3/26/2016

The Crucifixion and the Resurrection - The culmination of our relationship with our Lord Jesus.

There is no greater love than when a man lays down his life for h is friends (John 15:13)
Jesus tells us that we are His friends when we do as He commands us.  He no longer calls us servants because a servant doen't know what his lord does but He calls us friends because He has revealed to us all that the Father ha revealed to Him. (John 15:14-15)

We all have varying degrees of a relationship with the world around us.

Webster defines relationship as 'kin', of the same family or being related as in instance or situation.
It defines related as being in, as by blood, or having a close harmonic connection, that is we have something in common that brings us together.

Any relationship with the world in general it is essentially a 'non' relationship.  That is we know about the world by the media, what we see and hear on TV, newspapers, radio, the internet, etc. but we have no personal interaction.  We don't share things with the world, our lives, who we are.  Again our only knowledge of the world is through the media and the world has no knowledge of us unless we make the news media and they read or hear about us.

Now, I'm coming backwards with this for a reason so bear with me.

The next level of relationships would be the neighborhood.  Those who live in the same community as we do.  Not two miles away, not in another state and not (yet) those who live on our street but live within a few blocks or so from us.  School is a good example of this.  Until we start school, we generally only meet other people who live on our street or whom our parents may visit on occasion.  Our world starts expanding when we start going to school.  We meet kids from other streets or areas in our community and we get to know some of them.  We learn something about them.  We start building a relationship with some of them because we find things in common and share something about ourselves with them.

Outside the family, people on our own street are the next level of people we would normally meet.  I lived in a neighborhood where there were about twenty-four houses on the street, twelve homes on each side.  Each ws on a 1/4 acre lot so we were fairly close to each other but not right on top of each other as with row houses which are connected in groups.  Of the 24 families on our street I came to know thirteen or fourteen of those families, as a child.  The eight or so families I didn't know all lived in the bottom four houses on each side of the street,  The families which I knew all had some some common denominators.  The parents were generally within about ten year age of each other, with a couple of exceptions.  My sister is four years older than I and about eight of the families had children either my age or my sister's age group, just a tad older or a tad younger or a combination of all.  Five of my neighbor's children and I went school together (all born the same year) and three more families had a child one year younger or one year older.  We all played together, went to school together - grew up together.  We all got to know each other pretty well.  We saw each other day in and day out and saw the good sides as well as the bad, likes and dislikes, etc.  we all had a relationship with each other and we were friends.

Obviously, I had a relationship with my family.  My mom, my dad, my sister, the dog.  Dad left the house when I was eight or nine so I had a broken relationship there which started mending by the time I was in high school.  Do I need to say that I got to know my mom and sister pretty good?  Now, as I said, she was 4 1/2 years older than me so we didn't exactly 'hang out' together, but she and her boyfriend (my future brother-in-law) took me with them occasionally to do stuff.  Good or bad, families get to know each other very well.  What more needs to be said?

1 Samuel 18 tells us that David and Johnathan's souls were knit together meaning that they were closer than blood.  Veritably inseparable.  As we read more about their relationship, David and Johnathan were best friends all the way up to Johnathan's death.  And this is another level of friendship.

A best friend is one with whom we share our deepest secrets, our most intimate thoughts. our hopes, our dreams and our concerns and fears.  David and Johnathan's souls were knit together and so it is with us and our best friend or should/could be.

My wife is my ultimate best friend.  I shared more with her than anyone.  She knew me better than anyone, maybe even than I did.  God gave her a gift.  I speak in the past tense for she went home to be with our Lord several years ago.

I do have two other friends that I would venture to call 'best' friend.  Now understand that I'm a relatively 'closed' person.  I don't tell anyone anything that I don't mind the world knowing and I will say that years ago, I didn't want to world to know much of anything about me.  My best friends and I did a lot of things together, sometime in group and sometimes just two of us.  One of those friends died just about two years ago.  The other, after many years, we just reconnected about five years ago.  Both were high school chums but the one still living grew up with me, same street, school, etc.  There has been enough distance between (miles) that phone contact is OK but we've gotten together several time each year since reconnecting.  And we share, old times, new things.  We talk.

 Jesus calls us friends (John 15) and He demonstrated His level of friendship as we celebrate this weekend in what He has done for us - no greater love.  the question is to us - Jesus calls us 'friend' so what kind of friend are we?  I've mentioned five levels of friendship, each which exercises a relationship that is deeper the the other starting with the world and culminating with our best friend, who is probably closer than family.

