Without Jesus We Can Do Nothing

Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV; Our good works will not bring us salvation; however; our faith in the one who saved us will produce good works as we abide in him.

We Are Sinners

1 John 2:1-2, 8; John 17:21-23; We are sinner; yet, are saints by faith in Christ who shed his blood as a sacrifice for our sins.

Let Us Be With Him In Prayer

Readings from Psalm 119:114; Matthew 26:36-39; When we need a place to be away from the turmoil we can turn to the Lord in prayer.

The Cup Of Salvation

Saved For A Good Purpose

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.

And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.

And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

                                                                 (Gen 45:3-8 KJV)

Joseph was favored by his father and that made his brothers jealous enough to sell him into slavery. If we went no further with this story than the betrayal by his brothers it would seem like a very bad thing. But, God did not intend for Joseph to be a slave. His purpose was for Joseph to become a leader. He intended to use Joseph to save the people, including the same brothers who sold him, from death by starvation. Joseph forgave his brothers who betrayed him. He forgave and saved them.

Jesus was also sold by Judas. He was betrayed by many. His followers; his disciples deserted him. His suffering was great. Yet, there was a good purpose. His suffering was for our good. That purpose was so that we might be saved from the power of death. 

When his friend, Lazarus, died, Jesus had reassured Lazarus' sister, Martha, that Lazarus would live.

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." (John 11:25-27)

No matter how bad things may seem at any given time, know that God has a good plan for those who love him. (Rom 8:28) In the years to come those who love him will look back to today and see that God led you them these rough times to a better place even a marvelous place.

Be comforted with the knowledge that God is with you and he has a good plan for your life. He will lead you to a better place through valleys of the shadow of death, through green pastures, beside still waters. His goodness and mercy will be with you all the days of your life and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  (Psalm 23)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Marriage Feast

And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.

Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

                                                                        (John 2:1-10 KJV)

Jesus' first miracle was at a wedding celebration. When they ran out of celebratory wine he turned water into very good wine for the people. The man in charge of the feast tasted it and said: "Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now." 

Jesus provided the best wine to celebrate with. That is how a relationship with Jesus goes as well. When we receive the bridegroom, Jesus, into our lives we are receiving the best! 

Jesus began his ministry by turning water into wine for the wedding feast. On the night in which he was betrayed he took the cup of wine and said:  "this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." (1 Cor 11:25)

Taste and see that the Lord is good as you look to the day when we will celebrate at the marriage feast of the lamb! (Rev 19:6-9)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Not For The Fear Of Hell

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 

                           (John 1:12-13 KJV)

I was reminded this week of something a confirmation student once asked me. That question was:  "Why do I want to go to heaven?"  Why indeed!?  What brought this to mind was something I heard this week. Not a direct quote; but, what I understood this person to imply strongly was: "We need to repent so that we do not go to hell." 

Hmmm....  Still knots in my stomach, days later, over that one! That reasoning is really hard for me to grasp for it certainly is not my reason for wanting "to go to heaven."  You see, I am a child of God. We have a tremendous Father in heaven who truly loves us. By faith alone in Christ alone we have been reconciled to our Father in heaven. I love Him and I want to be in his presence every moment of every day. That why I want to abide in heaven.

On the night in which he was betrayed Jesus told the disciples that he would be leaving them; but, that they should not be worried. He was going to prepare a place for them in his Father's house; our Father's house. He told them:

"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)

The truth is humankind was kicked out of paradise for despising God's word. They did not listen to him. What a great loss that was! Humankind could no longer walk with God in the place he had prepared for humankind. But, through the sacrifice that Jesus made for us we can now live with God in paradise; in the heavenly kingdom. 

It is not for the fear of hell that we should desire to go to heaven. It is for the opportunity to live in our loving Father's presence for all of eternity. After all, who doesn't want to love and be loved?

God's Peace - Pr. J.

He Sees; He Knows

And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?

And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.

And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.

And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. 

