IT IS FINISHED...HE IS RISEN

He Is Risen!

Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?”

But thanks be to God! 

He gives us the victory 

through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

I Corinthians 15:55-57 (NIV)

Before the Throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there! The risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless Righteousness
The great unchangeable I AM
The King of glory and of grace!
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased with His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God.

("Before the Throne of God Above" by Charitie L. Bancroft, 1863) 

Holy Saturday: IT LOOKED LIKE THE FUTURE WAS DEAD

Scripture:  Lamentations 3:19-23; Matthew 27:57-66; John 19:38-42 

Focus on the Word

Saturday.  Jesus’ body has been taken down from the cross and laid in the tomb. The door of the tomb has been sealed off by a large stone. (See Matthew 27:57-66). All the possibilities have come to a screeching halt.  The future is dead.  Hope has floated away like a cloud.  It is a day of silence.  Why?  Because there’s just not much to say on this day.  It's the day after.  It's the day you wake up and realize that yesterday wasn't a bad dream or nightmare. Jesus really died.  What happened?

In the church we call this day "Holy Saturday," but it sure doesn't feel holy.  It feels awful.  There's a pit in the bottom of your stomach.  You feel like you might just throw up.  You flash back to what was and you realize it really is over. You look for words but they don't come.  You feel like you've been driven into darkness, that you have been "besieged and encompassed…with bitterness and hardship" (Lamentations 3:5, NASB).  You feel walled in, like a heavy chain has been placed around your neck.  You try to pray and you get nowhere.  You try to forget, but the thought won't go away.  All you can see is a cross, a broken body, and a tomb.

So you sit and wait; and wait and wait.  All your life you've been told that the "Lord's loving-kindnesses…never cease" and that "His compassions never fail" (Lamentations 3:22, NASB), but today you're wondering about that.  The last twenty-four hours just don't make sense.  How?  Why?  What happened? 

Where are God's loving-kindnesses today?  About the only place they could be--in hell. Look at the words of the Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.He descended into hell.

Hell. That’s where the Lord’s lovingkindness are on Holy Saturday. That’s where his never-ending compassions are. That’s where His great faithfulness is on the morning after.  Hell!  Who would have thought it?  No wonder everything is out of focus and blurred.  They killed the King of glory.  Hell must be celebrating.

Today’s Prayer

"Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."  Forgive us, too, because they only acted on our behalf.  We would like to blame "them," but we can't.  We know the truth:

In the old rugged cross, 

stained with blood so divine, 

a wondrous beauty I see;

For ’twas on that old cross 

Jesus suffered and died, 

to pardon and sanctify me.

(From "The Old Rugged Cross," by George Bennard, 1913) 

Good Friday: I SAW ONE HANGING ON A TREE

Scripture:   Isaiah 52:13—53:12 

Focus on the Word -   This is one of my favorite hymns, written by John Newton, who also gave us, the hymn “Amazing Grace."

In evil long I took delight, 

Unawed by shame or fear, 

Till a new object struck my sight, 

And stopp'd my wild career: 

I saw One hanging on a Tree 

In agonies and blood, 

Who fix'd His languid eyes on me 

As near His Cross I stood.

Sure never till my latest breath, 

Can I forget that look: 

It seem'd to charge me with His death, 

Though not a word He spoke:

My conscience felt and own'd the guilt, 

And plunged me in despair:

I saw my sins His Blood had spilt, 

And help'd to nail Him there.

Alas! I knew not what I did! 

But now my tears are vain:

Where shall my trembling soul be hid? 

For I the Lord have slain!

A second look He gave, which said, 

"I freely all forgive;

This blood is for thy ransom paid; 

I die that thou may'st live."

Thus, while His death my sin displays 

In all its blackest hue,

Such is the mystery of grace, 

It seals my pardon too.

With pleasing grief, and mournful joy, 

My spirit now is fill'd,

That I should such a life destroy, 

Yet live by Him I kill’d!

Today’s Prayer

King of my life, I crown Thee now

Thine shall the glory be

Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow

Lead me to Calvary

Lest I forget Gethsemane

Lest I forget Thine agony

Lest I forget Thy love for me

Lead me to Calvary

Jennie Evelyn Hussey, 1921

 

Maundy Thursday: THE SERVANT HEART

Scripture:   John 13:1-17, 31b-35 

Focus on the Word

On the night He was betrayed Jesus shared a meal with His disciples.  After supper He worked His way around the table, and as He came to each disciple, He washed their feet.  He acknowledged to them that they were right in calling Him, "Teacher and Lord" (John 13:13, NASB), and that if they were really His students and servants they would have the same servant heart toward each other as He had toward them.  Then He said an amazing thing to them, something that has literally impacted and changed the world.  He said, 

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35, NASB).

On the night He was betrayed Jesus talked about love.  He wanted His disciples to remember the one nonnegotiable – "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the great and foremost commandment" (Matthew 22:37-38, NASB).  In a few hours, on the cross, He would live out His commandment.  

