Tag: easter

Betrayal…

The description pierced my heart. The emotions conveyed so raw, so poignant. The narrator describing his restlessness. Being in anguish. Overtaken by fear and trembling and horror.

But what was even more shocking was the source of all this turmoil. It wasn’t an enemy taunting him, arrogantly insulting him — something he could’ve handled. It wasn’t some other adversary — then he could’ve hidden.

It was his friend.

The narrator lived centuries ago. His name is David, once a shepherd boy and later a king. He goes on to describe this “friend” in Psalm 55 of the Bible.

  • He was his equal, his companion, his close friend.
  • They used to do things together, support and encourage each other.
  • He betrayed his friends.
  • He broke his promises.
  • His words were smooth as butter… yet they were drawn swords.

The anguish David expresses literally jumps off the page. It emphasizes how nothing so pierces and destroys our hearts like the stabs of someone we’re close to. Someone we once trusted.

This week is what is referred to in the Christian calendar as Holy Week. It’s the period of time spanning Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey (Palm Sunday), the Last Supper (when He celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples and then was betrayed by one of them), the Crucifixion (what is referred to as Good Friday), and Easter (the day He was resurrected from the dead).

A gut-wrenching part of Holy Week occurs when Judas, one of the twelve disciples, sold Jesus out for thirty pieces of silver. Sold Him to those who wanted Him dead.

Judas had been with Jesus for three years. He was part of the group of twelve who followed Christ all over the countryside, learning from Him, observing miracles, seeing lives transformed. Wouldn’t you think that after all that time together Judas would have a deep, intimate relationship with Jesus? A relationship built on trust? A relationship that would mean more than a handful of coins?

Trust is the foundation of any relationship. But when that trust is broken, when one is betrayed the results are devastating.

Sadly, our world is filled with the aftermath of betrayal...

  • Marriages that end in divorce.
  • Friendships that dissolve.
  • Working relationships that disintegrate when one person does all the work but someone else gets the credit/recognition/a bonus.
  • Even our bodies betray us as we age: forgetfulness, sore/stiff joints, sagging muscles replace our once vibrant selves.
  • Some would feel the church has also betrayed them, citing hypocrisy and lack of authenticity as reasons to give up on anything related to God.

What a bleak picture!

How then do we cope? What can we learn from David’s words? From Judas’ example?

  • People let us down. They disappoint. They say and do things that affect us to the very core of our being.
  • Bad things happen. Heartache happens.
  • Life isn’t always fair.

The Psalm goes on to offer some advice, even though I must admit it sounds too simplistic:

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you…”

The reason this works is because — ultimately — vengeance isn’t ours to mete out, but rather is in God’s hands. That’s not much comfort when in the midst of betrayal, but the more I get to know God, the more I realize that He truly is Someone I can trust. He knows all that I go through… my hurts, my confusion, my struggles, and yes, my betrayals. He knows and understands because His only Son also went through the unspeakable pain of being betrayed.

Restlessness. Anguish. Fear. Trembling. Horror. Betrayal. Broken promises. Back-stabbing words.

Whatever you may be going through, no matter how deep the hurt, how raw the scars… may you find a glimmer of hope in knowing that you’re not alone. You’re seen. You’re heard. You’re loved by a Father who wants to heal your heartache, your brokenness. And somehow… may that encourage you to not give up.

And together, as we face whatever challenges life throws at us, may we have joy in the journey of this thing called “Life!”

Doubts

Doubting Thomas by Carvaggio

Our family lived in Romania for a number of years. The churches there designated the Sunday after Easter as “Thomas Sunday,” a day to remember the disciple who had doubts about the Resurrection. He wasn’t present when Jesus first appeared to the disciples, and so when they told him this good news he was skeptical:  “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe it.”  (John 20:25)

A week passes and then, when the disciples are together again, Jesus shows up and tells Thomas, “Put your finger here; see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”  (John 20:27)  Thomas did what Jesus said… and believed. 

