"I'll cherish the old rugged cross"

Many people don’t know what to do with this day we call Good Friday.  Can you blame them?  After all, when you stop and think about it, the cross is, as the hymn Old Rugged Cross puts it, “An emblem of suffering and shame.”  Crucifixion was a barbaric, brutal, horrendous means of death.  Why then does the just-cited hymn say, “I’ll cherish the old rugged cross”?  The answer is you have to look deeper.  It’s not about the method of death that we Christians celebrate; it is the Man who died on that cross.  Jesus Christ gave His life, as He put it, to give His life “as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

I recently came across a helpful booklet from Discovery Series entitled Why Did Christ Have to Die?  At one point, the author writes, “This principle is illustrated by a story from American history.  In a tribe of Indians, someone was stealing chickens.  The chief declared that, if caught, the offender would receive 10 lashes.  When the stealing continued, he raised it to 20 lashes.  Still the chickens methodically disappeared.  In anger the chief raised the sentence to 100 lashes – a sure sentence of death.

The thief was finally caught.  But the chief faced a terrible dilemma.  The thief was his own mother!  When the day of penalty came, the whole tribe gathered.  Would the chief’s love override his justice?  The crowd gasped when he ordered his mother to be tied to the whipping post.  The chief removed his shirt, revealing his powerful stature, and took the whip in hand.  But instead of raising it to strike the first blow, he handed it to a strong, young brave at his side.  Slowly the chief walked over to his mother and wrapped his massive arms around her in an engulfing embrace.  Then he ordered the brave to give him the 100 lashes.”

What is Good Friday about?  It’s about how sin has an insurmountable price tag that I can’t pay.  But Jesus Christ, the only sinless One, paid the price of my sin – past, present and future – by laying down His life.  The hymn The Old Rugged Cross says, “And I love that old cross, where the Dearest and Best, for a world of lost sinners was slain.  So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross.”

The author of that same booklet continues, “The result is that the person who trusts in Jesus Christ is changed in his relationship to God.  He is changed in his relationship to his own sin.  And his future is changed, both for this life and the life to come.”  It takes my breath away.  It brings tears to my eyes.  Don Moen, in his song Hallelujah to the Lamb, captures my heart’s cry: “There are no words good enough to thank You; there are no words to express my praise, but I will lift up my voice and sing from my heart, with all of my strength.”

Kevin

Thoughts on Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry (part 2)

Back in 2016, Pastor Bill Oudemolen preached the best Palm Sunday sermon I’ve ever heard in my life.  One highlight is when he explained the significance of the palm branches (a detail that only John records in the Gospels; John 12:13).  He said, “The Jews had a hero named Judas or Judah Maccabeus.  He was a zealot, who led a revolt against the Seleucid king Antiochus Epiphanies [a tyrannical madman who murdered many Jews].  What they did to honor Maccabeus is they minted coins, and the symbol on the coin of opposition to oppression was a palm branch stamped on the coin.”

The great irony of Palm Sunday is that nobody understood Jesus’ mission.  They were expecting Jesus to throw off the oppressors like Maccabeus, but Jesus didn’t come for that purpose.  In fact, Luke tells us that when Jesus was entering the city of Jerusalem on that day, He was actually crying (Luke 19:41).  He knew that the people didn’t grasp what He came to do, even His own disciples (John 12:16).  He had repeatedly told them, but they missed it.  In Luke 18, He stated, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished.  For He will be delivered to the Gentiles…they will scourge Him and kill Him.  And the third day He will rise again” (verses 31-33).  But astonishingly, the next verse reads, “But they understood none of these things.”

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Jesus’ mode of transportation that day.  I came across a fascinating article where the author delves deeply into this topic.  “Jesus triumphal entry into to Jerusalem was not just an afterthought, using whatever animal was available.  This was a well-considered part of God’s plan for a specific purpose.  Although the use of the donkey was widespread in those times, Jesus’ riding on the donkey did not show Him to be a poor or common man, but a King…So Jesus, riding on a donkey, fulfills the characterization shown in Zechariah 9:9, that the King would be “lowly”… A man riding on a donkey is not looking for war, and in Jesus’ case, He came instead to save, carried on perhaps the lowliest of animals” (Source: https://www.bibletools.org/Riding-Donkey-as-Sign-Royalty.htm).