On this Thursday, facing His own death, Jesus embraces His little church into His heart and calls it to live in the love of God.  Soon, He will be under arrest, go through the mockery of a trial, suffer at the hands of those who had no room for the love of God in their hearts, and then die a death He did not deserve.  All throughout Jesus will hold to His integrity, practice what He preached, and glorify His Father.  

In Lent Jesus' Church reminds itself that it has been purchased at a great cost.  We remember that were it not for God's amazing grace, we would be without hope in the world.  We humble ourselves, ask God to search our hearts, to purge them of anything not of love, and we weep as we see Jesus handcuffed and taken away into the night.

Today’s Prayer

Heavenly Father, draw me to your heart and fill me with Your love.  Help me to unite my life with Yours so that You will be the One voice that captures my imagination. Help me to love others with the love in which You embrace me.  There is too much hate in the world.  Drive out the hate by the love I see in Jesus.  Lead me into the messy middle of things and there to live and move and have my being in Your love, because You are love.  Fill me with Your Spirit, that I may be the voice of love in my world.  In Jesus name I ask these things.  Amen.

Lent, Day 37: IN OUR DARKEST NIGHT, GOD IS AT WORK

Scripture:   John 13:21-32 

Focus on the Word

As the day of His death approached, Jesus came to be "troubled in spirit" (John 13:21, NASB).  He knew His hours were numbered and that one of His disciples would betray Him.  Fully human, the weight of it all began to rest on His heart.  One He trusted would turn Him over to the powers that were seeking His demise.  With a heart of compassion, full understanding, and release, Jesus told Judas to go and do whatever it was he had to do.  Judas left the room.  The scene was set.  Friday's coming, suffering and death were soon to be upon "the Son of Man" (John 13:31, NASB), and the moment toward which Jesus had been moving throughout His life was near.

Everything was in the hands of the Father now.  History was rapidly moving toward a horrible day that would come to be called "Good Friday."  A day of suffering and death and betrayal would be anointed by the Maker of heaven and earth.  When it looked like everything was moving out of control Jesus revealed the Father was at work in all His glory.  Redemption was underway.

In Lent we remember the true story of Holy Week and realize that as long away as it is now, it is our story.  We are caught up in every moment, every event, every betrayal, every tear, and every nail that was driven into innocent skin.  Holy week is not a time of celebration. It is a time for self-examination, soul searching, even repentance, and self-denial.  Hear the words of this late nineteenth century hymn

Along that sacred way where Thou art leading,

Which Thou didst take to save our souls from loss,

Let us go also, till we see Thee pleading

In all prevailing prayer upon Thy cross.

William H. Draper, 1898

Today’s Prayer

Almighty God,

Your name is glorified

even in the anguish of your Son's death.

Grant us the courage

to receive your anointed servant

who embodies a wisdom and love

that is foolishness to the world.

Empower us in witness

so that all the world may recognize

in the scandal of the cross the mystery of reconciliation. Amen.

(Revised Common Lectionary) 

Lent, Day 36: OUR JOURNEY IS ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN GOD

Scripture:   1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Focus on the Word

There are lots of folks in the world who believe the cross of Christ is pure foolishness.  To others the cross is "a stumbling block" (I Corinthians 1:23, NASB).  To people who have allowed God to be God in them, however, Jesus, His cross, His whole story, is the power of God.  Perspective is everything.  Actually, faith is everything.  So, the apostle Paul's passion was simply to keep preaching "Christ crucified" (I Corinthians 1:23, NASB).

There was no need to argue or debate the issue.  If Christ was, in fact, the power of God and the wisdom of God, that reality could not be stopped.  The counsel to the early church became, "consider your calling…God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong" (I Corinthians 1:26-27). 

Grace and salvation and mercy and forgiveness are all of God.  The world may not get it, but not getting it doesn't change a thing.  If Jesus is who He says He is, just keep telling the story.  Keep on coming to Jesus.  Keep on living the Life.  Keep on embracing "Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (I Corinthians 1:30, NASB).  

In Lent we remind ourselves that the journey on which we find ourselves is rooted and grounded in God.  This is His story.  His is our story.  What others do with the story is beyond the scope of our authority.  As for us, we just keep on coming back, remembering that for two-thousand years the Gospel could not be stopped.  Those who see it as foolishness or a stumbling block can't stop it today.  The power of God is with us, and even a grave can't keep Him down.     

Today’s Prayer

I am bending my knee in the eye of the Father who created me, in the eye of the Son who purchased me, in the eye of the Spirit who cleansed me in friendship and affection. 

Through Thine own Anointed One, O God, bestow upon us fullness in our need, love towards God, the affection of God, the smile of God, the wisdom of God, the grace of God, the fear of God, and the will of God to do on the world of the Three, as angels and saints do in heaven; each shade and light, each day and night, each time in kindness, give Thou us Thy Spirit.

 (A Celtic prayer)

 

Lent, Day 35: WHAT IS THE TRUE STORY GOING ON IN OUR HEARTS?

