Jesus Wept

Today’s text: Psalm 27-29   John 11:30-57

The poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox received inspiration for the poem Solitude while traveling on a train. It seems that a woman sitting near the front of the car could not contain her sorrow. As she sat there she would occasionally break out with waves of sobs. At the rear of the car and unaware of the woman rode a gentleman that was amusing the riders in the rows nearest him by telling funny stories. Ella observed that one by one the passengers moved away form the crying woman and crowded to the rear of the car to listen to the man’s humor. Ella later penned these words:

Solitude
by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone.
For the sad old earth must borrow it’s mirth,
But has trouble enough of its own.
Sing, and the hills will answer;
Sigh, it is lost on the air.
The echoes bound to a joyful sound,
But shrink from voicing care.

Rejoice, and men will seek you;
Grieve, and they turn and go.
They want full measure of all your pleasure,
But they do not need your woe.
Be glad, and your friends are many;
Be sad, and you lose them all.
There are none to decline your nectared wine,
But alone you must drink life’s gall.

Feast, and your halls are crowded;
Fast, and the world goes by.
Succeed and give, and it helps you live,
But no man can help you die.
There is room in the halls of pleasure
For a long and lordly train,
But one by one we must all file on
Through the narrow aisles of pain.

In today’s text from John 11 we have the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, a place that was familiar to Jesus, a place on which His blessing rested transformed into a place of mourning. When Mary, the one who had washed the feet of her Savoir with her tears and dried them with her hair; the one who had broken the alabaster box to anoint Him with its valuable contents. The one who had lavished her love upon him, now falling to her knees in grief leads us to the 35th verse where we read “Jesus wept.” Two words that speak volumes. He didn’t weep because of grief. He was there purposefully at that specific time to perform a miracle. He wept because of the tender sympathy he had for those who’s hearts were wrenched with sorrow. Hebrews 4:14-15 tells us “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. (15) Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Scripture records two other occasions when Jesus wept. Luke 19:41-44 records His sorrow for the city of Jerusalem. Matthew 26:38-39 and Luke 22:44 record the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane where He wept tears for the struggle that lay before Him. The prophet Isaiah refers to Jesus as “a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.”

As Ella observed, most men would rather avoid those who suffer. Those who would walk with you thru the valley are few. But we serve one who is familiar with the valley. One who strengthens us thru our weakness, who comforts us thru our loss, who guides us thru the wilderness, one who, “upholds us with His righteous right hand.” We are comforted by the one who has promised to be with us always even until the end of this age.

“In My Heart There Rings a Melody”

Today’s text: Psalms 9-11    John 8:1-27

On my way home from work last night I stopped at a grocery store to pick up a few items for my wife. I was searching for the place they hide the vegetable oil when I heard a loud voice singing from the other side of the store. It was the voice of a small child. He didn’t know all the words of the song, could barely pronounce the words he did know and didn’t have a great deal of talent but what he lacked in ability he more than compensated for in enthusiasm and volume. I found myself standing there listening and remembering those days when my own kids sat in the cart and sang as their mother and I did the shopping. I noticed that a couple of older ladies had stopped to listen as well. I asked one of them, how long has it been since you sang like that? She said she stopped singing like that when she was about his age and that would have been about eighty three years ago. I told them that maybe we should sing like that again. Maybe we should just stop worrying about what others might think. Maybe we shouldn’t be concerned about not getting every note right and remembering every word exactly. Maybe we should just throw our heads back and turn loose that song that we’ve been carrying around in our hearts for all these years! They laughed and said if I would go first they would follow.

When I read the first verse of our text it made me think about that little boy. David open this Psalm with the words, “I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.” I don’t get the impression that David had a quiet little thank you in mind. I believe that he desired to publicly celebrate and loudly proclaim God’s mercy and goodness. There was a psalm in his heart that he could contain no longer. The words of his proclamation of praise were penned thousands of years ago and yet it still reminds us of the goodness of God.

That little boy who was singing his heart out in the grocery store last night caused me to stop and think, it caused two ladies to laugh and reminisce and I hope that his song and the song of David ministers to you today as well.

Enduring Criticism

Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 16-18 John 5:1-24

An older couple was on a cross country trip and they stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch. As they got up to leave, the woman forgot her glasses on the table. They were several miles down the road before she realized she didn’t have them and to make matters worse, her husband had to travel quite a distance down the road before they could find a place to turn around. The old man fussed and complained all the way back to the restaurant. He berated her for her foolishness and stupidity. How could she be so thoughtless! When they finally arrived, as the old woman got out of the car to retrieve her glasses the old man said, “Well, as long as you’re going back in there, you may as well get my hat, too.”

Flattery may be deceiving and criticism is always easier to find than it is to take.
There is no doubt that David was very troubled in his heart when he temporarily abandoned his throne and fled Jerusalem to escape the rebellion being lead by his son. He had not traveled far until he met Ziba the caretaker of Mephibosheth’s estate. Yes, the same Mephibosheth that sat at David’s table. Ziba had brought donkeys for transportation and provisions for the journey. He also brought news that Mephibosheth had gone to take advantage of the political turmoil and try to assert himself as king. While we are still struggling beneath the weight of bad news we seem to accept more bad news without question. David was no different, he accepted Ziba’s claim without question and immediately gave him ownership of all that was Mephibosheth’s, an action that David would later amend. It would seem that while David was down Ziba had found an opportunity to ‘cash in’ on the situation.

Next David and his band encountered Shimei who cursed and berated David, pelted him with stones and threw dirt towards the king as an insult. Shimei had found his moment now that David was down he would avenge his family of all that had happened to his relative Saul. David did not silence Shimei but rather said, “It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.”

Listening to criticism is not often pleasant. Moments of facing guilt, moments of contrition, moments when we mortify our self-esteem, moments when we must bear the weight of being displeasing to ourselves are essential to our growth. David knew fully all of the areas in which he had failed. He also knew of the grace of a merciful God, an ever present help in time of need. Today be mindful of that grace that was manifest for us even while we were yet in our sin. David does not stand as an shining example of perfection but rather as an example of forgiveness.

Perspective of the Beloved

Today’s reading:
2 Samuel 3-5
John 1:1-28

The first chapter of the book of John has always been one of my favorite text. The way that John opens his introduction of Jesus is almost poetic. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke were each written by dedicated disciples that truly loved Jesus. But John was the beloved. He was the one who reclined with his head on Jesus’s breast. His perspective reflects his close personal love for the Savior. While I am writing this I’m attending a technical conference and have just returned from having supper with a group of men all of which know my oldest son. Each one told me how much they respected him and how they enjoyed interacting with him on various projects. As a father it is profoundly rewarding to hear others compliment your child on their character and accomplishments. While they may know him as an engineer, I will always know him as my son. While they have a ‘head’ knowledge of my son, I have a ‘heart’ knowledge that runs much deeper. They are familiar with his technical abilities but I am the one who was there the night he was born, I am the one who took him fishing the first time, I’m the one who helped him get his first car, I was there the day he got married and I was there for the birth of his children. While his colleagues may think they know him – my heart tells me I know him better. As John pens this Gospel his love for Jesus and his intimate knowledge of our Lord is palpable.

John introduces Jesus as the Word (Logos in the Greek) because the Son of God was sent to communicate his Father’s love to a dark world. His existence at the beginning, coexistence with the Father and the fact that all things were created by him prove that He is God. He alone was fully qualified for the work of salvation. He who is infinite became an infant that he might dwell among us for a season. Although he took upon himself the nature of mankind, the veil of flesh could not contain the radiance of his grace and glory. Nothing better tells of the dark and desperate state of this world than the fact that when the light had come to dwell among us there needed to be a witness (John the Baptist) to call attention to it.

It is my prayer that as you read through John’s Gospel that you will see Jesus from John’s perspective. That you will take away knowledge rooted deeply in the heart and that you may feel the passion of the one who was called “the beloved.”

Spelunking at Adullam

Today’s text:
1 Samuel 22
Psalms 56
Luke 22:1-23

In 1st Samuel 22, we find David taking refuge in the stronghold or cave of Adullam. Although we may not have recognized its name, many of us have visited that very cave.
Just a few chapters back David was contented with being a shepherd when Samuel showed up and anointed him king of Israel. He was just running an errand for his dad when the whole Goliath thing happened. He was a hero, the subject of songs, he had rank, position and a seat at the kings table. He had a great friend in the kings son and married the kings daughter who loved him. One day it all changed. He had to leave his wife, friend, home, job and position all behind. He was now being hunted and fled taking nothing with him. He sacrificed whatever remained of his pride by pretending to be insane so he could escape from Gath, the home of Goliath. He asked the priest of Nob for assistance. Now he learns that like Jonah others have suffered the storm because of their association with him. The priest from Nob, his family and everyone from his town was put to the sword. It was probably about this time that David learns his wife has been given to another man (25:44). While he would have most likely preferred to remain hidden his family, “all those who were in distress, or in debt, or discontented” 400 in all showed looking for a leader. Not your typical leadership conference. It is places like Adullam that separate from the gold of leadership from the dross. David needed time to transition from the role of shepherd to the role of king. It was at Adullam that he became familiar with the true weight of the mantle of leadership. Many desire the prestige and privilege of rank but few learn to wear the mantle of leadership with grace. David was learning how to lead from a position of shared vision and shared reward.

Despite the security of the stronghold when the prophet of Gad said it was time to go to Judah they moved on. Many of you will recognize that Judah is another word for praise. Not everyone is able to leave the stronghold behind and move forward towards to unknown calling of God. To be effective we must look beyond our circumstances and to his provision. We must stop focusing on what we lack and start seeing what he has given us. There is nothing wrong about God sitting us on the shelf. Sometimes it is to refresh us or to allow us to mature and develop the skills necessary for the next mission. Just don’t start feeling like Adullam is home. Although the objective may be beyond the perception of these eyes of flesh it is not beyond the vision of our eyes of faith.

Counting the Cost

Today’s’ reading: 1 Samuel 7-9, Luke 18:24-43

Shortly after the birth of our youngest son we came to the realization that with four kids our car just didn’t have enough room. By the time we put in the car seats for the two babies the older two were so cramped that they the spent most of their time bickering over who had crossed that imaginary line. I looked for a car that would meet our needs and finally while visiting my parents I found a minivan advertised in the local news paper. We stopped to look at it on the way home. It was a customized ‘electric blue’ GMC Safari. Once the older kids saw it with its reclining back seat and mood lighting they were sold. They eagerly promised to give up candy, ice cream, McDonalds and whatever it might take to help pay for it. I must admit having the extra room looked good to me as well. They were so excited when we drove it off the lot, but we hadn’t made it ten miles until they were begging to stop at McDonalds.

In First Samuel Chapter eight we have a similar thing taking place. They saw that Samuel was getting old and that his sons were corrupt. I suppose and old and poor prophet was nothing to be compared with a king richly attired in the finest purple. The fact that Samuel was conversant with God was not readily visible to those who were looking for the external evidence of pomp and power. Wouldn’t the neighboring lands be envious of the royal court with its highly ornate guards and officers parading in and out with military precision? After all wasn’t that old prophet just a little bit old fashioned? Samuel at the direction of God told them they would have a king but the cost would be great. Samuel told them that the best that their land had to offer would be taken by the king. He told them they would give up sons and daughters to the service of the king but that did not dissuade them from their objective. Like my kids, they saw this as an opportunity to modernize and though they were made aware of the cost they did not fully grasp the magnitude of what they had asked for.

We drove that van for several years. I could not even begin to estimate the number of ball games it went to. I cringed the first few times it was hit by a foul ball but after a few dozen times I got to the point that I could laugh along with the rest of the parents. When I went to trade it in they commented on how well maintained it appeared to be but they couldn’t imagine how bad that hail storm had to be to cause all those dents in the roof.

It wouldn’t take long for Israel to fully realize the full cost of their bargain. But that will be the subject for another blog on another day.

Counting the Cost of Commitment

Today’s reading: Judges 11&12 and Luke 14:25-25

Our Old Testament reading for today would make a wonderful movie script. We have a man, Jephthah, whose mother was a prostitute being driven away by his brothers that were born under the covenant of marriage in order to exclude him from any claim of inheritance. While living in exile he was later called upon to come and rescue the very ones who had treated him so cruelly. It seems that Jephthah’s leadership ability was recognized by a group that had gathered around him. And now that his homeland was under attack his leadership was desperately needed. Jephthah doesn’t appear to be overly confident in his abilities but he accepts the task once he realizes that victory would place him in a position of leadership over the very ones who had treated him so badly. After a failed attempt at a negotiated peace Jephthah set out to do battle with the Ammonites. Verse 29 tells us that the Spirit of the Lord had come upon him but apparently he was unaware of God’s provision because in verse 30 he makes a vow he soon regrets. We can’t be overly hard on Jephthah for failing to recognize the Lord’s presence in this circumstance because that’s often how the Lord operates. Matthew Henry wrote, “Whom God employs he also empowers” meaning that the empowerment to perform occurs simultaneously to the execution of the task. I know that in my life while traveling through the ‘valley of decision’ I too have felt alone and fully cognizant of my limitations and shortcomings. I may have prepared and trained to the very best of my ability only to recognize at the time of challenge that it is not my skill, strength or wisdom that will be sufficient to stand the test. Many profess faith but only that which has withstood the trials is proven faith. It is not until I have stepped out fully trusting the outcome to God that I’ve recognize that God is with me, and that it is his strength, his ability that comforts me. Faith is strange like that. We do not have it until we need it. It does not seem to be present before the trial but it shows up immediately when needed. Jephthah failed to recognize that. He thought he could better his position with God by offering to sacrifice the first thing that stepped through his doorway when he returned home. It’s not uncommon for people to barter with God. If you just help me find a job, or if you’ll just heal me from, or if you’ll just get me through this, then I will…. You know the drill. You’ve heard it all before. God is more desirous of our obedience than our sacrifice. But don’t be misled. Sacrifice is a requirement if you bear the title of Christian. In our New Testament reading large crowds were following Jesus but few could continue after they learned of the cost of discipleship. Multitudes will come to be fed, many more will come to witness the miracles and some to hear the teaching, but only a few are willing to take up their cross and follow.

The Long and the Short of It

Day 102

Today’s reading:
Joshua 19 – 21
Luke 11:29-54

As best I can remember it was about 1977. I had graduated from high school and had the opportunity to travel with a gospel group. We would pack all our equipment on a customized bus and stay on the road traveling from state to state for several days at a time. It was an eye-opening experience. I had the opportunity to share the Gospel in hundreds of churches and scores of gymnasiums and auditoriums. Each church had a unique personality that was reflected in the way they worshiped. Some were very welcoming and soon felt like home while some were – well, some were just different. We had been on the road for several days when we arrived at one of those that was different. Back in the 70’s quite a few things were different. Hair styles were long and hemlines were short. This particular church was doing the best they could to retain what they understood as modesty. After we had set up the sound equipment we had to dress in what we had planned to wear to the service and be inspected by the Pastor and some of the Elders. There were limits on how long the men’s hair could be and measurements were made on the top, sides and back of any head that may come close to exceeding the prescribed limit. All women had to wear dresses, which was not uncommon in many churches back then. What I have not seen in any church since was that the height of their hemlines was measured with a wooden device that had a ruler mounted vertically. They stood beside the ruler and if they were determined not to meet the standard of modesty they went back and changed till they found something that was acceptable. We did not have much problem meeting their standards but we did find it strange, but that was nothing compared to what happened later. About midway through the service I was sharing what I believed God had given me for that evening and just about the point where I expected a resounding “Amen” about a third of the congregation of 200 stood up and walked out. It was upsetting and I turned to the Pastor fearing that I had said something to offend those who were leaving. The Pastor just laughed and said, “It was just time for a smoke break and that he and the others would be back in about 15 minutes.” I think most of us can see the irony in this story. Men often struggle to enforce those precepts, customs or traditions that they see as having merit but often miss the very point as to why they exist. I know that I have had to self examine and adjust my paradigms over the years. We must allow Christ to create us in His image from the inside out. If we just ‘look the part’ we are no different from the Pharisees to whom Jesus said, “You Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.” They had focused on the external to the neglect of the internal. They were careful in the execution of the minutia of their tradition but when Jesus stood in their midst talking to them face to face they missed the major point completely.

Where Reality Meets Hope

Deuteronomy 32-34

Luke 8:26-56

In Luke 8:40 we read about Jesus arriving and finding a crowd had gathered in anticipation of his returning. Within the crowd were two people of vary different positions in life, both in desperate need of healing. Jairus was a man of position; he was a ruler in the synagogue. He was affiliated with a group that vehemently apposed Jesus. Despite his rank and affiliations he came and fell at the feet of Jesus on behalf of his twelve year old daughter who lay dying. The nameless women had carried her affliction for twelve years. It had robbed her of her wealth, her strength and caused her to remain ceremonially unclean under the Levitical Law. Neither was supposed to be there.

Both had found themselves at that awful place where reality comes crashing in stark opposition to hope. It’s a place where we hear words like, “I can do nothing else for you.” It’s a place that separates the faithful from the faithless. Those without a living faith often become resentful, hardened, bitter or reclusive. They often strike out against or alienate themselves from the ones closest to them. Many times they look for relief in ways that are harmful such as the bottle or the needle.

But the faithful find that faith in Jesus gives rise to hope. The women wouldn’t dare think of coming before Jesus in her condition but believed that if she was close enough to just touch the edge of his garment she would be healed. Jairus put aside his prejudice and preconceptions and pleaded for a miracle. Both received what they desired from Christ, but not without the women being recognized as a “daughter” and being commended for her faith, or Jairus being further tested by the news that his daughter had died. One simply touched and one simply trusted.

Touching the Untouchable

Deuteronomy 14-16

Luke 5:1-16

Seville Phillips, now with Evangel Bible Translators, told about an experience that he had while camping with his family. He had taken his family on vacation and was enjoying the motorhome God had provided. They had just spent the past few days bicycling and playing with their two young sons at a beautiful location but now the time had come for them to move on. With the move comes the unpleasant task of emptying the holding tank. All the waste water or sewage is collected in the holding tank and must be emptied periodically. Most campgrounds are equipped with ‘sanitation stations’ or ‘sani-dumps’ for this purpose. At this particular camp ground the sanitation dump was a large concrete pit with removable covers. As Seville was performing the fragrant task he heard an awful noise followed by cries for help. His son had fallen into the pit and was now standing waist deep in sludge crying and pleading for help. Without hesitation Seville and his wife Lovie pulled their son from the stench of the pit. Even though the boy had been completely immersed and was fully covered from head to toe with the worst that the pit had to offer, Lovie embraced her boy and began to calm and clean her son. It was in his mouth, his ears, his nostrils, everywhere. Although he stank and was covered the worst we can imagine he was still their son. Love is amazing! It motivates us to go beyond the things that repulse us to reach and rescue the one we love. In Luke 5:12 we read about a man that came to Jesus “covered with leprosy.” He knew he was ‘unclean’ and should not be touched so he bowed before Jesus and humbly asked for healing. The next verse says, “Jesus reached out his hand and  the man.” He could have just spoken and the man would have been healed. But Jesus reached out his hand and touched one that had been proclaimed as untouchable. I can’t help but wonder how long it had been since he had felt the touch of another. Here Jesus, the Holy One that knew no sin, not only brings about the physical healing the man requested but affirms him as a person with a physical touch as well. His healing and His grace are complete.

If we have lived very long in this world the probability is quite good that we too have fallen in a pit. Many of you are familiar with the pit and most of us know someone still struggling to free themselves from its grasp. It may be depression, despair, illness or bondage and try as we may we are unable to free ourselves. The worst the world has to offer may be found in our mouths, our ears, our eyes, or upon our hands or feet. We soon discover that there is nothing clean about us. We have become ‘untouchable’. Even though God hates to look upon sin and even though the stench of sin is all over us He does not abandon us. We are his children. If we will allow He will lift us from the pit, cleanse us from the influences of this world, break the bonds that have entangled us, comfort us and set us on the path towards righteousness. Not only can He lift us from the pit but He has promised to “uphold us with his righteous right hand.” We do not need to return to the pit again. How good it is to serve One whose love and grace extends beyond the limits to reach us at the point of our need.