Talk About Hope! - the Spirit of God literally lives within you

As was the Jewish custom at the time, Jesus was eight days old when he was presented and dedicated at the temple. A holy man known as Simeon held him, prayed over him, and spoke of Jesus' future. He spoke of how Jesus would somehow reveal what was in the hearts of many and how a sword would pierce his mother's soul.

"Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.'

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Mary and Joseph were surely confused and greatly concerned by what Simeon had to say. We know that the sword indicated that Mary would endure great suffering and she probably trembled at the thought of what this might mean for the future of her son. Of course, we now know some of what she endured as she witnessed the fate of Jesus. But, what did Simeon mean by his statement about Jesus exposing what was in the hearts of many? And who are the "many" he spoke of?

Jesus said that the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He said that these fruits mark the general character that is reflected in his true followers. Are these the images that people see in those who check the box of Christianity as their chosen faith? If not, what do they witness in Christians? Perceptions of Christians don't seem to align with the fruits that Jesus spoke of: polls indicate close to 90% of non-Christians see Christians as hypocritical and judgmental (interestingly, seventy-five percent believe Christians are too involved in politics). How can this be if we claim to be followers of the ultimate giver of hope to others?

In the bible, Jesus can often be found speaking many words of hope to those who many considered not worthy of receiving encouragement: a woman caught in adultery, the Samaritan woman who had been divorced several times, prostitutes, tax collectors, convicted thieves, and so on. Conversely, he can also be heard scorning the hypocritical ways of the religious elite or the misaligned priorities of the wealthy and powerful. Preaching at the synagogues, stopping by the temple, walking in the markets, visiting people's homes, attending parties and wedding banquets, Jesus was shining light on some interesting topics; topics that undoubtedly made those in power uncomfortable but, were a relief to those who were powerless. Those in powerful positions, who were used to receiving acclaim, praise and being treated with reverence were deeply challenged by him. He exposed, in their hearts, some of their less than charming characteristics: their want for power, self-centeredness, greed, hypocrisy. He exposed their small and limited world of self; their prison of ego needs.

There were others who were greatly relieved by Jesus' message: those society considered 'unworthy' or 'unclean' or 'sinners'. He exposed what was within their broken hearts as well: humbleness, goodness, and need of God's grace. Those are attributes that are perhaps not as readily seen or maybe not as valued by society as power, status, etc. Jesus was thought of as a threat to those in powerful positions because what he said threatened their status and power. But, he was thought of as a great friend to the 'unworthy' because he gave them hope, love, and acceptance. This was a complete spectacle and a reversal of values that was hard to avoid because the scenes often unfolded in the middle of the public square - for all to see. It got him killed by the powerful and 'religious' but, it got him held in supreme and eternal reverence by the powerless.

Today, Jesus continues to provide hope and he continues to challenge us as well. He does this in a different way because he isn't necessarily standing in the public square. Prior to ascending to heaven, Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit, the great Advocate or Counselor who would come after he was gone. A great advocate who would continue his same mission: “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." This is the same Holy Spirit who continues to challenge and strengthen those who listen and believe...just as Jesus did. He asks the same questions we often don't really want to hear or perhaps those hopeful words that we really need to hear.

Get this: the bible says that, the very same spirit that indwells Jesus is alive and well within each of us; God through his Holy Spirit literally resides in you and me! The bible says that God is still at work revealing what is in our hearts but, he does it a little differently than before: in stillness, in our prayers, in the silence of our souls, through those around us, in the circumstances in our lives, he speaks to us. But, we have to listen to receive him (just like Jesus did, God gives us the option of whether or not to listen). Often, he gives us a message of hope in a moment of desperation. Other times, he may challenge us. It helps to see how we react to both of these messages. Do we submit to this hope and grace available to us when things seem to be in a downward spiral? Do we react through the grasping for power, status, and notoriety when feeling prideful and full of ourselves? Are we fearful that we might lose something in the relationship with Jesus Christ? Do we feel that we may lose control in that relationship with him (are we ever really in control anyway)? Are we afraid to let go of our control or fears because they have become our identity? Or do we respond by letting go of our ego needs and submit to God in faith? Are the fruits of this submission evident in our lives? They will be when we are truly committed in this way.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, God continues to reveal what is in our hearts. In desperation he gives us hope; in self-centeredness he challenges us. When we meditate on the words / character of Jesus and seek to further understand and unite with him, we uncover those areas in our hearts where we are in need of his guidance. When we pray and listen from this position of honesty, unity and need, God will lead us to a more Christ-like condition: one in which the fruits of God are more evident in our lives.

