exactly how to meet my need or want.  My prayers sometimes sound more like a grocery list of what I want or a set of instructions to a servant on what he needs to do for me.

When God does not answer my prayers as I think He should, often I turn to complaining or questioning His love and wisdom.

The crowds in Jerusalem that week had limited knowledge and understanding of God’s eternal plan.  If He had overthrown the Roman government they would still have been in need of a Savior.  The real need would still be there.

How often does God have a bigger and better plan in mind for me?  How often have I thrown away His “better” plans because I wanted to settle for a “good” plan of my own?

When I sing “Hosanna” on Palm Sunday this year, I hope I can really realize what I am singing.  Not just some “meaningless praise word” but a cry to God recognizing how much I need His salvation – how much I need Him to rescue me.  Let it be a cry for help and a surrender to His answer for me as well as a song of praise!

As we participate in the season of Lent and seek to grow closer to the Lord, one little word often keeps us from following through on our good intentions.

The news media today was talking about Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day falling on the same day. They seemed to think that made it difficult for those who like to observe both days.

Valentine’s Day for couples is a day to celebrate with food, wine, flowers, a date night. 

The origin of Valentine’s Day is shrouded in mystery. One legend says that a priest who served in Rome during the time of Emperor Claudius defied the emperor’s decree against marriage. According to the legend, the emperor believed single men would make better soldiers and outlawed marriage for young men. When Valentine continued to perform marriages for young men in secret, Claudius had him put to death. 

Another version of the legend of Valentine says he was a priest who was killed for attempting to help Christians escape from Roman prisons where they were beaten and tortured, even killed. This legend says that while Valentine was in prison he fell in love with the jailor’s daughter who had visited him. Before his death he wrote her a letter and signed it “From your Valentine.” 

Whether there is any truth to any of these legends the day has become a day to celebrate true love. 

Ash Wednesday is a day that begins the season of Lent. It is a time for fasting, charity and prayer for Christians. A time to reflect on the great sacrifice Jesus made for us. A time to remind ourselves of our need for God. 

Many Christians will attend church services as they enter a time of reflection and repentance preparing for the sorrow of Good Friday and the victory celebration of Resurrection Day. Some churches – especially Catholic churches – will apply ashes to the foreheads of their parishioners. This reminds us that “from dust you are and to dust you will return.” A reminder to reflect on what a great price Jesus paid that we might escape that curse of death. 

So are these two days in opposition to each other? A day to celebrate love and a day to solemnly reflect on our need of repentance and the cost to Jesus of our sins.

I say no. They have much in common. What is the common thread running through them? Love!

We have so commercialized Valentine’s Day and many no longer wish to celebrate the day. There are those also who are single without a partner and may find the day difficult. However, if we remember that it is supposed to be an opportunity to let those we love be reminded of our love, it is still a day worth celebrating. We need to express our love, not only to our spouse or significant other, but to others in our circle of friends. Let this be a day that we send a card or a text to friends and coworkers to let them know we appreciate them.

While we solemnly reflect on the meaning of the death of Jesus today, it should also be a reminder of His love for us. It should cause us to more fully love Him. Let this be a day that we take time to let our Lord and Savior know how much His love to us means. And say, “I love you, Lord.”

Another excellent Bible study today using the book “Encounter the Spirit” by Carolyn Moore.

Moore noted that there is a difference between someone who cooks and someone who IS a cook.

Many of us cook because we are hungry and need to eat in order to live. We probably know little about the vocabulary of good food. We often buy products that are quick to put together, just wanting to get something on the table at the end of the day for our family to eat. We cook because we need to eat.

Then there are those who love to cook. They enjoy trying new recipes, experiencing with different spices. They get joy by sharing their meals with others. They cook because it brings them happiness. My youngest daughter is one of those who love to cook. Any time she hears of someone that is sick she quickly makes a meal to share with them. She is a pastor, and she often bakes treats for Bible studies she leads or for any time of gathering the church may have. Her cupcakes are not just a cupcake. She tries different ingredients and decorates them in different themes.

