I hate allergies. In fact, I loath them. Several years ago, I began developing seasonal allergies. They typically begin in Spring and last to early Summer. Being the outdoors person that I am, one can see my frustration over them. My favorite season of the year is Spring followed closely by Summer. My two favorite seasons and they are the time of the year that I feel the worst. Sometimes my allergies can become so bad that its a wonder I still enjoy these seasons at all. Yet at the very same time, the temperature outside is perfect, the sun is shining, and the woods are being renewing with vibrant colors. How could I possibly allow these allergies to keep me from that?
The other day I was talking with a friend who is dealing with a new season of life where he is becoming the caretaker for his mother. The new challenges that he's facing and the difficulties that he is sure to encounter are daunting. Many have filled those same shoes before and found it to be the hardest and most painful season of life. I started thinking about that and began wondering what would happen if we began seeing those things like allergies during the greatest seasons of our lives? Would we begin to see them not as awful circumstances, but rather indications of a new and wonderful season? I know it sounds too easy and probably is, but then I think back to the disciples of Christ in Acts. It would be hard to argue against the fact that that their greatest season of life came after Pentecost, where they saw the church grow in great numbers. Where miracles happened and faith spread. Yet in Acts 5:40-41, it says that the apostles were beaten and charged not to speak about Jesus, then they left, "rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name." Their greatest season of life was marked with some of the greatest oppression of their life. Instead of allowing that oppression to hinder them, they began to see it entirely differently, they began to see it as part of their glory.
It has often been said that in heaven our sufferings for Christ will be our glories in heaven. Jesus showed us that that is not just a future reality, but a present one. When Jesus showed his scars to Thomas, Thomas responded to him by saying, "My Lord and my God!" You can feel the conviction in Thomas's heart and the you know that Thomas finally gets it. Jesus' scars were part of his glory. James says something about this too when he says, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Our greatest seasons in life are often marked by the greatest challenges in our lives.
I write this today knowing of many who are going through difficult times. Some are jobless or looking for a new job. Some are struggling to find their place in the world, while others are dealing with family issues that are deep and painful. I know of others who, due to circumstances beyond their control, have been forced to move back in with their parents. I, myself, am not in a particularly easy season of life and many circumstances are not the way I would have them. Yet through it all, I wonder if maybe we should begin to see our difficult circumstances as indicators of what could potentially be a great season in life. Maybe these are simply the allergies that serve to indicate the time to enjoy all that God is doing in the world. As I write this, I know it sounds overly optimistic and even foolish, yet I can't help but think that Jesus wants us to have an abundant life, where even our struggles and pain lead to amazing and wonderful experiences. May we enjoy the difficult seasons of life, sniffles and all.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Sent to send away
Lately, I've been struggling with this idea of forgiveness. With the recent attacks in Boston, I've been moved to ask, "How can we forgive? And what does that look like?" I don't know about you, but forgiveness is one of the hardest things I'm called to do as a Christian. I'm often not even sure what it looks like. I often hear the platitude "Forgive and forget" all the time, but that seems entirely unhelpful when you're in the moment and need to forgive. It seems that there is even difficulty understanding what forgiveness is and what it includes. The Greek word used for forgiveness has helped me understand forgiveness in a light. The word in the Greek is ἀφίημι which translated literally means "to send away." Whenever Jesus uses it to express his forgiveness he is saying that he has sent away their sins from them. Their sins are no longer a part of them. Meditate on that for a second. The prostitutes that he drank with and the tax collectors that he ate with were entrenched in sin. Yet Jesus went on to forgive and in so doing he sent away their sins. When Jesus asks us to forgive he asks us to do the same that he did with others. Deep within us, we know that we are meant to follow after him, but certainly there are few, if any, more difficult things to do than to love our enemies and forgive them.
