The Consequence of Compromise

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Pete

It starts out as a trickle but quickly grows to a tsunami. At first it seems a minor exception due to some “chariots of iron” but it soon becomes a major defeat as a result of a lack of conviction. Through Moses, the LORD had told the tribes of Israel that, when it came time to possess the promised land, they were to drive out the inhabitants completely. “They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you” (Ex. 23:33).

But warnings of defeat have a way of getting lost when you’re on a roll and racking up victories. And the first couple of chapters of Judges document what at first was a slippery slope turning far too quickly into a full-scale landslide.

Initially Judah COULD NOT drive out some Canaanites “because they had chariots of iron.” But quickly it snowballs as other tribes DID NOT drive out the peoples of the land for no stated reason other than it was probably pretty hard and they were met with some ardent opposition.

At first the results of not fully cleaning house are pockets of Canaanites living among the tribes of Israel (Judges 1:21-31). But it doesn’t take very long before Israel’s compromise results in Israel living among the Canaanites (1:31-33). And eventually, as in the case of Dan, they are repelled completely and have to settle for the hills rather than the flat lands (1:34).

And we’re are not left to guess to the consequence of compromise:

Now the angel of the LORD went up from Gilgal to Bochim. And He said, “I brought you up from Egypt and brought you into the land that I swore to give to your fathers. I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you, and you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall break down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done? So now I say, I will not drive them out before you, but they shall become thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.”

(Judges 2:1-3 ESV)

Thorns in your side that will fester and become infected. A snare laid out for you that will eventually, but surely, trip you up. That’s the minefield these people of God laid for themselves by allowing the old inhabitants and their gods to hang around. And so the stage is set for the book of Judges.

Despite the book giving us some of our favorite Sunday School characters, they only shine bright because of the dark, dark background of this period in Israel’s history. Though many of these judges are severely flawed themselves, they come off as heroes because of the depths of depravity the nation falls into. And all the consequence of compromise.

The next days of reading in Judges are going to be a rocky road. The warning will reverberate in the background, “They are thorns in your sides that will cause rot. Their gods are a snare that will cause your fall.” And I need to heed the warning, “Deal with sin! Nothing good can come from making peace with disobedience. Avoid the consequence of compromise!”

But along this rocky road I will also be reminded of amazing grace as, time and time again, God raises up a deliverer. As, over and over, He hears His peoples’ cry and provides for them rest and restoration. As I’m reminded that the consequence for compromise has been born in full by the Greater Judge and the once-for-all Deliverer. That my “former inhabitant” can be defeated because of His finished work and through His indwelling Power.

My holy determination to drive out the former inhabitant.  My obedience.

All by His grace and for His glory.

Posted in Judges, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Open Wide . . . Again!

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Pete

It’s happened before on this day in my reading plan. As I’m working my way through my reading plan, before getting to the Psalms, I’m thinking that I might “pen” some words around Joshua’s “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). I read on and then think maybe I’ll talk about the fundamental nature of the parable of the sower–if we don’t get the importance of the seed falling on good soil, we’re kind of done (Mark 4:13). Or, as I read further, I think I might put together some thoughts on Paul’s warning to not allow our liberty in Christ to become a stumbling block to a brother or sister in Christ (1Cor. 8:9,13). But then I came to Psalm 81. And a promise of God jumps off the page that captures my imagination and ignites my soul.

I went back in my journal and read my reaction back in 2009 to this verse in the Psalm 81.  Was good for my soul so decided to “re-run” it.

====================================

Ok, so they’re probably not images that we think of a whole lot or maybe even really took note of when we saw it. But I think we all have seen them, and understand them. Let me try and explain a couple of them.

First, it’s the baby or toddler in a high chair at feeding time. You dip the spoon in the food and then you hold it up in front of the little one and BOING! . . . their mouth flies open in anticipation. You move the spoon around and the open mouth follows it as if to say, “Here! Put ‘er here! It’s open. It’s as wide as I can get it. Deliver that sumptuous pabulum right here!”

Or imagine eating snowflakes? Ever been there? Ever seen that? Ever done that? The first major snowfall of the year . . . big, wet, individually crafted snowflakes floating down. And with faces turned heavenward, and with mouths opened as wide as you can stretch them you pursue those luscious flakes of water. Taking in as many as you can until you’re almost too dizzy to keep standing. Get the pictures? Now read this . . .

