you also will live

Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

John 14:19

This is a fitting post-Easter passage to reflect upon. Jesus has left us now, but still lives. And we still see Him… in the gospels, in His people (massively imperfect as we are), and in His work saving the world. Jesus is very much alive.

And because Jesus lives, we live. We have abundant life, full of purposes, full of meaning, and with direction because we have a living Lord Whom we seek to follow. We also have the confidence of eternal life. It isn’t just about now, but also eternity. It isn’t just about present purposes but also future glory. There is a lot we enjoy now, and there is an unimaginable eternity of life in Him. Yes… we will see Jesus, now and forever.

Lord Jesus,

I thank You for this perspective and I trust You for Your care now and forever. In You I am still being made new. Even with my problems. Even with my cares. Even with my need to still be more like You. You are alive, powerful, and arrest my attention with Your words and Your power. For that I am truly thankful because I need it. Help me love and thrive as You live for me, with me, and in me now.

Amen

a tendency to scatter

But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.

Mark 14:21

What’s the old saying? “Actions speak louder than words.” When Jesus told His disciples He would soon be arrested, crucified, and then raised to life again, He warned them that they would all scatter in fear. Peter proudly affirms that even if all the other apostles fell away, he was too strong and would never do so. Jesus tells him with direct detail that denial would roll from Peter’s lips three times that very night. Peter stubbornly refuses to see himself capable of that. And all the disciples bristle at the idea of abandoning Jesus. They speak up in bold belief with Jesus present with them in the upper room. But things would indeed change very dramatically, very quickly, and in a matter of hours they would all be in hiding.

When encountering this text as a Christian on the post-resurrection side of the gospel, it is easy to judge the apostles for their feckless fear, unbelief, and denial. But aren’t we just as irresponsible, if not worse, in our sinful moments? Every time I give in to a selfish desire, to an angry outburst, to a doubting disbelief, I am in essence in the exact same kind of denial and hiding. I am abandoning Jesus for the “safety” of hiding in the world. I am telling a resurrected Savior Who died for me that although I really like being forgiven and heaven as my destination, I’m going to do just as I please, perhaps out of fear, perhaps out of greed, perhaps out of temporary pleasure, perhaps out of desperation or loneliness… you can “fill-in-the-blank” with any wicked motivation on my part… their are unfortunately all too many. I opened my Bible sanctimoniously this morning, thinking I am a disciple who would never deny Him. But honestly, I can… and I do sometimes. Every sin is just that.

Lord,

You knew disciples would scatter and You love them still! And I am no different. Forgive my fleeing, fearful, faithless fits. Draw me close to You. I confess I too can all too easily deny with my actions what my lips proudly proclaim. Keep me humble. Keep me confessional. Keep me loyal day by day, my Lord!

Amen

the example of humility

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?”

John 13:12

Jesus washed the feet of His disciples to set before them an example of humility. His modeling of humble service to the most basic of needs was meant to teach them to do the same. Following Jesus is not just about learning His teaching. It is about living His example. Will we truly divest our self-interest in the pursuit of care and kindness no matter the cost to ourselves? Will we be proud and selfish or will we be selfless and humble? That is what we must work through in believing Jesus left us an example.

Jesus was the “Lord and Master” of His disciples (John 13:13). And He, the Master, stooped to wash the feet of every disciple, even Judas, who was just hours away from betraying Him (John 13:14). His example compels disciples, who are by relationship required to follow their Teacher, to do the same (John 13:15-16). And furthermore, Jesus emphasizes that real blessing in the life of His followers comes not just from knowing the facts of His teaching, but from doing what He taught by His example (John 13:17).

So today, on this Good Friday, as Christians contemplate the humble sacrifice that Jesus, the supreme Servant and Savior, gave for us, let us also remember His example as He took the basin and the towel. He humbled Himself for us so that we in turn, like Him, would humble ourselves in service to others. People should see the kindness of Christ so they can see their need for the forgiveness of Christ so that in repentance and faith they may be transformed with the life of Christ. Without our humble service to them, how will this happen, especially in a cultural climate that is increasingly as hardened and jaded as ours? We must understand what Jesus has done in His humility. “…he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross…” (Philippians 2:8).

before I suffer

And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”

Luke 22:15

Knowing that in just a matter of hours the events of the mock trials and crucifixion would begin to play out, Jesus sat down for one last Passover celebration with His disciples. And He did not run from even the difficulty of this realization. Jesus knew the price He was asked to pay. He knew what awaited Him that very night. And with anticipation He longed to sit down with His followers one last time to transform Passover into His Passion.

“Before I suffer…” perhaps the most downplayed description of what Jesus would endure and it came from His own lips. Jesus knew what was going to happen. He realized, accepted, endured, and submitted to the plan for our redemption just as meekly as Isaiah 53 predicted. He was the Lamb ready for the trip to be slaughtered. The meal of Passover lamb He ate with His disciples would forever prefigure the greater, perfect, final sacrifice of the Lamb of God Who took away the sin of the world. He would suffer for our sins. And He would not shrink away from obeying the Father’s will for Him to do so.

“Christ, our Passover Lambe, has been sacrificed…” (1 Corinthians 5:7). What Jesus earnestly desired in His last Passover is now our salvation in the present tense. We have new life, abundant life, eternal life… all because Jesus earnestly desired to obey the Father. His suffering gave Him authority over our sufferings. His sinless sacrifice covers our darkest moments and deepest sins.