In trying to find compassion for my enemies, I was drawn to the passage of the master and the two servants. One day the master calls in one of his servants. This servant has borrowed from the master a large fortune and the master has called to collect. After pleading with the master for mercy, the master decides to forgive the debt. The same servant then leaves and finds another servant who owes him a small amount of money. In the exchange the forgiven servant withholds forgiveness for the one that owes him money and throws him in jail. I was moved by this, because this is what we do every time we fail to forgive. You see, somehow we often try to say that Jesus forgave those who were torturing him. We forget that Jesus was tortured for the sins of the world and it was my sins that held him on the cross. Jesus forgave me, sending away my sins away from me. How then can I withhold my forgivness when I have been forgiven so much? As I meditated on this a bit more, I realized that through a deeper understanding of the debt that I owed and the great act of mercy and grace that has been done for me I can find compassion in that place for my enemies.
The apostle Paul once called himself the chief of sinners and yet he modeled Christ to the point where he was able to say, "Imitate me as I imitate Christ." I think Paul realized that the key to forgiveness and compassion is to see ourselves as truly forgiven and to constantly recall that fact. We must remember who we were as prodigal sons and experience and understand the reality of God's love for us. By holding the two in sight we realize that we are entitled to nothing and have been given everything. So if this is true in our lives, should we not then extend that love to others? It is through our compassion for one another and for the world that they will know we are followers of Christ. We have been commissioned and sent by God for a specific purpose. Our sins have been sent away from us in order that we might participate in God's work of sending away the sins of the world. May we never forget how far Christ descended in order to raise us to life.
In trying to find compassion for my enemies, I was drawn to the passage of the master and the two servants. One day the master calls in one of his servants. This servant has borrowed from the master a large fortune and the master has called to collect. After pleading with the master for mercy, the master decides to forgive the debt. The same servant then leaves and finds another servant who owes him a small amount of money. In the exchange the forgiven servant withholds forgiveness for the one that owes him money and throws him in jail. I was moved by this, because this is what we do every time we fail to forgive. You see, somehow we often try to say that Jesus forgave those who were torturing him. We forget that Jesus was tortured for the sins of the world and it was my sins that held him on the cross. Jesus forgave me, sending away my sins away from me. How then can I withhold my forgivness when I have been forgiven so much? As I meditated on this a bit more, I realized that through a deeper understanding of the debt that I owed and the great act of mercy and grace that has been done for me I can find compassion in that place for my enemies.
The apostle Paul once called himself the chief of sinners and yet he modeled Christ to the point where he was able to say, "Imitate me as I imitate Christ." I think Paul realized that the key to forgiveness and compassion is to see ourselves as truly forgiven and to constantly recall that fact. We must remember who we were as prodigal sons and experience and understand the reality of God's love for us. By holding the two in sight we realize that we are entitled to nothing and have been given everything. So if this is true in our lives, should we not then extend that love to others? It is through our compassion for one another and for the world that they will know we are followers of Christ. We have been commissioned and sent by God for a specific purpose. Our sins have been sent away from us in order that we might participate in God's work of sending away the sins of the world. May we never forget how far Christ descended in order to raise us to life.
My rendition of Rembrant's Return of the Prodigal Son
Sunday, March 31, 2013
The Risen Gardener
Yesterday, I wrote about the perspective of the disciples on Good Friday. They were in a state of grief and deep disappointment as they watched their teacher, friend and master crucified and slain to the mocking and ridicule of onlookers. Their hopes were dashed in an instant. Jesus was not who they expected. We often share in that same disappointment. Sometimes we think God is going to handle a situation a certain way and when he doesn't we're disappointed. Perhaps its the death of a loved one or a bitter divorce. Maybe its in the midst of raising a rebellious teenager or the loss of a job. We become disappointed and think that Jesus isn't who we expected him to be. We wait, just as the disciples did on that Saturday, without hope, in disbelief, and anger. But then we slowly begin to hear the soft melody of a song. The chorus begins to play in our hearts, "Oh death, where is your sting. Oh Hell, where is your victory." Its the beginning of hope as it rises within us. Something new is happening.
That first Easter morning when Mary went to the tomb, she was startled when she found it empty. She assumed that they had taken Jesus' body somewhere and even told the angels that appeared to her that that was the case. Her grief over Jesus was palpable in this moment. In the midst of her weeping she sees a man who she takes to be a gardener. Indeed, the man is a gardener, but again not the gardener we expect. He is the Risen Gardener. He is the one who will make all things new. Mary's grief and disappointment is replaced with joy and a renewed hope. As we see Jesus interact with the rest of the apostles and disciples, we see a new hope within them. Their old dreams of freeing Israel from Rome's tyranny are still gone. They have been laid to rest in the empty tomb. In their place however arises a new and greater hope. A hope in the present and future kingdom of Jesus. With Jesus' resurrection, he pronounces that the new kingdom has begun. The next act in history has taken place and he comes as a risen gardener to begin the work of making all things new.
