Good Friday

I awoke this morning before daybreak. All was quiet. Then the first bird of the day began to sing. That night so long ago Jesus was still up as the day began to dawn, and as a cock crowed both He and Peter knew that another betrayal had occurred (Matthew 26: 69 - 75; Mark 14: 66 - 72; Luke 22: 54 - 62; John18: 25 - 27).

In his book He Chose the Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart, Max Lucado compares the betrayals of Judas and Peter. He writes, "Peter and Judas, both deny their Lord. Peter seeks mercy. Judas seeks death. And God lets him. In every age of history, on every page of Scripture, the truth is revealed: God allows us to make our own choices. ... God gives eternal choices, and these choices have eternal consequences" (page 53).

Lucado says that one of God's greatest gifts is the gift of choice. He continues, "In so many areas of life we have no choice. Think about it. You didn't choose your gender. Your didn't choose your siblings. You didn't choose your race or place of birth. Sometimes our lack of choice angers us. 'It's not fair,' we say. ... But the scales of life were forever tipped on the side of fairness when God planted a tree in the Garden of Eden. All complaints were silenced when Adam and his descendants were given free will, the freedom to make whatever eternal choice we desire. Any injustice in this life is offset by the honor of choosing our destiny in the next" (page 55, emphasis mine).

As dawn broke on Good Friday, Jesus already he had suffered much, with so much more to come. I thought of all the people in Jerusalem that day. There would have been many who had no idea what was going on. Crucifixion by the Romans was common, and another three were about to take place. No one understood what life-changing, world-changing, eternity-changing events were transpiring. "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3: 18 NIV).

Maundy Thursday

Did you get a chance to see the full moon tonight? As it rose over the U.S. Capitol, I remembered that the same moon shone in its fullness on Moses and the people of Israel as the Angel of Death passed over them in Egypt thousands of years ago. And that same moon lit the Garden of Gethsemane as Jesus prayed there the night he was betrayed. So much has transpired over the ages, but God is the same yesterday, today and always. I was reminded of this as I gazed at the Moon which He set in the heavens at the beginning of time.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; ...to Him who made the heavens with skill ... the moon and the stars to rule by night, for His lovingkindness is everlasting" (Psalm 136 1, 5, 9).

photo by sul

At this point in his walk toward the cross, Jesus had entered Jerusalem to prepare for the Passover, and He knew fully that He was the Lamb of God who would be sacrificed to take away the sin of the world. He face was set toward the goal, although he would pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me, yet not My will, but Thine be done" (Luke 22:42).

I have several books which I add to my Bible reading during this Holy Week. I recommend them to you.

Six Hours One Friday: Anchoring to the Power of the Cross by Max Lucado
Christ in the Passover: Why is This Night Different by Ceil and Moishe Rosen
In the Footsteps of Jesus by Max Lucado

And I am reading for the first time He Chose the Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart by Max Lucado.

If you have other suggestions, please list them in them in the comment section, or email them to me for posting. Let's share devotional resources.

Postscript:

Would you please join me in praying for the family and friends of Air Force Staff Sgt. Phillip A. Myers, who was the first dignified transfer to be recorded by the media since the change in policy implemented by President Obama.

The Sunday of the Passion

photo by sarah a larson

"And most of the multitude spread their garments in the road, and others were cutting branches from the trees, and spreading them in the road. And the multitudes going before Him, and those who followed after were crying out, saying, 'Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!' " (Matthew 21: 8 - 9)

Be Still

Tonight at a gathering I attend, the leader began with a prayer to quiet us from the rush of the day. Slowly she prayed, "Be still and know that I am God."

"Be still and know that I am GOD."

"Be still and know that I AM."

"Be still and KNOW."

"Be STILL."

"BE."

As I silently prayed along, I found myself focusing on different aspects of God. It was a powerful use of Scripture as prayer that I have continued to meditate on throughout the evening.

At home I read from my New American Standard translation of the Bible. It says, "Cease striving and know that I am God" (Psalm 46: 10). When I went to God tonight in contemplative prayer, He "made me to lie down in green pastures; He led me beside quiet waters; He restored my soul" (Psalm 23: 2 - 3).

Once again when I sought Him I found Him already there, ready to meet me.

Please share with me other Scriptures you know of that speak of "quietness."

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes , His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made . . ." Romans 1:20.

Let's start a list in the comment section below. Which items in God's creation lead you to worship God?

I'll begin: the stars. When I can get away from the city lights and see the stars at night, I am in awe of God. I am reminded of His "eternal power and divine nature." Have you considered that they all stay in place, forming the constellations that are recognizable generation to generation? They do not move out of their assigned location, which is so dependable that travellers are guided by them.

"Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power not one of them is missing" Isaiah 40:26.

Please contribute below in the comment section, helping to form a "praise list" based on God's creation. Remember, you are able to so so anonymously.

Eternity in Each Heart

I've been thinking more about God's inclusiveness.

In Ecclesiastes 3:11 we read that, "God has also set eternity in [each person's] heart, without which man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end" (emphasis mine).

In Romans 1: 18 - 20 we read that, "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is know about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse" (emphasis mine).

These two versus came to mind as I was contemplating my previous entry about salvation and condemnation. There is no condemnation for those who are believers in and followers of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1). It also is clear that those who decide not to believe and follow in the end have chosen for themselves condemnation. Yet it is God's will that no one should perish, but that all should come to eternal life (2 Peter 3:9). For this reason, God continually reaches out to each person in so many ways to draw them to make the right choice. His workings are a marvelous mystery!

(photo by sul)

Salvation, Not Condemnation

"For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through Him" John 3:17.

God, through Jesus, is an inclusive God. Some say that the Christian faith is exclusive because of the basis of belief that Jesus is the only way to the Father. Jesus himself said in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me" (emphasis mine).

Jesus is the only way to God, and His promise in John 3:16 is that, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

In being the only way to God, Jesus is showing all human kind the narrow path that leads to life. He is not excluding anyone. He is providing direction for everyone. Exclusion comes by personal decision. Each person decides for himself whether they will take Jesus at His word, or whether they will ignore or reject Him.

That being said, I am well aware that "by grace we are saved through faith; ... it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). Herein lies a mystery to me -- the process of faith. From my earliest memories I was interested in God. In seventh grade I recall kneeling in church and praying to God, "there must be something more to knowing You than what I am experiencing." During college I sought God in many different religious practices. Then on a February night in 1984, I had the profound realization that Jesus is the only hope. In one moment, in the twinkling of an eye, my faith was increased to a level of assurance. As it says in Ephesians 1:18, "the eyes of my heart were enlightened."

I know that I am not alone in this profound experience, because other people have shared with me their own similar stories. Yet there are many good and religious people seeking God who have not yet had such an experience. Jesus does not condemn them. He continues to call them by His Holy Spirit. I do not understand the workings of all this. I do not understand the timing in my own walk of faith that brought me to the moment of assurance. I only know for certain that my faith is a gift of God.

Therefore I think that we as believers are called to be patient with those who are not yet assured in their faith. We must guard against becoming spiritually arrogant because others do not believe or worship or live as we do. Instead, let us pray according to Ephesians 1:17 - 18, "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you [insert the names of your choosing] a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him."

I do not understand the timing of my spiritual epiphany, but I do know now that there were people praying for "the eyes of my heart to be enlightened." To them and for them I am eternally grateful.

So Great A Cloud of Witnesses

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" Hebrews 12: 1 - 2.

On March 17, we remembered St. Patrick, a believer who has gone before us, one of the cloud of witnesses. Hebrews chapter 11 tells of others who comprise "so great a cloud of witnesses," including Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. Have you considered all those who have joined this group since Hebrews was written? All gained approval from God through their faith (Hebrews 11:39).

Hebrews 12 tells us that these witnesses surround us. They are for us examples of perseverance. Often in my darkest moments, I have considered those named in Hebrews 11, and those who have lived since then, and those who still are living on this earth, who are members of this group. And I am encouraged -- inspired with courage and hope and faith. Webster's dictionary says that to encourage is "to spur on." That fits with "running the race," doesn't it!

Think about all the people who comprise "so great a cloud of witnesses." To whom do you relate? Who encourages you? Please consider sharing (you can do so anonymously) so that others may also be encouraged.

St. Patrick's Prayer

I bind to myself this day the power of God to guide me, the might of God to uphold me, the wisdom of God to teach me, the eye of God to watch over me, the ear of God to hear me, the word of God to give me speech, the hand of God to protect me, the shield of God to shelter me, the host of God to defend me against evil, against the lust of nature, against every person who meditates injury to me, whether far or near, whether alone or with many.

I have invoked all these virtues against every hostile, savage power warring upon my body and soul, against the evil laws of paganism, against the false laws of heresy, against the false promises of idolatry and against all knowledge which blinds the soul of humanity.

Amen

From the Brother's of St. Patrick California Monastery

The Cross is the Power of God

"For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" 1 Corinthians 1:18.

In the last post we began contemplating Mark 8:34, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."

Paraphrase by Susan: If you want to be a true Christian

1. deny yourself
2. take up your cross
3. follow Jesus

We are told in Matthew 10:24 that "A disciple is not above his
teacher ..." For these reasons my cross -- your cross -- will include tears, insults, betrayal, struggle, anguish, pain, sorrow, and death.