Discovering The Way, The Truth, and The Life - Christ's call for us to be different

The earliest Christians were called "Followers of the Way" which indicated that they not only made a profession of their beliefs but, they lived in a manner that reflected those beliefs. In other words, their daily lives were their testimony of their convictions, which was modeled for them by Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, who authored much of the New Testament, used the term "The Way" as is documented within the book of Acts. Jesus Christ himself not only asked people to believe in him but, to follow him. He did this when he first met those who would be his disciples to indicate how they were to leave their former lives and start anew. He even referred to himself as "the way, the truth, and the life". The Way wasn't merely an evacuation plan into the next life but, also a transformation plan for the current one (I think it was Brian McLaren who said that). The message was/is clear: We are supposed to be different. Distinct from those around us. Not because of what we say but, by how we live.

Much of what Jesus taught is captured in how he lived out Holy Week or the days leading up to his crucifixion on Good Friday. It was a series of events that was the ultimate demonstration of living the Way in service, forgiveness, and self-emptying. There is more but, you get the idea - Jesus was and is the way and he showed us how to live. This means that there are not only lessons, but expectations for his followers packed into the week leading up to Easter and the rest of his life. Jesus was also really clear on the expectations when he said things like: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" or "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.". The other similar directives he gave us, the parables he told, and the stories of him go on and on. They all point to the way.

Generally, the world doesn't love its enemies nor deny itself. This is especially evident in the current political discourse. The following is far too often the case: We are really most concerned about our own opinions and believe that others have little to teach us. The idea of challenging ourselves to think differently escapes us because we are most comfortable with maintaining the status quo and less interested in gaining new perspectives. We insist on being heard rather than listening because we want to educate others on our point of view rather than us having to take the risk of gaining new perspectives. We are quick to label others (i.e. liberal, conservative, democrat, republican, left, right) instead of respecting them and their uniqueness. We command respect but, have little time to show love and respect for others (this is especially true if "the other" lives different, looks different, or believes different than we do). We are more concerned about our own lives than helping or lifting others because it's easier to blame others for their circumstances as this approach alleviates us from responsibility. We insist that others compromise instead of offering ourselves to compromise. We are overwhelmingly more concerned about protecting ourselves and our possessions than in protecting or aiding others. We are quick to anger when we feel that we are being encroached upon instead of being patient and forgiving.

Obviously, these things aren't true for everyone. But, how many of these things could just as easily be said of Christians? We already know that much of society has lost its way because Christians talk about it all the time. We say that God has been taken out of the schools and government, etc. We say that society is declining. But, the truth is that many of today's Christians live largely the same lives as the rest of world. We are not often distinctive in the way we live... not really. Certainly not like those early believers. In fact, It is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish believers from non-believers.

A pastor friend of mine told me the story of his first assignment as a senior pastor of a church. The church was a different denomination than his seminary so, he asked the natural question: "what do you believe?". The answer he received helped convince him that he was making the right decision. They simply answered: "Come see the way we live!". That must've impacted him deeply because he's been a pastor within the same denomination for over 40 years now. He believed then as he believes now: the mark of a Christian is the distinct manner in the way they live their lives. Note: this man and his wife have modeled the way of Christ in ways I can hardly comprehend. They once provided a room in their house for a convicted murderer to help him get back on his feet. They did the same for a pregnant drug addict. These may not be the calling of every Christian but, they provide a beautiful example of transformed hearts and the belief in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Changing the tone of our discourse and how we treat others should be easy by comparison.