I am the LORD your God,
   who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.
   Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.             (Psalm 81:10 ESV)

When I’m reading in the morning, amongst other things I’m on the lookout for “commands to obey” and “promises to claim.” So how’s that for a command to obey . . . “Open your mouth wide”? How’s that for a promise to claim . . . “I will fill it”?

Amen and amen!

So often I walk with my eyes fixed ahead and my mouth closed. Not really zombie like, ’cause I know that this is the day the Lord has made and I seek to rejoice and be glad in it. But, if I’m honest, I’m thinking more about how to get through than I am about how to fill up. Not much sense of anticipation. Not much “wonder factor” happening. Not really full to the brim, but not really looking to get full either.

But what if I approached each day not wide-eyed but wide-mouthed? What if, after feeding on the word in the morning, I got up from my desk, got ready for work, and opened my mouth wide and said, “More, Lord, more!”

What if I sought to master the art of thirsting after the things of God (John 7:37) . . . of delighting myself in the Lord’s goodness (Ps. 37:4) . . . of wanting to know more of the love of Christ which passes knowledge (Eph. 3:19)?

What if on Sunday mornings when I gathered together with God’s people we came together with heads and hearts turned toward heaven? What if we were wide-mouthed expecting to receive the things God has for us . . . whether through our fellowship . . . our musical worship . . . or the preaching of the word?

“You do not have, because you do not ask” (James 4:2).  How often is Sunday morning meeting just ho-hum because my head is down and my mouth is closed?  Because I’m not really seeking to be filled?

But the God of deliverance says, “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.”

Do I believe the promise? He says that He will fill . . . satisfy . . . fulfill . . . complete . . . accomplish. God sees the mouth opened wide . . . He knows the thirsting after heaven . . . He’s aware of the hungering after righteousness. And He fills it . . . He hits the mark . . . He tops it up . . . “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Ps. 34:8)

He is the Filler . . . I am to be the mouth-opener.

Father, thank You for this bit of encouragement this morning. I confess that so often the “stuff” of day-to-day life has me distracted from living in anticipation of the day You have before me. My desire is to be more wide-mouthed . . . to seek more the filling You have for me . . . to thirst after You and to be satisfied by You alone!

By His grace . . . for His glory.

p.s. if you have 5 more minutes check out this video.  It came to mind as I was writing.  You gotta watch to the end and check out the scruffy guy and what he’s doing.

Posted in Psalms, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

An Angry Look

Posted on April 1, 2016 by Pete

It didn’t take long before the religious leaders sought to make every encounter with the upstart Teacher from Nazareth a showdown. Kind of goofy, really. While they struggled with some of His teaching, particularly with His teaching concerning Himself, what really got their shorts in a knot, it seems, was the power that supported His teaching–His miracles. Case in point, Mark 3 . . .

Again He entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.

(Mark 3:1-2 ESV)

Really?!? It wasn’t that they didn’t think Jesus could heal a man with a deformed hand. They knew He could do it . . . as well as cast out evil spirits, and heal people laid out with illness and fever, and command paralyzed people to walk. That Jesus COULD heal this man wasn’t a question for them. But WOULD He on the Sabbath? ‘Cause that would prove He wasn’t of God . . . doing work like that on a day of rest. Like I said, Really?!?

And Jesus kind of says the same thing too. Not verbally, but, I imagine, with His countenance.

And He said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And He looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

(Mark 3:3-5 ESV)

Deeply saddened by the callousness of their souls, Jesus looked at the Pharisees in anger. Imagine that!

In the beginning was the Word . . . the Word was with God . . . the Word WAS God . . . all things were made by Him . . . in Him was life and the life was the light of men. And the Word looked upon these men with anger. The Creator incarnate fixed His gaze upon His creation with indignation. The Life and Light of men stared at these men with justifiable abhorrence. Chew on that for a bit and tell me it doesn’t send a chill down your spine.

What does it say about the power of a stubborn, calloused, unresponsive heart, that it could so move the Alpha and Omega to a state of pre-wrath?

At first, I want to judge the Pharisees. How crazy that they would stand in a synagogue on the Sabbath amidst the scrolls containing God’s holy word and dare Jesus, the holy Word incarnate, to do a miracle so that they might accuse Him of being a demon. But then I look in the mirror of my past. When, before being a given a new heart by faith, I know that, but for the grace of God, I was them.

