Two Thieves

I recently shared the impact this Easter was having on me and described it as struggling with emotion; but in a good way I think. I keep getting drawn to certain passages related to the week leading up to the crucifixion, the crucifixion itself and the great hope provided by the resurrection. I love it when this happens as this is usually a period of growth for me. Recently, I have been drawn to Luke 23:32-43.

32Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." 36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." 38There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[b]"

43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

I have read this passage, read it again, studied commentaries and a couple of sermons on this passage, yet I kept getting the feeling there was a little more. The feeling that there was something underlying it all and I have come to see something challenging; something convicting, perhaps something for us all.

I focus on Christ and the two thieves crucified with Him. I focus on the Word, what is being said and how it is being said and I came to realize that I too am one of the thieves. Aren’t we all? And the great question; the great challenge (at least for me) is which thief will I (we) be? Will it be the one hurling insults, railing against God and demanding of Christ; prove who you are by saving me. Or will I (we) be the thief with a humble heart that recognizes his own brokenness, acknowledges Christ as his Lord and pleas with all his heart to be remembered in his Savior’s Kingdom?

For me this will be a lifelong challenge, but think of the reward. You know there is great hope and these thieves show us the way. While these thieves may show us the way don’t focus on the thieves. Don’t focus on the cross to the left or the right, but focus on the cross in the center; the Cross of Christ.

One day, may we be with Christ in Paradise for all eternity…wow!

Grace and Peace!

An Easter Prayer

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

We humbly come before you this day praising you for all things. We praise you for your love, your strength, your sovereignty, your grace and we praise you for your Son; Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

This special day; Resurrection Sunday we humble ourselves and confess our brokenness, our many failures which make your sacrifice even more amazing.

Lord, this day we remember your word from John 16;

33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."’

Christ, we rejoice that you have overcome the world and that because of your atoning sacrifice we might have eternal peace and life and hope through you our savior.

Father, as we celebrate resurrection Sunday let us reflect upon the events and circumstances that faced our Savior during this most Holy week; a triumphant entry, the persecution, the plotting, the betrayal, a washing of the feet, a supper together, prayer, a soul overwhelmed with sorrow, torture, pain, denials, the separation. All done for each of us; your children.

God, we pray for Christians around the world facing trials of many kinds that you would strengthen, encourage, provide and comfort. We pray for your church that it will be an ever expanding, attracting light of hope and love. We pray for the beautiful feet of the missionaries bringing the good news to those in need.

We pray for this nation as it faces economic crisis, moral dilemmas, and threats of many kinds, that we will be a nation that turns to You for all things, that You will grant this nation wisdom, relief, hope, and love.

We pray for believers with their many needs, we pray for relief from economic suffering, we pray for healing from all ailments, we pray for guidance for the lost and love for the lonely. We pray for our Church leaders, our pastors, all ministry leaders and their families that they might be encouraged and strengthened.

Father, this special day I pray for each of us that we might remember the sacrifice and the events of this Holy week, that we might overcome our issues, troubles, and doubts and confidently proclaim as the apostle Thomas did; My Lord and God.

Father, mostly we pray that you would be glorified and your will be done. We pray these many things in Jesus most Holy name. Amen!

The Emotion of Denial

This year as Easter approaches I am feeling many emotions; some might say struggling with emotion. As such, I think it is quite fitting and amazing that our business after-hours Bible Study was covering John 18 and just this week we focused on the denial of Christ by Peter. As we dug deep, we cross referenced over to Luke 22:54-62 and something stuck us. We saw something we had never seen before (revealed?). We were all struck by the emotion of the denial; both the emotion of Christ and Peter. In the passage you must look close. As we read in Luke;

54Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." 57But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. 58A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. 59About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." 60Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." 62And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Did you see it? It’s there in verses 61 and 62. After being seized and led to the high priest’s house for interrogation and persecution and after Peter denies Christ three times the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Can you feel the emotion of this event, can you imagine the hurt, the sorrow, the remorse, and yes the love.

In his commentary on this verse Hendriksen says; “when Peter heard the crowing of the rooster, and saw Jesus looking at him with eyes full of pain, yet also of pardon, his memory of Christ’s warning prediction was suddenly awakened.”
Then in verse 62 we see Peter’s emotion just explode as he moves outside and weeps bitterly. Hendriksen continues his explanation; “Peter goes out and weeps as only he can weep: bitterly, profusely, sorrowfully, his heart being filled with genuine regret for what he has done.”

I know this short blog can’t do this justice, but can you begin to feel the emotion of this denial. We can see that Peter weeps because he let Jesus down and by his denial he has added to the pain and suffering of Christ. But wait; don’t we all do the same thing? Don’t we deny in our thoughts, actions and deeds? Don’t we deny every time we slip and as such shouldn’t we all weep with sorrow and remorse.

But, there is good news as we see through Peter’s example; by grace we are forgiven, by grace we are saved! So, every time we deny, let’s remember that Christ; full of love and grace it looking straight at us! As we like Peter are suddenly awakened, may we weep, may we cry out for the amazing grace of our Lord and Savior; Jesus Christ!

Grace and Peace

Press On

Frustrated? Tired? Ever just want to give up on your spiritual journey? You know it might be so much easier to just give in and conform to the patterns of the world. Life; our walk can be a real struggle, but what should we do. I say we have an answer in two words; press on.

I can remember watching a marathon on “Wide World of Sports” (which reveals a little about my age) and during this race all had finished except for one competitor. Finally, this competitor comes stumbling in the stadium completely spent, dangerously dehydrated and a little delirious. He falls down, but somehow picks himself up and presses on; just a little further. He finishes the race. I will always have that image with me as it was one of the most courageous acts I had ever witnessed.

That race can be an encouragement for us as we pursue holiness, as we continue on our spiritual journey. There will be times when it would be easier to stop; to give up. I have hit this point, the point of breaking, but suddenly by some means of grace I am uplifted. It may be during some beautiful sign of nature, a song, studying the Word, or a time of prayer, but suddenly I feel reenergized and emotions spill out; joy, tears, comfort. I get my second wind (for those runners out there) and I press on.

Paul shows us this in Philippians 3;

12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

So whenever we get down, tired, overwhelmed; may we all by some means of grace press on, running toward the arms of Christ. Press on everyone!

Grace and Peace!