Surprise on the way to Prayer Meeting

Acts 3:1-10 - Peter and John are on their way to the temple to pray - at 3 in the afternoon. They meet a man who is blind and begs for money. They apparently don't have any so they give him what they have and that is healing in the name of Jesus.

A few things strike me in this reading today. First, it is interesting that they were on their way to pray at 3pm. Obviously a practice that was common in that day. Or was this a special prayer meeting called by the new Christians? But their lives revolved around their faith and disciplines surrounding their faith. Maybe that is not so bad.

Secondly, what were they thinking that day? "Hey Peter, how about we look for someone to heal today? Think we can find someone who needs evidence of the power of Jesus today that we can discover and go far beyond what he expects and heal him? In the name of Jesus, of course!"

I think not. They were going about what they were doing and when confronted with a need met in as God "gifted" them. But,they were aware... they didn't just brush the guy off because they couldn't give him what he was asking for. They gave him something better. I wonder what we can learn from that? What I can learn from that?

What will I encounter today where I can be an agent of Jesus to see His power at work so people get so much more than they bargained for?

He Is Alive!!

He is Risen! Just as he said he would be. He is Alive today - and that makes all the difference.

Watch the following videos to be inspired! Have a blessed Easter!

I love this new song "Forever" by Kari Jobe - Forever (Live) - Kari Jobe.

Here is the song I did as a dramatic monologue in our Easter Service this morning. Sung by Don Francisco (composer of the song) - He's Alive - Don Francisco.

Another classic song about Easter from the '70's - Dallas Holm "Rise Again" - Rise Again - Dallas Holm.

And then there is Keith Green singing Annie Herring's song "Easter Song" - Easter Song - Keith Green.

Yes, I love some of the music from the 1970's. May you be inspired!

And, if you want to listen to the sermon from this morning at Chilliwack EM Church, you can do so here: Easter Sunday Sermon.

The Silent Saturday Sabbath

It was a dark day! A day of shock and despair. Their leader, their teacher, their personal friend and mentor had been suddenly arrested and executed! Just a day or so ago you were having the intimate passover meal together. Then came the chaos in the garden. Something happened between Pilate and the Religious leaders. And now - he was gone.

Disbelief! Peter was especially distraught because he had so boldly claimed that he would never abandon Jesus. But he was struggling. Something must have happened.

His body had been taken down from the cross. Thankfully a couple of the ladies had seen that he had been securely buried and they knew where it was so they could properly take care of the body after the Sabbath. As long as those guarding the tomb would let them.

But, now what? He was going to lead them into the Kingdom! They were going to be key leaders in that kingdom! What had they missed? Back to fishing? Really?

I wonder how many of us feel like we are experiencing a dark time - like that Silent Saturday Sabbath? Hope have been shattered and we have no idea what comes next!

Tomorrow is a new day!

Were You There?

Today has been a day to reflect on Jesus Christ giving his life to pay for our sin. A day of contrasts when man was at his worst and God was at his best. We tried to kill God and God rescued us.

It is interesting to note some of the people who were present at the cross. We sing the old "Spiritual" "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?" In a way we were - as we are the reason why Christ died. There are also those who were present that represented us.

There were those who represented earthly rulers. The soldiers were there executing the wishes of those in authority. Then there was Pilate who had the power to make the decision to crucify Jesus - or not. Throughout history there has been a conflict between church and state. Jesus is King and he is establishing His Kingdom - but it is not a kingdom of this world. 

Then there were those who might be considered social outcasts - the thieves who were crucified with Jesus. I wonder what their stories might be? What went wrong in their lives. Whatever it was, Jesus was there to offer forgiveness and hope for a better future. He still does that today.

There were the religious leaders who found their place in society threatened. Jesus also flew in the face of all their long-standing religious traditions. Status quo was contrary to what God was doing. How much does religious tradition stand in the way of what God wants to do today?

There were those who abandoned or denied Jesus. Peter as an example. Yet, Jesus didn't give up on them. He invited them back into relationship with him - and entrusted them with the future of the church. God still does that today.