And I humble myself and look at the mirror of my present and know times when that the disease of callousness towards the things of God has crept in as the old man does battle with my new nature. And I shudder at the thought of looking into a mirror of my future and imagining doing anything that might have my Savior cast a disapproving eye towards one who has been purchased for His own by His blood.

To grieve the King and be looked at by the Savior in anger. May it not be so. Might my heart be covered against the disease of hardness.

But also to know the grace that deals with the disease. To know the countenance of a Good Shepherd who binds up stumbling sheep.

. . . the LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

(Numbers 6:24-25 ESV)

Because of grace . . . for His glory.

Posted in Mark, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Judges, Don’t You Know?

Posted on March 31, 2016 by Pete

Judges. That’s not the book I’m reading this morning, it’s the thought that is rolling through my mind. The followers of Jesus are going to be judges. It’s not Paul’s main point in the first part of 1Corinthians chapter 6. In fact, it’s just slipped in there as supporting data as he rebukes the believers at Corinth for suing one another and going to pagan courts to work through family matters. But this “supporting data” has caught my searching eye and is resulting in a surreal wonder. Judges, don’t you know?

Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!

(1Corinthians 6:2-3 ESV)

Can’t say I’m studied up on saints judging the world. Haven’t really spent time exploring Judging Angels 101. Don’t have the time for that this morning. Nevertheless, sounds like it’s part of what lays in store for the church.

And I’m thinking, with all I know about what it means to be redeemed . . . with all that I believe concerning being a child of God . . . with all that I hope for on that day when faith gives way to sight, how much do I still not know or fully appreciate of what it means to be a blood-bought follower of Christ? I’m guessing, quite a bit. Like one day judging the world. Like one day judging angels. Like one day what else?

As much as we live in the wonder of the expectation of seeing Him in all His glory, shouldn’t there also be an energized anticipation of what life will be like when the mortal gives way to immortality? When the things of this world fade away and the dawning of the next goes from theory to reality? I’m thinkin’!

We’re gonna be judges, don’t you know? What else will we be? What else will we be doing?

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him

(1Corinthians 2:9 ESV)

We should be living in the here and now in the light of who we will be in the there and then. Gonna judge the world? Then, says Paul, start handling the “trivial cases” in the church? Gonna judge angels? Then know that we’re competent, by God’s Spirit-filled enabling, to navigate this life.

Live in light of who you are in Christ. Live in light of who you’ll be in Christ.

Judges, don’t you know?

By His grace. For His glory.

Posted in 1Corinthians, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Investing in a CRA (Caleb Retirement Account)

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Pete

So what if they were giants? They were on his land! Time for them to go. And who’s gonna make them go? He would. Caleb, the eighty-five year old son of Jephunneh, was ready to take it to them. Unlike many today, his “twilight years” weren’t going to be spent playing games. Instead, “retirement” for Caleb would be lived very much like “pre-retirement” — investing in his CRA . . . laying up treasure in his Caleb Retirement Account.

He had known the emancipation from slavery and the exodus from Egypt. He had walked through the Red Sea. He had served under Moses. When he was forty years old he had spied out the land most thought unconquerable and had formed the minority opinion with Joshua, firmly believing that God could and would give the land promised to them into their hands. He had spent forty years wandering in the desert witnessing firsthand the faithful provision of God and the inevitable death of every one of his peers. And what’s more, he had just survived several years of war in Canaan. You’d think that at eighty-five he’d be saying to Joshua, “Hey Josh, can you find me a nice cushy oasis to settle down in?” But not this guy.

“So now give me this hill country of which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the LORD said.”

(Joshua 14:12 ESV)

You got to be inspired by this guy! Caleb’s ready to fight a tribe of “long-necks” (literal interpretation of Anakim). He’s ready to go toe-to-toe with warriors who are head-and-shoulders above him. And he’s going to do it in the hill country, not even having the advantage of a level playing field. What drives a guy in his 80’s to desire such an undertaking? What compels a senior citizen to keep on keepin’ on like that? I’m thinkin’ he’s driven by faith in his CRA.

” . . . I wholly followed the LORD my God. And Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.'”

(Joshua 14:8b-9 ESV)

Three times in this chapter the Holy Spirit makes sure we know that Caleb “wholly followed the LORD.”