                                                                               (Mark 14:12-16 KJV)

The two disciples were able to make the preparations to observe the passover just as Jesus had told them. How did Jesus know about this upper room and that the owner of the house would allow them to use it for the passover?  They had no telephones. They didn't even have telegraph. It makes no mention of anyone carrying a message back and forth between Jesus and the homeowner prior to them coming into Jerusalem. And, if Jesus had sent anyone to make the arrangement to use his property it would have been one of the disciples he sent to make the preparations with the landowner. How does Jesus know what is going to happen?

How does Jesus know that he will be betrayed by Judas? How does he know that he will be executed and be resurrected from the dead? How does he know? 

He knows! He knows what tomorrow will bring even when we do not. He even knows what we are thinking; what we are worrying or rejoicing about; what we are planning in our hearts. He knows and he cares and is with you no matter what you may be facing.

Listen to him and follow in his footsteps for he knows that death has no power over those who would believe in him. He knows that life in the Kingdom awaits you.

God's Peace - Pr. J.  

Indignant And Arrogant

And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. 

                                                                               (Mark 14:3-10 KJV)

Indignant and I'd say a bit arrogant were some of the disciples. Why should this woman waste money on such an extravagant gift for Jesus?

Was Judas, the disciple in charge of their money, upset to see such waste? Or, was he upset because he thought Jesus was making excuses for this mere woman who was being so forward? Maybe, he felt offended because Jesus reminded them that they could help the poor whenever they wished. Maybe Judas felt that Jesus was hinting that they themselves, including Judas, could do much more to help the poor.

Apparently Judas' feelings were hurt. He was one of the indignant. So indignant that he wanted to get even with Jesus so he betrayed him and handed him over to be tried.

Judas isn't the only one. Humankind has a habit of striking back when things don't go exactly their way. Humankind also has a habit of pointing fingers at others and blaming these others for the poor in the world. They could help so much more if they were only willing! But, here Jesus reminds us "For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good."

Do good to one another. Help those in need. It is not just the government's job to do that. It is ours. It is up to each of us as individuals and as members of the Body of Christ to help those in need. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Thy Word Is Truth

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 

                                                                                  (John 17:15-21 KJV)

On the night that Jesus was betrayed he prayed that his followers might be sanctified through the truth which comes by God's word. He prayed not just for his followers of that day; but, for all followers who would come in the many generations to come. Without ever seeing Jesus in the flesh those generations would be sanctified and united with the Father and one another by hearing the word of God; by hearing the truth. And, it is so. 

Evangelists of every sort have been proclaiming the Kingdom of God through Jesus the Christ for two thousand years and through that word proclaimed many have come to believe that Jesus died that they might live eternally in the presence of God in the Kingdom of God.

Let us continue preaching this Good News for faith comes by hearing the word of God; hearing the truth. 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:13-17)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Blood Shed For Many

And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.

And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

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.
                                                                                 (Mark 14: 22-27 KJV)

Eat and drink. This is my body. This is my blood.

It is Maundy Thursday. Today we remember the last meal that Jesus shared with his disciples. It was the passover meal. The annual commemoration of the night that, by God's hand, the Israelites were to be delivered from bondage to Egypt. Every first born, both man and beast, would die that night. Every first born except for those who had placed the blood of an unblemished lamb upon their doorposts. Then the lamb itself would be eaten in its entirety by those who were present in the house.

Today we remember that the unblemished lamb of God, Jesus the Christ, was about to be slaughtered; that his body and blood were given so that we might be delivered from bondage to sin; from bondage to a sinful world. 

How sinful that world he lived in was! His friends; his followers, betrayed him, they denied him; they scattered and hid in fear for their own lives. Do we really do anything different today? 

Let us remember, that on this day, Jesus willingly committed his body and his blood as a sacrifice that we might live. The blood of Christ was poured out for us that sin and death would have no power over us. 

God grant that we should live in thankfulness and faithfulness to the one who lived and died and yet lives for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

A Grand Entrance

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. 

