Month: January 2023

Acts 21:10-13 Phillips  During our stay there of several days a prophet by the name of Agabus came down from Judea. When he came to see us he took Paul’s girdle and used it to tie his own hands and feet together, saying, “The Holy Spirit says this: the man to whom this girdle belongs will be bound like this by the Jews in Jerusalem and handed over to the Gentiles!”  ^12-13 When we heard him say this, we and the people there begged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered us, “What do you mean by unnerving me with all your tears? I am perfectly prepared not only to be bound but to die in Jerusalem for the sake of the name of the Lord Jesus.”  ¹⁴ Since he could not be dissuaded all we could do was to say, “May the Lord’s will be done,” and hold our tongues.

Hebrews 12:1-3 Phillips  Surrounded then as we are by these serried ranks of witnesses, let us strip off everything that hinders us, as well as the sin which dogs our feet, and let us run the race that we have to run with patience, our eyes fixed on Jesus the source and the goal of our faith. For he himself endured a cross and thought nothing of its shame because of the joy he knew would follow his suffering; and he is now seated at the right hand of God’s throne. Think constantly of him enduring all that sinful men could say against him and you will not lose your purpose or your courage.

Observation

I hear in these verses an echo of Jesus words, “Get thee behind me, Satan!”  Neither Paul nor Jesus looked forward to the suffering and persecution they would endure.  They both looked past it to God’s result, fully trusting that whatever they suffered would produce redemption, restoration, and deliverance for others as they submitted to God’s will and purpose, focusing on the “joy he knew would follow his suffering.” They embraced the path God placed before them because of their love and gratitude for, their commitment to, and their absolute trust in His unconditional love.  How did they have the courage to choose the path of pain, rejection and suffering?

Both Jesus and Paul gave a great deal of time to fellowship with God, praying much and relying on the Word of God to strengthen and encourage them.  The investment of time and these practices nurtured a deep and intimate relationship between these men and God.  Jesus came and died as a man, the only man who could pay for all our sin, but also to demonstrate what is possible for us if we choose to invest in that relationship the same way as He did on this earth.  This is an example to us of how we humans can develop that same intimate fellowship, the same certainty that we have heard correctly despite what those around us say, and the courage to obey regardless of the cost to ourselves.

Impact on Me

When I was young, I would read the Lives of the Saints.  I would marvel at the courage, commitment and love of the martyrs, those who chose to remain faithful to God even unto death.  I could not imagine how one did it.  I knew I didn’t have the character and faith to do the same.  I prayed that, if ever the time came to make that kind of choice, God would give me the strength to be faithful.

Now that I have an adult relationship with and understanding of God, one that is deeper and more intimate, one positioned in Christ, I can imagine that He is able to provide the strength to endure whatever difficulty or persecution might come.  My choice will be to say, “Yes,” and, when it comes, to continue in that “yes” to:

• humbly obey, choosing to trust Him when I feel like what is happening is unfair and undeserved or unbearable,
• choosing to praise Him rather than complain or congratulate myself for being so “obedient”
• choosing to allow Jesus to be seen despite my whiney flesh. 

My submission to His will be reflected in how I represent Christ in all circumstances – how I allow His light to shine through me even in persecution – how I respond according to His word rather than according to my flesh.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, Redeemer, Creator, One with the Father, I desire to submit fully to Your will and purpose for my life.  May I be faithful and remember in difficult or upsetting times to “Think constantly of him enduring all that sinful men could say against him and you will not lose your purpose or your courage.”   Even if You call me to be the doormat into your house, may I find contentment in obedience if trodding on me brings them to the knowledge of You.  Give me insight and wisdom so that my flesh will listen to my spirit urging me to respond in all circumstances according to Your word.  Help me to love and appreciate all Your people (whether I like them or not) because they are all on this journey with me for Your kingdom’s sake.  Amen.

Mark 14:3-9 Phillips Jesus himself was now in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper. As he was sitting at table, a woman approached him with an alabaster flask of very costly spikenard perfume. She broke the neck of the flask and poured the perfume on Jesus’ head. Some of those present were highly indignant and muttered, “What is the point of such wicked waste of perfume? It could have been sold for over thirty pounds and the money could have been given to the poor.” And there was a murmur of resentment against her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone, why must you make her feel uncomfortable? She has done a beautiful thing for me. You have the poor with you always and you can do good to them whenever you like, but you will not always have me. She has done all she could—for she has anointed my body in preparation for burial. I assure you that wherever the Gospel is preached throughout the whole world, this deed of hers will also be recounted, as her memorial to me.”

Observation

We are just a few days before the crucifixion.  The religious leaders are actively plotting to murder Jesus because He is breaking the rules.  He is not breaking the Law of Moses, but He is challenging the mountain of man-made rules that have created an insurmountable barrier to Heaven for the poor and afflicted.  Jesus’ teaching threatens both the status pedestal of the Pharisees and the Temple profits of the Sadducees.  He must go!

So, we find Jesus at a friend’s house sitting at table.  All of a sudden, a woman (never identified) comes up to anoint Him with some very expensive perfumed oil.  It is interesting to me that this caused such indignation and resentment.  The perfume was hers to give and use as she wished.  Because of Jesus’ response – “She has done a beautiful thing for me.” – He recognized the act as worth the cost.  Was Jesus pointing the finger back at the accusers to have them examine how much they spent on luxury rather than the poor?  Was He again making a point about seeking God’s perspective rather than jumping to criticism or conclusions (trying to prepare them for the shock of the Cross)?  Was He again trying to express that following Him could be costly?

