I recently received a marvelous question from one of our members regarding the details of this Holy Saturday. Essentially, the question was why do we not hear more about the day after crucifixion? What was going on?
This dear friend is right in her observation of the silence of this day. With all the drama of recent events leading up to the cross, it seems almost impossible to 'be still and know.' By Saturday, Joseph of Arimathea and the others have completed the task of preparing Jesus' body for burial and have laid him in the tomb located in a nearby garden where he was crucified (John 19:38-42).
As for Jesus, the silence of the gospel writers on this particular day all point to the same important conclusion:
Jesus is dead.
Not just mostly dead, or merely exhausted, or busy healing in recovery.
Jesus is dead.
This is the all important truth which must be conveyed; for there is no victory over death....without death.
Thus, on Holy Saturday, Jesus was dead.
But tomorrow is another story.
Waiting for Sunrise,
Darren
Welcome to the conversation! For as long as our own discipline will allow, I hope to use this resource as a forum for prayer and reflection for the community of Perdido Bay United Methodist Church. We'll be working through Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals as our daily devotional guide. Since we're beginning the journey on Ash Wednesday, the hope is that this will be an additional venue for us to pray together throughout this holy season.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
What's So Good about Good Friday?
As we were reading together through our online Bible Study, the Lectionary passages with many who attend Worship @ The Water, a number of them had some helpful responses to the question above.
"This question was asked to me years ago and I really never understood why it was good until I got more into His Word. Good Friday is good because that is the day Jesus saved me. He knew I wasn't perfect and will never be but he died for my sins so that I may live...I am so thankful for Jesus and the cross and the day He showed the world who He really is." Tiffani
"I believe Good Friday is good, because God saw the goodness in all of us and because of it sent Christ to die for us." Tom
"Good Friday is good because Jesus died for our sins. He paid our debt for eternity. What a glorious day for us!" Jeanine
They are certainly on to the eternal outcome of Good Friday. The difficulty for me comes when I realize Christ dares each of us to carry our own crosses and follow Him. I would much rather trade mine in for a lighter one or one I can put off to the side if it becomes too demanding of my schedule.
Our reading from 1 John 3:16-17 states, "This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear." (MSG)
OUCH! "I made it disappear?" If you were able to attend our Maunday Thursday service last night Darren laid out a powerful testimony in reference to his own struggles with regards to practicing a foot washing faith. John's Gospel tells us that just before our Lord was betrayed and murdered on a cross, He washed the disciples feet. Who does that sort of thing? We serve a God who knows what it means to carry a cross; one that had my name as well as yours on it.
Not sure about your cross but mine continues to turn me towards the lost, broken, messy, hopeless, jacked up children of God in need of that saving grace. Most days I fight to remain blind to what I see and deaf to what I hear when the turn occurs.
What about your cross?
Let us finish what we started and make it to the crucifixion and into the Easter celebration.
With much love for you and yours,
Jeremy
"This question was asked to me years ago and I really never understood why it was good until I got more into His Word. Good Friday is good because that is the day Jesus saved me. He knew I wasn't perfect and will never be but he died for my sins so that I may live...I am so thankful for Jesus and the cross and the day He showed the world who He really is." Tiffani
"I believe Good Friday is good, because God saw the goodness in all of us and because of it sent Christ to die for us." Tom
"Good Friday is good because Jesus died for our sins. He paid our debt for eternity. What a glorious day for us!" Jeanine
They are certainly on to the eternal outcome of Good Friday. The difficulty for me comes when I realize Christ dares each of us to carry our own crosses and follow Him. I would much rather trade mine in for a lighter one or one I can put off to the side if it becomes too demanding of my schedule.
Our reading from 1 John 3:16-17 states, "This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear." (MSG)
OUCH! "I made it disappear?" If you were able to attend our Maunday Thursday service last night Darren laid out a powerful testimony in reference to his own struggles with regards to practicing a foot washing faith. John's Gospel tells us that just before our Lord was betrayed and murdered on a cross, He washed the disciples feet. Who does that sort of thing? We serve a God who knows what it means to carry a cross; one that had my name as well as yours on it.