When I was a senior in high school, a tenth grade girl took a shine to me.  She worked in the school office so she had access to school records so she could easily get what the school knew about me.   She 'researched' me.  Do we research Jesus to discover what He likes or dislikes?  Do we research Jesus to find out what type of relationship He wants with us?  What do we really know about Him?

We say "I go to church. I read the bible, hey, I even tithe!"  All that is well and good, but when do we talk with our Lord and Savior?  How do we talk with Him?  Or do we just talk at HIm.  Do we really communicate with Jesus?  Communication is a two way street.  I talk,then I listen to the one with whom I am speaking.  Do we listen to Jesus?  Do we know HOW to listen?

If we can give definitive answers to these questions we might be able to call ourselves 'friends' of Jesus.  But if all we can come back with is self centered, no clue type of answers, we have to seriously ask ourselves 'what kind of a relationship do I have with Jesus?

We celebrate His death and resurrection this weekend and He calls us 'friend'.  What kind of friend are we?

In Jesus' name
Amen

3/19/2016

Palm Sunday

The Triumphant entry of King Jesus (The Coronation Parade)

Not that which is, but representative of that which is to be

Palm Sunday we celebrate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem the week before the crucifixion and the resurrection. Such a clamor arises when people hear that Jesus is 'coming to town' that everyone knows that something special is going on.

Perhaps Matthew gives us the best picture of the events of the day but Mark, Luke and John each include elements to include along with Matthew.

A conglomeration of Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-10, Luke 29:20-40 & John 12:12-16 follows:

From mount of Olives (@ 7 miles from Jerusalem)

Sent two disciples

Prophesied events concerning ass (donkey)

Disciples go to nearby city

         Bethany/Bethpage (@ 2 miles down the slopes of the mt. of Olives)

For tied up donkey (never sat upon by a man) plus her colt

Owners challenge "Why are you untying my donkey?"

Response "Lord has need of them"

Man send his donkey with the disciples

Return to mount of Olives

Jesus had prophesied these events to the two before He sent them and it all came to pass, where the donkey was, the encounter with the owner and the result.

Draped cloaks (garments) upon donkey

Set Jesus upon donkey – fulfilled prophecy ‘Fear not daughter of Zion, your King comes sitting upon an ass’s colt.’ (Zechariah 9:9)

Proceeded to town

People rejoiced,many knew Jesus' reputation

Other people heard Jesus was coming

Great multitude went out to greet Him

People laid clothes upon pathway

Also tree branches (palm leaves) laid upon pathway

Shouts of

     'Hosanna to the son of David'

     'Blessed is He (the King) who comes in the name of the Lord'

     'Blessed is the King of Israel who comes in the name of the Lord'

     'Peace in heaven and glory in the highest'

     'Hosanna in the highest'

Some Pharisees asked Jesus to rebuke His disciples (embarrassed by all the noise)

Jesus responded “If they don’t praise Me, the stones will.”

Others wondered – "Who is this?"

Multitude responded – "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee"

Disciples weren't following the events at first but later remembered how the things written about Him were fulfilled.


CORONATION OF A KING

The bible itself gives us some examples of how excited people became with the coronation of a king.  There was a big celebration!

1 Samuel 11:15

And all the people went to Gilgal where they made Saul their king, before the Lord, and they sacrificed a peace offering before the lord and rejoiced greatly.

2 Samuel 5:3

So all the elders of Israel came to King David in Hebron and the made a pact before the Lord and David was made king of all Israel.

But consider 1 Sam. 3:3 There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David but David grew stronger while Saul grew weaker.

2 Kings 11:12-14

And they brought the king’s son (Joash) forth ad put a crown upon him, avowed that he was king, anointed him and they clapped their hands and said ‘God save the King.’ When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and the people she came to the temple of the Lord. … as the manner was, the princes, trumpeters, and all the people of the land rejoiced and blew the trumpets …

Esther 2:17-18 (and this was for a queen)

… he (Ahaserus) set a crown upon her head and made her queen of Vashti. Then the king made a great feast for all his princes and servants, sent news to the provinces and gave gifts according to the state of the king.

There was great fanfare when David brought the Ark of the Covenant back into Bethlehem/Jerusalem

The passage is summarized  in the following:

2 Samuel 6:10-19 The Ark comes to the city of David

… so David brought the Ark of God from Obededom’s house to the city of David with gladness … sacrificed oxen and fatlings … David danced with all his might dressed in a linen ephod … David and all Israel brought the ark with shouting and the sound of the trumpet … put it in the tabernacle … and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord … blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts and gave people bread, meat and wine.

