Please save us!

I know that it may seem strange to be referring to Easter while we are in the middle of the season of Advent, but as Christians we always need to see the connection between the birth of Jesus and his crucifixion. Psalm 118 is Messianic in language and is used in both liturgical seasons.  

"This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. 

Please, Lord, please save us. 

Please, Lord, please give us success.
Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
The Lord is God, shining upon us." - v.24-27

These words are sung when we remember Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as well as when we ponder the Incarnation of Christ. God hears our cries for salvation and sends his son into the world. 

Thought: Is there someone you know who may need your prayers today?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Am I leading a Rebellion?

When Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, he challenged the mob that had gathered with swords and clubs: "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?" (Matthew 26:55). 

Jesus also pointed out to them that he had been peacefully teaching in the Temple Courts for days on end, and no one came to arrest him them. Jesus was unarmed while teaching, just as he was in Gethsemane, yet the mob chose to violently arrest him at night. It shows the state of their minds and hearts, that they actually believed that Jesus was a rebel and an outlaw. 

Of course, the answer to Jesus' question is: "No!" He had not been leading a rebellion against the Roman authorities, nor a rebellion against the religious leaders. Jesus had definitely come to reveal the truth of his Father's kingdom and to invite everyone to turn back to God. This was seen as being subversive and this agitated the people.  

Thought. Jesus was not leading an armed rebellion, but he was calling for a Revolution. This revolution was for love, peace and grace to change our hearts and the world around us.

Living in grace

D3LM3

The Crown

The closest I have ever come to wearing a crown is at Christmas time, when we don the paper crowns that come out of the crackers. I find them a little annoying at times, mainly because they don't always fit so nicely. After a while, I usually take them off, as they also start to make my forehead sweat, but at least I have a choice to put them to one side. 

Jesus didn't have that choice. And the crown he was forced to wear was not made of paper.

"Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face." - John 19:1-3

A crown that was hastily put together. 

A crown that wasn't intended to be a perfect fit, but rather stayed on his head because the thorns stuck into his skull.

A crown intended to hurt and to shame.

A crown that mocked Jesus' claim to be King.

Despite the evil intentions of the soldiers, Jesus continued to wear the crown, knowing that indeed he was a King. He probably wasn't even able to adjust it, to make it more comfortable. When his brow ran with blood and sweat, Jesus had no option to discard the thorns. 

In silence and pain, he bore their jeers and taunting - all because he knew a greater purpose was being fulfilled. And this was all for me. 

Thought: "How could I bear a crown of gold when the Lord bears a crown of thorns? And bears it for me!" - Elizabeth of Hungary

Living in Grace

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Dealing with distractions this Holy Season

As we embark upon this sacred season of Holy Week, there are many things that threaten to distract us from doing the most important of our tasks. And for any believer, the most important task we should be doing at this time of the year, is to worship Jesus. 

Period! 

No question about it!

So, what is stopping you from setting meaningful time aside to worship Jesus? How can you realistically cut out these distractions for a week or so? To try and help us get the ball rolling, here are some words from Meister Eckhart.

“Some people prefer solitude. They say their peace of mind depends on this. 

Others say they would be better off in church.
If you do well, you do well wherever you are. 

If you fail, you fail wherever you are.
Your surroundings don't matter. God is with you everywhere - in the marketplace as well as in seclusion or in the church.
If you look for nothing but God, nothing or no one can disturb you.
God is not distracted by a multitude of things.
Nor can we be.” - Meister Eckhart

Jesus says it best, when he speaks to Martha (Luke 10:40-42):

"But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Let us not rush through the story

It is barely 10 days since Easter Sunday, and I feel that many of us have simply rushed through the Resurrection story and had gone back to 'life as normal.' However, it shouldn't be this way! The news of Christ's resurrection makes sure that our lives are anything but normal. We are offered the gift of transformation and the chance to begin again. This is an everyday gift and one that should bring hope into our worlds. 

"Resurrection is the announcement that life cannot ultimately be conquered by death, that there is strength added when the labors increase, that multiplied peace matches multiplied trials, that life is bottomed by the glad surprise." - Howard Thurman 

What gift does the Resurrection offer you right now? Is there some grief in your heart that needs the light of Jesus to shine on?

Acts 23:6 - I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead (Paul). 

Living in Grace

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A new life emerges

"Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life emerges! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins." - 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (Message)

...a new life emerges!

This is the phrase that encapsulates the Resurrection for all of us. Thanks to the work of Christ, who emerges from the borrow tomb, each of us can experience this gift of new life. As we emerge from the darkness of sin, so we allow the Light to help us adjust our eyes to our new world-view. Following Jesus changes us - slowly, but steadily. The old life disappears, as we embrace the new.

May you know the love of God today.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Stick with this

Stickability may not sound like a real word, but it is. It means "a person's ability to persevere with something or to have staying power." 

