The Suffering Servant

READ: Isaiah 53:3-6

Isaiah 53 paints the sad picture of one who took upon himself rejection, suffering, and the punishment that brought peace. The temptation is to look upon Calvary; say, “Thanks, Jesus;” and then settle into a quiet life of comfort and complacency. 

Jesus instructs us otherwise. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

And be rejected?

“Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.” (Luke 6:22-23)

And suffer?

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him. (Philippians 1:29)

And take upon ourselves the punishments that bring peace?

If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back. (Philemon 18-19)

Really, Paul?

I speak the truth in Christ -- I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit … For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people … (Romans 9:1,3)

More than a scapegoat, Christ is a prototype. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29)

Out on a Limb

The story of Zacchaeus is one of many stories told which highlight the reason Jesus became man; to save us from ourselves, to bring us the joy of His salvation.  To be perfectly honest, I had never heard this story as a child and that means I had never heard the popular children's song either. (Now you are going to have that tune in your head all day--sorry.)

Tax collectors were Jews who had sold out to the Romans. The people considered them traitors, cheats and thieves, as their job/duty was to extort heavy taxes the Romans levied on the people in order to finance this huge empire.

When Jesus came to town He often caused a stir and this time was no exception.  Zacchaeus had heard about Jesus and he wanted to see the man for himself.  Jesus' reputation had gone before him and people were curious.  The despised tax collector must have wanted more in his life to be open to Jesus' words.

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (Luke19:10)

Jesus knew Zacchaeus by name and He knew Zacchaeus was a sinner.  Still Jesus called the man down from the tree. Once down, he invited Jesus to his home. Zacchaeus He was obviously ready to have his life changed. Were you ever to that point – ready for a major life-change? 

What is your story?  What brought you to climb out on a limb with the likes of Zacchaeus?  Your story needs to be told too, so that others might hear and sense the same call upon their life.  So that all might hear Jesus' words: “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham." (Luke 19:9)

Luke 19:1-10

Revelation 14:1-5

The True Judge

When looking up synonyms for the word revelation, I found the following;

Exposure

Disclosure

Admission

Surprise

Shock

When the world as we know it comes to an end, will I be one of the 144,000 who will be redeemed from the earth? Will my family and friends be included? Will the Grace of God include a sinner such as me who has repented on a regular basis because of my humanness?

How can anyone on this earth be “pure” and “blameless” as to be offered as first fruits to God except innocent babies and children who have not yet been exposed to worldly corruption?

Revelation has always raised more questions than answers for me.

The thought of exposure and disclosure can be frightening, especially for those of us who hide behind a veil of goodness and make assumptions of our brothers and sisters based on their behavior. The fact is the Lord knows our hearts no matter how we perceive or are perceived by others.

Our judgment of the behaviors of those in our lives is not biblical, as we are told to leave judgment to our God many places within the Word. This passage in Romans is one example of warning for the day of Revelation:

Romans 14:10-12 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. 

Heaven forbid the Lord judge us as we judge others.

Read/Listen to Revelation 14:1-5

Genesis 46:1-47:12

With God's Plan-Nothing is Wasted

As this story of Joseph continues, we are reminded once again of “the big picture” and how trusting in God’s plan is our best option for living a peaceful life as the Lord intended. So many things are out of our hands, yet we attempt to control them. We want to change things to suit our circumstances and bring us comfort like Joseph's brothers did. They likely didn't live in peace after what they did.

Our dear daughter and son-in-law were expecting their third child. They were overjoyed, and anxious to welcome another tiny gift into our family. Upon learning the infant was not developing normally, they began adjusting their minds and hearts to caring for a child with special needs. That however was not part of God’s plan.

They were told this little boy would not make it to delivery. He did. Our dear Malachi Joshua was born. He cried, and we cried tears of joy that he was with us. Our precious little guy brought the entire family happiness yet concern as he had many health issues. We loved, held and cuddled him for forty hours. Then the Lord took him home.

We were all devastated, but of course none could be as heartbroken as his parents. In their mid-twenties, they were so young to have to endure such tragedy. Grief and mourning was real, raw, and heart wrenching. Through it all Malahi’s parents held tightly to each other and God’s word. His daddy was up all night the eve of the funeral, preparing to share his son’s brief yet beautiful life.

Though overwhelmed with sadness he created an amazing presentation that had everyone in awe.  Before displaying what he had prepared Malichi’s father spoke of their journey together; mommy, daddy and baby. He struggled to continue as tears welled up in his eyes and his breaking heart pounded. He concluded with how in the final moments, Malachi reached his little arms into the air as if reaching to God, took his last breath, and then settled into the arms of the Lord.