This work begins in us. The hope of freedom is indeed alive and well in the disciples, but it is not from Rome's tyranny any longer. It is the hope of freedom over the oppression of sin. With Jesus' resurrection, he has become king and lord over us. No longer does sin rule. His resurrection proclaims that God is king and he is doing something new. Just as Jesus put to death our sin on the cross by paying for our deserved punishment, he gives us the promise of new life. His resurrection and identification as a gardener points back to the beginning of creation where God created the garden. In this garden he raised plants and wildlife and there he chose to place man in his own image and to be his representative in creation. Yet his resurrection and identification as a gardener also point towards the very end as well where we see the new Heaven and new Earth. We are able to hear the words, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man." We hear Jesus' words as he says, "Behold, I am making all things new." Is there any greater news? God is Lord over the Earth. One day all of our disappointments will fall away for God will dwell with man once again.
So on Good Friday we commiserate with the disciples in their disappointment and grief, but we also lay those disappointments before the cross and we wait for God to do something new. On Easter morning we behold the risen Christ. Our disappointments are washed away as a new greater hope fills our hearts. One that points to the forgiveness of our sins and the binding of ourselves together with Christ. In Christ's resurrection we are risen from the depths of our sin. We become coheirs with Jesus as celebrate his lordship. May our hope be made new on this Easter Sunday. May we revel in the victory of Christ over death. May we relish in our forgiveness and take joy in the new work that God is doing. May we set aside the disappointments that we laid at the cross and boldly proclaim, "He is Risen!" May we hope in the Risen Gardener.
That first Easter morning when Mary went to the tomb, she was startled when she found it empty. She assumed that they had taken Jesus' body somewhere and even told the angels that appeared to her that that was the case. Her grief over Jesus was palpable in this moment. In the midst of her weeping she sees a man who she takes to be a gardener. Indeed, the man is a gardener, but again not the gardener we expect. He is the Risen Gardener. He is the one who will make all things new. Mary's grief and disappointment is replaced with joy and a renewed hope. As we see Jesus interact with the rest of the apostles and disciples, we see a new hope within them. Their old dreams of freeing Israel from Rome's tyranny are still gone. They have been laid to rest in the empty tomb. In their place however arises a new and greater hope. A hope in the present and future kingdom of Jesus. With Jesus' resurrection, he pronounces that the new kingdom has begun. The next act in history has taken place and he comes as a risen gardener to begin the work of making all things new.
This work begins in us. The hope of freedom is indeed alive and well in the disciples, but it is not from Rome's tyranny any longer. It is the hope of freedom over the oppression of sin. With Jesus' resurrection, he has become king and lord over us. No longer does sin rule. His resurrection proclaims that God is king and he is doing something new. Just as Jesus put to death our sin on the cross by paying for our deserved punishment, he gives us the promise of new life. His resurrection and identification as a gardener points back to the beginning of creation where God created the garden. In this garden he raised plants and wildlife and there he chose to place man in his own image and to be his representative in creation. Yet his resurrection and identification as a gardener also point towards the very end as well where we see the new Heaven and new Earth. We are able to hear the words, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man." We hear Jesus' words as he says, "Behold, I am making all things new." Is there any greater news? God is Lord over the Earth. One day all of our disappointments will fall away for God will dwell with man once again.