                                                                          (John 12:12-13 KJV)

The beginning of Holy Week...

Jesus is treated like a king as he enters Jerusalem to celebrate the passover. The people go out to greet him shouting Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel!

Ah, yes! What a grand entrance. But, how is he treated by the end of the week? 

He is betrayed by his treasurer; one of his followers.

He is denied.

He is deserted.

He is tortured.

He is crucified.

What are you doing this week? Although most congregations will not be having any worship services in their buildings; will you be remembering what our Lord suffered for us? Will you remember as you celebrate Easter Sunday in your homes that there would be no Easter; there would have been no resurrection without Good Friday; without the events of Holy Week?

Let us thank God for sending us His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for our sins and remember this week and every day of the year, with thanksgiving, for the events of Holy Week.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Betrayed

And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. (Matt 26:47-50 KJV)

A follower; a friend, betrayed him. He betrayed him with a kiss. It takes so little sometimes to turn a friend into an enemy. You don't even have to do anything  out of your norm and you could find yourself in the courts because a friend or even a family member has turned you in to protect themselves and what they desire no matter how trivial that desire might be. 

Those charges against Jesus were charges contrived of false accusations because of such things as fear, jealousy, and even disappointment as in Judas' case when he realized that Jesus did not have the same goals in mind that Judas had. 

It is a sad thing when someone you love turns against you to protect and preserve their future. But, it happens and it happens way to much. There are those who will throw their own children under the bus to keep from being hit themselves.

But, that is not the way with Jesus. He knew that Judas would betray him. Yet, he willingly threw himself under the bus to save us. He willingly bore our sins. He was executed for our sins. He did not turn his back on us. 

Judas betrayed the innocent Jesus with a kiss. May God help us to be faithful to the one who would not betray us. Let our love for the Lord be genuine.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Maundy Thursday

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

                                                                                (1 Cor 11:23-26 KJV)

On the night in which he was betrayed the Lord delivered to us the promise of life. Life was delivered to us when his body was broken and his blood shed on the cross. In the Sacrament of Holy Communion we receive his body and his blood. In the eating and drinking we receive him into ourselves. We do not receive death. We receive life. We receive the living God in this Holy Sacrament. As we remember his betrayal, his persecution, and his death, many we also remember that he rose from the grave and lives. As he lives, so shall we!

Please, join your local congregation this Maundy Thursday and remember what Christ has done for you; to remember his journey to the cross for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Falling Asleep?

Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” (Mark 14:41-42 NIV)

On the night in which he was betrayed, the disciples completely oblivious to the inner torment that Jesus was experiencing, fell asleep. Rather than pray with or for Him; instead of being there for him, they fell asleep.

How often have we fallen asleep when our neighbors or friends or family were in need? How many times have we turned our back on others because we had better more personal things and often more enjoyable things to do? How often? Every time we have, we have turned our back on Jesus for what we do or do not do for others; we do or do not do for Jesus.

How many times have we paced the floors in the middle of the night or fell on our faces praying throughout the night, asking God to deliver us or someone else while everyone else was fast asleep oblivious to the trouble around them or about to come upon them? We pace, we pray, until peace comes upon us and the resolution is at hand. 

The resolution for Jesus was to be betrayed with a kiss by a follower, a friend. What comes for Jesus is death and ultimately resurrection. Sometimes, (OK - often) the resolution that comes is not an immediate reprieve; but, a journey through even darker times; a place where even our friends will desert us. What comes is a journey through the valley of the shadow of death so that ultimately, not our; but, God's will is done.

In order to get to the place where we can know peace no matter what God's will is for us, we pray. We find solace in His presence.

May God grant that we should live in His presence now and always.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Shall We Desert Him?