When Caleb was delivered from Egypt, he wholly followed the LORD. When he spied out the land, Caleb wholly followed the LORD and was ready to “take the hill” at that time. As he wandered in the wilderness, he wholly followed the LORD. As he moved through the land on the frontlines of battle after battle, he wholly followed the LORD. By faith he had been investing in the inheritance promised him and, at eighty-five years of age, he wasn’t about to stop now. He was building his CRA fully believing that the best was yet to come.

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. . . . storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

(1Timothy 6:17-19 ESV)

That’s a CRA . . . investing in an eternal future, laying hold of life that is truly life. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:21). Caleb’s goal was to know the realization of the promises of God, that was his treasure. And so, his heart was fully devoted to following the LORD. His “retirement goal” was “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1Peter 1:4), and he would invest in it with all his might until he could invest no more. Even if it meant fighting giants at eighty-five.

Oh that I might be such as Caleb . . . investing in my PRA.

All because of God’s grace. All for God’s glory.

Posted in Joshua, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Seeing Their Believing

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Pete

There’s no record that any of them said anything. What they did conveyed what they were seeking. Their actions spoke louder than any words. And those who were present that day were seeing their believing.

Jesus was back in Capernaum. And as the word got out that He was home, the house where He was staying started filling up. He was preaching the word and the people were filling the place. So many had come to hear Him teach that the place was packed. So many gathered that they were “jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out” (MSG).

But there were five who had arrived late to the party and were not about to be denied. Four of them could walk, their buddy couldn’t. Four of them carried a bed, their buddy lay on it. And all of them knew they needed to see Jesus.

Whenever I read Mark 2 I try and imagine the scene as the four started removing tile and other material from the roof above Jesus. I’m thinking that they intended to lower the paralytic’s bed down horizontally and so it was no small hole they were creating. Talk about an interruption. One moment Jesus is figuratively lifting off the ceiling as He preaches the written word of God and the next, the ceiling is literally being lifted off as five desperate men seek an encounter with the living Word of God. And all eyes are drawn to the commotion above Jesus and the focus is clearly on the one who’s laying on the bed being lowered to floor in front of Jesus.

Everyone in that house, including Jesus, was seeing their believing.

And when they could not get near Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.”

(Mark 2:4-5 ESV)

Jesus saw their faith. He witnessed the conviction of the paralytic’s four buddies. He observed the firm opinion of the man who lay helplessly on the bed. Without a word being spoken they demonstrated that they believed Jesus was sent of God and had power to heal brokenness. The torn up roof tiles evidenced their heartfelt confidence that He who had released others from their bondage would be willing to set free this man confined to his back. The spectacle they made of themselves was due to the surety they placed in the Savior.

And seeing their belief, Jesus said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.”

Not forgiven because of the paralytic’s works or the extraordinary effort of his friends. But forgiven because of what lay behind their actions. They removed the roof because they believed that Jesus was who He claimed to be. They tore up the tiles and rained debris down on the crowd because they believed that Jesus could do what He claimed to be able to do. They interrupted the meeting because they believed that Jesus was bringing about the kingdom He said He had come to bring about.

Sometimes what we say we believe needs to be manifest in what we’re willing to do. Not that we do so to demand His favor, but we do so in order to demonstrate our faith.

Faith born of His abundant grace. Faith for His eternal glory.

Posted in Mark, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Power of God

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Pete

Tonight, Lord willing, the saints plan on gathering at, as my friend Garry likes to calls it, L-T-double-C. The plan is to sing a bit, read Scripture, respond with Scripture, and then eat and drink symbols of Someone’s death. In fact, even the songs and the Scripture are going to have a strong death theme to them. While tonight we intend to celebrate, I’m not anticipating much of a party atmosphere. Rather we’ll gather to consider the cross of Christ as we read and respond and reflect and remember. And, with the Spirit’s enabling, we will know afresh the power of God.

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. . . . For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

(1Corinthians 1:18, 22-24 ESV)

The cross is the power of God. Christ crucified is the dunamis, the force, the strength, the mighty and wonderful enabling. For those who have received and believed the truth that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”, His death on our behalf is the power that enables us to live for God.

Some try to “clean up the cross” and make it more attractive to modern sensibilities. Others try and deflect from the offense of the cross which speaks of the death of a Substitute for our sin, and focus instead on the attractiveness of a wonderful plan for our lives. But when all is said and done . . . when all is done and said . . . it is Christ crucified which “is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith'” (Rom 1:16-17).