And finally there were those who were devastated and brokenhearted. While Jesus was dealing with the sins of the whole world - past, present and future - he noticed his mother. She was in despair because her son was being horribly, publicly executed. Jesus cared for her and saw that she was looked after. He still does that today.

Jesus gave his life for me - for you. What will we do about this?

A Most Lonely Place

Did Jesus ever feel lonely and get depressed? He certainly had reason to.

No one really understood him. Yes, he had friends. Close friends even. But they didn't really "get" him. When he was in his deepest times of distress they were drifting off to sleep or arguing amongst themselves. Like the night we call Maundy Thursday.

Jesus shared the most important meal of the year with his friends - his disciples. It was the passover meal - remembering how lambs had been sacrificed and their blood had delivered them from the hands of slavery many years previous. Now, knowing he was about to become the ultimate sacrifice Jesus talked to them about what was about to happen. They didn't understand. He taught and demonstrated how they should serve others. They didn't get it. Instead, they argued over who would be the greatest! I wonder how Jesus felt? Alone?

Then they went to the garden. To pray. I know, sometimes it is hard to concentrate and stay awake when others are praying. But, Jesus was in a crisis - deep crisis. He felt the pain so deeply that he displayed extreme physical symptoms of his anguish. And his 'faithful' disciples? They were asleep. How did Jesus feel? Alone? Depressed?

Then came the conflict. Jesus was arrested. The friends were brave - for a moment. Then they abandoned him. They scattered. And one of his closest friends wouldn't even admit that he knew Jesus. How did Jesus feel?

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart (Hebrews 12:2-3).

The Price of Pleasing People

We all want to be liked! We want the admiration of those around us. We want people to want to spend time with us. We want them to speak well of us. We will go to amazing lengths to please people.

But it comes with a price. And sometimes that price is very high!

Reading Luke 23 we find Jesus has been arrested and brought before Pilate for trial. Well, kind of a trial anyway. Apparently Jesus was understood to consider himself the king of the Jews and the very Messiah they were waiting for. So the Jewish leaders wanted Jesus executed.

Pilate questioned Jesus and found absolutely no reason for punishment, never mind the death sentence. But, for the sake of the crowds he was willing to have Jesus beaten and then released. When he found out that Jesus was from Herod's territory he found a loophole where he would not have to execute an innocent man.

Herod wanted some sport with Jesus, but when Jesus would not cooperate, Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate - mockingly dressed in a king's robe. Now Pilate could not escape. He had a decision to make.

By treating Jesus with mocking contempt he became friends with Herod. Pilate was pleased. Now he had another decision to make. Do what was just and right, or do what the crowd wanted. He chose the crowd.

The strange thing is that frequently we have a choice to make as well. Will we do the right thing or will we do what people around us are clamouring for us to do? Even as pastor, I frequently have to make a decision - will I do what may still critical voices? Or will I do what God has called me to do? Will I please people or will I do the right thing?

I bet we all have to make those choices.

May Your Kingdom Come

Considering our reading for Lent for today from Luke 22:66-23:1 I want to post the reflections by Tom Wright in his book "Lent For Everyone - Luke."

Hide in the corner as the assembly meets and, if you dare, watch and listen to the most extraordinary exchange. 

They are meeting, let's remind ourselves, because over the course of the previous few days - and, before that, over the previous year or two - Jesus had been doing and saying things that were, frankly, outrageous in terms of the world-views and the hopes of those in power in Jerusalem. 

All of that had come to a head when he had come into the city on a donkey and had challenged their power-base by going to the Temple and throwing out the traders. The best explanation for that is that, like Jeremiah or one of the other old prophets, Jesus was acting out a powerful symbol, which he had then explained to his followers. The Temple was under God's judgment. All its meaning and history, particularly its significance as the place where God met with his people, was now being drawn to a different place. To a person. 