RIP cookies for a Halloween school party Muffins with marshamallow, Hershey candy bar and so delicious!

So it is with our Christian walk. We can be someone who follows Jesus or we can be someone who LOVES FOLLOWING Jesus.

Jesus said in John 15:

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 

Someone who tries to keep His commandments because that is what a Christian is supposed to do. Or, someone who follows His teaching out of a heart of love for Him.

More importantly, we can be people who are full of God’s joy – and love sharing that joy with others. We can seek to allow God’s Spirit to overflow from us to those we meet who are struggling with a difficult time in their lives and need that joy we can share.

My prayer is:

“Lord, help me to truly love you and follow you in gratitude for all you have given me. Help me to obey you out of a heart of love for you and not out of some sense of duty. There are so many who are in need. Open my eyes to see them. Show me how I can help. You have given me many resources. Help me to use all that you have given me to help others. Use me to draw them to you.”

Please join me this Lent season in this prayer.

We have entered the season of Lent – 40 days of prayer and fasting before Easter as we reflect on the suffering of Jesus Christ and examine our own hearts.

For some churches this is a very big part of their services. For others, little, if anything, is said about this season.

Growing up in a church that did not emphasis Lent, I have come to really appreciate it as an adult.

While the Bible does not specifically mention anything about Lent, (the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. began this observation), the Bible is full of calls to fasting and prayer.

• 1 Samuel 7:6 – the people fasted in repentance.
• 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 – the people fasted for protection
• Ezra 8:21-23 – the people fasted for direction and unity
• Matthew 4:1-11 – Jesus fasted in preparation for His public ministry.
• Acts 13:1-3 – the people fasted in preparation for expansion of their ministry.

There are hundreds of ways people observe this time of prayer and fasting. Some actually go without eating for a day; others miss a meal for one day or throughout Lent. Some give up a specific food or drink that they normally have each day.

The idea is not just giving up something, but spending the time that would be given to a meal or a favorite food in prayer.

But Lent is not about giving up to make us feel “holy.” If we do not take this time to really reflect on and seek God for spiritual direction, vision, right living, compassion….the list could go on and on….our sacrifices of food or favorite things are meaningless.

Isaiah 58:6-8 tells us what kind of fasting we should do in this time of Lent.

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:to loose the chains of injustice    and untie the cords of the yoke,to set the oppressed free    and break every yoke?Is it not to share your food with the hungry    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them,    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?Then your light will break forth like the dawn,    and your healing will quickly appear;then your righteousness will go before you,

    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.

We talk a lot about the cross and how terrible the death of Jesus was.  The story of Peter’s denial of Jesus and the rest of the disciples fleeing from the garden where he was arrested are familiar to us.  It is good that we take time to reflect on the agony, the pain, the shame that Jesus suffered for us on that Friday.

Then we jump to Sunday morning and the wonderful fact of the resurrection!  The surprise, the doubt, the joy as they realized that Jesus was alive.  Again, it is good that we celebrate this tremendous event, this foundation stone of our faith.

Have you ever wondered what that Saturday was like for the followers of Jesus as they hid behind locked doors?  After the shock, the horror of his death, can you imagine the range of emotions they felt on Saturday?  Sad, somber Saturday!

Of course, there was the sorrow they experienced at the loss of their friend.  I cannot really begin to understand the pain his mother must have felt as she reflected on the suffering he had experienced.  Perhaps she could not even sleep, or fell asleep only to wake up from a nightmare seeing him once again being viciously beaten.

There must have been great confusion.  Questions as they remembered all the miracles he performed, all the parables he had told.  Wondering how he could have come to this end.  Had he not made tremendous promises?  Had he not proclaimed that he was the only way to God?  Had he not even raised a dead man after four days in the tomb?

