Lent, Day Eight

"...at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here." (Luke 11:32b)

The background: Jonah was a prophet. Jonah was called of God to go to Ninevah and preach repentance to the people there. Jonah resisted. Jonah took a ship in the opposite direction of Ninevah. A storm arose. The ship's crew cast lots to see whose fault the storm could be...and the lot fell to Jonah. Jonah told the crew to throw him in the water. The storm ceased. A huge fish swallowed him. Jonah had three days to re-think his decision. He repented. The fish spit him out on the shore. Jonah headed to Ninevah, and finally preached the message God had sent him to preach. The king of Ninevah called his entire city to repentance. They responded by putting on sackcloth and ashes (remember Ash Wednesday?). They were truly sorry for their sins.

Jump to the time of the verse. Here was Jesus, the Creator of the universe, Lord of lords, Son of God, and yet they remained indifferent and skeptical to His call to repentance.

Do we?

My offering to God: I will rededicate my life to following Jesus.

They Saw Jesus Alone

Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration. What a wonderful story of Jesus revealing His glory to His disciples. I've always figured Peter's suggestion was the result of being so overwhelmed by what he witnessed...he knew he needed to do or say something after seeing the great prophets and the glory of his Lord. Of course, God wanted Peter and the others to remember who was the only One worthy of praise.

"Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only." (Matthew 17:1-8)

That's my favorite part of the verse: They only saw Jesus. All the other distractions were gone. I often wonder if the lesson for us today is that we should never lift up other men, no matter how great or godly, to the level that we see them as equal to God. Sure, there have been some amazing saints (Peter, James, and John among them). But no one ever deserves the praise that is to be reserved for God alone. I'm sure that as other events unfolded (the resurrection and ascension; Pentecost) the three witnesses realized how Christ's Transfiguration was just the "opening act" to what they would later experience. They got a glimpse into His glory. Wow.

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On a side "note" (yes, pun intended)...I had my first chance to sing and play again yesterday. The first time in a very, very long time. It was nerve wracking, yes. But it felt good to once again to be praising God, and encouraging others to do the same. I only sang pre-service and post-communion. But it was a good thing. Thanks be to God.

Comeback King

Since I live in the Cleveland area, the big news right now is that the Cleveland Cavaliers are in the NBA Finals. They start their series versus the San Antonio Spurs tomorrow night. The star of the Cavs' team is LeBron James. He has earned the nickname "King of the Court." The media, Cavs' promo people, and companies he endorses have played up the name "King James" in many different ways. Even to the extent that some Christians have been offended by the use of "Christian" phrases comparing LeBron to Christ.

I have to admit: LeBron is good. Michael Jordan good? I'm not sure. LeBron is still young. We'll just have to wait and see.

Is he the king? Well, there's debate over whether he is really the "king" of the basketball court. I guess the next couple of weeks will have to determine how high his status can climb.

In some terms, he is a comeback king, he and his Cavs. They were down 2-0 to the Detroit Pistons (our fave team!), yet came back to win the Eastern Conference Finals. That's a big comeback in sports circles.

I found this interesting tidbit, though. In 2001, Sports Illustrated magazine featured an article on the greatest comebacks in history. And you know what? The number one comeback they selected had nothing to do with basketball...or football...or volleyball...or soccer... The number one comeback they chose: "Jesus Christ, 33 A.D. Defies critics and stuns the Romans with His resurrection."

Wow!

As much as I think it would be a thrill to meet LeBron, or to even see him play in person, there is a greater King whose presence I can enjoy every day. "Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory." (Psalm 24:10)

The book of Revelation gives an awesome description of Christ in His glory:

"Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many (not just one!) crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called the Word of God...And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelation 19:11-13, 16)

"King" LeBron will have his glory days of basketball. He will win some and lose some. He will receive accolades. But in the end, he will retire from the game and be remembered by the history books, just like all the other great sports heroes. I would much rather worship at the throne of the King who reigns forever!

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." (I Timothy 1:17)

More Journey Thoughts

"Jesus Before Pilate" The MasterPeace Collection Artist: Brian Jekel

I know most of my recent posts have been Greensburg-centered. That's where my thoughts have been lately. My hope has been that in some small way I can help those who are there, dealing with the reality of it all every day. Please continue to pray, and to give in whatever ways you can.

However, a change of direction today. As I was going over catechism lessons with my youngest son today, we read a section of the Gospel of John. A couple of verses really stuck with me. I'm sure I've read them many times. For some reason, though, they stood out this time.

"For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known." (John 1:17, 18 RSV)

The first part is pretty basic: Moses gave the law. Anyone who knows even a little about Scripture knows this part. (Which, to me, flies in the face of those who try to question the authorship of the Pentateuch. But that's not the point of this post.) Moses is known as "the lawgiver". Of course, we realize that the law came from God, to Moses. But Moses was the instrument God used to convey His law to His people.

Similarly, then, Jesus gave truth and grace. The truth and grace came from God, but Jesus was the instrument God used to bring it to His people--to all people. As the end of the second verse says, "...he [Jesus] has made him [God] known."

I don't know about you, but I have had many moments in my life when I viewed God and Jesus as almost opposites. God is the judge, bringing justice into the world. Jesus is the loving Shepherd, bringing us grace. But the fact of it is, Jesus made God known by giving us God's grace and truth. God is both judge and gracious Father. That's hard to grasp. Yet somehow, it truly is who He is!

Grace is defined as "unmerited favor". When we get what we didn't really deserve, that's grace. Grace means that, though my sins are as scarlet, He makes me white as snow. Grace means that even though I blew it once again, He still offers His love and forgiveness. He pours His grace out again and allows me to know the sweetness of communion with Him.

Truth.

Now there's a tough one to deal with, in the world in which we live. If you could talk to 100 different people on the street in your town or city, I'm sure you would get 100 different definitions of what truth really is.

My favorite definition came straight from the One who knows the meaning of the word: "I am the truth." (John 14:6)

What does that mean? It means that whatever Jesus said or did, is truth. There's not a lie to be found in anything He taught or in anything He did. All of it is truth. How could it be that a Man could do that? Because everything He did and everything He said was another way He was making the Father known. The truth-Originator.

(Just to make sure we know that, truly, the Trinity is truth (all of them being God), check out this verse: "And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth." (I John 5:6b RSV) )

This world needs grace. This world needs truth. The ruler Pilate once asked Jesus, "What is truth?" (John 18:38) The answer was standing right in front of Pilate. He was staring Truth in the face, and didn't even know it. I think that's the case for many in our lives. How can we show them the Truth?

The more we know Jesus, the more we will know what grace and truth look like. The more we know that, the more we can offer it to this world that is in such desperate shortage of both. Because, hopefully, the more we know it, the more we'll live it.

"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." (I John 5:20 NKJV)


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