The season of Lent reminds us of the cost of following Jesus and the call for each of us to have 'stickability' in our faith. This will be hard at times, but in other moments, it may be a little easier. Each of the disciples had to wrestle with their own struggles in this area, especially after Jesus was arrested. Their natural desire was to turn and run away. 

"Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” - John 8:31-32 (The Message)

Question: If you had to rate yourself between 0-10 on STICKABILITY today, how would you fair?

Living in grace

D3LM3

You can't capture it!

I came across this picture when I was busy preparing for the Tenebrae service last week. What struck me about it was that the candle seems to be "captured" in the cage, but the bars can't keep the light from shining through. This is the gist of what I preached on that evening - that even though the Romans and religious authorities tried to hide Jesus' Light, he was still able to shine into the lives of the people.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. (NLT) (John 1:5)

May the Light of Jesus shine in your hearts and lives today.

Living in grace

D3LM3

The last thing

I came across a very moving quote this week which has added immense depth to my reflections on Easter. It reminds me of the central message of the cross and resurrection.

"Resurrection means that the worst thing is never the last thing." - Frederick Buechner

Paul said the same thing, albeit in a different way:

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)

May you have a blessed Easter weekend.

He is Risen.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Two trees

Good Friday reminds us of many things relating to the work and person of Jesus. We may hear many sermons or songs this year, but ALL of these will capture the essence of a God who loves us beyond comprehension. 

St Irenaeus – “A tree in Paradise made us Debtors to God. A tree on Golgotha has wiped away our debt.”

Ephesians 1:7 - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

May you experience the true love of Jesus this year. Our sins are forgiven. 

Living in grace

D3LM3

Unblock our ears

 
"It is not given to men/women to make God speak. It is only given to them to live and to think in such a way that, if God's thunder should come, they will not have stopped their ears." - A.M. Hunter

Holy week is such a special time for the Christian community, but it is also a time where we pray that the Gospel reaches the hearts and ears of many other people. 

It is my prayer that all of us would be mindful of the things that block the message of God reaching our inner being. God desires to speak to all of us  during this most sacred season. 

Matthew 13:15 - "For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them."

Living in Grace

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I am not ready for Easter!

I was shocked to walk into a supermarket today and find that they had already put out Easter Eggs. I may have said something under my breath, but that would be inappropriate to repeat on this blogpost :) 

I am still trying to figure the whole thing out, to be honest. Easter is in the middle of April this year - that makes it 3 months away. And so there can be no other reason for the display of chocolate eggs than commercial greed, unless I am missing something. Couldn't the store owners wait a week or two? 

As you are well aware, I am huge fan of spending time in preparation for our Holy days - Lent for Easter time and Advent for Christmas, are two of my personal favourites. There are also many significant Holy days in between Easter and Christmas, and I feel we should be observing these too. Perhaps this is why I over reacted to the sight of the eggs - I feel we rush through these seasons without truly digesting their great significance for our lives.  

It is only 4 days into 2022 and I am still wanting to dwell on the miracle of the 'Word made flesh', as well as the Epiphany of the Magi. I need time to process my own surrender to our King and what gifts I want to offer God this year. I am definitely no were near ready to start my journey towards Easter. 

John 1:14 - "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

How do you feel? Any thoughts are welcome.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

P.S. No chocolate Easter Eggs were harmed in the writing of this post, although a few Christmas chocolates may now be consumed to calm my shattered nerves :) 

Transformed to help others

"Transformation in the world happens when people are healed and start investing in other people." - Michael W. Smith

I couldn't help but think of the early disciples when I read this quote. The Resurrection was the ultimate healing moment in their lives. As they came to terms with Jesus' Resurrection they allowed their healing to transform the people around them. Wouldn't it be incredible if we allowed the Risen Lord to heal us and then to equip us to transform our communities? 

John 20:17-18 - "Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her."

In my opinion, true transformation will involve a natural desire to tell others of what has changed in your own life.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Silence and stillness

“Something strange is happening – there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep.” - Anonymous

In my experience, Holy Saturday is one of the least celebrated days of Holy week and perhaps it has to do with the fact that we don't fully know what happened on this day. There is a strong belief that this is the day that Jesus descended to the dead (1 Peter 3:18, Ephesians 4:7-10). 

We only know in part what really transpired on Holy Saturday, but what we hold onto is that Sunday is coming. The earth's silence and stillness, after the agony of the Crucifixion, prepare us for the great joy of the Resurrection.

“To be sure, it was not Easter Sunday but Holy Saturday, but, the more I reflect on it, the more this seems to be fitting for the nature of our human life: we are still awaiting Easter; we are not yet standing in the full light but walking toward it full of trust.” - Pope Benedict XVI

What does this day mean for you?