Along with our worship, the days leading up to Easter provide a great opportunity to reflect on a life well lived; the life of Christ who modeled the Way and is the Way. This week doesn't need to serve as a measuring stick where we judge ourselves on whether we can live up to the unattainable. We all fall short and understand that we will continue to do so. But, certainly we should challenge ourselves in some manner to be different than the world around us and more like the Christ we follow. Jesus Christ's service, forgiveness, self-emptying and love of enemy offer an excellent place to begin. Let us all pray that, by living the Gospel, we can be seen as a beacon to the world that a different way is possible. Let us encourage others to be different than those around them... but, only by first doing so ourselves. Peace. 

Palm Sunday - God Doesn't Always Tell Us What's Next

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!”, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”, “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”, “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”. Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.~ Mark 11:1-11

When Jesus told his disciples to retrieve the colt of a donkey, they knew what he wanted but they certainly would have had a question about why. I imagine the people who questioned the disciples wondered the same things. It would seem to the be the natural progression of the conversation and my guess is that, by this point, the disciples had figured out that Jesus did not often tell them what was coming next! He seemed to use situations like this to teach his followers to trust him and that things are often not as they appear. So, I try to imagine how they would have answered the question if asked why Jesus wanted the colt. I think they would have answered the question with a shrug and perhaps said something like "You know, he doesn't often tell us what is going to happen next." and went on their way. 

Picture taken during our trip to Israel in 2013 at the traditional site of the donkey colt event.

We often don't know what God is doing next. The mere riding into the city on a donkey was an act of humility by Jesus and was foretold by the prophets. But, the shouting of support from the crowd is probably what the disciples focused on because it was an obvious triumphant move by Jesus. After years of struggle, they had finally arrived at the moment they had all imagined! The throwing of cloaks on the on the ground and the waving of palm branches were all signs of great victory. People finally saw Jesus the way the disciples did: as the Savior, the Messiah, the Son of God (I find it interesting that, after entering, Jesus just turned around and left). Afterward, I'm sure the disciples were wondering what was next but, the gratifying sounds of the crowds surely replayed in their heads and whatever was next had to be good, they thought! They wanted Jesus to show his power and who he really was... it would be an incredible day of reckoning! Not quite. Not yet anyway.  

The disciples didn't see nor suspect that Jesus' next entry into Jerusalem would be described as anything but triumphal. He would be arrested and dragged by soldiers to a tainted trial followed by a brutal beating and execution. Sorry for the blunt language but, I'm just stating the facts. The disciples reacted like we all would when we expect things to go really well then have everything collapse around us. His crucifixion seemed like the end of the road and the ultimate defeat. It wasn't until a few days passed [Easter morning] before they understood that there was indeed a triumph that was greater than the throwing of cloaks on the ground and palm branches being waived (by the way, the crowd that shouted "Hosanna!" was likely many of the same people who shouted "Crucify him!" less than a week later!). We need to understand that God's blessings will very often come to us in ways we can't comprehend, understand, nor foretell. This may be especially true in times of difficulty. How often do we go into situations laid before us expecting success in a way we would define it (perhaps with fanfare, glory and palm branches) then, when when things become troublesome and difficult, we start to have questions? We often wonder why God sometimes chooses this topsy turvy path because we don't understand the meaning of our journey. Easy paths and accolades feel nice because they fit into our definition of what we think we want or need. But, these things can pale in comparison to the what God ultimately delivers when we simply follow him in faith without having to know what is next.  

Rejoice heart and soul, daughter of Zion! Shout for joy, daughter of Jerusalem! Look, your king is approaching, he is vindicated and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.~ Zecheriah 9 (written approximately 500 years before the birth of Christ)