Doubts are a normal part of life, not just for Thomas, but for ALL of us. And yet God invites our questioning, seeking, skeptical hearts to honestly share with Him our concerns. And then, like Jesus graciously did with Thomas, He shows up and helps us in our unbelief… helps us to see Him as He really is. 

Sometimes it helps to verbalize what we’re grappling with to another person. We may not have all the answers, but often a listening ear, a caring gesture can be “just what the doctor ordered.” In the midst of our doubts, our fears, our confusion there is someone who truly does understand and care… our Savior and our God.

May God encourage your heart… especially if you are feeling like Thomas these days! And together, may we have joy in the journey of this thing called “Life.”

Silent Saturday

photo credit: mbschurch.org

Good Friday. Easter Sunday. But Saturday… I’d never thought much about the in-between day until recently…

Saturday, the day after the gruesome crucifixion of Jesus, His followers were nowhere to be seen. They were in hiding, fearful for their own lives due to their association with Christ. They were scared. Struggling. Undoubtedly feeling abandoned, wondering if all they’d seen and heard the past three years was real, was worth dying for.

The following article addresses some of the same thoughts I’ve been mulling over on this Silent Saturday, and so I’m sharing it in its entirety — a guest post, so to speak. As you read, may it cause you to have hope for those inevitable times of silence in our lives, the day “between the struggle and the solution; the question and the answer; the offered prayer and the answer thereof.”

Jesus is silent on Saturday… The cadaver of Christ is as mute as the stone which guards it.  He spoke much on Friday. He will liberate the slaves of death on Sunday.  But on Saturday, Jesus is silent.

So is God.  He made himself heard on Friday.  He tore the curtains of the temple, opened the graves of the dead, rocked the earth, blocked the sun of the sky, and sacrificed the Son of Heaven.  Earth heard much of God on Friday.

Nothing on Saturday.  Jesus is silent.  God is silent.  Saturday is silent.

Easter weekend discussions tend to skip Saturday.  Friday and Sunday get the press.  The crucifixion and resurrection command our thoughts.  But don’t ignore Saturday.  You have them, too.

Silent Saturdays.  The day between the struggle and the solution; the question and the answer; the offered prayer and the answer thereof.

Saturday’s silence torments us.  Is God angry?  Did I disappoint him? God knows Jesus is in the tomb, why doesn’t He do something?  Or, in your case God knows your career is in the tank, your finances are in the pit, your marriage is in a mess. Why doesn’t He act?  What are you supposed to do until He does?

You do what Jesus did.  Lie still.  Stay silent.  Trust God.  Jesus died with this conviction: “You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay” (Acts 2:27 NIV).

Jesus knew God would not leave him alone in the grave.  You need to know, God will not leave you alone with your struggles.  His silence is not his absence, inactivity is never apathy.  Saturdays have their purpose. They let us feel the full force of God’s strength. Had God raised Jesus fifteen minutes after the death of His son, would we have appreciated the act? Were He to solve your problems the second they appear, would you appreciate His strength?

For His reasons, God inserts a Saturday between our Fridays and Sundays.  If today is one for you, be patient.  As one who endured the silent Saturday wrote:  “Be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord” (James 5:7 NKJV).

© Max Lucado, 2013

Last words… lasting words

photo credit: https://velocitychurch.life

I’m not sure what prompted the reminiscing… but earlier this week I started thinking about words or phrases I associate with certain people:

  • Things just keep perking along! (my mom — whenever we would call to check in on her)
  • I can put you in the canoe and give you oars… but you have to do the paddling. (my dad — as I left home after graduating from university for a job on the other side of America)
  • Blameless??? What does “blameless” look like??? (Nicole K. — during a Bible study years ago)
  • You can’t be your husband’s Holy Spirit! (Linda D. — in a study on marriage when I was a relatively young bride)
  • “Praise the Lord!” is a command… so tell God what you’re praising Him for! (Myrna A. — at a conference for college students at my first job)
  • We can’t live in a “what if” world. (my husband — shortly after we got married)
  • Only two things last forever: God’s Word and man’s soul. We want to invest our lives in those things. (my husband again — when we were newlyweds)
  • Sometimes you just need a good cry. (my sister — when we were teenagers)