Some of you have written to share your thoughts, one of which is:

"Perhaps our "cross" is not only represented by our difficulties, trials, and challenges. When Jesus told us to deny ourselves, He knew that the one factor common to all we must bear is that it is much easier for us all to desire our will than to subjugate it to His will."

This took me back to Mark 8, and I read the verses surrounding verse 34. Verse 35 continues, "For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's shall save it." Susan's paraphrase: to take up my cross means to give my life for Jesus and the Gospel, submitting my will to whatever God wills because His ways are above my ways.

A reader said that my ending words "to be continued" struck her, writing, "We don't escape the cross in this walk. Although the circumstances that represent our cross ebb and flow, or even change completely, the cross is 'continued.' ... For me, simply to "stay under" in all things and through all things is a cross."

This took me to 1 Corinthians 9:23 where Paul writes, "And I do all things for the sake of the gospel, that I may become a fellow partaker of it."

Therefore, my brothers and sisters in Christ, "let us run with endurance (perseverance) the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart" Hebrews 12: 1b - 3.

What Is A Cross?

"If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34).

What is a cross? During Dean Lloyd's sermon Sunday at the Washington National Cathedral, he spoke of the popularity of the cross as a fashion accessory, and the variety available. He also told of how when Jesus lived on the earth, the cross was the ultimate tool of torture used by the Roman empire to instill fear and maintain authority. It made me think that the cross was as the French Revolution's guillotine and the noose of America's lynchings.

But the cross, once of tool of fear, control, torture and death, has become a symbol of hope, freedom, release, and life.

There are so many lessons in this one sentence spoken by Jesus. Today I will focus on one thought contained in the phrase "take up their (your) cross."

What is my cross?

As I was pondering this during Sunday's service, the boys choir processed from the choir loft to receive communion. Looking at these young boys, I recalled my son and his love of church when he was young. He knew the liturgy by heart, and would recite it by memory along with the presiding pastor during the service. At home during the week, he would play CD's of praise music and process in and out of the living room, carrying the broom as the acolyte carried the cross during Sunday's service.

Today my son is being raised outside the faith. That is a cross; or a part of my cross.

As I continued to ponder Mark 8:34, I realized that one's cross is not simply an inconvenience. Nor is it necessarily one thing.

The cross which Jesus bore was physical wood, but also the experience of betrayal, rejection, suffering, and death. The cross made no sense to Jesus' family, friends or followers. The cross Jesus bore resulted from lies, greed, evil, abuse, betrayal -- all of these are manifestations of sin.

Jesus dreaded the cross. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, "Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done" (Luke 22:42).

In Hebrews 12:2 we read that Jesus, "for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame . . ."

I still am pondering. What is a cross? What is my cross? What does it truly mean for me to take up my cross and follow Jesus?

To be continued . . .

(photo by sul)

Even Mine

"The son said, Every day my enemy seeketh my soul to destroy it; Oh God, my Saviour, overlook me not.

His Father said, Saul sought David every day, but I did not deliver him into his hands. I will not overlook thee. Am I not mightier than ten thousand Sauls?

And the son remembered the words, They that be with us are more than they that be with them. There is a greater with us than with him. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. And he said, The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer, even mine."

From His Thoughts Said ... His Father Said ... by Amy Carmichael.

"O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).

"Be Thou to me a rock of strength, a stronghold to save me. For Thou art my rock and my fortress;" (Psalm 31: 2 - 3).

What does it mean to you that God is your rock and fortress? You may comment anonymously.

Forgiveness

"Jennifer Thompson-Cannino was certain that Ronald Cotton was the man who raped her in 1984. But she was wrong. After Cotton spent 11 years in jail, DNA evidence proved his innocence. Now, the two have a friendship based on their belief in forgiveness." (NPR.org)

When I heard this story on NPR's This I Believe series last night, it began my thinking about forgiveness. I recall an audio interview with Corrie ten Boom, Holocaust survivor, telling of encountering one of her Ravensbruck prison guards after the war. She had been speaking of God's forgiveness, and now she was faced with this man seeking forgiveness. She inwardly balked. She inwardly prayed. And then, as she describes it in her book Tramp for the Lord, "For a long moment we grasped each other's hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God's love so intensely as I did then."

Scripture is filled with instructions for us as Christian believers to forgive. For example, "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us" (Matthew 6:12).