There must have been great disappointment.  What were they to do now?  They had left their homes, their employment to follow him.  They had been so excited about the kingdom he would set up, even arguing over who would sit on his left and his right hand in that kingdom.

There must have been great fear.  Would the Romans come after them now?  How could they get out of Jerusalem and back to their villages and their old life safely?

We have the advantage of looking back on history, on knowing how the story turned out.  So it is easy for us to say, “Did they not really hear him?”  After all he had told them that he would be killed and would rise again on the third day.  Did any of them think about that and wonder if it could be true?

But before we berate them for not really hearing Jesus, not really understanding, not really believing what he said about his death and coming back to life, are we any different today?

When our Fridays of suffering and difficulty come and we face a sad, somber Saturday dealing with the problems we face, do we forget his promises?  He said he would never leave us.  He said we would have tribulation in this world, but to be of good cheer because in him we could overcome.  He said he gave us his peace, not the peace of the world, but that peace that comes from knowing who is in control.

Today, before I rejoice at the resurrection, I ask God to help me in my times of sorrow, confusion, disappointment and fear.  I ask him to remind me that Fridays come and we have sad, somber Saturdays dealing with the problems of Friday, but for the child of God, Sunday is always on the way!

Final notes from my husband’s Good Friday sermons.

Luke tells us in his Gospel that Jesus prayed from the cross “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”  These words were among some of the last brief statements He made before His death.

Who exactly was He speaking to?

• The Roman soldiers.  They were standing there gambling for His clothes at the foot of the cross as they watched Him die.  It was probably not the first crucifixion detail they had been assigned.  But this one was different.  This man claimed to be the Son of God.
• Maybe it was the Jewish crowd that had gathered there that day.  They had seen him heal their sick, fed them on occasion and told them all types of parables and stories of God and His kingdom.  Now they had shouted:  “Crucify Him.”
• Perhaps it was His disciples, especially the ones who had fled and were in hiding.  Only John was present at the cross with Mary, Jesus’ mother.
• Maybe He saw ahead in time and saw the crowd that stoned Stephen to death.  That crowd was full of hate for Stephen.
• Perhaps he looked further down in time when the early Christians were martyred in the coliseum of Rome by wild animals.  Surely their persecutors were included in His statement from the cross.
• What about all the wars that have been fought in the name of religion, the Crusades, the Protestants against Catholics and the Catholics against Protestants?
• Maybe he saw the barbarians throughout the world who have committed wholesale slaughter of whole groups of people simply because they were different.
• Or, maybe he looked out to 2019 and saw us when He was there on the cross.  Was he speaking of us as He hung there?  Was it our sin that we have committed day by day, year by year without regard to our own eternity?  Do we realize the total sacrifice that was made for us that day?

Surely He was speaking of me also from the cross that day.

We seem to have done away with sin.  No one sins.  They make mistakes.  They “mess up.”

In “The Thirteen Clocks” author James Thurber has a character who states:

“We all have our weaknesses; mine just happens to be that I am evil.”

If there is no sin, only weaknesses, mistakes, character flaws, the whole point of Good Friday and Easter is meaningless.

“Why is sin sinful, not just a “little weakness”?  Who says sin is sin?  One of the words the Bible uses to refer to sin means “to miss the mark,” implying that there is a mark or target that has been missed, so the word sin itself implies a standard.  If a highway patrolman stops you for speeding, it implies that the official government has set a speed limit, and you violated it.  Similarly, the moral standard for all humanity comes right out of the holy character of God.  His glory, his holiness, is the standard we all fall short of.”

“When we are enjoying our favorite foods and entertainments, it can be easy to forget the decay of sin and death all around us.  Lent helps us remember that there is only one who actually reverses decay – the God who raises the dead.”….Timothy G. Walton

For me I think I have heard the story of the cross and the resurrection so much that I just take it all for granted.  But this season of Lent, I am thankful for the price Jesus paid for us all.