Losing and Gaining Our Lives
"The great paradox of life is that those who lose their lives will gain them. This paradox becomes visible in very ordinary situations. If we cling to our friends, we may lose them, but when we are nonpossessive in our relationships, we will make many friends. When fame is what we seek and desire, it often vanishes as soon as we acquire it, but when we have no need to be known, we might be remembered long after our deaths. When we want to be in the center, we easily end up on the margins, but when we are free enough to be wherever we must be, we find ourselves often in the center.
Giving away our lives for others is the greatest of all human arts. This will gain us our lives."
---written by Henri Nouwen
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Have you come to destroy us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Mark 1:24
What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?
The answer: both yes and no.
What does it mean to destroy? Here are some alternate words with similar meanings: Obliterate, wipe out, decimate, to cause to perish, put to death, to tear down.
Jesus has indeed come to destroy us and he has come to save us. It is in the destroying us that he saves us. There is the pursuit of Jesus for the lost and the broken. Most of the time the lost don’t seem to want to be found and the broken don’t seem to want to be restored. At least they don’t show this externally, although, internally, they may desperately want to be found and restored.
For a new self to emerge, the old self has to be torn down and burned in fire. A funeral procession has to happen before Jesus can walk up and lay his hand on the coffin and yell, “Arise!”
It is a hard fought battle for someone who thinks they are alive to be convinced that they are not, especially when they fit all the logical and scientific definitions of being physically alive. Yet what Jesus wants to kill is not the body, but the sinful self. The sinful self must be put to death on the cross, crucified with Christ. Only then can there be a new creation and freedom from sin and death.
How can we die to ourselves today? How can we carry our cross? Perhaps Jesus is pursuing us with the hope that he might be able to destroy us; destroy our arrogance, pride, our will, our selfishness so that we will be left with only nothing but him. Jesus alone. It is usually when we have no other options and are at the end of our rope that Jesus can best work with us. What is required is an emptying of ourselves.
What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?
The answer: both yes and no.
What does it mean to destroy? Here are some alternate words with similar meanings: Obliterate, wipe out, decimate, to cause to perish, put to death, to tear down.
Jesus has indeed come to destroy us and he has come to save us. It is in the destroying us that he saves us. There is the pursuit of Jesus for the lost and the broken. Most of the time the lost don’t seem to want to be found and the broken don’t seem to want to be restored. At least they don’t show this externally, although, internally, they may desperately want to be found and restored.
For a new self to emerge, the old self has to be torn down and burned in fire. A funeral procession has to happen before Jesus can walk up and lay his hand on the coffin and yell, “Arise!”
It is a hard fought battle for someone who thinks they are alive to be convinced that they are not, especially when they fit all the logical and scientific definitions of being physically alive. Yet what Jesus wants to kill is not the body, but the sinful self. The sinful self must be put to death on the cross, crucified with Christ. Only then can there be a new creation and freedom from sin and death.
How can we die to ourselves today? How can we carry our cross? Perhaps Jesus is pursuing us with the hope that he might be able to destroy us; destroy our arrogance, pride, our will, our selfishness so that we will be left with only nothing but him. Jesus alone. It is usually when we have no other options and are at the end of our rope that Jesus can best work with us. What is required is an emptying of ourselves.
Recommend:
The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence
On Being a Theologian of the Cross, Gerhard Forde
Commentary on Romans, Martin Luther
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
he saved the world in a single day
Zechariah 3:9 “…says the LORD Almighty, “and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.”
On the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished.” (John 19) At that point in time, the work which the Father had given him had been accomplished and brought glory to the Fathers (John 17:4). And in that moment of Jesus’ giving himself for sinful humanity, the work of the cross was accomplished and completed.
In 1994, I turned to Jesus for new life and asked him to forgive my sin and to give me a new heart. That day marks the day that I was born again; that I repented of my sin and put my faith in Christ. However, Jesus did not have to die on the cross all over again because it was 1994; it was finished once and for all on a dusty hillside in Palestine. Now it makes sense—the sovereignty of God—that Paul wrote “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” (Eph. 1:4)
“Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed himself for their sins once for all when he offered himself.” (Heb 7:27)
“The death he died, he died to sin once for all…” Romans 6:10
“…Jesus entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.”
“Nor did Jesus have to enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the High Priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people and will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:25-28
“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” 1 Peter 3:18
On the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished.” (John 19) At that point in time, the work which the Father had given him had been accomplished and brought glory to the Fathers (John 17:4). And in that moment of Jesus’ giving himself for sinful humanity, the work of the cross was accomplished and completed.
In 1994, I turned to Jesus for new life and asked him to forgive my sin and to give me a new heart. That day marks the day that I was born again; that I repented of my sin and put my faith in Christ. However, Jesus did not have to die on the cross all over again because it was 1994; it was finished once and for all on a dusty hillside in Palestine. Now it makes sense—the sovereignty of God—that Paul wrote “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” (Eph. 1:4)
“Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed himself for their sins once for all when he offered himself.” (Heb 7:27)
“The death he died, he died to sin once for all…” Romans 6:10
“…Jesus entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.”