Lord Jesus,

Rule over our sufferings now, calling us to see in Your sufferings how deeply You identify with us. Forgive our sins, O Lord, as we turn to You acknowledging our broken and sinful hearts. Heal us in Your sacrifice and raise us again to a new life of joyful rebirth in Your resurrection!

Amen

bold worship of a Savior

In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.

Matthew 26:12-13

Jesus received an offering of pure worship from an unnamed woman in this passage. In the home of a man Jesus had healed, as Jesus and His disciples were enjoying a meal together, this woman approached Jesus carrying an expensive alabaster jar of anointing oil, a rare fragrant perfume. This would have been something treasured. Perfume was for the wealthy. Alabaster was for the wealthy. But here she is, pouring it ALL on the head of Jesus, in essence saying to Him, “Jesus, You are worth more to me than anything I have ever treasured. I love You more. You deserve this. Take it all.” Jesus was right to call her actions a “beautiful thing” (Matthew 26:10).

Yet the disciples, who should have known better, call it all a “waste”. They point out in judgmental “holier-than-thou” false piety that the jar and its contents could have been sold for a large sum and the money given to the poor (Matthew 26:8-9)…. A true observation, just not a right one! They judge this woman not joining in mutual worship of Jesus, but instead, perhaps out of jealousy for her extravagant love for Him they deride her. “How dare this woman be so engaged with the Master! What does she think she is doing! Why does Jesus let a woman be so outrageous with Him?”

Jesus rebukes them with a truth they never saw coming. One day soon the disciples WOULD understand how this woman’s worship prefigured Jesus’ sacrifice. Her extravagant pouring out of perfume on Jesus was just the first anointing for His death. And she was the only woman given this privilege. Fast forward to Resurrection morning where again woman are the bold disciples while the apostles are in apparent hiding. Women arrive at the tomb of Jesus hoping to anoint Jesus’ body, and instead find an empty tomb! The disciples were left behind by caring women once again, and the only anointing Jesus ever truly received that prefigured His death was back in the house of Simon. Jesus was alive again before His body could ever be prepared properly for the grave! Thanks to the bold love and worship of a woman willing to give it all, the smell of perfume wafting from Simon’s house still drifts in the air with the gospel even today!

least of these

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Matthew 25:40

Jesus sees

how I treat

the least of these

the call to care

is always there

everywhere

I must love

like my Lord above

ALL who need love

Jesus sees

how I treat

the least of these

Who are the least of these?

Feed the hungry.

Quench the thirsty.

Welcome strangers.

Clothe the shivering.

Visit the sick.

Comfort the imprisoned.

For in their need

I will find

the least of these

In their need

Jesus sees

The least of these

The lonely, the poor ones

The bereaved, the torn ones

The ignored, the outcast ones

The broken, the marginalized ones

All of these

are the least of these

and with the love of Christ

and the gospel message

they can belong!

We can all sing a song:

“We are the least of these, now redeemed!”

investment and reward

For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Matthew 25:29

Our Lord is gracious and loving. Jesus understands us. He forgives us. But just because He gives such great kindness does not mean He has no expectations from us as we seek to follow Him. He will not reward selfish living. That is the lesson of the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25. Jesus expects us to apply ourselves in multiplying by our own efforts and obedience the gifts that He blesses us to use for His glory.

This isn’t meant to stress us, but the fact that we will one day give an account to Jesus for how we invested for His glory His gifts to us should definitely motivate Christians. He longs to speak blessing and applaud us. All it takes is for us to long to be like Jesus with who we are and with what we have. We all have something to invest. Everyone of us can do this. Be generous. Be caring. Be kind. Get your head out of your own interests long enough to truly care about the lives of other people. See hearts, not just bodies. Look past social status and see the gripping need of every person. Hurt is everywhere, masquerading in filtered selfies, hiding behind gated communities and privacy fences as well as out in the open in a homeless camp. Both hurts are equally tragic. Sin destroys from within. Jesus loves all people and longs to fill each hungry heart! He has called Christians to pour His love out into every kind of need everywhere. One person can’t do it alone. But collectively, if we would see how vital it is to care, each of us could make a difference WHERE WE ARE and meet every kind of need.

Kindness, love, and sharing the gospel in word and in our actions is the most rewarding way to live! It is an adventure of the highest joy. I am convinced of it and do not regret that wanting to steward life in this way has meant I have walked a different path not driven by career, income, accumulation, or pleasure alone. The investment in the lives and the powerful stories God writes in each individual I’ve gotten to truly know in my life is a source of overflowing joy, even as it is also at times emotionally and spiritually intense. I’d rather have the intensity than the lulling rust of selfish lethargy! 

I am currently working through a season of reflection and reception. So many people… at this point literally hundreds of people… people I have know for over four decades and many more recent friendships, all have given back to me in my whirlwind of loss and hurt. In many ways God cashed in my investment and I am floored by the wealth of joy friends have brought me. I will keep pouring into people. I will know their stories. I will let them help write my story! The tale is thrilling. How can I not then believe that Jesus will reward my continued investment for His kingdom in this last act of the drama of my life?