Scripture:   John 12:1-11 

Focus on the Word

On His way to the cross Jesus stopped in Bethany to share dinner.  It was quite a scene.  Martha was serving because that's what Martha did.  Seated with them at the table was Martha's brother, Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.  Seated at the table was Martha's sister, Mary, whose heart was made for worship.  Seated at the table was Judas Iscariot, a thief and the man who would betray Jesus.

At some point during the meal Mary got up from the table, took a pound of very costly perfume and anointed the feet of Jesus, wiping His feet with her long hair; and, as we might suspect, "the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume" (John 12:3, NASB).  Mary's act and the Perfume's fragrance turned that supper into holy ground.  Judas didn't like it and saw the whole thing as a waste.  Jesus liked it very much and told Judas, "Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial.  For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me" (John 12:7-8, NASB).

Jesus saw the act as a preparation for His burial.  Something bigger than the moment was underway.  God was guiding and directing history to an atonement, and atonement would go much further to resolve issues men and women face than the selling of a bottle of perfume.  So it was at that evening meal, Jesus, the Bread of Life, said to Judas, "Let her alone."  While Judas fumed, Mary worshipped.  

When the people outside the home heard that Jesus was there, they came to check it out.  At least that's the way it seemed.  Actually they came to check out Lazarus.  After all, it's not every day you get to see a man who had been raised from the dead.  Others, the chief priests particularly, came to seize Lazarus so that they might put him to death.  His resurrection was interfering with their faith and people were coming to believe in Jesus because of Him.  That was unacceptable to them. 

In Lent we examine our hearts to see where we stand in the story of God.  What is our motive?  How do we view things?  How committed to do things God's way are we?  What is our passion?  What shall we do with what we have?  What is the true story going on in our hearts?  How shall we live? 

Today’s Prayer

God of steadfast love, light of the blind and liberator of the oppressed, we see your holy purpose in the tender compassion of Jesus, who calls us into new and living friendship with you.

May we, who take shelter in the shadow of your wings, be filled with the grace of his tender caring; may we, who stumble in selfish darkness, see your glory in the light of his self-giving.  We ask this through him whose suffering is victorious, Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.   

(The Revised Common Lectionary) 

Palm Sunday: BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD

Scripture:  John 12:12-16

Focus on the Word

In the ancient Middle Eastern world, leaders rode horses if they rode to war, but donkeys if they came in peace.  First Kings 1:33 mentions Solomon riding a donkey on the day he was recognized as the new king of Israel. Other instances of leaders riding donkeys are Judges 5:10, 10:4, 12:14  and 2 Samuel 16:2.

The mention of a donkey in Zechariah 9:9-10 fits the description of a king who would be “righteous and having salvation, gentle.” Rather than riding to conquer, this king would enter in peace. 

Zechariah 9:10 highlights this peace: “I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”

One day, Jesus came riding a donkey into Jerusalem.  Why?  Because He didn't come to make war.  He came to be God's Prince of Peace.  So, the people in Jerusalem that day shouted out, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel" (John 12:13). 

In Lent we focus our lives on this man who rides a donkey in the presence of the people.  In our hearts we quiet ourselves so as not to get too caught up in the carnival atmosphere of the moment.  A restlessness in us tells us, "It's not over yet.  Something is yet to come."  So we look into the eyes of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and we get our cue from Him.  We have a deep feeling that celebration is coming; but not just yet.

Today’s Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

(The Collect for Palm Sunday from Lay Anglicana, the unofficial voice of the laity throughout the Anglican Communion)

Lent, Day 34: GOD HAS A PLAN

Scripture:   Jeremiah 33:10-16 

Focus on the Word

Judah and Israel were desolate.  It was said of them that their land was a waste land, "without man and without beast…desolate…without inhabitant" (Jeremiah 33:10, NASB).  This was not to be the final word, however.  God had a plan. He was going to do such a great work of restoration and renewal that in the land once called desolate would be heard, "The voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say, 'Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting" (Jeremiah 33:11, NASB).  

In His great grace and mercy and faithfulness God said, "I will fulfill the good word which I have spoken concerning the house of Israel and the house of Judah…I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth.  In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in safety; and this is the name by which she will be called: 'The Lord is our righteousness'" (Jeremiah 33:14-16, NASB).

Lent is a time to remember God has a plan.  God is up to something.  The future created by God is barreling down on His people, and hope is on the horizon.  Already, we can feel the joy.  Already we are sensing the wonder of God who fulfills His Word.  Something is stirring among us and we find that it is time to be still, to listen, and to pray.  God of everlasting love is taking over.

Can you hear it?  Someone off in the distance is singing,

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change, He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

(Katharina A. von Schlegel, 1752)

Today’s Prayer

"Jesus, Lover of my soul,  

Let me to Thy bosom fly;

While the nearer waters roll, 

While the tempest still is high!

Hide me, O my Saviour, hide, 

Till the storm of life is past,

Safe into the haven guide;  

O receive my soul at last!

(Charles Wesley, 1740)