“Nor did Jesus have to enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the High Priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people and will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:25-28
“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” 1 Peter 3:18
Monday, April 27, 2009
called to be a servant; not a rock star
Ephesians 1:1—‘an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.’
As much as we like to nominate ourselves for great works for God and to be in places of importance; whether a great leader, great speaker, artist, musician, etc it is ultimately God who ordains and appoints people to be in his service and to accomplish his work. It is God who calls and God who appoints and sets us apart for doing His work. Our only work is to believe through faith and then to walk in that faith as we follow Jesus.
John 15—you did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit; fruit that will last.
Eph 1:4—for he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. He adopted us as sons in accordance to his pleasure and will.
So although, we like to nominate ourselves or move ourselves forward into important positions; it is not we who are in a position to do so. Who would dare to claim to be divinely called of God without first being sure that it was He who was calling?
Yet I am afraid we too often rush into it all, without first counting the cost and asking ourselves if we are indeed willing to drink the cup. To be called and to do the work of God is often a work of perseverance and faith which is surrounded by suffering. Following in the calling of God is not one of glamour. Too many people in ministry need ministry because it gives them identity and purpose. Unfortunately it is the ministry they seek to find this in and not Jesus. There is a mirage that looks as if to be in ministry is surrounded by fame and attention and these days, even above average paychecks. To follow Jesus is not glamorous.
Probably the greatest leaders (servants) doing the work of the kingdom are people you will never hear about. They will not be found in any newsletter or publication or on the TV. They will not be sought after for interviews or to speak at conferences and they will most certainly not be self-promoting. You will find the greatest leaders in the Kingdom running away from the camera; hidden, obscure, and fulfilling their calling in secret—with the one who sees all things being the only one who notices. NO, the greatest in the kingdom are the ones who are the least; who are the servants.
We all want to be known for having a servant’s heart, but we don’t want to be treated like a servant. Many in ministry would rather be treated like a rock-star. But with a true calling of Jesus, this cannot be the case.
As much as we like to nominate ourselves for great works for God and to be in places of importance; whether a great leader, great speaker, artist, musician, etc it is ultimately God who ordains and appoints people to be in his service and to accomplish his work. It is God who calls and God who appoints and sets us apart for doing His work. Our only work is to believe through faith and then to walk in that faith as we follow Jesus.
John 15—you did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit; fruit that will last.
Eph 1:4—for he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. He adopted us as sons in accordance to his pleasure and will.
So although, we like to nominate ourselves or move ourselves forward into important positions; it is not we who are in a position to do so. Who would dare to claim to be divinely called of God without first being sure that it was He who was calling?
Yet I am afraid we too often rush into it all, without first counting the cost and asking ourselves if we are indeed willing to drink the cup. To be called and to do the work of God is often a work of perseverance and faith which is surrounded by suffering. Following in the calling of God is not one of glamour. Too many people in ministry need ministry because it gives them identity and purpose. Unfortunately it is the ministry they seek to find this in and not Jesus. There is a mirage that looks as if to be in ministry is surrounded by fame and attention and these days, even above average paychecks. To follow Jesus is not glamorous.
Probably the greatest leaders (servants) doing the work of the kingdom are people you will never hear about. They will not be found in any newsletter or publication or on the TV. They will not be sought after for interviews or to speak at conferences and they will most certainly not be self-promoting. You will find the greatest leaders in the Kingdom running away from the camera; hidden, obscure, and fulfilling their calling in secret—with the one who sees all things being the only one who notices. NO, the greatest in the kingdom are the ones who are the least; who are the servants.
We all want to be known for having a servant’s heart, but we don’t want to be treated like a servant. Many in ministry would rather be treated like a rock-star. But with a true calling of Jesus, this cannot be the case.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
to love your betrayer
After Jesus had said this, he was clearly in anguish of soul, and he added solemnly, "I tell you plainly, one of you is going to betray me."
At this the disciples stared at each other, completely mystified as to whom he could mean. And it happened that one of them, who Jesus loved, was sitting very close to him. So Simon Peter nodded to this man and said, "Tell us who he means." He simply leaned forward on Jesus' shoulder, and asked, "Lord, who is it?"
And Jesus answered, "It is the one I am going to give this piece of bread to, after I have dipped it in the dish." Then he took a piece of bread, dipped it in the dish and gave it to Simon's son, Judas Iscariot.
If you knew that a close friend was going to betray you, especially at a point when you would need him the most, would you be able to love them?
“Lord, who is it?”
“It is the one I am going to give this piece of bread to.”
Then Judas left the table to go about his business. Jesus turned to the others and said, “This is a new command I give you: love one another. All people will know you are my disciples if you love one another.”
Oh! How ridiculously absurd is the idea that we should love our enemies! Yet earlier in his ministry in what is known as the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the hearers to “love your enemies.” And here, a couple of years later, he models it out. To respond with love in the face of foreknown betrayal; to respond with love in the face of hatred is a difficult task—humanly impossible. Only through the Spirit can we love our enemies.