Another helpful Got questions.org article puts it this way: “The story of the triumphal entry is one of contrasts, and those contrasts contain applications to believers.  It is the story of the King who came as a lowly servant on a donkey, not a prancing steed, not in royal robes, but on the clothes of the poor and humble.  Jesus Christ comes not to conquer by force as earthly kings but by love, grace, mercy, and His own sacrifice for His people.  His is not a kingdom of armies and splendor but of lowliness and servanthood.  He conquers not nations but hearts and minds.  His message is one of peace with God, not of temporal peace.  If Jesus has made a triumphal entry into our hearts, He reigns there in peace and love.  As His followers, we exhibit those same qualities, and the world sees the true King living and reigning in triumph in us” (https://www.gotquestions.org/triumphal-entry.html).

What a statement!  "If Jesus has made a triumphal entry into our hearts, He reigns there in peace and love."  It makes me wonder if Jesus has made a triumphal entry into your heart.  Or, maybe like the crowd that day, you’ve somehow misunderstood Jesus’ mission.  I’ve heard Pastor Gino Geraci declare, “If you are wrong about Jesus, it doesn’t really matter what you are right about.”  From day one, Jesus had a mission to spill His blood on a cross, out of pure, unconditional love for you.  He did this because, as the sinless God in human flesh, only He could pay the penalty for all your sin and mine.  No matter what you’ve done, or where you’ve been, the unique God-man, Jesus Christ says, “I love you.  I forgive you.  I want to have a relationship with you.”  Through simple faith and trust in Him, you can have everlasting life.  If you haven't done that, I pray that you would do it today.

Kevin

Thoughts on Jesus Christ's triumphal entry (part 1)

I know it’s a few days until we get to the holiday known as Palm Sunday, but I’ve decided to post the first installment of my thoughts a few days early.  I’m excited to get into this material with you because, if my memory serves me correctly, I have never posted any Palm Sunday content in this blog.  The website got questions.org has a good article on the holiday that I want to share.

“Palm Sunday is the day we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, one week before His resurrection (Matthew 21:1-11).  As Jesus entered the holy city, He neared the culmination of a long journey toward Golgotha.  He had come to save the lost (Luke 19:10), and now was the time – this was the place – to secure that salvation.  Palm Sunday marked the start of what is often called “Passion Week,” the final seven days of Jesus’ earthly ministry.  Palm Sunday was the “beginning of the end” of Jesus’ work on earth…

As Jesus ascended toward Jerusalem, a large multitude gathered around Him.  This crown understood that Jesus was the Messiah; what they did not understand was that it wasn’t time to set up the kingdom yet – although Jesus had tried to tell them so (Luke 19:11-12).  The crowd’s actions along the road give rise to the name “Palm Sunday”: “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road” (Matthew 21:8).  In strewing their cloaks on the road, the people were giving Jesus the royal treatment – King Jehu was given similar honor at his coronation (2 Kings 9:13).  John records the detail that the branches were cut from palm trees (John 12:13).

On that first Palm Sunday, the people also honored Jesus verbally: “The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ / ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ / Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” (Matthew 21:9).  In their praise of Jesus, the Jewish crowds were quoting Psalm 118:25-26, an acknowledged prophecy of the Christ.  The allusion to a Messianic psalm drew resentment from the religious leaders present: “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’” (Luke 19:39).  However, Jesus saw no need to rebuke those who told the truth.  He replied, “I tell you…if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40)…Unfortunately, the celebration was not to last.  The crowds looked for a Messiah who would rescue them politically and free them nationally, but Jesus had come to save them spiritually.  First things first, and mankind’s primary need is spiritual, not political, cultural, or national salvation” (Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/Palm-Sunday.html).

There is more I want to say in the next blog, but for now it’s sufficient to state that the great irony of Palm Sunday is that practically everyone misunderstood the nature of Jesus’ mission.  I love the analogy that Jefferson Bethke gives in the foreword of Kristen’s Parrish’s devotional No Cape Required:

“He didn’t look the part.  He didn’t do what they thought a messiah should.  He had no form or majesty in him that would’ve drawn out anyone’s attention.  They wanted Superman, but it looked like they got Clark Kent instead.  In that last sentence, though, lies the beauty and mystery of this Jesus from Nazareth.  The beauty of Clark Kent is that he is Superman.  And while people might have called Clark names and thought he really didn’t do much, he was also the one truly saving the day and bringing salvation to Metropolis even though he didn’t get the credit as Clark.  In fact, most people thought Jesus lost at the Cross, but looking back we see that was the moment of his ultimate victory…He saved the day, not how people wanted, but he did save the day.”  This would be a good place for an “amen”!  My prayer is God would illuminate the heart so Jesus is seen clearly for who He is, what He did, and why He did it.