But there's only one person, other than the high priest, who has rights over the Temple. As you hide in the corner and watch the scene, you realize how the connection has been made. It is the king who builds the Temple (think of Solomon), or who has the right to declare its future. And the king means the Messiah, the anointed one. And the Messiah, according to the scriptures, will be the 'son of God'. That's what Psalm 2 had said.
All that, to them, meant rebellion of the highest order. 

These connections would be obvious to them, though we have to think through them to catch their full force. But it all adds up to an explosive cocktail of accusations.
And Jesus does nothing to deflect them. Indeed, he makes matters worse. He alludes to the famous Old Testament passage (in Daniel 7) where 'one like a son of man' is brought to sit at the right hand of God himself. In other words, ins given authority, under God, over the whole world. 

This is the coming of the kingdom of God. 

As Jesus said, he wouldn't be drinking with his friends again until God's kingdom came. This is how he believed it had to happen. 

In the scene in Daniel, four mythological monsters come up out of the sea to attack God's people. The last one is the most arrogant. Then God acts, snatching up the 'one like a son of man' and vindicating him, setting him in authority. 

Jesus had hinted darkly, several times before and in various ways, that all this would come true in his own life story. Now the hour had come.

How often to we misunderstand others? How often do we misunderstand God when we have our own agendas which are not in line with God's plan?

"Lord, today, may Your kingdom come, may Your will be done on earth (right here in our community - and in my life) as it is in heaven."

Uncomfortable Fireside

Sitting around the fire. Trying to keep warm in the evening chill. Hoping to blend in. Sounds good.

But then it happens. Somebody notices you. "Weren't you with 'him'?"

Embarrassed, "Of course not!" Phew, managed to escape that one.

Not gain! "Hey, you over there. You are one of 'them'!"

Chills run down you as you quickly reply, "No way! I'm not!" You sure hope you sound convincing enough that they will leave you alone.

You panic when a third one exclaims, "You ARE one of them! You were with 'him.' I'm sure of it!"

Frantically you curse and exclaim, "Absolutely not! I am not one of THEM! And I don't know this man you are talking about! I've never seen him before!"

And then you hear it. Just the way he said it would be. It can't be coincidence. Guilt, fear, shear inner pain! You stumble outside and weep! How could you? You swore you wouldn't. Yet you did. And the look on his face!

What would you do? What would I do? What do we do when we do the same thing, just in a different way in a different setting?

Thank God for Friday - and Sunday!!

Suffering

As Jesus entered his final week before his vicarious death and victorious resurrection, he must have had deep, mixed feelings. As he entered Jerusalem the crowds cheered, proclaiming him King! Their Messiah. The one who would rescue them. A few short days later they would clamour for his execution! The week would hold much suffering and sorrow.

As we enter this week, there are many who suffer deep sorrow around us. For some life is unbearable. Some face the immanent consequences of incurable diseases. Some despair of life and choose to end theirs violently and prematurely. Others suffer in silence.

My prayer is that we all would be able to experience the final section of the following reading from Psalm 31.

Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;
my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
my soul and body with grief.
My life is consumed by anguish
and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction,
and my bones grow weak.

Because of all my enemies,
I am the utter contempt of my neighbors
and an object of dread to my closest friends –
those who see me on the street flee from me.
I am forgotten as though I were dead;
I have become like broken pottery.
For I hear many whispering,
“Terror on every side!”
They conspire against me
and plot to take my life

But I trust in you, Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hands;
deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
from those who pursue me.
Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love. (Psalm 31:9-16)

Ignoring the Miraculous

Luke 22:1 - 23:49 - What a powerful passage. Go ahead and read it. Listen to it. It needs no comment from me. So many thoughts run through my mind as I read this passage.

What was the High Priest thinking? He orders Jesus arrested. He is present and central in the arrest. In the thick of it he someone slices off his ear. "See, this fellow is dangerous!" But then what? The very fellow he is arresting reaches out and - what? Heals his ear!! You would think that would be enough to change the High Priest's mind and he would release Jesus. But no! Just like many of us, he was so intent on his mission and pursuing what he had always thought was right that he could not see God's miraculous intervention - even when it happened to him.