Let's take a look at some of the key elements of the day:

The donkey

     The donkey (according to http://www.bible-history.com/) is a symbol of peace. (Zech. 9:9)

     A symbol of well-being (Gen. 22:3) … Abraham saddled his ass … 

     As well as work animals, carrying burdens, plowing fields, moving grinding stones, etc.

The celebration

     As cited in the passages related to kings (and queen), the coronation (celebration of the crowning),      that is that person taking 'official' position was a big deal.  A huge celebration was always in order         and executed.

     Think of the activities surrounding the inauguration of our president, the inauguration, the ball             later and all the other festivities.

Significance of the Ark

     The Ark of the Covenant was representative of God's presence among the people of Israel:  I                contained:

          Tablets of the Law  (Exod. 20)  God's guidelines for us in our relationship with Him and our                     brothers and neighbors.   

          Aaron's rod (staff)  (Exod. 4, 7-12)  The tool through which God exercised his power as He                       delivered Israel from Egypt.  Aaron did something with his staff prior to each plague.  

          Some Manna (Exod. 16)  A symbol of how God provides for His children by giving us                               'the bread of life' when we are hungry.         

     The Ark contained all the necessities of life for the children of Israel as Jesus now provides for His             brothers and sisters (us, believers).

Get the picture:

The mount of Olives was about 7 miles from Jerusalem and apparently it had long slopes as Bethany is described as being about half way, or about 2 miles, down the mountain.

As they had no saddle for the donkey, the disciples put their garments upon the donkey before setting Jesus upon its back.  What covered the disciples backs now covered the donkey's back as a protection upon which Jesus could sit.

As Jesus entered the city, the people made quite a ‘to do’ about His coming, a lot of fanfare.

Rejoicing, shouting, and as we see probably embarrassing the Pharisees.

Pilate called Jesus ‘King of the Jews’(Mark 15:2)

On the cross, the Pharisees tried to change the inscription (John 19:21), but Pilate refused (smart man)

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome tried to anoint Jesus (after the fact - He was already risen when they came to the grave) but remember the woman with the box of spikenard (Mark 14:3-9)? Jesus was already anointed for burial – but not for His Kingship. But I suspect that will happen when Jesus comes back for His church.

All of these things add up to a potential celebration of the coronation of King Jesus - prior to the fact. 

     Riding into town on the back of a donkey which implied not just humility (it wasn't a camel or an        elephant) but also of some stature (otherwise He would have had to walk into Jerusalem).

     He was not crowned ‘King’ on this weekend but remembering the events of the week that                   followed, the soldiers put a scarlet robe about Him and even though it was made of thorns, a crown     upon His head hailing Him (though mocking) King of the Jews (Matt. 27:28-29)

    The celebration of His entry into Jerusalem

This might very well have been the ‘coronation parade’ He hasn’t had time for – yet.

So just as the woman anointed His body for (the yet to happen) burial 'before the fact', maybe, just maybe, His entry into Jerusalem was His coronation parade - celebrating His (coming) Kingship.

For truly, even though Jesus didn't set up His earthly kingdom at that time, He did set up His spiritual kingdom through this, the evens of the following weekend and 53 days later (the ascension) where He lives in my heart and all of us who receive Him thereby becoming the King of my heart and (hopefully) yours
.  

In Jesus' name

3-3-2016

                                                     Things with which we wrestle

I was planning on presenting another topic this morning but during my AM prayers Father put this on my mind and my heart.

I love SciFi, Fantasy and Action movies and shows.  You know, Hercules, outer space, mythology, etc. and there were two shows I just loved back in the '90's.  Well, cable has just started replaying them recently, and yes I've been watching them, but Father gave me a choice this AM.

He reminded that over the years I had to make choices to 'give up' things.

When I was in Vietnam, I took up smoking, out of boredom.  I wasn't in the field but I did 'babysit' electronic communications equipment having to fix any issues that arose.  Our station was in the Cholon District of Saigon with our main base being out at Ton Sun Nhut Air Base.  The biggest thing unique to our station was that we were the initial connection between Saigon and Seoul, Korea as the signal routed through Ton Son Nhut then to Clarke AFB in the Philippines.  If we went down, nobody else could talk with the Korean sub station.  The equipment we used was excellent and reliable and our primary problems came from the Korean sub station transmitting at the wrong rate.  Point being, there wasn't a whole lot to due each day on our 12 hour shift, even the Korean sub station had issues about once month We were on one man swing shifts for those 12 hours and it did get a bit tedious.  So I picked up puffing on cigars in my 'spare' time.  I continued this after I returned home from Vietnam and even after I married my wife a few years later.  She didn't like the cigars so I included pipes in my repertoire.  Yes, I eventually canned the cigars after about a total of six or seven years and the pipes about a year later (back in the 70's).