Impact on Me

He is in the home of Simon “the leper” (presumably healed by Jesus or no one would come to his home).  We don’t know who else is there, but can assume that at least His disciples are present.  However, I note that neither the woman nor the accusers are identified by name.  In doing so, the Gospel writer leaves it open to be any one of his time or ours.  Would I be the woman pouring out my very best to worship Him or be one who is jealous or critical of someone else’s worship?

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven” [Matthew 5:16].  Because she is nameless, she allows all the glory, all the praise, all the credit, to go to God – where it belongs.  As a vessel or instrument, I can provide an invaluable and irreplaceable contribution, but I am neither responsible for the plan or the results nor will I always understand how my simple obedience may fulfill His will and purpose.  A guitar does not write the music but allows for it to be heard.  It is the fingers and skill of the musician that makes the notes sing.  I want to be an instrument in the Redeemer’s hand.

Prayer

Lord God, My Redeemer, The Lamb of God, I humbly submit to follow You even when I am confused and confounded.  I want to do that “beautiful thing.” Lord, let Your light so shine that only You are remembered when the testimonies are shared.  I want Jesus to be what is remembered when people think of me.  I want my memorial to be not a list of accomplishments but rather that Jesus was evident in all I did.  I want others to know that Jesus is in my hugs.  I want them to remember that Jesus met them and forget who spoke or what was done by me.  When someone is lost in the dark, they don’t care whether the light comes as a lantern or a candle or a searchlight.  They are just grateful for the rescue.  Make it so, in Jesus’ name.

Philippians 1:18b-26 JB Phillips  Yes, and I shall go on being very happy, for I know that what is happening will be for the good of my own soul, thanks to your prayers and the resources of the spirit of Jesus Christ. It all accords with my own earnest wishes and hopes, which are that I should never be in any way ashamed, but that now, as always, I should honour Christ with the utmost boldness by the way I live, whether that means I am to face death or to go on living. For living to me means simply “Christ”, and if I die I should merely gain more of him. I realise, of course, that the work which I have started may make it necessary for me to go on living in this world, I should find it very hard to make a choice. I am torn in two directions—on the one hand I long to leave this world and live with Christ, and that is obviously the best thing for me. Yet, on the other hand, it is probably more necessary for you that I should stay here on earth. That is why I feel pretty well convinced that I shall not leave this world yet, but shall be able to stand by you, to help you forward in Christian living and to find increasing joy in your faith. So you can look forward to making much of me as your minister in Christ when I come to see you again!

Ephesians 6:19-20 NIV Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Observation

Paul really trusted God with his life and knew that God’s plans weren’t always going to lead him into what we might consider desirable places.  Paul had a different perspective about life and death.  No matter where Paul found himself – abased or abounding, living or dying for the Gospel – he knew that he could be used to fulfill God’s plan, His will and purpose to redeem mankind.  Paul was willing to allow God to put the price tag on Paul’s contribution. 

Being human, Paul did pray that his courage would not fail as the costs escalated.  I often wondered what happened to revolutionize the lives of the 11 who actually walked with Jesus.  How were they transformed from fear to this same faith, from hiding out to becoming martyrs of the faith?  When the rubber hit the road, they abandoned Him in the Garden, denied knowing Him, stood far off at His crucifixion and even went back to fishing – until they saw Jesus alive and were filled with the Holy Spirit.  We have access to this same courageous way of living as we allow Jesus to be that author and finisher of our faith, the Holy Spirit to lead, renew and empower us.  

Impact on Me

As a young person, I read the Lives of the Saints and marveled at the faith of the many martyrs.  Then, I was sure that I would have been as cowardly as the Apostles who ran away from the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was arrested rather than risk imprisonment and whatever other consequences might arise.   I might have been Peter denying Him or His followers who watched His death on the Cross from far off, not even willing to stand by when He was dying.  Then, I would recognize that most of these eventually died as martyrs for the faith.  What had changed?   It was the presence of the Risen Christ Jesus and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit vibrating with life within them so that, like Paul, Heaven and its agenda was more real and desirable than this life.

So these questions remain for me.  Am I willing to allow God to write the price tag for me?  Am I willing to be spent for the sake of the Gospel and those God has counted worth my cost?  Am I willing to be broken and spilled out as an act of worship because I eagerly expect and hope that my efforts will bring glory to God?  Can I grow in faith to respond to difficulties, conflict and painful circumstances in the same way as Paul did?  When I pray for that same courage, will I be sincere and allow it to flow in and through me to exalt Christ regardless of the cost to me?  Can I really be committed to Heaven’s agenda over all else?

Prayer

Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, You are worthy of praise, honor and glory.  I struggle with what the cost might be to fully represent You and pray with Paul for the courage to fearlessly declare the truth that will change the location of eternity for those who do not yet know what it is to be surrendered and embraced by You.  I do not want to stand politely and quietly by as those who are deceived by this world and the devil tread the pathway to Hell.  May I always share the Gospel in love, not condemning or shaming others but rather allowing Your love, grace and peace to break through and draw them to You as I was drawn.  Make it so, in Jesus’ name.