Broken Pieces

/1 Comment/in , , , /by

Then they came up, took hold of Jesus, and arrested him. At that moment one of those with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword. He struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his ear. Matthew 26:50b-51

Don’t touch! These are the famous last words of every parent with small children who go into a store filled with breakable things.  The temptation to touch is overwhelming as the store manager yells, “You break it, you pay for it.”  However, the temptation to touch is not limited to children. According to a story in the Miami Herald, an art collector in a Miami art gallery reached out to touch a $42,000 sculpture by artist Jeff Koons and accidentally knocked over the pricey piece shattering it on the floor.

Stephen Gamson, a local artist and art collector, still believed the broken pieces could be worth a lot of money. He offered to buy the porcelain shards on the spot. Gamson said, “I find value in it even when it’s broken. To me, it’s the story. It makes the art even more interesting.”

The broken Koons’ work of art should have cost the lady personally, but according to the report, “Fortunately, the sculpture was covered by insurance and didn’t cost the woman anything.”  Jesus knows a thing or two about the value of broken pieces. Easter points us to a Redeemer who is ready to buy the broken and shattered pieces of our lives. Fortunately, our lives were covered and didn’t cost us anything, but it cost Jesus everything.

The Passover had been a little out-of-the-ordinary celebration, maybe even considered a bit bizarre. Peter and John had been tasked with the job of preparing for the meal. Their instructions had been unique, “when you’ve entered the city, a man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him into the house he enters.” (Luke 22:10) These two disciples had experienced some mind-altering events over the past few years as they walked with Jesus. Though this request was a bit strange, out of faith, they did as Jesus said. The Passover dinner that night had been anything but traditional.

The disciple’s minds were spinning from the evening as words such as betrayal, denial, broken body, and poured-out blood, had been spoken by Jesus. Now they were huddled together in Gethsemane and this night would be filled with life-changing drama. Jesus had asked his disciples to stay on guard, not as a security force, but in prayer. Yet their worst fears came true as the place quickly filled with a mob carrying swords and clubs. It was when Jesus confronted this heavily armed group, that they realized the mob was led by one of their own.

As the betrayer’s kiss was placed upon Jesus, the quiet, still night exploded in yelling and shoving. The disciples had been dozing off and on during the evening even as Jesus reprimanded them for sleeping when He needed them to stay alert in prayer. Now, still, a bit drowsy, the disciples found themselves confused and afraid as armed men filled the garden.

Maybe it was in this state of drowsiness they had heard the words of Jesus’ prayer, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me.” Did these words empower the disciples to action and embolden Peter? Acting with his usual zeal, Peter pulled out his sword and sliced off Malchus’ right ear. Whether the whole ear, part of the ear, or a little cut, Malchus screamed in pain.

The scene became chaotic with Malchus screaming, people yelling, and the armed guards quickly pulling their swords out to fight. That was until the commanding voice of Jesus was heard, “No more of this!”  Jesus turns to Peter, “Put your sword away! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18:11) Then Jesus turned to the mob, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a criminal?” (Luke 22:52)

I picture Jesus calmly reaching down to pick up the severed ear. Then intently looking into the eyes of Malchus, he gently touched his head and then lovingly reattached his ear.

Jesus’ first earthly miracle, when he turned water to wine at the wedding, people celebrated and shouted for joy.  His final miracle which was an act of healing, was performed in the midst of yelling and shouting, not in celebration of life, but for death. Instead of asking for twelve legions of angels to help, Jesus asked the Father to heal the ear of this one who came out to arrest him.

How do we put that into perspective? What became of this last healing? As I think about this scene I wonder if Malchus occasionally touched his ear and remembered that night. Did Jesus’ touch of healing open Malchus’ eyes to see Jesus? Did he share his story in the years to come as a follower of Jesus, how on that night Jesus not only healed his ear but his soul?   Or did he miss the true miracle of that night because he didn’t want to give up his power and position that he held in the religious hierarchy?