So on Good Friday we commiserate with the disciples in their disappointment and grief, but we also lay those disappointments before the cross and we wait for God to do something new. On Easter morning we behold the risen Christ. Our disappointments are washed away as a new greater hope fills our hearts. One that points to the forgiveness of our sins and the binding of ourselves together with Christ. In Christ's resurrection we are risen from the depths of our sin. We become coheirs with Jesus as celebrate his lordship. May our hope be made new on this Easter Sunday. May we revel in the victory of Christ over death. May we relish in our forgiveness and take joy in the new work that God is doing. May we set aside the disappointments that we laid at the cross and boldly proclaim, "He is Risen!" May we hope in the Risen Gardener.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
The Disappointing Cross
Yesterday was Good Friday and it got me thinking about what it must have been like for the disciples. The week leading up to Good Friday was filled with excitement. Palm Sunday began with the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. His followers laid down their cloaks before him and there was a deep sense of excitement among the people. As the week continued Jesus confronted the Pharisees and his disciples began to wonder. As N.T. Wright points out, they figured they would have the top jobs of the very Earthly kingdom of Jesus. Their anticipation grew throughout the week. Jesus was about to become King and Israel was about to be free. Then something different began to take shape.
On the evening before he was to be executed, he shared a meal with his closest disciples. He said to them that one of them would betray him. Everyone denied it, and why shouldn't they? Jesus is going to become king, to betray him would not end well and Jesus confirmed that. Soon after that, Jesus said that they will all scatter and Peter stood up and boasted that he will not. Put yourself in Peter's shoes. He has been one of the most intimate disciples of Jesus. He has declared that Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ. He and everyone else knows that when Jesus becomes King, Peter will occupy one of the top positions in the kingdom. Jesus has tried to prepare him for what is to happen next, but they haven't truly heard. They still do not understand, their hopes lie in the wrong things.
The night Jesus is betrayed, Peter is there. As the guards grab Jesus, Peter draws his sword and strikes one of them and is then reprimanded by Jesus and the guard is healed. What must have been going through Peter's mind? Surely, he would have been completely puzzled. The man he has followed for three years is now being handed over to those that want him killed. All of his hopes lie in Jesus and yet Jesus willingly goes with the guards. This can't be right. The disciples scatter as Jesus is led to the council of priests and elders. After following for so long Peter knows nothing else. This time though, he follows at a distance. He has been by Jesus' side for so long and yet now he follows in the shadows. Perhaps he thinks Jesus is up to something. Or maybe he just doesn't know what else to do. So he follows... at a distance.
Then Jesus stands before the council, Peter just within earshot. The priests bring in witnesses each bearing false testimony against Jesus. Peter hears the testimonies and his blood begins to boil. He was there, he knows that those things aren't true. Why doesn't Jesus say something? Why doesn't he reprove them like he always does? Something inside Peter wants to shout at the false witnesses and free Jesus from his bondage. Peter still doesn't understand who is freeing who. Then the high priest asks Jesus a question, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus doesn't respond with a question like he normally does, but merely replies, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." At this the high priest condemns him to death and people begin spitting on and beating him. They mock and ridicule him. Peter stands looking on. What has happened? How could this have gone so wrong?
He is in shock. All of his hopes had been in Jesus. His hope for a better life. His hope for the nation of Israel. He has invested the last three years of his life with this man, following him all around Israel and now Jesus is going to be executed. Peter has seen Jesus calm the storm, feed thousands, heal the sick, walk on water and even bring the dead back to life. Yet now he watches in horror as Jesus is beaten and carried away to Pilate. Peter's excitement about the coming kingdom has come crashing down. He is filled with fear and disappointment. He is completely alone. Suddenly someone accuses him of being a disciple of Jesus. He comes back from within himself and becomes defensive. He denies ever knowing Jesus. Things are all a whirlwind around him, two more times he denies Jesus and after the third the rooster crows and something inside Peter breaks. He has denied the very man he swore allegiance to. He has denied ever knowing his teacher, his friend, his master. He is overwhelmed with grief. You can feel him saying, "Why God!! Why is this happening?"
It is good Friday and Peter watches as Jesus is nailed to a cross. He watches as his hopes are dashed. To Peter the cross brings no hope. Everything that he had thought about for so long is being washed away by the cross. He has no hope left, only disappointment, only shame. To him and the rest of the disciples, it is a disappointing cross. It is indeed Good Friday, but to Peter and the disciples there is nothing good about it.