Not sure about your cross but mine continues to turn me towards the lost, broken, messy, hopeless, jacked up children of God in need of that saving grace. Most days I fight to remain blind to what I see and deaf to what I hear when the turn occurs.
What about your cross?
Let us finish what we started and make it to the crucifixion and into the Easter celebration.
With much love for you and yours,
Jeremy
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Truth Telling a Step Closer
"And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him."
Possibly one of the most healing scenes between brothers is found in our reading of Genesis 45:1-15. After a good ole country butt kicking from his brothers, Joseph was then sold into slavery. Throuhgout his difficult sojourn God's hand was upon him guiding his steps with grace and truth.
From the pit of brutality he arose to a high peak of power and prestige. In the previous chapters we read through the episodes where Joseph was beginning to enjoy the revenge practice but God had other plans and his taunting begins to transform into truth telling. We read how he is unable to hold back the flood gates and all of his hurt gushes forth. He takes off the mask and reveals himself to his brothers.
I can only imagine how life changing that was for everyone in the room and the adjoining rooms to witness and hear the power of truth being unleashed. All consuming I suspect.
As we attempt to carry our crosses and follow Christ to that point of no return, what are the masks you need to take off in order for His truth to usher forth?
How healing and holy that moment will be...
Let your guard down and all the Holy Spirit to speak the truth always!
Very close now,
Jeremy
Possibly one of the most healing scenes between brothers is found in our reading of Genesis 45:1-15. After a good ole country butt kicking from his brothers, Joseph was then sold into slavery. Throuhgout his difficult sojourn God's hand was upon him guiding his steps with grace and truth.
From the pit of brutality he arose to a high peak of power and prestige. In the previous chapters we read through the episodes where Joseph was beginning to enjoy the revenge practice but God had other plans and his taunting begins to transform into truth telling. We read how he is unable to hold back the flood gates and all of his hurt gushes forth. He takes off the mask and reveals himself to his brothers.
I can only imagine how life changing that was for everyone in the room and the adjoining rooms to witness and hear the power of truth being unleashed. All consuming I suspect.
As we attempt to carry our crosses and follow Christ to that point of no return, what are the masks you need to take off in order for His truth to usher forth?
How healing and holy that moment will be...
Let your guard down and all the Holy Spirit to speak the truth always!
Very close now,
Jeremy
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
The Right Words for the Occasion
The right words can escape us.
How often I have looked back on a conversation or situation and thought, "what I should have said was..." or "why didn't I think of that?" When I read the gospel accounts, however, I am always in awe of the One who never seems to have that problem. Whether it be a matter of dispute or despair, Jesus always knows what to say. As we might expect, the Word has a way with words.
Although no less amazing, a closer reading of scripture gives us great clues as to the preferred source material of Jesus' wisdom and witness. For instance, when he was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, he refuted his adversary with a word from Deuteronomy 8. When agonizing under the weight of sin on the cross, the word of lament was from Psalm 22. These are just two examples (which are particularly relevant for this Holy Week).
The reading for Tuesday of this week provide further nourishment for our contemplative imaginations (p. 210). In case Jesus was not sure how to prayerfully articulate that which was unfolding before him, the words are right there: my enemies are talking against me, and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together. They say, "God has forsaken him. Go after him and seize him..." ( Psalm71:10-11).
And yet, in spite of the conceivably grim prospect of the cross, God has already provided a word of appropriate assurance and direction for Jesus through the mouth of his prophet some generations earlier: You are my servant...in whom I will be glorified...I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth (Isaiah 49:3,6).
Though this is the commission for all God's people, it takes Jesus to come and show us how it is to be done. For those who would doubt, this is the week that we are faced with the reality that Jesus is more than just a smooth talker; indeed he is a doer as well, in a manner we rarely considered, both then and now.
How right is this Word, to raise up, restore, and to redeem!