When you unconditionally love those who love you with an agenda or to only ‘get’ something from you is indeed an uphill walk. Equally difficult, is to love with no strings attached even when those you love have uncountable stings that come along with their love. If you love someone with an agenda or to get something from them; is it really love?
All along, Jesus knew Judas would betray him, yet he chose him to be in the intimate fellowship of the twelve and to hear the secrets of the Kingdom. Jesus loved those the Father gave them right up until the end. And even for Judas, the bread of the body of the Son of God was given.
Let us love as Jesus loves; for no reason at all and with no agenda and no strings attached. Can you learn to love someone who can do nothing for you; who has nothing to give you in return?
At this the disciples stared at each other, completely mystified as to whom he could mean. And it happened that one of them, who Jesus loved, was sitting very close to him. So Simon Peter nodded to this man and said, "Tell us who he means." He simply leaned forward on Jesus' shoulder, and asked, "Lord, who is it?"
And Jesus answered, "It is the one I am going to give this piece of bread to, after I have dipped it in the dish." Then he took a piece of bread, dipped it in the dish and gave it to Simon's son, Judas Iscariot.
If you knew that a close friend was going to betray you, especially at a point when you would need him the most, would you be able to love them?
“Lord, who is it?”
“It is the one I am going to give this piece of bread to.”
Then Judas left the table to go about his business. Jesus turned to the others and said, “This is a new command I give you: love one another. All people will know you are my disciples if you love one another.”
Oh! How ridiculously absurd is the idea that we should love our enemies! Yet earlier in his ministry in what is known as the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the hearers to “love your enemies.” And here, a couple of years later, he models it out. To respond with love in the face of foreknown betrayal; to respond with love in the face of hatred is a difficult task—humanly impossible. Only through the Spirit can we love our enemies.
When you unconditionally love those who love you with an agenda or to only ‘get’ something from you is indeed an uphill walk. Equally difficult, is to love with no strings attached even when those you love have uncountable stings that come along with their love. If you love someone with an agenda or to get something from them; is it really love?
All along, Jesus knew Judas would betray him, yet he chose him to be in the intimate fellowship of the twelve and to hear the secrets of the Kingdom. Jesus loved those the Father gave them right up until the end. And even for Judas, the bread of the body of the Son of God was given.
Let us love as Jesus loves; for no reason at all and with no agenda and no strings attached. Can you learn to love someone who can do nothing for you; who has nothing to give you in return?
Monday, April 6, 2009
do you know yourself?
I’ve been reading through the journals of John Wesley, an Anglican cleric and Christian theologian who founded the Arminian Methodist movement. The Wesley Methodist Movement began when Wesely took over the open-air preaching circuit started by George Whitfield.
When Wesley arrived from England to Savannah, Georgia and began to preach, a mentor of his asked him a couple of questions. I supposed it might do us all good, here in this twenty-first century, to think on these ourselves. They are very simple but very thought provoking:
Do you know yourself?
Does the Spirit of God bear witness with your spirit that you are a child of God?
How does one begin to answer these? They are elementary life questions, but one very rarely wrestles these questions to the ground to find a complete and concluding answer. I wonder how many of us have come to a solid and confident answer that satisfies the depths of our souls. How many of us truly know ourselves? We tend to know ourselves very well on surfaces, but the depths of who we are remain largely unexplored.
Furthermore, we know that if we are believers in Christ we are a new creation and a child of God, yet many of us walk daily with a sense of abandonment. Many of God’s children act too much like orphans. How can we help remind each other on a daily basis that we are heirs of the Kingdom and that we have been adopted into the family of Christ? With this adoption comes all of creation as well as the watchful companionship of the Father.
Friday, April 3, 2009
computers
it frightens me when i think of how attached i am to a computer. If i don't have a computer in front of me, there is something in me that screams, "You are missing something!" I need to find some way to fight this constant need to have a computer; to check my email, etc. The world has done okay without the computer for thousands of years, i need not fear if my email goes unchecked for two days.
i was out of town for the last few days at Windy Gap; i had no cell phone service and did not have my computer with me. When i returned only 72 hours later; I had over 120 emails. People seemed to be screaming, "Where are you?" "Why haven't you responded to my email; my text message; the message i left on your phone?"
I must find a way to move more and more towards face to face relationships. Technology seems to only cause us to separate ourselves from others; it is a boundary that keeps people out of our own little virtual world.
We seem to have thousands of virtual relationships and very few real, face to face ones.
i was out of town for the last few days at Windy Gap; i had no cell phone service and did not have my computer with me. When i returned only 72 hours later; I had over 120 emails. People seemed to be screaming, "Where are you?" "Why haven't you responded to my email; my text message; the message i left on your phone?"
I must find a way to move more and more towards face to face relationships. Technology seems to only cause us to separate ourselves from others; it is a boundary that keeps people out of our own little virtual world.
We seem to have thousands of virtual relationships and very few real, face to face ones.
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