And in reflecting on the foolishness of the cross we find anew the foundation for our faith.

Sunday we will celebrate an empty tomb. He is risen! Because He lives I can face tomorrow! But tonight we’ll meditate on why that tomb was even used. We’ll know again that it was our sin and transgression that compelled the Son of God to cry from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” We’ll recall the price paid and the grace extended that speaks into the darkness, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” We’ll rejoice that our redemption is sure and that our salvation is nearer than when we first believed because of Calvary’s triumphant cry, “It is finished!”

By some people’s estimate it won’t be much of a party tonight at L-T-double-C. But there will be rejoicing. Some will think that a crucifixion is kind of dumb thing to give up a Friday night for and isn’t much cause for celebration. But there will be thanksgiving.

And when all is said and done, we’ll take the bread and drink the cup and proclaim once again the Lord’s death until He comes. Because it is the power of God . . . and because we know Sunday’s a comin’!

By His grace . . . for His glory.

Posted in 1Corinthians, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Seeing Is Not Necessarily Believing

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Pete

Not enough time to really dig in this morning and study the chronology of Jesus’ post resurrection appearances. But if Galilee was a bit of a trek from the empty tomb it seems that the resurrection appearances Jesus made to His disciples behind closed doors, and on the road to Emmaus had already taken place before the meeting recorded in my reading this morning. And it’s not really clear to me whether Jesus met with just the eleven on the mount in Galilee or whether there was a greater band of disciples present . . . though I think it could have been when “He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time” (1Cor. 15:6). Regardless, there was a reunion at that mountain in Galilee. And while there was a great celebration there was also, for some at least, a measure of skepticism. So, it seems, seeing is not necessarily believing.

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw Him they worshiped Him, but some doubted.

(Matthew 28:16-17 ESV)

Time for a praise party! When they saw Jesus they worshiped. When they encountered the risen Christ I wouldn’t be surprised if there were raised hands and bowed knees . . . if some stood lifting their faces to heaven and some went prostrate with their faces to the ground . . . if some blessed God and others remained silent in inexpressible awe and wonder. It’s kind of what you might expect of those who had hoped in Jesus, seen Him crucified, and now were standing before Him in all His resurrection beauty.

But, Matthew records, some doubted. Some wavered in their opinion of what they saw. Some weren’t so sure. This is what makes me think there was a greater group present. I think the eleven had worked through their doubts during previous encounters with the living Christ, thanks in large part to Thomas (John 20:24-28). But, whoever was there, some doubted.

Doubted what? That He was alive? That He was ever really dead? That this was really Him and not just a spirit or apparition? I don’t know.  But there they were and there He was and still some doubted.

And it’s got me thinking . . . how many will make the trek to a place of worship this weekend to celebrate and worship the risen Christ and yet will doubt?

Doubt that they will encounter Him though He has promised to be where His people gather. Doubt that they can really know Him though He said He would send His Spirit to testify of Him. Doubt that they are worthy to be in His presence though He has said He died for them and that, in Him, they would be robed with His righteousness. Doubt that they really need to worship Him, and Him alone, but can fit Him in along with all their other gods.

O, that this Sunday God’s people would see Jesus . . . and worship Him . . . and not doubt. That those outside the faith who attend celebrations of the empty tomb would be graced by God with eyes to see and ears to hear, and that the hardness of unbelief would be shed.

That we would not glibly or mindlessly go through the motions this Resurrection Sunday, but would gather together expectantly. And not doubt. But worship. And though, not seeing, we would be believing.

He is Risen!

By His grace . . . for His glory.

Posted in Matthew, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Seeking Jesus

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Pete

Matthew writes that the women went “to see the tomb” but the angel knew they were actually on a mission. They didn’t rise up before dawn wanting just to behold the rock in front of the tomb. Rather, according to Luke and Mark, they had brought spices hoping, somehow, to anoint the body of the Rock they had seen lain in the tomb. They went to the sepulcher on the first day of the week with a flickering faith and an uncertain hope, but they went nevertheless. And they went seeking Jesus.

And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. . . . the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and behold, He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

(Matthew 28:2, 5-8 ESV)

“I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified,” said the angel. It wasn’t some morbid curiosity that led the ladies back to the tomb early that Sunday morning. It was a heart of devotion which evoked a sense of duty even if they had no idea how they would accomplish what they sought to do.