To be continued!

Kevin

"I am counting every blessing"

One point that God has been reinforcing to me is the importance of gratitude.  It is a Biblical idea to practice thanksgiving.  Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter into His courts with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.  Be thankful to Him and bless His name.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will in Christ Jesus for you.”  Colossians 3:15: “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body, and be thankful.”

Maybe one of the reasons this idea is presented over and over again in the Bible is because God knows how prone we are to having ingratitude in our hearts.  I know this is true for me.  I get so caught up in the stress, exhaustion, and frustrations of life that I forget about all of the innumerable blessings God has given.  I’m not proud of it; I’m just being honest with you.  The truth is, no matter how bad a day I’m having (or perhaps it’s a bad week), I’m still breathing.  My heart is still beating.  I’m able to eat.  I have family and friends who love me.  I’m going to Heaven one day.  God is on the throne.  And on and on the list goes.

The group Rend Collective has a memorable song along the same lines of this subject.  In their song Counting Every Blessing, they sing words that I can identify with: “You were there in the valley of shadows; You were there in the depth of my sorrows.  You’re my strength, my hope for tomorrow.  I’ve been blessed beyond all measure.  I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing.  Letting go and trusting when I cannot see.  I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing.  Surely every season, You are good to me” (you can find the lyrics at this link)

Kevin

The obscured life of St. Patrick

One of the things my father loved to do (which has subsequently been passed down to me) is to learn about the origin of holidays.  It is fascinating to me how oftentimes the original intent of these holidays has evolved into something completely different.  This is particularly true when it comes to today’s holiday, St. Patrick’s Day.  Just who is this Saint Patrick?  What is his story?  And why is there a day set apart to celebrate him?

“Patrick, whom almost everyone calls “Saint Patrick,” although he was never canonized by the Catholic Church, was born to a wealthy family in AD 387 in Kilpatrick, Scotland.  His real name was Maewyn Succat.  It was his extensive missionary work in Ireland for which Patrick is famous.  During his thirty years of work there, he supposedly converted over 135,000 people, established 300 churches, and consecrated 350 bishops.  Patrick died on March 17, 461.  For over a millennium, the Irish have celebrated St. Patrick’s Day on March 17.

History records that Saint Patrick, at age sixteen, was captured by Irish raiders and spent several years as a slave in Ireland.  It was during this time that he learned the various rituals, customs, and language of Druids, and it was these people that he eventually evangelized.  Patrick apparently had a dream in which God spoke to him, saying, “Your ship is ready.”  Patrick was then able to escape Ireland by ship.  Shortly thereafter, he experienced another dream in which he received a letter that was labeled the “voice of the Irish.”  When he opened it, he heard the voices of all those whom he had met in Ireland begging him to return.”  (Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/St-Patricks-Day.html)

It is challenging to differentiate what is historical and what is a myth that has developed over the centuries regarding Patrick.  For example, as one source puts it: “A later legend would have it that Patrick rid all of Ireland of snakes.  Snakes were not native to Ireland at the time.  Instead, Patrick rid Ireland of all marauding ways and a cultural and civil barbarianism by bringing…a whole new ethic.”  Furthermore, this author writes, “Some biographers claim definitively that Patrick used the shamrock as an object lesson to teach pagans about the Trinity…there is no evidence, however, for such a claim” (Source: https://www.ligonier.org/blog/who-was-saint-patrick-and-should-christians-celebrate-st-patricks-day/).

Recently, I saw a Nike shirt that said “Be brave, be bold, be you.”  The message of that shirt captures Patrick’s character.  Patrick was brave.  One source states, “Patrick had no less of a goal than seeing pagan Ireland converted.  These efforts did not set well with…the pagan king of…Ireland.  Patrick faced danger and even threats on his life.  He took to carrying a dagger.  Yet, despite these setbacks, Patrick persisted” (from the same Ligonier article again).  That’s bravery right there!

