My Morning Meal

Nativity scenes . . . we never decided one day to start purposefully building a collection of them . . . but, in fact, that’s kind of what’s happened . . . we’ve ended up becoming collectors of nativity scenes . . . we bought another one this year. Right now, I think there are seven nativity scenes set up downstairs. Some with large characters . . . some with small. Some of a more “classic” nature and some a bit more contemporary. Some with just 3 pieces, a Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus . . . and some with multiple pieces including animals, shepherds, magi, angels . . . the whole nine yards. Sometimes they’re barely noticed . . . but at other times . . . probably more in the morning than the evening . . . in quietness and with a cup of coffee they become a catalyst for thought and meditation. An “igniter” to once again consider the wonder of Immanuel . . . God with us. A visual reminder of promise fulfilled as “Unto us a Child is born . . . ” . . . that “in the city of David a Savior has been born” . . . that He who was born to be King should be worshiped with the best that wise men (and women) have to offer. And it’s that King aspect that’s come to mind this morning as I read in John.

“So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. Then they said, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ And they struck Him with their hands. . . . And [Pilate] said to the Jews, ‘Behold your King!’ But they cried out, ‘Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar!’ Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified.” (John 19:1-3, 14b-16a)

I cringe every time I read this part of the Passion story . . . this and Matthew’s record that the crowd also cried out to Pilate, “His blood be on us and our children” (Matt. 27:25). Father forgive them . . . they don’t know what they’re doing . . . they don’t know what they’re saying. “We have no king but Caesar” . . . really?!? . . what a thing to say . . . not just a rejection of the Son . . . but of the Father, as well. What were they thinking? They weren’t . . . hard hearts . . . blinded eyes . . . deaf ears . . . the rejection of their King. How sad . . . and, except for the grace of God, that’s me.

How I prefer to picture the baby King surrounded by those who love Him and adore Him . . . encompassed by angels . . . marveled at by shepherds . . . worshiped by magi . . . offered gifts befitting a Royal. I prefer it over that of a Man freshly taken from a scourging post . . . barely able to stand because of the beating He has just received . . . wearing some tacky purple robe . . . blood flowing down His face from the crown of thorns that has been forced upon His brow. Identified as a king by a pagan governor who didn’t want to deal with the truth . . . mocked as king by pagan soldiers who “offered” Him the blows of their hands as their “gifts of worship” . . . rejected as king by those He came to save. But, this too is the Christmas story . . . isn’t it?

Yes, He is King.

Recognized as such at His birth, by some . . . rejected as such at His death, by others . . . one day to be revealed as King of Kings when He returns, by all.

Behold Your King! . . . the babe in the manger. Behold Your King! . . . the Lamb of God come to take away the sins of the world.

O come let us adore Him! . . . . amen?

It seems to me that Jesus was far more willing to speak with Pilate than He was to the high priest and religious elite of Israel. As I read John 18, Jesus refuses to engage with those who have put Him on trial (18:19-22). Yet, when He was sent before Pilate, Rome’s governor over Judea, Jesus was prepared to have a conversation. How come?

Pilate asks Jesus if He is the King of the Jews? Jesus answers Pilates question with a question, “Are you asking because you want to know, or is it just something you’ve been told?” (18:34 paraphrase). Interesting question, says Jesus . . . are you a seeker? . . . or just intellectually curious? Is what you’ve heard about Me causing something to stir within you so that you want to know more . . . or, are you playing the Jews’ game of trying to uncover some fact or admission upon which to hang me? It seems that Jesus is willing to speak with Pilate because the governor’s interest in Jesus is more than shallow curiosity.

Jesus then reveals to Pilate that His kingdom “is not of this world” (18:36). And I’m thinking that Jesus isn’t making this any easier on Pilate. In responding to Pilate’s question, Jesus introduces Pilate to a concept that wasn’t even on Pilate’s radar. A kingdom that transcends the physical reality that Pilate has grown comfortable with . . . talking of a rule and authority over servants who inhabit a different dimension . . . what’s Pilate going to do with that? And what I find interesting is that Pilate doesn’t just write off Jesus at this point . . . this powerful Roman doesn’t wave His hand and dismiss this lowly Jew as a mad man. Instead, Pilate asks another question to ensure his understanding, “Are you a king then?” (18:37)

“Bingo!” says Jesus (well, sort of), “You say rightly that I am a king.” That’s the truth says this One on trial . . . that’s why I was born . . . that’s why I have come into the world . . . so that people would know the truth . . . I bear witness to truth . . . and those who seek truth hear my voice (18:37).