Thinking of those words and phrases brought to mind some important things that Jesus said…

We’re entering into what is often referred to as Holy Week: the period of time encompassing when Jesus triumphantly entered into Jerusalem riding a donkey (Palm Sunday), the Last Supper (when He celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples and then was betrayed by one of them), the Crucifixion (what is referred to as Good Friday), and then Easter (the day He was resurrected from the dead). Significant events. And so what He had to say during that period — His last words — is vitally important for those of us who are Christ followers.

Last words… lasting words.

Imagine what it would be like for YOU if you knew you only had a limited amount of time — just a few days — with those with whom you’re closest. How would knowing that impact what you would say? do?

Jesus gathered those He was closest to — His twelve disciples — for a meal. That’s not so unusual. But what He did during the meal was VERY unusual. Shocking even. He assumed the role of a servant and began to wash the feet of His followers. In that day and that culture, when walking was the main mode of transportation and wearing sandals the preferred footwear, a person’s feet would get dusty and sweaty when walking from Point A to Point B. The lowliest of jobs was that of the servant who would be tasked with washing the feet of those entering one’s home.

Just a few days before, Jesus had been hailed as a king. Now… He was washing feet. By doing this, He was communicating a powerful message to the twelve and subsequently to us: we who have placed our faith, our trust in Jesus have been totally washed/made clean. But periodically, we need to have our feet washed… to be cleansed of the sins that creep into our lives.

His actions also spoke loudly of what it means to be a leader… by being a servant. Being willing to stoop down, be inconvenienced. Being willing to be misunderstood.

Another thing Jesus did during His last days was pray for His followers — both those who were physically present with Him and those of us who now are embracing Him as our Saviour. His final plea was that we would be unified and reflect His love to the world in which we live.

I do not ask for these only [the twelve who were present], but also for those who will believe in Me through their word [us], that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.

Jesus in John 17: 20-22

There were other last words… lasting words that Jesus shared those final days (you can read them in the New Testament: John chapters 13-17). But for now, I’m focusing on and mulling over these two examples and how they impact my life: being a servant and living in harmony with others/reflecting God’s love to those in my sphere of influence.

Take time this next week to reflect on who Jesus is and what difference He makes in your life. And may we encourage one another to heed those last words… lasting words. By doing so, may we have joy in the journey of this thing called “Life!”

Doubts

Doubting Thomas by Carvaggio

Our family lived in Romania for a number of years. The churches there designated the Sunday after Easter as “Thomas Sunday,” a day to remember the disciple who had doubts about the Resurrection. He wasn’t present when Jesus first appeared to the disciples, and so when they told him this good news he was skeptical:  “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe it.”  (John 20:25)

A week passes and then, when the disciples are together again, Jesus shows up and tells Thomas, “Put your finger here; see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”  (John 20:27)  Thomas did what Jesus said… and believed. 

Doubts are a normal part of life, not just for Thomas, but for ALL of us. And yet God invites our questioning, seeking, skeptical hearts to honestly share with Him our concerns. And then, like Jesus graciously did with Thomas, He shows up and helps us in our unbelief… helps us to see Him as He really is. 

Sometimes it helps to verbalize what we’re grappling with to another person. We may not have all the answers, but often a listening ear, a caring gesture can be “just what the doctor ordered.” In the midst of our doubts, our fears, our confusion there is someone who truly does understand and care… our Savior and our God.

May God encourage your heart… especially if you are feeling like Thomas these days! And together, may we have joy in the journey of this thing called “Life.”