Framing Adversity

How a picture is framed will determine the focus of the piece. Artist have always known this to be true. The same can be said of the Scripture's framing of adversity. Adversity, framed by the Scriptures, becomes the seedbed of opportunity. How have you experienced adversity as a seedbed of opportunity? What adversity are you facing now that needs to be re-framed by the Scriptures?

Chasing Lions

On Sunday we introduced an obscure passage in Scripture that I doubt any of your Sunday School teachers assigned as a memory verse. I know for certain that I never done an exegesis of 2 Samuel 23:20-23 in any of my classes at RTS. The account of David's Thirty Mighty Men of Valor has absolutely no bearing on any major biblical doctrine and yet as we discovered, it is a powerful teaching text for those of us who want to chase our own lions.

What lions are you currently facing in your life now? Do you see how the size of your God determines whether you turn an run like a scaredy-cat or turn and chase the lion? Do you have any lion chasing stories to share?

Got Change?

I'm not particularly excited about the introduction of the George Washington/Liberty dollar coin. Perhaps it's because I am old enough to remember the last two failed attempts - the Susan B. Anthony and the Sacagawea - or maybe it is simply that I never have change when I need it and always have it when I don't.

The Bible is very clear that God never changes but He demands constant change from us. What are some of the changes that you are attempting to make in your life right now? What makes making those changes so difficult? Can a community of faith help in those changes?

Good Friday

We call this Good Friday, a holiday in most christian countries around the world. Consider Matthew's account of this day for Christ. What is good for us was certainly not good for Jesus.

Along the way they came on a man from Cyrene named Simon and made him carry Jesus' cross. Arriving at Golgotha, the place they call "Skull Hill," they offered him a mild painkiller (a mixture of wine and myrrh), but when he tasted it he wouldn't drink it.

After they had finished nailing him to the cross and were waiting for him to die, they whiled away the time by throwing dice for his clothes. Above his head they had posted the criminal charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the Jews. Along with him, they also crucified two criminals, one to his right, the other to his left. People passing along the road jeered, shaking their heads in mock lament: "You bragged that you could tear down the Temple and then rebuild it in three days—so show us your stuff! Save yourself! If you're really God's Son, come down from that cross!"

The high priests, along with the religion scholars and leaders, were right there mixing it up with the rest of them, having a great time poking fun at him: "He saved others—he can't save himself! King of Israel, is he? Then let him get down from that cross. We'll all become believers then! He was so sure of God—well, let him rescue his 'Son' now—if he wants him! He did claim to be God's Son, didn't he?" Even the two criminals crucified next to him joined in the mockery.

When was the last time you stopped to consider the price that was paid by Jesus on your behalf? How often have you thanked him for the relationship He made possible by His sacrifice? Would you take some time today just to reflect on the price that was paid on this Good Friday?

Scott Hagen on Maundy Thursday

WWJD is the embroidered acrostic worn as wristbands by millions of Christian teen-agers who have gone public with their faith. Outside the Upper Room where the disciples had gathered with Jesus for the Last Supper, a few Pharisees had the same acrostic, WWJD, written across their hearts. For them it meant, "What would Judas do?"

Forever etched in history as the turncoat treasurer with a bankrupt soul, Judas Iscariot was the apostolic chameleon who kissed the Savior one moment and backstabbed Him the next. His graphic collapse taught loudly that money and materialism are no antidotes for guilt. That greed mingled with grace is a spiritually lethal mix.

His death makes any Christian wonder about the strength of his or her own commitment. Would a bag full of silver have been sufficient enough booty for me to leverage my own loyalties to Jesus? Enough to persuade me to dip the morsel and take the plunge? It was for Judas.

With a stomach full of bread straight from the Only Begotten’s table and feet freshly bathed by the Ancient of Days’ own hands, Judas darted into the midnight air. He was the willing new recruit ready to service those who would falsely accuse Jesus later that night. The ally of blood-thirsty jackals. Scum who would just as soon cut your throat as cut you a deal.

Watching him leave the Last Supper, fully engulfed in the spirit of treason, you wonder how Jesus maintained an appetite for lost souls.

The events of Friday, Saturday and Sunday have become a celebrated blur for the two millenniums of the Christian church. But one thing is clear: There would have been no Calvary had it not been for Gethsemane. The two flow like tributaries into a single stream. They are synonymous with obedience. Every word in the English language for torture, pain and suffering has been ascribed to these hours of agonizing prayer and crucifixion. But often forgotten during our Easter pageants are the events of Saturday.

Wednesday: A Day of Silence

A deathly silence fell over Jerusalem on Wednesday of Holy Week. Nothing of Jesus’ actions is recorded for us in the Scriptures. It reminds me of the 400 years of silence represented by the blank pages in your Bible between the First and Second Testaments. For four centuries God withheld an update on the progress of His redemption plan. Then from obscurity the angel Gabriel appeared to a priest named Zechariah to announce the birth of the one who would "prepare the way for the Lord." His and Elizabeth’s response to the conception of John the Baptist is remarkable after 400 years without a single syllable breathed by God to His people.

With the birth of John the Baptist and ultimately Christ, God broke the silence. Now we have silence again. No one but Jesus knew His whereabouts or activities on Wednesday. Was He among friends? Was He alone praying? Maybe He was simply resting up for what would be the most difficult days a man would ever face? What do you think was happening on this day?

Tuesday: A Day to Teach

Tuesday was a very busy day for Jesus during Holy Week. The Gospels record more activity this day then any other day during this week. He spent the day teaching in parables. The people heard parables about good and bad tenets, two sons, talents, 10 maidens and sheep and goats. (Read through Matthew 21, 22 and 25 to review the teaching of Jesus on this day) They watched Jesus reward a widow for her mighty "mite" offering, while rebuking the religious rich for their unbelievable stinginess.

The highlight of the day took place during the noon hour when Jesus joined Simon, a former leper, in his home for a meal. The meal was spectacularly interrupted by Mary's extravagant act of worship in washing the feet of Jesus with her tears, drying them with her hair, and anointing them with expensive perfume. Jesus was so moved by her act of worship that he pronounced that this act would be remembered throughout history.

When was the last time that you engaged in an extraordinary act of worship? What are some possible acts of worship in which we can engage during this Holy Week? What hinders are ability to engage in this kind of worship

The Final Week of Jesus

The final week of Jesus began just as the prophet Zechariah foretold. On the back of a donkey, along a quickly-formed parade route, in a carefully orchestrated political and religious statement. The mixture of enthusiasm, anticipation and excitement must have been contagious. The crowd gathering attracting even more spectators and participants. The sound of perhaps thousands chanting the Victor's song, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord," filling the hillsides. Writer Scott Hagen puts it this way in Seven Days that Changed the World, "Before the next Sunday would arrive, the waving palms would be replaced by the pierced palms of a risen Savior. The final week was finally under way."

By the time the sun rose on Monday morning, the Hosanna cries of the people had long since faded. In it's place the hustle and bustle of business people preparing for the flood of people to Jerusalem for the passover. In short, the city was unaffected by the arrival of the Messiah King Jesus. It was business as usual until Jesus arrives at the Temple and witnesses firsthand the corruption of His Father's House. Jesus' response may be shocking to you.

Read Matthew 21:12-17, Mark 11:15-18 and Luke 19:45-48 to get the big picture of what happened. How might you have responded if you were one of Jesus' disciples? One of the vendors? A spectator? A Pharisee?

In what ways are you tempted to treat Holy Week as any other week in your life? Is there any significance to these events in your life? What can you do to change your perspective if a change of perspective is needed?