But there are those whom I struggle to forgive. I think of the person described in Psalm 41:9, "Even my close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me." Yet in reading Corrie ten Boom's experience, I am once again reminded that doing what is right and best in God's eyes is difficult if not impossible in the flesh. However, in my relationship with God, He is able to do in me and through me that which is difficult and impossible. " . . . for it is God who is at work in you (me), both to will and to work for His good pleasure" Philippians 2:13.

Which scriptures on forgiveness are important to you? Won't you please share them below in the comment section to this posting? You are able to do so anonymously.

God says, "I enclosed the sea with doors, when, bursting forth, it went our from the womb; I made a cloud its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band, and I placed boundaries on it, and I set a bolt and doors, and I said, 'Thus far you shall come, but no farther; and here shall your proud waves stop.' " Job 38: 8 - 11 (photo by sul)

My Life, A Prayer to You

I do not have any bumper stickers on my car that signify a relationship to God or Christianity. That is because my attitude while driving does not always bring honor to God or His church. Recently I was both embarrassed, shamed and convicted when I reacted improperly to a pedestrian while driving with my kids in the car. They know of my faith, bumper sticker or not. Yet there I was, setting a poor example. I have repented, asking forgiveness from them and from God. And as part of my Lenten focus, I am setting my mind on improving my reactions to others while I am driving. (When my children read this, they will know exactly what I am talking about!)

Just before my faith blossomed into what I know as a "born again" experience -- a specific moment when I felt that a veil of uncertainty was lifted from my understanding and I knew that Jesus Christ is the only hope -- just at that time in the early 1980's, a music group called The Second Chapter of Acts was singing a song written by Keith Green called Make My Life a Prayer to You. That song has stuck with me all these years, and at times I have spoken it as a prayer.

When my children were toddlers and I had so little time for prolonged prayer or Bible study, I remember sitting with them on the kitchen floor, or changing their diapers, or falling exhausted into bed, when I would pray, "make my life a prayer to you."

Looking back, I see now how much of my life was a prayer to God in caring for the children He has entrusted to my care. In these days, when my children are older, and often far from me, I still pray this. May God give me the grace to live it, too. Even while driving!

"Make my life a prayer to You,
I wanna do what You want me to,
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers, no compromise.

"I wanna shine the light You gave
Thru Your Son, You sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair;
It comforts me to know You're really there."

One Body - A Fragrant Aroma

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4: 4 - 6

Lent is a Teutonic (Germanic) word which originally meant spring, but in the liturgical Christian traditions came to be the name of the 40 weekdays (Monday - Saturday) leading up to Easter. The origins of Lent as a Christian tradition are not clear. Some believe the season was begun in some form by the Apostles. History does show that it evolved into its current 40 day form by the fifth century.

What is clear is that Lent is meant as a time for Believers to set-apart in preparation for the celebration of Jesus' resurrection on Easter.

Having participated in various Christian traditions, I know firsthand the different ways in which Lent is observed. I even have been in churches which do not recognize Lent. For me, Lent has become an opportunity to join with the worldwide body of Christ: ". . . so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another" Romans 12:5.

In whatever way I choose to observe Lent, whatever I do or don't do, for however long, I am joining brothers and sisters in Christ, our prayers, fastings, and good works combining into a worldwide offering of sacrifice and praise.

As we serve God in this way, I believe He works in us individually and as a body to build us up in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, "manifesting through us the fragrant (sweet) aroma of the knowledge of God in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who a perishing;" 2 Corinthians 2: 14 - 15.

Ash Wednesday

"Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen" (from The Book of Common Prayer)

Today at the start of Lent, many Christians worldwide will receive ashes in the sign of the cross on their foreheads. I will not, as my schedule is full and I will not attend a formal service today. But on my own I am contemplating this Christian ritual and symbol, and for me it is not a fearful reminder of failure and death, but a joyful, positive reminder of my inheritance with Christ. Ash Wednesday is a reminder to me of grace, not works. I am free because, "God is able to keep me from falling, and to make me stand in his presence blameless with great joy." (Jude 24).

I am all too aware of how I continually fall short of the glory of God. And that is why Jude 24 is my life scripture. In faith, I give myself to God, and He works in me and through me and for me. He keeps me. "In my integrity (faith) you hold me fast, and shall set me before your face for ever." (Psalm 41:12)

This Tuesday night, the eve of Lent, I walked the Labyrinth at the Washington National Cathedral, my spirit dancing with the beautiful harp music, lifted in praise to God. In considering how I might observe Lent this year, I thought of a Lenten journal kept as a blog. In this way I can record my journey and share it with friends who themselves are seeking a deeper knowledge of Jesus the Christ. And so Silence Waits has been born. Please join me daily-- or as you are able -- to share in the building of faith and the giving of praise and glory to the Lord our God.