When we observe Good Friday we share in the disciples' disappointments. How often have we gotten it wrong? How many times have we expected Jesus to do something a certain way only to be disappointed? And how many times have we shared in Peter's struggle? Have we traveled at a distance, while Jesus goes to take our punishment? How many times have we stood by the fire keeping ourselves warm as Jesus is mocked and ridiculed? Been embarrassed to stand by his side? And how many times have we denied our savior? The disciples didn't understand what Jesus was really up to. The cross was a disappointment to the disciples. You can feel the it in them on the the road to Emmaus as they converse with a stranger about Jesus being crucified. It was a scandalous, disappointing cross and if that was all the story, then it would remain so. But the story is not over. When Jesus cries out, "It is finished!" He doesn't declare the end of the story, only the end of the act, the next part is soon to begin, but until then we wait. We wait in the disappointment of our hopes. We wait without understanding. We look to God and simply ask, "What are you doing?" He gently tells us, "Come to the scandalous cross and simply wait and see."
On the evening before he was to be executed, he shared a meal with his closest disciples. He said to them that one of them would betray him. Everyone denied it, and why shouldn't they? Jesus is going to become king, to betray him would not end well and Jesus confirmed that. Soon after that, Jesus said that they will all scatter and Peter stood up and boasted that he will not. Put yourself in Peter's shoes. He has been one of the most intimate disciples of Jesus. He has declared that Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ. He and everyone else knows that when Jesus becomes King, Peter will occupy one of the top positions in the kingdom. Jesus has tried to prepare him for what is to happen next, but they haven't truly heard. They still do not understand, their hopes lie in the wrong things.
The night Jesus is betrayed, Peter is there. As the guards grab Jesus, Peter draws his sword and strikes one of them and is then reprimanded by Jesus and the guard is healed. What must have been going through Peter's mind? Surely, he would have been completely puzzled. The man he has followed for three years is now being handed over to those that want him killed. All of his hopes lie in Jesus and yet Jesus willingly goes with the guards. This can't be right. The disciples scatter as Jesus is led to the council of priests and elders. After following for so long Peter knows nothing else. This time though, he follows at a distance. He has been by Jesus' side for so long and yet now he follows in the shadows. Perhaps he thinks Jesus is up to something. Or maybe he just doesn't know what else to do. So he follows... at a distance.
Then Jesus stands before the council, Peter just within earshot. The priests bring in witnesses each bearing false testimony against Jesus. Peter hears the testimonies and his blood begins to boil. He was there, he knows that those things aren't true. Why doesn't Jesus say something? Why doesn't he reprove them like he always does? Something inside Peter wants to shout at the false witnesses and free Jesus from his bondage. Peter still doesn't understand who is freeing who. Then the high priest asks Jesus a question, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus doesn't respond with a question like he normally does, but merely replies, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." At this the high priest condemns him to death and people begin spitting on and beating him. They mock and ridicule him. Peter stands looking on. What has happened? How could this have gone so wrong?
He is in shock. All of his hopes had been in Jesus. His hope for a better life. His hope for the nation of Israel. He has invested the last three years of his life with this man, following him all around Israel and now Jesus is going to be executed. Peter has seen Jesus calm the storm, feed thousands, heal the sick, walk on water and even bring the dead back to life. Yet now he watches in horror as Jesus is beaten and carried away to Pilate. Peter's excitement about the coming kingdom has come crashing down. He is filled with fear and disappointment. He is completely alone. Suddenly someone accuses him of being a disciple of Jesus. He comes back from within himself and becomes defensive. He denies ever knowing Jesus. Things are all a whirlwind around him, two more times he denies Jesus and after the third the rooster crows and something inside Peter breaks. He has denied the very man he swore allegiance to. He has denied ever knowing his teacher, his friend, his master. He is overwhelmed with grief. You can feel him saying, "Why God!! Why is this happening?"
It is good Friday and Peter watches as Jesus is nailed to a cross. He watches as his hopes are dashed. To Peter the cross brings no hope. Everything that he had thought about for so long is being washed away by the cross. He has no hope left, only disappointment, only shame. To him and the rest of the disciples, it is a disappointing cross. It is indeed Good Friday, but to Peter and the disciples there is nothing good about it.