The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the king of Israel!”    (John 23:12-13 NIV)

Oh, what a glorious day it was. Jesus, the prophesied King of the Jews was coming to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The people went out to meet him waving palm branches in celebration. But, this was not to last and he was not the kind of king that they were hoping for. He would be lording it over no one. When he came into his kingdom it would be a kingdom of peace. It would be a kingdom of love; not of political agendas and maneuvers for any particular people. He came so that through him, all people might live in his Kingdom.

But, the people did not understand. The disciples did not understand. By the end of the week, even  friends would betray and desert him. Between two criminals he would be executed on a cross.

Today is Palm and/or Passion Sunday depending on how congregations around the world decide to celebrate it. I have always celebrated both. The proclamation of the Gospel will begin with Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and it will not be finished until we see Jesus buried in the tomb. It will not be abbreviated in any way because we need to hear it. I anticipate there will be about the average number of people at worship today to wave the palms. On Easter Sunday, there will be even more to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. But what of the days between Sundays? It has been my experience that the observance of the night in which he was betrayed, when he gave to the disciples the bread and wine, declaring that they were his body and blood given for us and the day of his execution will not see so many at worship. Many followers will stay away. Just as many of his followers stayed away from Calvary so shall many of his followers today stay away from the observance of this fateful week; for they are not days of celebration; but, of grief as we are hit with the stark reality that in order for us to live; Jesus had to die.

Today, we will hear the entire story from the triumphant entrance into Jerusalem to the tomb because if it were not told today, many would not hear of the events between the Sunday celebrations. Without Good Friday; there would be no resurrection; there would be no Easter Sunday.

Please, join your local congregation at every opportunity this week so that you might hear the whole story of Jesus' passion for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Betrayed For The Truth

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” John 13:21 NIV

On the evening before he was executed, Jesus sat down for his last meal with his friends and followers. He was troubled over the events which were about to transpire. He knew that one of those men would betray him and hand him over to be put to death. He also knew that it was the will of our Father in heaven that such a tragedy should occur.

It disturbs most human beings when we discover that we have been betrayed.  When one whom we thought was our friend turns against us because their desires are more important than the greater good; more important than God's good will for others. It hurts when we find ourselves being attacked because of our stand on the Word of God. But, stand we must not just for our sakes; but, for the sake of the world; for the sake of future generations.

Luther was attacked over and over again for taking his stand on the Word of God. It may not be pleasant; but, it is a reality for those who love the Lord, who is the only way, the truth, and who is our life. (John 14:6) 

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Matt 24:9-14

May God help us to all "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Eph 6:14-17

God's Peace - Pr. J

Humility

Three of my favorite children (they are all my favorites) at the celebration of their

first Communion as they remember the night in which our Lord was betrayed; the night in which he humbled himself and bowed down to wash the disciples feet; when he broke bread with those who would betray and desert him;

the night before he humbled himself and was executed on the cross in our place.

Micah 6:8 NIV
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.    
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God."

I am preparing for tomorrow's sermon... We will consider humility. What is it? How does it come to us?

It comes to us when we recognize that we are sinners. We have turned our backs on God and on one another and we continue to do it. Daily, we continue to seek our own wills rather than the will of God to love mercy and act justly toward others. We deserve the death sentence.

Humility comes to us when we understand that God loves us so much; that His only begotten Son loves us so much; that he was willing to pay the penalty for our sin; for our crimes, by being executed on the cross in our place. The penalty for our sin has been paid in full by another. What can be more humbling than that.

It would be very good indeed for this world, if we all just did the good that the LORD has shown us. Can you imagine what the world would be like if every professing Christian actually made it a priority to act justly and love mercy as we walk humbly with our God?

One of my favorite descriptions of humility was written by Washington Allston. He wrote: "Humility is also a healing virtue; it will cicatrize a thousand wounds, which pride would keep for ever open."

Jesus was willing to humble himself and die for us that we might be healed; that we might be made whole.

But He was wounded for our transgressions,He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:5-6 (see also 1 Peter 2:24-25)

Let us then set aside our pride as we walk humbly with our God, so that justice and mercy might prevail.

God's Peace - Pr. J