All is speculation but what a tragedy if Jesus’ last touch of healing goes unused.  What a tragedy to have an ear but fail to hear the words, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25)

In a few hours following that healing, the world was turned upside down forever!

Has your world been turned upside down by Jesus?

God is great!

A Betrayer’s Kiss

/2 Comments/in , , , /by

While he was still speaking, suddenly a mob came, and one of the Twelve named Judas was leading them. He came near Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22:47-48

“Beware the ides of March”! These ominous-sounding words are often identified with gloom and darkness related to one of the famous quotes in William Shakespeare’s play, “Tragedy of Julius Caesar.” Before Shakespeare wrote his play, March 15 was just a normal day. Now it is known for the conspiracy, betrayal, and death associated with the assassination of Julius Caesar. On this day in history, a group of nobles led by Caesar’s friends and associates, Gaius Cassius Longinus and Marcus Junius Brutus violently killed him on the steps of the senate.

Betrayal by an enemy might be understandable and potentially expected. However, it is the betrayal by a friend that leaves one heartbroken and deflated. We know danger comes from all kinds of situations and people, but in our hearts, we never expect it from a friend. Proverbs tell us, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.” (17:17) Then when it is a friend that betrays us, we are left devasted. Betrayal by a friend can then leave you feeling doubtful of other friendships and relationships.

Retired pastor Robert Berendt writes that “We humans experience many problems in life—and for that reason, we seek those we can trust to support and stand by us. When we find such a person, we slowly let down our guard and, in time, there are few areas of life that we will not share. We reveal that which lies deep in our hearts and we become vulnerable because of the revelation of our weaknesses.”

Without a doubt, history’s most infamous betrayal took place in the darkness of night in the quiet, still place called Gethsemane. It must have broken Jesus’ heart to watch Judas approaching. There were countless meals together, deep prayer times, and sharing the deep things of his heart with a friend. Did a tear fall from Jesus’ eye as He felt the kiss of betrayal upon his face? “Friend, Jesus asked him, “why have you come?” Jesus knew the answer, yet till the end, He reached out to Judas with grace and redemption.

Betrayed…how could my friend do such a thing?

Betrayed…will I ever again feel the certainty of trust?

Betrayed…only You God can again give me hope.

“You are betrayed. Bitten with a snake’s kiss. It’s more than rejection. Rejection opens a wound; betrayal pours the salt. It’s more than loneliness. Loneliness leaves you in the cold; betrayal closes the door. It’s more than mockery. Mockery plunges the knife; betrayal twists it. It’s more than an insult. An insult attacks your pride; betrayal breaks your heart.” -Max Lucado

Jesus would walk out of that garden alone, surrounded only by his enemies. Where are those who called him friend, teacher, and even Messiah?  Judas may have been the one who placed the kiss of betrayal upon his face but the others’ betrayal was just as sinister and maybe even more devasting. If only Peter had walked with him to Pilate’s house. Jesus needed to hear a word of encouragement from John. Did Jesus look around for James, Thomas, Andrew, and the others? They were all gone.

“Are we, like the disciples, full of bluster one minute, sleep the next, and confused shame the next? Are we ready to betray Jesus if it suits our other plans, or if he fails to live up to our expectations? Or are we prepared to keep watch with him in the garden, sharing his anguished prayer? We are not called to repeat his unique moment of suffering; he went through that alone on behalf of us all. But as Christian writers from the very beginning (i.e. Paul) have seen, it is part of normal Christian experience that we, too, should be prepared to agonize in prayer as we await our own complete redemption and that of all creation. The church is called to live in the middle of this great scene: surrounded by confusion, false loyalty, direct attack and traitor’s kisses, those who name the name of Christ must stay in the garden with him until the Father’s will is done.” –N. T. Wright

As we approach Easter in a few weeks, sit with Jesus’ words out of Mark.

“Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he told his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.” He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and prayed…Then he came and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? ‘Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” (part of passage out of Mark 14:32-42)

The darkness of that night finally gave way to the morning light of the resurrection.  The sting of betrayal was finally washed away by grace found on the rugged frame of a cross. The betrayers who came for redemption were overwhelmed that morning with love and forgiveness. Today, whether we are the betrayed or the betrayer, Easter gives us hope to face life again, the renewal of soul and mind, and the confident assurance that God is with us till the end!

God is great!

 

It’s a Matter of Minutes

/1 Comment/in , , , , /by

Be gracious to me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Psalm 86:3 (CSB)

A minute! Nothing overly exciting about a minute. It simply makes up 60 little seconds or 1/60th of an hour. However, if you are trying to hold a one-minute plank, then it feels like an eternity, and the final minute of an NFL game seems to go on forever. Three of the Super Bowl games were won at the last minute, many a traveler missed their flight at the last minute. Suddenly the lowly minute takes on a life of its own.

Life is filled with minutes. Each day you get 1440 minutes to work, rest and enjoy. Every month you get 43,800 minutes to fill up with activity. Over the year God gives you 525,600 minutes to make a difference. God has given us the gift of minutes. The question becomes, what do we do with those minutes?

A simple minute could be a game-changer for you considering the many one-minute books that Amazon offers, such as: “The One-Minute Organizer: Plain & Simple: 500 Tips for Getting Your Life in Order; The New One Minute Manager; The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey; One Minute Answers to Skeptics; One Minute Bible for Starters; or The One Minute Millionaire: The Enlightened Way to Wealth.”

Singer Tom Jones realized the power of a minute in his song, A Minute of Your Time:

“For you to think of me

It would only take a minute of your time

To spare one thought for me

Would you miss just one minute of your time…

One minute of your time

Is all it takes to bring us close

When we are far apart”

David, the powerful king of Israel, passionate poet, songwriter, and warrior had used his minutes wisely to prepare for his varied roles. Long before he picked up the rocks to do battle with Goliath, he had spent countless minutes practicing with his sling until that day when “he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.” (I Sam 17:40 NIV) He understood that “My times are in your hand,” (Ps 31:15a). He understood that “In your presence there is fullness of joy,” (Ps 16:11)

Frank Laubach, missionary and literacy advocate, realized the real potential of a simple minute. He wrote a small book in 1953 called “The Game with Minutes,” to call Christians back to a constant presence of God in their daily lifestyles. He wrote, “Less than ten minutes a week given to thinking about Christ by one-sixth of the people is not saving our country or our world; for selfishness, greed, and hate are getting a thousand times that much thought. What a nation thinks about, that it is. We shall not become like Christ until we give Him more time.”

If Paul wrote, “pray without ceasing” (I Thess 5:16), “Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication” (Eph 6:18), “persevere in prayer” (Rom 12:12) then it is critical to keep God in mind at all times. Laubach wrote, “We try to call Him to mind at least one second of each minute. We do not need to forget other things nor stop our work, but we invite Him to share everything we do or say or think…With God, every minute can be a fresh beginning. Ahead of you lie limitless anticipations.”

You and I have 1440 minutes today, what can we do with them? Laubach wrote, “We never attempt to keep a minute-by-minute record (excepting perhaps occasionally for an hour) since such a record would interfere with normal life. We are practicing a new freedom, not a new bondage. We must not get so tied down to score keeping that we lose the glory of it, and its spontaneity. We fix our eyes upon Jesus, not upon a clock.”

Enjoy the minutes as you ask God to intervene in our nation, community, or family. Enjoy the minutes as you pray to move the mountains of unbelief. Enjoy the minute as you find refreshment for your souls in those one-minute moments.  One thing I do know is that minutes move quickly off the face of the clock, so keep your eyes on Jesus and every minute becomes beautiful. Enjoy your minutes today, they are a gift from God!

“My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night.” (Psalm 63:5-6)

God is great!