When we observe Good Friday we share in the disciples' disappointments. How often have we gotten it wrong? How many times have we expected Jesus to do something a certain way only to be disappointed? And how many times have we shared in Peter's struggle? Have we traveled at a distance, while Jesus goes to take our punishment? How many times have we stood by the fire keeping ourselves warm as Jesus is mocked and ridiculed? Been embarrassed to stand by his side? And how many times have we denied our savior? The disciples didn't understand what Jesus was really up to. The cross was a disappointment to the disciples. You can feel the it in them on the the road to Emmaus as they converse with a stranger about Jesus being crucified. It was a scandalous, disappointing cross and if that was all the story, then it would remain so. But the story is not over. When Jesus cries out, "It is finished!" He doesn't declare the end of the story, only the end of the act, the next part is soon to begin, but until then we wait. We wait in the disappointment of our hopes. We wait without understanding. We look to God and simply ask, "What are you doing?" He gently tells us, "Come to the scandalous cross and simply wait and see."
Monday, March 18, 2013
Forgive them
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)
Is there any statement made by Christ that better demonstrates his deep compassion and love for the world? Imagine the scene for a second. He has been nailed to the cross. The mockers and scorners continue to condemn him. The pharisees and rulers are sneering at him while a group of people are casting lots for his clothes. Most of his friends have abandoned him at this point, one of his closest denied even knowing him, while another was the one responsible for Jesus being apprehended. Jesus, already weak from flogging and the carrying of the cross, struggles to breathe. He agonizingly pushes up on his pierced feet gasping for air and cries out, "Father, forgive them!" The innocent, righteous Son of the Living God asks the Father to forgive his enemies.
In thinking about forgiveness, I'm reminded that whenever someone comes to me for forgiveness, I'm called to forgive, yet this isn't what Jesus is doing here. Jesus is going far beyond that. These people who he's interceding on behalf of are the people who are torturing him. The pharisees are even relishing it, they mock him with cruel jokes. There is no one here looking for forgiveness and yet Jesus forgives. Yet this still doesn't quite put a finger what Jesus is doing here, to say that he merely forgives them would be to sell Jesus short. It is an even more earth-shattering statement than one of simple forgiveness.
The situation is rife with tension. The Holy One of God is being crucified and the people responsible celebrate his death with a grin. Feel that anger as you watch on and in the same moment hear Jesus say, "Forgive them." Jesus hangs upon the cross, crying out to God and asks the Father to forgive these sinners. The ones who drove the nails through his hands, the ones who spit upon him as he made his way to Golgotha, Jesus intercedes on their behalf in the midst of his persecution, in the midst of his torture. What a heart of forgiveness. To be able to be so compassionate and loving that your forgiveness goes beyond simply a personal matter, but goes even to the extent to asking others to forgive in the midst of the torture. It is no doubt that one of the most difficult teachings of Christ is to love your enemies and here Jesus exemplifies that statement. Can we have the same courage as Jesus in the way we forgive? Can we forgive even when not prompted to do so? We won't always get the apology that we are hoping for. We won't always be asked for forgiveness, but neither should serve as a qualification for forgiveness. Can we then ask others to forgive when they are enraged on our behalf? May we learn to forgive like Jesus, may we develop a heart of compassion that is quick to forgive.
Is there any statement made by Christ that better demonstrates his deep compassion and love for the world? Imagine the scene for a second. He has been nailed to the cross. The mockers and scorners continue to condemn him. The pharisees and rulers are sneering at him while a group of people are casting lots for his clothes. Most of his friends have abandoned him at this point, one of his closest denied even knowing him, while another was the one responsible for Jesus being apprehended. Jesus, already weak from flogging and the carrying of the cross, struggles to breathe. He agonizingly pushes up on his pierced feet gasping for air and cries out, "Father, forgive them!" The innocent, righteous Son of the Living God asks the Father to forgive his enemies.
In thinking about forgiveness, I'm reminded that whenever someone comes to me for forgiveness, I'm called to forgive, yet this isn't what Jesus is doing here. Jesus is going far beyond that. These people who he's interceding on behalf of are the people who are torturing him. The pharisees are even relishing it, they mock him with cruel jokes. There is no one here looking for forgiveness and yet Jesus forgives. Yet this still doesn't quite put a finger what Jesus is doing here, to say that he merely forgives them would be to sell Jesus short. It is an even more earth-shattering statement than one of simple forgiveness.
