On Good Friday, I tend to picture myself with the cluster of faithful followers gathered at foot of the cross. Truth be told, Stuart Townend’s version is more like it:
“Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.”
How Deep the Father’s Love for Us, 1995
Forgive me, Lord.
These words are so familiar, we hear them on autopilot:
Luke 22:20 (NIV)
After the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
Imagine hearing Jesus say them. For the first time. Ever.
And imagine the next day, seeing the blood drip from his wounds.
I sometimes wonder how Jesus made it through this last week of his earthly life–the last meal together, betrayed by a friend, a kangaroo-court of lies, pain and ever-greater pain. Did he keep one ear tuned to the words his Father spoke at his baptism?
Matthew 3:17 (ESV)
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
May your words, dear Father, be my strength.
Just like Jesus.
Gotta hand it to these two unnamed disciples. They followed instructions:
Matthew 21:1-2 (NIV)
Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.”
Me? I’d push back.
We just help ourselves to a couple donkeys? Isn’t that stealing? Are we going to return them? Why do you want them? Why not just buy a donkey? Wouldn’t you rather have one that’s already broken in?
Hush. Listen. And follow instructions.
I’ve been through Lent more than 60 times. How about you?
Every year of life changes me. Every person is different. And God has a new message for every one of us, every year.
Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
God’s got something new just for you. Listen for it.
Our kindergarten son was on his first trip through the mountains. My ears had just popped when he called from the backseat, “Mom! My ears just turned off.”
Lord God, this might be a good time to turn our ears on and our mouths off.
Babel – a chorus of confused voices (I hear that a lot).
Psalm 33:12 (MSG)
God takes the wind out of Babel pretense,
he shoots down the world’s power-schemes.
God’s plan for the world stands up,
all his designs are made to last.
Blessed is the country with God for God.
Now would be a good time to listen to God.
Galatians 5:7-8 (CEV)
You will harvest what you plant. If you follow your selfish desires, you will harvest destruction, but if you follow the Spirit, you will harvest eternal life.
When we sow selfishness, we reap envy. When we sow excuses, we reap a culture of blame. When we sow tantrums, we reap violence. When we sow arrogance, we reap power struggles.
And when we sow godlessness, we reap trouble. Big trouble.
People are unhappy, and it is somebody’s fault.
What’s the problem?
Those of us who know God know that actions have consequences—it is that whole sowing and reaping thing.
“Leave God out of it,” our culture says.
Guess we’re reaping what we sow.