 

Fragrance of Life

/1 Comment/in , , , /by

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place. For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15

New Mexico is on the verge of becoming the first state to have an official aroma. If the bill passes the legislature then “green chiles roasting in the fall” will become the state’s official aroma. The aroma would naturally fit into the Department of Tourism’s declaration that New Mexico is the “Chile Capital of the World.”  What do you think your state’s official aroma would be?

There are very few things all of us would agree on but I am almost sure we all respond to certain smells, good or bad, that either bring back memories or evoke strong emotions. Coffee brewing in the morning, chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven, or a baby’s stinky diaper. Growing up I loved the smell of mentholatum! I am sure the aroma probably wasn’t that great but knowing the love that was linked to the smell is what is special.  As a little boy, my Mother would rub it on my chest when I was sick. For me, it was a fragrance that brought healing.

New Mexico may be the first state to have an official aroma but they are not the first group to be recognized for having a unique aroma, that title goes to Christians in 2 Corinthians when they are called “the fragrance of Christ.” What a beautiful yet challenging description for us as followers of Christ. “To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life. Who is adequate for these things?” (2 Cor 2:16 CSB)

Can you picture the scene as Noah and his family walked off the Ark after the total devastation of the world? Nothing remained of life as Noah knew before the flood, yet in faith, he built an altar to the LORD. As the smoke from the fire slowly rose to heaven, “the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma” and it became an “aroma of life leading to life.” As the aroma filled heaven that day, God would promise that “as long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.” (Gen 8:22 CSB)

Can you picture the scene as Mary breaks the jar of pure nard to pour over Jesus’ feet and then “wiped his feet with her hair? (John 12:1-8) The poignant smell of the perfume penetrated every corner of the house for days and maybe still lingered that evening when Jesus was crucified as the ultimate “fragrance of life.”  As the fragrance of the perfume touched their senses it served as a bitter-sweet reminder to Lazarus, Martha, and Mary of how much Jesus loved them.

Can you picture the scene today if each of us as Jesus’ followers would be poured out as the fragrance of Christ on the world? We live in a world where the aroma of death is so overwhelming, yet we can become that “aroma of life leading to life.” We could greatly impact the world if we would be the poured-out fragrance, becoming “imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.” (Eph 5:1-2)

We become that fragrance of life simply by doing what Jesus would do. Jim Denison writes, “Early believers with no political leverage by which to end slavery and child abandonment purchased and then freed slaves and rescued and then adopted abandoned babies. Over time, their moral example became transformational for their societies. By utilizing their public influence with Christlike character, Christ followers such as William Wilberforce and Martin Luther King Jr. became agents of moral reformation.” The sweet aroma of life impacted the world they lived in.

Over the last several weeks there has been an outpouring of God’s Spirit among college students seeking to be “an aroma of life leading to life.” This outpouring of God has now spread to other campuses and locations bringing refreshment and renewal to many.

Lord, may we become that “fragrance of life” today for someone who is hurting, without hope, without life. We desire to fill our world with the life-saving aroma of Christ wherever we go.

Sweet aroma fill this place
Let us feel your warm embrace
Touch us with your healing grace
Let us see your holy face

Hold us so close by your side
Let us see your loving eyes
Take our wrongs and make them right
Breathe on us the breath of life

The fragrance of Christ
It breaks apart the strongholds of pride
and the hardest of hearts
It makes all the wounded whole and then starts
to open the senses to your goodness
It’s the fragrance of Christ

At the start of every day
Fill my heart with perfect praise
with this offering I raise
A holy tribute to your name

Take my feet and lead me to
All the world or just a few
With everything I say and do
May the glory go to you

Fresh anointing cover me
With a balm of purity
Make me a bouquet of honesty

I will hold your name up high
By the way I live my life
Let me be the fragrance of Christ – (Charles Billingsley, The Fragrance of Christ from the Change Album)

https://www.invubu.com/music/show/song/Charles-Billingsley/The-Fragrance-of-Christ.html

 

God is great!