Isn’t that why Jesus talked with Pilate when He refused to answer the high priest’s questions? Jesus speaks to those who are legitimately trying to understand . . . to those who have inquiring minds . . . to those with open hearts. For those who ask the sincere question . . . answers are available. For those who truly seek for what’s really real . . . reality will be found. For those who knock on the door of heaven’s knowledge and wisdom . . . the door will be open. Not that Jesus’ answers are simple . . . sometimes the answers create more questions. What do you do, as in Pilate’s example, when the “new data” you receive speaks of a kingdom that’s literally out of this world? But, says, Jesus, I speak the truth.

And this is where Pilate gets tripped up . . . he asks one more question . . . “What is truth?” I don’t think Pilate was disputing Jesus . . . in fact, I think something within Pilate was causing Him to conclude that Jesus’ claims were credible . . . but the implications were frightening . . . this was not going where Pilate was prepared for it to go. So, Pilate looked for a way out.

I guess if I’m going to try and engage Jesus with a sincere desire to know Him and His ways . . . if I’m going to honestly ask the questions . . . I had better be prepared for “out of this world” answers . . . input that may not fit neatly into the box I’ve created. If Jesus is the Truth (and He is) . . . and speaks the truth (which He does) . . . then, regardless of my level of full comprehension, isn’t mine to receive the truth . . . mix it with some faith . . . and respond to it accordingly? I’m thinkin’ . . .

I want to be someone that Jesus is willing to enter into a conversation with.

Father, keep me from a heart which, though asking questions, isn’t really interested in answers. Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Truth . . . give me ears to hear what You have to say. Spirit within me, thank you for taking on the task of being my Teacher . . . lead me into truth . . . for my blessing . . . for His glory . . . amen.

The last couple of mornings, as I’ve read in John 18, I’ve thought about how appropriate it is that, as I start getting “cranked up” for Christmas and focusing on the wonder of Immanuel, God with us, that I should be reading about His last days on earth. As much as I love to focus on that baby in the manger, the riches of “the season” are deepened when I recognize that this same baby was also the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. And a phrase in John 18:20 this morning kind of captured the essence of this time of year.

Jesus is before Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was the high priest. Annas questions Jesus about His disciples and His teachings. And Jesus’ response? “Ask them. Ask all those who have heard my teachings. It’s not something I’ve secretly passed on only to the select few. If you’re really interested, ask those who’ve heard Me — surely they know what I’ve said.” (v 20-21 – kinda – Pete’s paraphrase) And the phrase in verse 20 which so reflects what the Christmas season can be are the words, “I spoke openly to the world.”

Isn’t that what that the first Christmas was? An open, public declaration of Jesus the Savior . . . angels declaring His coming and glory 2,000 years ago . . .a star visible for all who had eyes to see . . . leading to that most holy place in Bethlehem? There was nothing secretive about that first Christmas. It wasn’t just a “what’s said in Bethlehem, stays in Bethlehem,” event between Mary, Joseph, and the animals in the stable. The shepherds knew about it, as did those they told. Aged Simeon and Anna knew about it. Eventually the magi would know about it . . . and so would Herod.

That first public declaration by angelic beings kind of set the precedent, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior–yes, the Messiah, the Lord–has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize Him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12 NLT)

A public declaration . . . spoken openly for all who had ears to hear. And that’s what Jesus said at the end of His earthly life as He stood before those who would eventually see to it that He hung on a cross — He says, “I have spoken openly to the world.”

And every year at this time there exists an opening . . . a unique opening . . . for Messiah to be presented . . . to surface the question, “Who was this baby whose birth was the catalyst for these ‘Happy Holidays?’ ” Sure, there’ll be many who, like this hard-hearted high priest, aren’t really interested in the question or the answer. But there will also be some who are seeking . . . some with the heart of the magi, who are seeking . . . some who will hear . . . and see . . . and believe . . . and respond. That’s why He still seeks to speak openly to the world by His Spirit through His people.