Why didn't I think of that? Oh, good point. Now I remember....
Sin-sick and Tongue-tied,
Darren
How often I have looked back on a conversation or situation and thought, "what I should have said was..." or "why didn't I think of that?" When I read the gospel accounts, however, I am always in awe of the One who never seems to have that problem. Whether it be a matter of dispute or despair, Jesus always knows what to say. As we might expect, the Word has a way with words.
Although no less amazing, a closer reading of scripture gives us great clues as to the preferred source material of Jesus' wisdom and witness. For instance, when he was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, he refuted his adversary with a word from Deuteronomy 8. When agonizing under the weight of sin on the cross, the word of lament was from Psalm 22. These are just two examples (which are particularly relevant for this Holy Week).
The reading for Tuesday of this week provide further nourishment for our contemplative imaginations (p. 210). In case Jesus was not sure how to prayerfully articulate that which was unfolding before him, the words are right there: my enemies are talking against me, and those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together. They say, "God has forsaken him. Go after him and seize him..." ( Psalm71:10-11).
And yet, in spite of the conceivably grim prospect of the cross, God has already provided a word of appropriate assurance and direction for Jesus through the mouth of his prophet some generations earlier: You are my servant...in whom I will be glorified...I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth (Isaiah 49:3,6).
Though this is the commission for all God's people, it takes Jesus to come and show us how it is to be done. For those who would doubt, this is the week that we are faced with the reality that Jesus is more than just a smooth talker; indeed he is a doer as well, in a manner we rarely considered, both then and now.
How right is this Word, to raise up, restore, and to redeem!
Why didn't I think of that? Oh, good point. Now I remember....
Sin-sick and Tongue-tied,
Darren
Monday, April 2, 2012
Why Do We Do That?
We were having another one of those come to Jesus Family talks the other night. With teenagers it seems these meetings are a bit more frequent. We want to create a sanctuary in which we can be open and transparent with one another in our life together. Elissa and I will begin with praise for what is going well and then into the dirty realm of sin...those traits coming out that are destructive, hurtful, and unhealthy. After we share they have an opportunity to discuss what they observe in us. This is the hard part because I always come away from those sessions upset by lack of being a great father..."Why do I continue to do that?"
This week is the most Holy Week in all of Christendom. A week when we need to simply claim our lives as a mess, works in progress, not there yet. Lives like Pharaoh who continue to go back into the pool of sin and hatred even at the cost of his loved ones. So troubling to ponder how as a leader of millions he could be so stupid to pursue them after all the plagues. I have many of his traits, hopefully this will be the Good Friday to give them over to death on His Cross.
1 John is a brilliant anectdote to the question raised about our actions, "I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an adocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." (2:1-2)
Indeed sin is still very present within, but how healing it is to know Christ has paid the price.
I pray for a consistency in which he is not paying on a regular basis...
What about you...are you closer to His image in your daily walk?
Heading to Golgotha,
Jeremy
This week is the most Holy Week in all of Christendom. A week when we need to simply claim our lives as a mess, works in progress, not there yet. Lives like Pharaoh who continue to go back into the pool of sin and hatred even at the cost of his loved ones. So troubling to ponder how as a leader of millions he could be so stupid to pursue them after all the plagues. I have many of his traits, hopefully this will be the Good Friday to give them over to death on His Cross.
1 John is a brilliant anectdote to the question raised about our actions, "I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an adocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world." (2:1-2)
Indeed sin is still very present within, but how healing it is to know Christ has paid the price.
I pray for a consistency in which he is not paying on a regular basis...
What about you...are you closer to His image in your daily walk?
Heading to Golgotha,
Jeremy
Saturday, March 31, 2012
On the Way
What do you want from Jesus?
In the last few chapters of Mark's Gospel, the disciples have been asking Jesus for all sorts of things, most of which will contribute to their own sense of greatness or personal glory (9:34, 38, 10:37, 41). It is one of the great ironies of Mark that those who are with Jesus the most seem to understand him the least. Through various fits of envy and ambition, the disciples prove that they just don't get it.