Over the years I've had to make other choices to eliminate things from my life.  Music, movies, etc.  Although with the music I found that it wasn't necessarily the music that was bad but my attitude towards the music.  My attitude has changed and some of that music has come back - not not like it used to be.  The music was never really 'evil' but my attitude towards that particular music had to change before it could come back into my life.

So now I've coughed up a couple of other things I've enjoyed.  Not so much because they're inherently evil, but again because of my attitude towards them.  I still have some growing to do.  Maybe down the road they'll come back into my life - and maybe they won't.  But they are gone for now.

Father gave me four scriptures to remember pertaining to this situation, giving things up, and these points apply to every choice we need to make in our lives.

In 1 Corinthians 6:12 Paul tells us "All things are lawful to me, but not everything is expedient; all things are lawful for me but I won't be brought under the power of any."

In other words, unless something is clearly in direct conflict with God' law and/or will, I have the freedom to do it, but even so I have to be in control of my attitude in the situation (as I yield myself to Father).  I don't let the situation dictate how I am.  Should I watch a fantasy movie, I enjoy it but then I put it down and don't act out what I see in it.  I watched it for my entertainment.  I do act out what God tells me to do as I abide in His will.

Father brought Ephesians 6:12 to my mind which says "For we don't wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness in this world and against spiritual wickedness in high places."

Who is my enemy?  Satan and he operates according to Ephesians 6:12.  As the ruler of darkness in the world he abides in principalities (our leaders), powers (those who have authority over us) and spiritual wickedness (those who have position to influence us) and he tries to mold our lives according to 'his' will, not God's.

So even though I'm exposed to many things in my life, I don;t let any of them take control of my life, rather I assure that I yield to the will of my Father in heaven.

Father also reminded me of Jacob and the Angel of God in Genesis 32:1-29.  Take a sigh, I'm gong to summarize and not quote the whole passage.  In chapter 31, Jacob assured his father-in-law Laban that he would take care of his daughters (Rachel & Leah) and treat them right as God had told him to return to hs own country.  they sealed the deal with a meal and went back home.  Jacob was on his way when the angels of God met him.  Jacob then sent messengers to his brother Esau desiring to meet with him, but he didn't trust his brother so he planned accordingly as well as offering gifts.  He encamped by the ford Jabbok and sent his family and all across the ford to the other side while he stayed.  Now he was alone when he began to wrestle with a man until daybreak.  As they wrestled, the man realized that he was not going to beat Jacob so he put the hollow of Jacob's thigh out of joint and said "Let me go, for dawn is coming." and Jacob responded "I won't let go unless you bless me."  Jacob became Israel at that point AND received his blessing.

When we ask Father for something, it may not come easy, but if we hang on and don't let go, Father will bless us.  Though I make the decision to give something to God, I may still struggle to see the fulfillment of that desire.  But it will come.  I need to stand firm and when the enemy comes to steal my victory I remind him and Father, that is indeed Jesus via the Holy Ghost within me which is my strength.

The final verse speaks to my worthiness for Father to answer my request.  Matthew 10:32-38 Jesus tells us that what we confess before men, He will confess before Father, but where we deny Jesus (go against God's Word or will) we lose that support.  Jesus knows that not everybody receives him and when we do those might reject us.  then we have to out them behind us and move onward with our Lord.  Jesus tells us in verse 38 that if we're not willing to take up our cross and follow Him, we're not worthy of Him.  the kingdom of heaven is lost to those who don't yield and follow Him.  When Jesus called James and John (Luke 5:10-11) "... they forsook all and followed Him."

So who really is my enemy?  Satan?  Not really, however 'I' find that I am my own worst enemy.
Yes, Satan is the 'tempter' and tantalizes me, but I make the choice to do what I do.  Nobody forces me (Romans 7:18-25, read the whole chapter!).   I can't put anything before Jesus.  If I do, I put myself in jeopardy.  Therefore I need to ask myself "how does this impact my walk with my Lord?  Does it take away, or does it add?"  If it takes away I need to leave it, whatever 'it' may be and move on with my life.  If it adds then I need to grab hold and go with it (Philippians 4:8).

Do I still wrestle with things?  Of course!  But those things change as time goes on.  That is Father gives me victory in one area, and it is solid, than He reveals another area with which I need to deal.  I suspect this will go on until the Lord calls me home, But with the victory I repent of the issue, set it behind me as God does (Isaiah 38:17), determining not to pursue that area again, I then move on with my life.

By the grace of  God I stand.

Amen