Patrick was also bold.  Once again, that got questions.org article states, “During his thirty years of work there, he supposedly converted over 135,000 people, established 300 churches, and consecrated 350 bishops.”  God called Patrick to a hard task: share the love of Jesus to the very people who captured him and forced to spend several years of his life as a slave.  He could have said no.  But he demonstrated a brave, bold obedience to God; I want to be like that.  That’s what I celebrate this day.  I celebrate the contributions to the Kingdom of God made by Saint Patrick.   

Kevin

"God is in the filling business"

There is an amazing verse in Matthew 5.  Jesus, in a section that is referred to as the Sermon on the Mount, said these profound words: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled (verse 6).”  From the outset, let me state that I could say so much more about this verse.  To fully unpack it would probably take 4 or 5 blogs.  I do hope that what I have for you today will impact you as deeply as it has me.

First of all, notice that Jesus speaks of two powerful motivators: hunger and thirst.  I know very well what it is to be hungry and thirsty.  They are desperate longings.  Nothing else matters until the thirst and hunger is quenched.  God made us that way, and this is true not only physically but also spiritually.

I read a sermon on this text from John Piper (https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/blessed-are-those-who-hunger-and-thirst-for-righteousness) ); at one point, he said,

“God has put eternity in our hearts and we have an inconsolable longing…many of you here this morning are like this.  Your soul is hungry and your heart is thirsty.  You feel an insatiable longing for something.  You are restless.  Almost everywhere you turn, the grass is greener than where you stand.  And the great tragedy for some of you is that even though this is the Spirit of God beckoning you to himself, you turn away again and again to… temporary pleasures…And everything turns to ashes in your hands.  The thrill of lust leaves the sediment of guilt and loneliness.  The drugs and alcohol can’t keep you from waking up in the real world again and again with your messed-up relationships.”

 

There is a haunting line in the song Blessings by Laura Story: “What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy?”  One author puts it this way: “God is in the filling business.  In fact, the word “fill” means to be satisfied in the sense of being stuffed after a sumptuous meal.  If you are eating the junk food of the self-centered life, you’ll never be satisfied.” (source: https://newsok.com/article/3857185)  This would be a very good place for an “amen”.  Or as Oswald Chambers said (from the same just cited article): “There is only One Being who can satisfy the aching abyss of the human heart and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Kevin 

"Today is a gift, that's why it's called the present"

Somebody once wrote, “Yesterday is history; tomorrow is a mystery; today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.”  I spent too much time researching where this quote originated, and I was unable to find a definitive answer.  But the point of the quote still remains.  The Bible says, “You don’t know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life?  It is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”  There are examples of this fact everywhere.  As I was putting all this together, I heard the news that actor Luke Perry passed away as a result of a massive stroke, he was 52 (https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/04/us/luke-perry-dies/index.html).

I’ve been watching the very first season of the show Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (from the year 1993).  It is bittersweet to watch because some actors from that season have since passed on.  For example, Thuy Trang, the original Yellow Ranger, passed away back in 2001 from a car crash, at the young age of 27 (that information can be found here).  Robert Manahan, the man who voiced Zordon for 5 years passed away in the year 2000; he was only 43 (Robert Manahan/Zordon info).  I could go on, but I’m going to stop there.  As I said, it's everywhere, and it can quickly exhaust you emotionally.

Tim Tebow in his newest book This is the Day writes, “Life is a gift.  Each day is precious – and at times fleeting.  Pain and tragedy are constants in our time on earth…Things happen that we do not understand…This is sad and yet very real.  We can’t control the path or the magnitude of whatever the storms or disasters come our way.  We can’t anticipate our losses.  And we can’t hold on to the promise of tomorrow.  So what’s something we can do?  We can this day celebrate the ones we love.  We can create special moments with them.  We can say “I love you.””

My mother, Rose Mary, is going to celebrate a birthday this week.  While these milestone events are still bittersweet (you just don’t get over the loss of the love of your life in 3 and a half years), they are to be celebrated.  I want to publicly inscribe that I celebrate my mom.  I say what I’ve previously stated in this blog: I love my mom, and I’m proud of her.  I rejoice how God has used the fire of loss and suffering to hone her into a more faithful follower of Jesus.  It’s not easy to walk the road of suffering.  It’s not easy to walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  I feel she deserves to be applauded, esteemed, and celebrated.

Kevin