So we, as His followers, need to seize those occasions afforded us to share “the Reason for the Season.” O, that God’s Holy Spirit would use this Christmas to move some to hear Jesus as He continues to speak openly to the world through us. That the Spirit might help me to recognize when I have those opportunities to be one of those disciples who can pass on what I’ve heard Him openly speak . . . through His birth . . . through His death . . . through His resurrection . . . through His saving grace . . . through new life in Him . . . about His promise of coming again one day. That I too might speak openly . . . for a lost world’s benefit . . . and for His glory . . .

He taught as no other taught . . . as one having authority. He went one-on-one with Satan in the desert and emerged victor. He cast out demons, He healed the sick. He calmed storms . . . He walked on water. He touched lepers, making them clean . . . He gave sight to the blind . . . He made dead people alive again. So what made them think they could tie Him up? What arrogance prompted them, even after they were knocked to the ground by His declaration that He was “I am”, what arrogance prompted them to think to wrap ropes about Him? What blindness led them, even after seeing Him pick up Malchus’ ear and restore it to his empty head, what blindness led them them to think they could bind Him? But so they thought . . . and so they did . . . .

“Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, ‘Whom are you seeking?’ They answered Him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am He.’ . . . Now when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground . . . Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?’ Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.” (John 18:4-6, 10-11)

It will get worse . . . more abusive . . . more horrific to imagine. The slapping and spitting on His face . . . the blind-folded beating and mockery . . . the scourging . . . the crown of thorns smashed about His head . . . the nails in His hands and feet . . . compared to what would follow, being tied up seems kind of minor. But as I read this morning that they bound Him, I’m marvel afresh at the humility of my Savior . . . at the submission of the Creator to His creation . . . at the meekness of Him who was determined to do the will of His Father . . . and be led as a lamb to slaughter (Isa. 53:7).

“Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.” (Genesis 22:9)

A son bound for sacrifice. Innocence confined in preparation for injustice. A Father so loving the world that He gave His one and only Son . . . wrapped up and delivered into the hands of men. What was it for Him to be bound? He who possessed the might to create all things, “and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:3) . . . He who sustains all things by the power of His word (Hebrews 1:3) . . . tied up and led away.

“God is the LORD, and He has given us light; Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.” (Psalm 118:27)

The sacrifice bound to the cords of the altar so that it might be restrained from wriggling free and running off. But Jesus had no intention of “getting out of this one” . . . no thought of escape. It was time . . . time to “drink the cup” the Father had given Him . . . time to finish the work He had been sent to accomplish. Though He was bound by ropes, soon they would fall to the ground . . . though placed in a tomb, soon it would be empty . . . though put “in the ground” soon He would ascend to heaven.

He was bound for freedom.

And it really wasn’t Judas & Co. who bound Him . . . Jesus constrained Himself. The Lion of the tribe of Judah became the Lamb of God come to take away the sins of the world . . . and it pleased the Father, in fulfillment of that ancient picture, to bind Him in preparation for sacrifice . . . that I might be free . . . “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!” (John 8:36)

Yes, He was bound for freedom.

O come let us adore Him . . .

I’m not gonna to lie (not that I have in the past) . . . I like being prayed for . . . especially when it’s by someone who just seems to be a real prayer warrior. On those occasions where my name has been lifted to the throne by a brother or sister who has been graced with a special fervency, it’s had a way of being both comforting and encouraging. There’s something about knowing that your name is being spoken into heaven’s portals . . . something that makes you grateful . . . something that makes you stronger . . . something that makes you more determined, by God’s grace, to keep on keepin’ on. I’m thinking that’s why I so enjoy lingering over the last few verses of John 17 . . . why I savor the Savior praying for me . . . why I like to pray with Jesus.