That day it was shared that “Nothing is Wasted.” Malachi’s life had great meaning and impact reaching far beyond what we will ever know. The message of hope in Christ delivered by the pastor was taken in by some in great need of a Savior. More awareness was spread on the condition of Trisomy 13 and other birth defects. Malachi’s parents became advocates for a variety of causes including adoption, ending abortions, sharing the message of God and so much more!

When we live today with the big picture of God’s plan in mind for tomorrow and beyond, we have an awareness that few others do. Each interaction and experience we have impacts others in ways unknown to us. Everything is a long-range chain reaction for good. Nothing is wasted.

God’s work through Joseph preserved a whole nation and surrounding regions from a great famine, Though Jacob mourned the death of Joseph for years, he was finally able to rest in peace. God’s promise of working for the good in Romans 8:28 doesn’t mean everything that happens to us will be good, but we can be confident in God’s power to reclaim whatever happens for a better purpose when we leave things in His hands. 

Nothing is Wasted by Jason Gray

Read/Listen to Genesis 46:1-47:12

Life on Mission – Grow

Romans 12:1-13 (Transformed)

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)

---Learn what God’s will is, and following through with it. You will change. You will grow.

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and those members do not have all the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:4-5)

---When all of us in Christ work toward the same goal of bringing others to the Lord, each using our own gifts according to the grace given us, we grow together.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:9-10)

---Be selfless in word and deed. Live genuinely, displaying love toward all others.

This “Life on Mission” journey we are on has thus far focused on connecting, serving, sharing, and now growing. It is important that we as Christ followers remain focused on growing our own understanding of the word, and deepening our relationship with the Father. As we mentor others through their own journey however, there are things we need to do to help them grow as well.

We would never leave the side of a child just as they were beginning to balance on a two wheeled bicycle. In the same way, we must not lead someone to our God and then leave them on their own. It is essential to help them learn how to continue to grow by feeding themselves with the fruit of the vine. Time, patience, materials, groups and prayer are all important to offer them on a regular basis, yet walking along side of them and being a model, a friend and an encourager is truly what they will need.

(Romans 12:12-13) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

We all have needs of some sort, yet helping others to grow and fulfill their spiritual need has far greater impact than any other need ........indeed!

Romans 12:1-13

Living Sacrifices

Romans 12:1-8

Our school district nurse uses the following as her e-mail signature line. “I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”       Maya Angelou

The way we worship is contained in the way we live our lives. How we respond to various situations, and the approach we take with those we encounter speaks to the world of whom we serve.

 “We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously, if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:6-8

Using our undeserved, God given gifts is worship in itself. Serving the children of the Lord through our strengths is honoring HIM.

First Peter 4:10 also reminds us;  “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

We all have our own personality and style, but as we grow as Christians we become more aware of the importance of living our lives in the way Christ did, as we are a reflection of Him.

As we share our talents and gifts with this world, may we be gentle in the way we display the love of our God, thoughtful in the way we reflect His grace, and sensitive in the way we reveal His mercy.

Read/Listen to Romans12:1-8 

Ephesians 4: 1-16

Unity in the Body of Christ

The gifts God has given to us are meant to be given away for the benefit of others.

What is your gift?

Our pastor’s son delivered a message last year that included some of what is contained in this passage. He expanded on it to make it very personal and practical. I will summarize it to the best of my ability, for I believe it is worth contemplating.

Ephesians 4 states: “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up…”

1 Corinthians 12:12 speaks of finding clarity regarding God’s design for us, and 12:18 tells us our placement in the body is from and by God.

Romans 12:6 summarize once again these expressions of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts:

Prophecy

Service- always seeking needs

Teaching- Helping people understand biblical truth

Exhortation- Encourager, someone who builds up others

Giving- Giving freely to others to bring glory to God without recognition

Leader- Organizer of people, with a focus on God’s plan

Mercy- compassion, kindness, empathy-drawn to the hurting

Because you are a teacher does not automatically mean teaching is your gift. How then do we identify our God given gifts? We must first learn more about what these gifts are as noted above. We must ask God for guidance and inspiration as to his intended role for us, and we should ask others. We may be surprised at the response we get, but if we search deep within us and reach out for clarity, it will be revealed. The better we understand God’s design for us, the better we can fulfill it. What IS your gift?

Read/Listen to Ephesians 4: 1-16