The situation is rife with tension. The Holy One of God is being crucified and the people responsible celebrate his death with a grin. Feel that anger as you watch on and in the same moment hear Jesus say, "Forgive them." Jesus hangs upon the cross, crying out to God and asks the Father to forgive these sinners. The ones who drove the nails through his hands, the ones who spit upon him as he made his way to Golgotha, Jesus intercedes on their behalf in the midst of his persecution, in the midst of his torture. What a heart of forgiveness. To be able to be so compassionate and loving that your forgiveness goes beyond simply a personal matter, but goes even to the extent to asking others to forgive in the midst of the torture. It is no doubt that one of the most difficult teachings of Christ is to love your enemies and here Jesus exemplifies that statement. Can we have the same courage as Jesus in the way we forgive? Can we forgive even when not prompted to do so? We won't always get the apology that we are hoping for. We won't always be asked for forgiveness, but neither should serve as a qualification for forgiveness. Can we then ask others to forgive when they are enraged on our behalf? May we learn to forgive like Jesus, may we develop a heart of compassion that is quick to forgive.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Honor Everyone
In November, theologian and author Miroslav Volf came to speak at Evangelical Theological Seminary. He masterfully talked about the idea of honoring everyone taken from 1 Peter. It's a difficult thing to put into practice of course. How can we possibly honor those who are adamantly opposed to us or those who commit some grave atrocity? Jesus said to love our enemies as ourselves. We're often resistant to honoring our enemies, because we see them as worthy of our contempt. Throughout Volf's lecture, I was struck with how powerful and how right he was. It got me thinking though, how do we display honor to these people? How can we move from our scorn and contempt to honor and respect?
I was reading a book for a class recently called Visioneering by Andy Stanley. It was a powerful book on vision casting and how leaders are to have a clear vision for their ministry and their life. In his book, he also talked about having a vision for those who work for us so that they can be encouraged to grow and reach their fullest potential. I think that has a lot of bearing in this idea of honoring everyone. In order to do that we must begin to see the potential in them that has been clouded by their deeds. We need to have a vision for others and treat them in a manner that helps them achieve that vision. Jesus often talks about the now and not yet. Part of us needs to treat others as though they have already changed and part of us needs to treat others in a manner so that they can change. It's a delicate balance, but in doing this we learn how to honor others and we replace our contempt and scorn.
Obviously, this must be done with care. We don't want to change people into images of ourselves, we want to help people mature and grow to be the person that God created them to be. I think if we aren't careful in the vision we cast, it becomes a way of us trying to control others. For an excellent example of how to properly cast a vision for someone I turn to The Hobbit. In Tolkien's classic novel, Gandalf has a great way of demonstrating this concept. The beginning starts out with Bilbo, the dwarves and Gandalf all at Bilbo's home. Nobody except Gandalf has any respect for Bilbo, including Bilbo himself. Gandalf, however, says this, "There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself." Throughout the rest of the book, Bilbo lives up to Gandalf's praise. It's a gradual change, but at the end it is unmistakable and Bilbo is a hero and a leader. It's an incredible transformation that could only have occurred through Gandalf believing in him. What would happen if we did this for others? If we saw the great potential in them and learned how to bring it out of them. We are made for redeeming others and we are called to honor everyone. What better way to honor someone than to offer them restoration!
I was reading a book for a class recently called Visioneering by Andy Stanley. It was a powerful book on vision casting and how leaders are to have a clear vision for their ministry and their life. In his book, he also talked about having a vision for those who work for us so that they can be encouraged to grow and reach their fullest potential. I think that has a lot of bearing in this idea of honoring everyone. In order to do that we must begin to see the potential in them that has been clouded by their deeds. We need to have a vision for others and treat them in a manner that helps them achieve that vision. Jesus often talks about the now and not yet. Part of us needs to treat others as though they have already changed and part of us needs to treat others in a manner so that they can change. It's a delicate balance, but in doing this we learn how to honor others and we replace our contempt and scorn.
Obviously, this must be done with care. We don't want to change people into images of ourselves, we want to help people mature and grow to be the person that God created them to be. I think if we aren't careful in the vision we cast, it becomes a way of us trying to control others. For an excellent example of how to properly cast a vision for someone I turn to The Hobbit. In Tolkien's classic novel, Gandalf has a great way of demonstrating this concept. The beginning starts out with Bilbo, the dwarves and Gandalf all at Bilbo's home. Nobody except Gandalf has any respect for Bilbo, including Bilbo himself. Gandalf, however, says this, "There is a lot more in him than you guess, and a deal more than he has any idea of himself." Throughout the rest of the book, Bilbo lives up to Gandalf's praise. It's a gradual change, but at the end it is unmistakable and Bilbo is a hero and a leader. It's an incredible transformation that could only have occurred through Gandalf believing in him. What would happen if we did this for others? If we saw the great potential in them and learned how to bring it out of them. We are made for redeeming others and we are called to honor everyone. What better way to honor someone than to offer them restoration!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
I want to see
I was recently reading the passage of Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) again and I was encouraged to put myself in the shoes of Bartimaeus. I was moved by this experience and felt that I should share it. My hope is that you find it useful in drawing near to God.
I've heard his name before and his reputation as a healer and teacher, yet I have never met him. Day after day, I sit by the gate hoping that he'll pass by. Then one day, I hear his name whispered. A great crowd is passing by, I begin to shout, "Son of David, have mercy on me." Some laugh, others tell me to be quiet. I don't care. I shout all the louder. I hear his voice for the first time. He is calling to me. My heart leaps. I've dreamt about this for months. Could it be that my time has finally come? I can feel my heart beating in my chest. I spring to my feet and start sprinting toward the sound of his voice. I can't see where I'm going and I run into someone and fall to the ground. The laughter around me is drowned out by the sound of my own heartbeat. I hear his voice calling me to him again. I continue to run towards him. I know that there are rocks in my path and I stumble over a couple of them. As I begin to fall, I feel two strong arms catching me. It is him! He is holding me. I feel his embrace, its full of strength and grace. He calmly lifts me to my feet and holding me close he whispers, "What do you want me to do for you?" My mind races. What do I want him to do for me? I've dreamt about this moment for so long and yet now that I'm here there are so many things that I desire. Being able to leave the beggar's life, to be free of shame and guilt, to have the ability to avoid rocks in my path, to no longer have the condemnation of others, or being entirely dependent on others, or to have friends and a family of my own. Yet now in this moment, all I can think about is the majesty before me. Even in my blindness, I behold a splendor beyond comprehension. Oh to see that splendor undimmed by my lack of sight. Oh to view it, even if just for a moment. Certainly this is what my heart aches for. This is what I have longed for for so long. "Lord," I respond, "I want to see."
I've heard his name before and his reputation as a healer and teacher, yet I have never met him. Day after day, I sit by the gate hoping that he'll pass by. Then one day, I hear his name whispered. A great crowd is passing by, I begin to shout, "Son of David, have mercy on me." Some laugh, others tell me to be quiet. I don't care. I shout all the louder. I hear his voice for the first time. He is calling to me. My heart leaps. I've dreamt about this for months. Could it be that my time has finally come? I can feel my heart beating in my chest. I spring to my feet and start sprinting toward the sound of his voice. I can't see where I'm going and I run into someone and fall to the ground. The laughter around me is drowned out by the sound of my own heartbeat. I hear his voice calling me to him again. I continue to run towards him. I know that there are rocks in my path and I stumble over a couple of them. As I begin to fall, I feel two strong arms catching me. It is him! He is holding me. I feel his embrace, its full of strength and grace. He calmly lifts me to my feet and holding me close he whispers, "What do you want me to do for you?" My mind races. What do I want him to do for me? I've dreamt about this moment for so long and yet now that I'm here there are so many things that I desire. Being able to leave the beggar's life, to be free of shame and guilt, to have the ability to avoid rocks in my path, to no longer have the condemnation of others, or being entirely dependent on others, or to have friends and a family of my own. Yet now in this moment, all I can think about is the majesty before me. Even in my blindness, I behold a splendor beyond comprehension. Oh to see that splendor undimmed by my lack of sight. Oh to view it, even if just for a moment. Certainly this is what my heart aches for. This is what I have longed for for so long. "Lord," I respond, "I want to see."
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