Jesus had been buried hastily. On the Friday He was crucified they had not been afforded the time to mourn Him in anointing His body after His death. The Sabbath prevented them from doing so and thus, at first light on the day after the Sabbath they went seeking Jesus.

The didn’t how they would remove the great stone in front of the tomb. All they knew is that they wanted to worship Him in His death as they had in His life.

And for those who seek Jesus, sometimes there are encounters of the divine kind.

What amazed them more that early morning? Seeing an angel, his appearance like lightning, and his clothing white as snow, or seeing the stone rolled back and hearing, “He is not here, for He has risen, as He said?” Talk about your extrasensory overload! Bright lights and blown minds! Empty tomb but full hearts. Not fully understanding what was meant by what they angel had just declared but never more certain of what they believed.

So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

Fear and great joy. What a combo! Minds racing, hearts pumping. Wanting to fall on your face and at the same shout from a roof top. Awe and wonder . . . praise and worship. Experienced by those who venture out seeking Jesus.

And as we anticipate this weekend’s celebration will we be like those ladies?

Probably more natural to be like the guards who stood before the closed tomb. Just another assignment for them. Though the circumstance may have been out of the ordinary, it was just standard protocol. They knew what to do and relied on themselves to get it done. Though it would become mundane and boring, they would fight against snoozing off and would fulfill the charge of being at the tomb.

But I want to be like Mary and Mary. Up before dawn in anticipation of mission. Seeking Jesus though not quite sure of what will happen or how. Desiring though not demanding an encounter of the divine kind. Wanting to encounter anew the bright light of the Spirit’s illumination as I hear afresh, “He is not here, for He is risen!” To be filled with authentic awe and overwhelming wonder. To know holy fear and great joy. To meet with the risen Christ, fall at His feet, and worship Him (28:9). All because this Easter I was seeking Jesus.

By His grace . . . for His glory.

Posted in Matthew, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Make It As Secure As You Can

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Pete

Their hardness of heart continued even after His death. Even after the spectacle on Calvary was over and the crowds were gone they were not done with trying to write the script. The Pharisees gather before the Roman governor and warn him of a possible conspiracy (after all paranoia’s just smart thinking when everyone’s against you). A plot they fear will be conceived by eleven spirit-broken, soul-crushed men. A plot to steal the lifeless body of Jesus from where He was buried.

“Order the tomb to be made secure until the third day,” they tell Pilate, “lest His disciples go and steal Him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead'” (Matt. 27:62-64).

Self-serving. Self-protecting. Even after His death.

What did they fear? Deep down did they fear that perhaps, just perhaps, He might actually rise from the dead? Did they rerun the many signs and wonders He had performed over the past three years? Did they think again of Lazarus–dead and buried for four days and then called back to life simply by Jesus’ command (oh yeah, they remember, we need to kill Lazarus too)?

Or were they truly dead as a spiritual door nail? So enveloped in darkness and so focused on their own interests that they just wanted to take whatever precautions were necessary to ensure they maintained their position?

I don’t know exactly what was running through their minds, but whatever it was they wanted the tomb protected. So they went to Pilate to ask for a Roman guard. An elite commando team of four to sixteen soldiers trained to stand their ground and repel the greatest of enemy forces . . . even if that enemy force were dejected, depressed, and dispersed followers of Christ.

Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

(Matthew 27:65-66 ESV)

“Go, make it as secure as you can.” That’s the phrase that caught my eye and my imagination this morning.

I wonder, was there a bit of sarcasm in Pilates voice? Could he have been thinking, “Really? You’re worried about that rag-tag group of followers stealing Jesus’ body? Fishermen, tax collectors, and other uneducated no-names? That’s the band of conspirators you’re worried about? Go ahead play out your paranoia and take a guard.”

Or perhaps, in light of the encounter Pilate had himself with Jesus, he thinks, “Really? You think a band of men–no matter how many or how well trained–will be able to stand in the way of what God’s program is for the Christ? If Jesus is God’s anointed, do you truly think that any army could secure that tomb and prevent God from doing whatever God intends to do? But go, make it as secure as you can.”

And so they sealed the tomb. And so they set a guard in front of the large rock covering the entrance of where they laid Jesus body. And they made it as secure as they could.

But guess what? Not secure enough. Sunday’s a comin’ . . . .

Who’s getting ready to celebrate?

By His grace . . . for His glory.

Posted in Matthew, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment