Trials During Lent

Luke 9:22-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5; KJV; Every trek to the cross each Lenten season seems to bring about more than the usual types of trials. But, those trials can be a good thing.

Offending God

Matthew 16-22-26; Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. It's better to die to self so that you might live in God's presence.

Would You Deny Him?

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.

But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.

But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. 

                                                                                (Mark 14:26-31 KJV)

"I will not deny thee" is one of the saddest statements that we hear from the scriptures. In fact we know that Peter did deny him as he was being interrogated and persecuted for our sakes. Peter had been a faithful follower of Jesus; yet, he denied that he even knew him.

It causes us to wonder what we would have done if we had been there. Would we have denied him to save our own skins? What about today? How often do we actually deny that we know Jesus? How often do we miss opportunities to testify to his great love for us? How often do we neglect to tell others what he has done for us.

"I will not deny thee" is such a sad statement to hear because we know that we are not so different from Peter. Although many have stood firm and died declaring that Jesus is our Savior; the question haunts us. Would we?

God's Peace - Pr. J.

To Be Persecuted And Die

And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,

Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:

And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

                                                                                   (Mark 10:32-34 KJV)

They knew that going into Jerusalem could be dangerous. Jesus let them know that where they were going would lead to his persecution and death. They were afraid; but, they followed him anyway.

They followed him to Jerusalem; but, when it came to his arrest some fled, some kept their distance in order not to be arrested themselves. 

On this sixth Sunday in Lent we are reminded that following Jesus to the cross can be a fearful thing. Those who follow him will be persecuted. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke we hear Jesus telling us that to follow him we must deny ourselves and take up our cross. In order to save our lives we must lose it. 

"And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 

                                                                                       (Mark 8:31-35)

Peter objected to the very thought that Jesus would die. He loved Jesus. In return for wanting Jesus to continue to live in this world and to save this world according to Peter's will, Jesus called him Satan. Whenever I hear or read that verse, I cannot help but smile when I consider what the reaction would be if I called someone Satan when they reject the will of God. I do not think it would be good! 

Even as Jesus was persecuted, his followers will be persecuted. In order to follow Jesus he tells us that we must take up our cross, deny our own will, and follow in his footsteps.

May God grant us the wisdom and courage to follow in his way.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Just Shall Live By Faith

So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

                                                                                  (Rom 1:15-17 KJV)

Paul was eventually taken to Rome where he would be executed. He was fully prepared to go to his death if it afforded him the opportunity to share the Good News of Christ. This man who once put fear in the hearts of men was not afraid to die in order that by faith all who believe in the life giving death of Jesus the Christ would be found righteous in the eyes of God. All who believe; no matter who they are or what they had done, who receive life in the eternal presence of God.

It is not because he proclaimed the Good News that Paul is considered righteous before God. He proclaimed the Good News because he knew that he was considered righteous by faith in the One who loved him so much that he was willing to die for him.

Paul took Jesus' words literally. "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23) By faith alone in Christ alone, Paul gave up his old life to follow Jesus even to his own execution.

Let us not be ashamed or afraid to share the gospel of Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation for all who believes!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Every Eye Shall See

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. 

                                                                                                      (Rev 4:7-8 KJV)

Every eye will see him. I was told by someone that I care about that they do not believe like I do. I was told, "When you're dead you're dead. There is nothing more." It is heartbreaking to hear someone that has been taught the truth; deny Jesus the Christ.

He is "the One who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." (vs 8 NIV) It does not matter whether one believes or not. Denial does not make him less or non-existent. The day will come when every eye will see him; every knee will bow before him; even those who pierced him; even those who denied him.

Be careful with your words. Do not deny the one who died for you. Jesus said, "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." (Matt 10:33 KJV)

He is, he was, and he yet will come again. He is the Almighty God who created you and who would save you from yourself.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Will You Deny Jesus?

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

                                                                              (Matt 26:31-35 KJV)

The Lord knew that Peter was not going to keep this promise to not ever deny him. In fear for his own safety, Peter will deny him thrice that very night. Even today people around the world know that their lives may be in danger because they follow Jesus. Many are persecuted; threatened with torture and even death for His sake. They will not deny Jesus! They would prefer death.

What about us? Jesus died for us! He died that we might live! Would we deny him? Do we love the Lord enough to even begin considering dying for his sake? Are we honestly able to declare "Even if I have to die for Jesus' sake, I will never deny Him;" let alone keep that vow?

As we enter another Lenten Season, let us take the time to consider how it is that we might be denying him, not by just our words, but by what we have done and by what we are leaving undone.

God's Peace - Pr. J

A Light Unto My Path

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

                                            (Psalm 119:105 KJV)

It is imperative for the Christian to hear and to study the word! The word and the Word who is Jesus the Christ will show us the way we are to go. Of course then, as I have recently been reminded that God has given us free will. That is true. We can choose not to go to the Father. We can choose to not accept that free gift of eternal life in His presence. We can choose to deny God. But, for those who desire to live in the eternal joy and peace found in the presence of God hear the words of Jesus given to Thomas and to you:

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." 

                                                                                                (John 14:1-6)

Thanks be to God that the light, who is Jesus the Christ, has come to show us the way to our Father's house, to his presence!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Feed My Sheep

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

                                                                               (John 21:15-18 KJV)

When Jesus was being questioned and tortured; when he was being tried; Peter had denied knowing him three times. Now, Peter is called to affirm that he truly does love Jesus the same number of times that he had denied him. What is more, Jesus tells him to feed his flock; show the world that he is his follower by feeding his lambs, feeding his sheep. He is to go forth, following in Jesus' footsteps, doing the things that he has done. He is to feed his people both physically and spiritually. He is to follow Jesus and take up his cross, even to death and Peter will die for following and proclaiming the Good News that Jesus died and yet lives.. 

We too, have denied Jesus in many ways and for many more times than Peter did. What will we do to show the world that we truly love the one who was willing to die for the sins of all people? How will we testify to this great love? Will we take up our cross? Will we follow? Will we feed his sheep along the way?

God's Peace - Pr. J

And... The Cock Crowed

Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

                                                (Matt 26:74-75 KJV)

For years my congregations have observed Good Friday with a Tenebrae Service. There is a monologue given as if it were the eye witness account of St. Peter. It is a moving account of how much our Lord was willing to suffer for us. He was willing to endure torture and death for we who would continue to betray him even as Peter betrayed him. 

When I hear the account of St. Peter's betrayal, I am shaken to the core for I know that St. Peter is not the only betrayer. Here is our Lord giving his life that we might live and here we are living our own lives to fulfill our own selfish purposes; to protect ourselves. We can tell ourselves the Lord expects us to have everything we want to enjoy our lives, and I do believe he wants us to enjoy life; but, at what cost? Is the cost putting the love of self; the love of the world above the love of God? Do we realize that in turning to our desires that we are turning away from the one who loves us so much that he would die for us? Do we truly love the one who loved us enough to die for us above our own selfish desires? 

When Jesus rose from the grave he told Peter that if he loved him then he should feed his sheep. (John 21:15-17) If we truly love him, we would be caring for others even as Jesus cares for us. We would not be the first priority.

Tomorrow is the day that we celebrate his resurrection. But; remember, there would have been no rising from the dead if there had been no death in the first place. You cannot have Easter morning without Good Friday. We too, must die to ourselves in order to live in Christ.

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

                                                                                     (Luke 9:23-26)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Practicing Piety Before Others; An Abomination

“Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven." (Matt 6:1 NRSV)

“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” (Luke 20:46-47)

Beware! Beware of making a show of your faith. If one has to make a show of it, then they ought to examine themselves and question whether it is really faith in God that inspires them or if it is that they are trying to inspire others with their own goodness. The latter will not instill faith. Faith comes from the Word alone who is Jesus the Christ. 

A servant of God is a servant of his people. A servant of God is not one who stands before others and says, "Look at me. See how devout I am!" A servant of God will kneel before others to help them put on their shoes and they will do this quietly without alerting the world to their good deed. 

Jesus was a wandering teacher and preacher. If he owned anything, it was the clothes on his back. He came to this world for the sake of others, not for himself, and then he told us that we too must deny ourselves if we would be his followers.

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)

False piety, the obscene showing of our own righteousness is an abomination. It has caused many to have faith in their own works. No man's works can save him. Faith alone in Christ alone will inspire us to love and serve our God and his children quietly according to the gifts that he has given us. 

Get rid of those fancy robes; quit with the pious words that seem so pious yet are self-aggrandizing. Speak and act, as Jesus did, for the sake of others not for yourself. After all, he did not have to die for himself. He died for the sake of the whole world. Then, rejoice for you have been called to take up your cross and follow him!

God's Peace - Pr. J 

What Will You Give?

Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”   (Luke 18:28-30 NIV)

John the Baptist wandered alone in the wilderness announcing the coming of the Messiah and baptizing for repentance. His family did not join him as he ate locust and honey. The disciples of Jesus left everyone and everything behind them to follow Jesus. Mary lost her son. He was crucified. Since that time, multitudes of Christians have given their very lives for the faithfulness in proclaiming Jesus as their Savior and King.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (Luke 9::23-25)

Are we truly willing to give even our lives to follow Jesus? (Just something we ought to give serious consideration to every once in awhile throughout our lives.) What are you willing to give?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Who Is The Antichrist?

Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 

                                                                           1 John 2:22-23 NKJV

So, exactly who is the antichrist? According to St. John the antichrist is anyone who would deny that Jesus is the Christ. Whoever denies the Son also denies the Father. Whoever denies either is a liar and the antichrist.

Next question: How does one deny that Jesus is the Christ? Response: By trusting in our own good works for our salvation. When we trust the world, ourselves, anything or anyone before Jesus the Christ we are denying him; we are denying his power and authority to save us.

The antichrist is not some mythical being. Generations have looked for the antichrist and pointed their fingers at various political or religious leaders saying, "he is the antichrist; these are the last days." Pointing the finger at one person only distracts us from looking within ourselves to see who it is that actually abides in us. Is it Jesus the Christ or the antichrist?

May the Word of God abide in us and we in him. May God help us to trust him above all others.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Take Up Your Cross

He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  (Mark 8:34)

Ash Wednesday is less than a week away followed by the season that we call Lent. During Lent it is traditional to give up something that we enjoy. We will fast. We will not, with the help of God, break that fast until Easter Sunday.

In these days before Lent begins I would ask you to consider what indulgence you might give up. Many give up certain foods. Others attempt to give up bad habits. How about giving up some of you personal time to serve others; maybe to spend more time at worship or in Bible study with others. Or, how about taking an extra hour or two each day to spend that time in prayer for the church and for all of God's creation?

But, no matter what it is that we give up for Lent, we ought not think of it as a sacrifice. There is nothing that can compare to the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for us.

But; after all our plans are made, if we are honest with ourselves, we will say, "I cannot even pick up my own cross and follow Jesus to his cross." May God help me! And, he will. And, he has. He will be with you no matter how large or small your cross is.

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt 11:28-30_

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Afraid To Hear What The Lord Has To Say?

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." (Luke 9:23-24 NIV)

Are you one who prefers not to hear what the Lord has to say to you? Do you turn up the music and sleep with the television on rather than take the chance that God just might whisper in your ear and call you to follow Jesus?

I believe that it is the fear of hearing the truth that keeps many who claim to be Christians from gathering with brothers and sisters in Christ for worship weekly (or more often). They just may be afraid that in hearing His Word in the lessons or the preaching or even the hymns they may be called to step out beyond their own desires and follow Jesus.  

And... we all know where Jesus leads us. He leads us to the cross. He calls us to die to ourselves so that we might live in him and that he might live and reach out to others through us. There is a great possibility that if we take the time to listen to God rather than the world around us that we might just be asked to make a few changes in our lives and no one really wants to do that.

I know that I have quoted Annie Dillard from her book "Teaching a Stone to Talk" in at least a few of sermons. Well, here it is again. And, yes, maybe we should know that in hearing His Word, God will call us to a place beyond ourselves and when He does we will not be able to return to our old way of living. Yes; indeed, it takes a bit of courage to hear God's Word and actually listen to him.

"It is madness to wear straw hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For the sleeping God may wake someday and take offense, or the waking God may draw us out to where we can never return." (Annie Dillard)

May God grant us the courage to listen to Him and then to follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

God's Peace - Pr. J

How Many Times?

   Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.   But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
   Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
   He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
   After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”
   Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Matt 26:69-75 NIV)

How many times have we denied Jesus? Peter denies him verbally three times. How many times have we denied him by our silence or by our supporting the statements of someone who does verbally deny him? How many times have we denied him as we put something or someone or even ourselves before Jesus? I know we probably don't mean to. But, we do it without even considering Jesus as we strive to not offend others. 

Just wondering... How many times?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Denying Jesus

Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. (Matt 26:31-35 NIV)

The Lord knows that Peter is not going to keep this promise. In fear for his own safety, Peter will deny him thrice that very night. Even today, people around the world are persecuted; they are threatened with torture and even death for His sake. We may wonder how Peter, who knew Jesus so intimately, could desert him? But, what about us? Jesus died for us! He died that we might live! Would we deny him? Do we love the Lord enough to consider dying for his sake? Are we honestly able to declare "Even if I have to die for Jesus' sake, I will never deny Him;" let alone keep that vow?

Consider too, this day, how it is that we might be denying him, not by just our words, but by what we have done and by what we have left undone. Does the way that we choose to live, in itself, deny that Jesus is our Lord?

May God help us to follow the Good Shepherd wherever he may lead us. Never denying, always affirming that he is our Lord and Savior. He is our King!

God's Peace - Pr. J