“I do not pray for these alone [the disciples], but also for those who will believe in Me through their word . . . ” (John 17:20)

To be prayed for by Jesus . . . to have our name spoken before the throne of God by the King of kings . . . how amazing is that? Talk about your prayer warrior . . . talk about access to the throne . . . talk about words which are certain to have an eternal impact . . . that’s talking about Jesus’ prayer life. And, at least part of it . . . and I’m thinking a big part . . . concerns us. We who were redeemed through His precious blood . . . those given to Him by the Father . . . those who are eternally linked to Him as a body to the Head . . . those eternally betrothed to Him as a bride to the Bridegroom . . . those eternally inhabited by Him as living stones built into a holy temple . . . those eternally serving Him as kings and priests in the courts of our God.

And until the coming of perfection (and maybe afterwards as well, I don’t know), He prays for us. Our blessed Savior even now is at the right hand of God making intercession for us (Rom. 8:34) . . . “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 7:25)

I can imagine some of the things on His “Things to Pray for Pete” list . . . but, here in John’s Gospel, there are some things on the list that are not left to my imagination. He prays that I would know a unity within the body of believers and, that as a body, we would know a communion with the Father and Son which is modeled after the fellowship They experience within the Trinity. He expresses His desire to the Father that we who are His might be with Him where He is . . . that we might behold His glory . . . “the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). And He asks that the love with which the Father loved the Son would abide in His children . . . and that He, Himself, would be in them.

How’s that for a set of prayer requests? Desired by the Son . . . spoken to the Father . . . energized by the Spirit . . . and about us. Hmmm . . . pretty amazing.

Thank You, Lord Jesus for praying for me . . . I add my “amen” to Your supplications. May I continue to know sweet fellowship with Your people . . . may we, as a body, know a real, active, and intimate communion with You. I too desire to be with You . . . to behold Your glory . . . to worship at Your feet . . . to inhabit that place You have been preparing for me for the last 2,000 years. Until then I also join You in asking that I might know more and more the love of God . . . and that I would, by Your grace and through Your Spirit, know more of Your living presence in my life.

For my blessing, for sure . . . but more importantly, for Your glory . . . amen!

There’s at least a couple of ways that you learn stuff from Scriptures. One way is to kind of “glean” truths. For example, I was reading in Revelation 7 this morning about those who are saved out of the tribulation and what they do in heaven and, from that, I can make some observations and draw some conclusions about what heaven must be like. The other way to learn stuff, of course, is to be told straight up . . . no need to deduce . . . it’s just laid out there . . . like a simple equation, A=B . . . or a dictionary type of definition. Some might call it “low hanging fruit.” I came across such “fruit” this morning, too, as I was reading in John 17 . . .

“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)

How’s that for a straight forward definition?

“I’ll take hard to grasp truths for 400, Alex.” . . . “Ok, the answer is, ‘To know the Father, the only true God, and the Jesus Christ whom He has sent.’ ” . . . “What is, ‘Eternal life?’ . . . “Correct!”

Not to be trite . . . not to oversimplify . . . “knowing God” is a volume of teaching in and of itself . . . but the point is, the essence of eternal life is to enter into a relationship with the God of creation through His Son. To know God is to have eternal life.

Jesus removed the barrier to knowing God through His work on the cross. The penalty of sin having been paid . . . the power of sin having been broken . . . the way open for man to commune with God just as was intended from the beginning in garden. Communion with God . . . that’s eternal life. To interact with Him . . . to understand, in some measure, His mind . . . to become familiar, to some degree, with the things that please Him and displease Him . . . to hear His voice through His word and His Spirit . . . to know that He hears our voice through prayer . . . all this comprises eternal life.

Eternal life isn’t something that starts when I get to heaven . . . this is it!

Will things be clearer in that day when I’m “face to face” . . . sure. But have I been given everything I need to participate in the divine nature and know the deep things of God now? Yeah! (2Peter 1:3-4, 1Cor. 2:16) Just wasting time if I’m waiting for a future day to start experience eternal life . . . missing some quality One-on-one time if I’m not pursuing knowing God now.

Every morning, as I get ready for the day, it’s an opportunity to renew a desire to “do eternal life.” To pursue knowing Him better . . . to pause to remember His abiding presence . . . to converse with Him throughout the day through the Spirit which speaks into heaven’s portal on my behalf . . . to recognize those moments when I’m enjoying fellowship with Him “in the cool of the day.”

Eternal life . . . this is it . . . by His grace . . . for His glory . . .