Living in Grace

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I am thirsty

 

"Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” - John 19:28.

Have you ever wondered which Scripture Jesus was fulfilling in speaking these 3 words? Well, today is your lucky today. If we go back to Psalm 69:19-21, we will find an interesting reference. This is what it says:

"You know of my shame, scorn, and disgrace.
    You see all that my enemies are doing.
20 Their insults have broken my heart,
    and I am in despair.
If only one person would show some pity;
    if only one would turn and comfort me.
21 But instead, they give me poison (gall) for food;
    they offer me sour wine for my thirst." - Psalm 69

I find this amazing. Not only is this a fulfillment of an ancient Psalm, but it also draws our attention to out own spiritual thirst. Jesus is the one who can satisfy this thirst in our hearts.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Two responses to Jesus

We are accustomed to the striking image of 3 crosses standing on Golgotha on the fateful day known as Good Friday. We picture the scene with Jesus hanging on his cross between the two criminals, one on his left and one on his right hand side. This moment presents a unique platform for us to contemplate our own response to Jesus. 

The two thieves share the spectrum of humanity's collective response to the Messiah. Some of us refuse to acknowledge Christ as our Saviour and even if Jesus did a whole bunch of miracles for us, we would still remain stubborn of heart. On the other hand, there will be a few people who will recognise Jesus' true nature and we will call out to him for mercy. His response to the penitent thief is also his invitation to all of us.

"One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” - Luke 23: 39-43

What is your response to Jesus?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Father, forgive them

 

The last 7 words of Jesus, spoken from the cross, have all been well documented. In many Christian communities Holy Week gives us a chance to go deeper into these special words. It is believed that the first of these Seven Words are recorded in Luke:

"Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

As we hold these words close to our hearts, it is imperative that we allow God's Spirit to take us to the core of our being. What did these words mean for the original listeners and what could they possible mean for us today?

Jesus' prayer was more than likely aimed at everyone standing at Calvary that day and then they also echo down through every generation since.

God is invited to forgive the hatred of the Jewish religious leaders
God is invited to forgive the complicity of the Roman soldiers
God is invited to forgive the disciples who abandoned Jesus in his last hours
God is invited to forgive anyone who chooses to ignore the sacrificed given for them
The father is asked to forgive us when we carry on with our lives as if nothing happened on the cross.

As we experience Holy Week this year, may the words of Jesus connect with our innermost being.

"To err is human; to forgive, divine." - Alexander Pope

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Break my resistance

Today marks the beginning of Holy Week, which traditionally allows us to reflect on the last days of Jesus's earthly life. The following poem is extremely helpful in bringing us to a place of remembrance and spiritual stock-taking. I offer it to you and pray that the words would help all of us prepare for the greatest weekend of our Christian experience. 

"Now to the gate of my Jerusalem,
The seething holy city of my heart,
The Saviour comes. But will I welcome him?
Oh crowds of easy feelings make a start;
They raise their hands, get caught up in the singing,
And think the battle won. Too soon they’ll find
The challenge, the reversal he is bringing
Changes their tune. I know what lies behind
The surface flourish that so quickly fades;
Self-interest, and fearful guardedness,
The hardness of the heart, its barricades,
And at the core, the dreadful emptiness
Of a perverted temple. Jesus come
Break my resistance and make me your home." - Malcolm Guite 

What things are causing resistance in my heart today?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Love drives out fear

How much of our relationship with God is fueled by FEAR? 

I know what you are thinking - and your first reaction wants to be to answer ..."none", but is that really true? A large number of Christians have come to faith through the 'fire and brimstone' preaching of certain Pastors, but a measure of that fear still lies deep inside us. Of course, I am not implying that we move to the other extreme of having no reverence for God at all - that would be arrogant and foolish. However, if our relationship with Jesus is based on Fear, then I don't believe we can fully enter into the freedom we are given.

"And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.  There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." - 1 John 4:14-18

What do you think?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The courage of Jesus

In his insightful book "The Cross", Morton Kelsey shares these incredible words as a reflection on the cross. He speaks of the huge amount of courage it must have taken for Jesus to endure the Cross. We often focus on Jesus' love or humility, but seldom spend time contemplating his supernatural courage.

"Love without strength can be weak and ineffectual. The love of Jesus attained its incredible power and effectiveness because it was compounded with another quality as near to the heart and nature of God as love itself. Strange how we can look at the cross, at all it was, at what Jesus did upon it, and often fail to see the courage of the man. It was his courage as well as his love which led him there and left him hanging on the cross. It was his courage which enabled him to love in those dark hours."

May the Courage of Jesus inspire your heart today.

Let us season our prayers with the remembrance of Christ's courage on the cross and the life he has won for us.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

“The church is not a museum for saints but a hospital for sinners.” - Morton Kelsey