And then, Jesus was crucified - for my sin! Absolutely WOW! Today, will that life-altering miracle change my course today?

World Chaos - Expect it!

Luke 21 is a sobering chapter in the Bible. Jesus foretells of immense chaos and trauma that would come on the earth. He talks of international conflict - war after war would wrack the earth. But not only that, there would be multiple cataclysmic natural disasters. The whole universe would be shaken.

Wow! Sounds kind of familiar.

Besides that, Jesus warns of persecution that would come to his followers. What a way to advertise for people to choose to follow him. His followers would be captured, tortured and killed. They would even be handed over by those closest to them.

Was Jesus trying to frighten us?

No. Actually, Jesus calmly declares that this will provide opportunity for us to tell our story. Not to worry about preparing for what we will say - He will give us the words. But what an opportunity to speak for him.

And then Jesus said, "stand firm and you will win life." Life that really matters. Life that goes on - like, forever!

Lord, may I stand strong and face the day no matter what it will bring. Compared to what Jesus said, "we ain't seen nothin' yet."

Were You There?

He told this story...

A man planted a vineyard and rented it out to some farmers. The problem was that the farmers didn't pay their rent. So the land owner sent an agent to collect the rent for him. However, the renters beat up the agent and threw him out. The land owner did not give up and he sent a second agent and then a third. But each time the renters thrashed the agent and sent him away.

Finally the land owner sent his own son to collect the rent. Surely they renters would respond and pay the rent this time. However, when he arrived the renters not only beat him, but they killed him.

Now what would the land owner do? Read Luke 20 to find out.

Easter. Next week. God sent his Son, Jesus, to rescue the world - that is you and me - after we had turned against God over and over again. What did we as humans do? We killed him. We tried anyway.

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

The Battle of Jericho

The Battle of Jericho! No, not that one, this is another one. But, walls did come down. No trumpets and no casualties.

Jesus was traveling through and people were getting excited that he was building momentum to establish the Kingdom and finally they would be freed from the oppression of the Romans - and the taxes!

But, what on earth is Jesus doing? What is that hated foreigner doing up in the tree right where Jesus is about to pass? And why is Jesus stopping to look up at him and talking to him? And now, Jesus is going to his house. I can't believe Jesus would do that. I hope my kids weren't watching. That is no example to my kids on how to get rid of our oppressors!

A life was changed that day. Jesus came to bring salvation.

I love how Tom Wright stated it:

“Then Jesus says it. We thought he was on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, but this was his real mission. ‘This is what I came for – to look for the lost and to rescue them.’ Well, he’s made a lot of people happy in Jericho.

But now, as we look back from a few weeks later, we realize that something else was going on as well. Zacchaeus climbed a tree to see Jesus – and he discovered the meaning of salvation. Jesus was on his way to hang on a very different tree. And that was how salvation happened."

What Kind of Prayer is That?

Remember the story Jesus told about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector? Both came to the temple to pray. Sounds like a good thing.

The Pharisee got up to pray and elequently prayed a prayer confirming before God how he had been obedient to all the commandments. He even kept laws that were not in the Bible. And he gave thanks in his prayer. He was so grateful that he had been able to keep himself from becoming a sinner - like some others present.

Then the Tax Collector and prayerd a prayer. "Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner."

The implication is that ther Phairisee thought, "what kind fo prayer is that? Why do they let people like that in here anyway? Why do they take up valuable time in the temple with their un-tooled prayers?"

What was the purpose of Jesus telling the story. Jesus stated the purpose in Luke 18:9. "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:..."

I wonder how many of us consider our own level of conquering sin as our spiritual standing? Of couse, we try to live free from sin. But it is not our personal success which defines our standing before God. It's not even our ability to pray elequent prayers in public.

It is our willingness to humble ourselves and declare, "Have mercy on me, a sinner oh God."

That is my prayer this morning!

Entitlement or Gratitude

Jesus was an amazing teacher. In Luke 17 Jesus was traveling and teaching as he went.