Then there is the case of good old Bartimaeus. He only asks for one thing, which is to see. There is no telling how long Bartimaeus had been waiting for Jesus to come around. Once he finally heard him, he would not be denied. His request is rather humble, however, compared to the others Jesus had received from his so-called "followers." Curiously enough, Jesus said to him, "go; your faith has made you well."
In a powerful declaration, the gospel reveals the way in which Bartimaeus' spiritual sight results in the restoration of his physical sight. And after receiving just what he wanted from Jesus, what does he do? We might have run off in delight to see the world; but not Bartimaeus. He follows Jesus to Jerusalem, the eventual place of his crucifixion. In Mark's description, he is "on the way."
What do you want from Jesus? What would you do if you got it?
How far would you follow?
On the way,
Darren
In the last few chapters of Mark's Gospel, the disciples have been asking Jesus for all sorts of things, most of which will contribute to their own sense of greatness or personal glory (9:34, 38, 10:37, 41). It is one of the great ironies of Mark that those who are with Jesus the most seem to understand him the least. Through various fits of envy and ambition, the disciples prove that they just don't get it.
Then there is the case of good old Bartimaeus. He only asks for one thing, which is to see. There is no telling how long Bartimaeus had been waiting for Jesus to come around. Once he finally heard him, he would not be denied. His request is rather humble, however, compared to the others Jesus had received from his so-called "followers." Curiously enough, Jesus said to him, "go; your faith has made you well."
In a powerful declaration, the gospel reveals the way in which Bartimaeus' spiritual sight results in the restoration of his physical sight. And after receiving just what he wanted from Jesus, what does he do? We might have run off in delight to see the world; but not Bartimaeus. He follows Jesus to Jerusalem, the eventual place of his crucifixion. In Mark's description, he is "on the way."
What do you want from Jesus? What would you do if you got it?
How far would you follow?
On the way,
Darren
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Altars everywhere we spend time...
How much experience have you had with altars? For most not so much. The thought of standing behind that ominous structure where a preacher goes once a week is beyond intimidating. Most would rather die than step up before a live audience to speak, especially when they are discusing God.
I love Pierre Teilhard de Chardin's take, "I, your priest, will make the whole earth my altar and on it will offer you all the labors and suffering of the world." Juxtapose this with Mark's account of the rich man's encounter with Christ and we are truly on to something.
The rich man wanted Jesus to give him the simple black and white ticket into heaven. "What does it take to inherit eternal life," he asks. After Jesus goes over the list central to living out our faith, he applauds his faith. All the while our Lord knew what was hindering his life from being truly free. His worship had shifted from a God altar to that of a material things altar.
What would it look like if we set up altars in those places we spend the most time. These do not have to be physical places endowed with candles, Bibles, and kneelers. They could simply be a place we enter into and realize we are standing on Holy ground. A place where we are intentional to claim His presence there with us. Altars in your kitchen, garage, office, neighbors house, local homeless shelter...If we establish them He meets us there!
Blessings,
Jeremy
I love Pierre Teilhard de Chardin's take, "I, your priest, will make the whole earth my altar and on it will offer you all the labors and suffering of the world." Juxtapose this with Mark's account of the rich man's encounter with Christ and we are truly on to something.
The rich man wanted Jesus to give him the simple black and white ticket into heaven. "What does it take to inherit eternal life," he asks. After Jesus goes over the list central to living out our faith, he applauds his faith. All the while our Lord knew what was hindering his life from being truly free. His worship had shifted from a God altar to that of a material things altar.
What would it look like if we set up altars in those places we spend the most time. These do not have to be physical places endowed with candles, Bibles, and kneelers. They could simply be a place we enter into and realize we are standing on Holy ground. A place where we are intentional to claim His presence there with us. Altars in your kitchen, garage, office, neighbors house, local homeless shelter...If we establish them He meets us there!
Blessings,
Jeremy
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