He talked about being a servant. And if you as a servant do as you are told, you should not expect a thank you - because it was your duty to do what you are instructed.

Then amazing event occurred. Ten lepers showed up. They wanted to be healed and Jesus granted their wish. One of them came back to thank Jesus.

It made me think of life in our world today. Do I expect or need thanks for things that God expects of me? And, do I give thanks to God for the many amazing blessings he pours out on me? Or am I much like one of the nine lepers?

May my life to day be a life of gratitude and service to the One who makes life possible and wonderfully worth living!

New Beginnings

When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed.

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev.

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. 

Psalm 126:1-6

Tom Wright comments: "Restoration. Forgiveness. New starts. These are the greatest moments in the world, even if you have to wait a lifetime for them to come."

Sunday, April 6, 2014 is a perfect time to make a new start. 

Extravagant Worship

Everything is progressing like normal. The dinner was pretty good. You might have preferred a few more spices - or less. Great wine though. There are usual curious bystanders who wanted to get a close look.

But then! Are you kidding? What is she doing? Kneeling in front of him and undoing her hair. Letting her hair down like that? In front of HIM? And, no kidding, she pulls out this bottle of perfume. Where did she get that expensive stuff? She isn't is she? No, she doesn't just dab some on his feet, she empties the whole thing! And then... she dries his feet with her hair!

How dare she do that? What a waste! And the audacity!

I wonder what the other disciples were thinking? Judas blurted out, "What? That stuff could have been sold and lots of the poor could have benefited from the proceeds!"

Maybe you would have spoken up? Maybe you would haver kept quiet. Chances are, we all would have cast judgement.

And so we do with worship today. We have our opinions and judgements of how others worship Jesus. Often to the point where we no longer worship because we are pointing fingers!

I wonder what it would be like if we all just got down to what God wants. To worship Him in spirit and in truth. Genuine. Allowing our spirit to connect with His Spirit.

Go ahead. Pour out your best stuff!

Search and Rescue

Luke 15 is all about parties! The shepherd finds the lost sheep and has party. The lost coin is found and there is a party. The "lost" son returns and there is a party! And in each case there is a reason to party.

What was that reason?

In each case there was the sheep, coins and a son who remained safely at home. And in each case the shepherd, owner, father went out to search or at least longed for the safe return of that which was lost.

Today I think of what consumes much of my time and energy. Is it to hold the fort till Jesus comes? Or is it to join with Jesus as he seeks and saves the lost?

Astonishing Advertising

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?

We live in a world of indulgence, plenty and ease of life. Most of us have much more than we need, yet not nearly all we want. We also live in a world where we need to spend money to keep our economy going. Therefore merchants spend incredible amounts of money on advertising - convincing us of our absolute need for their product if we are going to manage life in any kind of meaningful fashion.

We end up doing the same with Christianity. We try to convince people to come to faith in Christ by telling them of all the ways Christ will make their life better.

The fascinating thing is, Jesus did the exact opposite. He challenged people to follow him. In Luke 14 he talks about counting the cost before we build. And then goes on to say, "...In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples." (Luke 14:33)

This makes me ask the questions: Why am I a follower of Jesus? Is it because of what he will do for me? Is it because I know he is God and he alone is worthy of my adoration? Am I giving up everything to him to be his disciple?

One Door

We used to sing the song "One door and only one, and yet its sides are two. I'm on the inside, on which side are you?" While the song may come across as judging and divisive, it comes from today's Bible reading for Lent. Luke 13 - particularly verses 22-30.

In this passage Jesus was asked if only a few people would be "saved." As was typical, Jesus answered with a story. In the story Jesus talks about a narrow gate. Many would seek the gate but would not find it. Once the owner closed the door, no one else would get in. By implication, relatively few would be saved.

I struggle with what Jesus was suggesting.  But, just because I struggle with it doesn't mean it isn't true. God is much beyond me. We want to tell God what he can or cannot do. But that really isn't our prerogative. 

My part - is to do what I need to do in light of what God tells me is reality.

Gotta help people find the door while it is still open!