In the Bleak Mid-winter
A full day, Father, though not as full as in years past. I pray that our humble offerings of service would have the impact that You desire. Amen.
********
This past week something occurred that was a bit out of the ordinary. It is not unusual for it to snow this time of year, but it is a bit unusual for it to linger for very long. We had about four inches earlier in the week and then there was more a day or so later.
Snow is one of those things that people either despise or love. Normally there is not much middle ground. I, for one, love snow…even though it can be a great challenge to drive in – especially a school bus! But honestly, that is another one of the perks of driving a school bus, especially when you drive for a rural school district.
At this point in the year, it is still pretty dark on my early route, but the sun is up for my elementary route and my views are often spectacular – sunrises, wildlife, to name just a couple – but there is something beautifully serene about snow.
Scenes of nature this time of year, and for the next few months, are pretty drab. The only green you will see are evergreens and the occasional field of winter wheat. Everything else consists of a wide variety of browns and greys – somber to say the least. But when the snow comes, everything is under a beautifully brilliant layer of white! It shines…it shimmers. The drab is gone and if you know how to look, sights that are breathtaking to the eyes abound! Come around a bend or pop over a rise and glory is all around.
A few years back a Christian artist by the name of Twila Paris released her version of the Christmas hymn, In the Bleak Mid-winter. (And as if God is affirming my writing, what should come to my ears but the song itself as I write!) I may have heard it before, but it has stuck in my head since then. It was written originally as a poem by a young lady by the name of Christina Rossetti in January 1872. Here are three of its stanzas,
In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan;
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
Our God, heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain,
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty —
Jesus Christ.
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am? —
If I were a Shepherd
I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man
I would do my part, —
Yet what I can I give Him, —
Give my heart.
(Read the entire poem on Wikipedia by click here.)
One of our struggles is that far too often we feel that our lives are filled with way too many browns and greys…especially before we come to a relationship with Christ. Life is drab but he covers our lives with Himself, much like snow covers a bleak mid-winter world and lives that were once dull and dreary come alive under His guiding hand. What once had the look of barely being alive now becomes vibrant and glory is all around! What a wonderful gift He gives us!
Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7 NLT
Dec 20th, 2020, Sun, 8:23 pm
Don’t Turn Your Back on a Friend
Father, one would think that with the way life is right now there would be less stress and less that needs doing. But, as You are well aware, that just doesn’t seem to be the case. Shore me up to be up to the task. May I be what You need me to be in all circumstances. Amen.
Luke 22:54-65 (<<click here to read the passage)
As an adult with a few years under my belt, one thing I have struggled with is fake friends. Here’s one example. Early on in my time at Kohl’s, I was a Point of Sale Supervisor. I worked with associates on the registers. Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a cold, detached kind of person. I enjoyed getting to know fellow workers. I didn’t lord my position over them but supported them. I had fun with them. I listened if they wanted to share personal struggles – it’s the pastor in me!
Sometimes people would work for a year or so, then move on. One woman worked on registers for a time and did just that. She got another job somewhere but was still a relatively frequent shopper.
After that, I would see her in the store and would greet her, but she ignored me! I tried a few more times but I always got the same cold shoulder response. Total strangers were more friendly than she was. I don’t know what happened but whatever professional relationship we had had at one point ceased to exist.
I understand that not every person is going to be your best friend but to go from relational to total avoidance is disheartening, to say the least.
We can get the idea that the disciples were just students of a rabbi. And to some extent that was true, but they were far more than followers…they were more than associates. They were friends…good, solid, share everything kinds of friends. Peter proclaimed without a hint of hesitation that he would give his very life for Jesus if it was called for.
Mark (who many hold to have written Peter’s viewpoint of the Gospel), in a parallel passage to today’s, wrote,
Peter said to [Jesus], “Even if they all fall away [and desert You, ashamed and afraid of being associated with You], yet I will not [do so]!” Mark 14:29 AMP
Jesus goes on to say,
“I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” v30 NLT
And Peter declared emphatically,
“No! Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” v31 NLT
In essence, Peter was saying, “Jesus, you know me! You know I’d do whatever had to be done. Friends stick together!”
Yes, Jesus knew Peter…He knew him better than he knew himself. And unfortunately, Jesus’ prophetic statement came true.
…the rooster crowed… and, at that moment as Peter stood by the fire and Jesus stood amongst His accusers, He turned and looked at Peter. And all that Jesus had said flashed through Peter’s mind.
Peter wept bitterly, not only because he realized that he had denied his Lord, the Messiah, but also because he had turned away from a very dear friend, a person who had loved and taught him for three years… But when frightened, he went against all he had boldly promised. Unable to stand up for his Lord for even 12 hours, he had failed as a disciple and as a friend.
We need to take the last portion of this study note to heart.
We need to be aware of our own breaking points and not become overconfident or self-sufficient. If we fail him, we must remember that Christ can use those who recognize their failure.
Lord Jesus, keep us close to Your heart. We, like Peter, are prone to wander. May we strive to not be the kind of friend who turns their back on You. Help us to never forget that though we may fail, that You will surely forgive…for that is what friends do. Amen.
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Dec 17th, 2020, Thurs, 6:28 pm
An Exchange of Life
Artwork by JonathanallenArt available for purchase through Etsy.
Time is just flying by with only four more days of student picks left before our break. Father, may I be receptive to Your love and generosity not just now but throughout the year. Amen.
Luke 22:47-53 (<<click here to read the passage)
I am a huge C.S. Lewis fan. I’ve read all of the Chronicles of Narnia books several times over. I have seen the BBC’s television adaptation aired in the late 80s and thoroughly enjoyed the Walden Media produced movies released from 2005-2010.
In the first book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, we meet Aslan, the Great Lion, for the first time. Through a course of events, he offers his life in exchange for the life of a young, naïve boy turned traitor. The antagonist of the story, the White Witch, eagerly agrees, thinking the with Aslan out of the way she can have her say rule Narnia forever. That’s what she thought at least…but she was wrong…so very wrong.
Literarydevices.net states that a rhetorical question is asked just for effect, or to lay emphasis on some point being discussed, when no real answer is expected. A rhetorical question may have an obvious answer, but the questioner asks it to lay emphasis to the point.
In today’s passage, Jesus’ question at the end is most definitely rhetorical. Maybe some of the cronies come to arrest Him didn’t understand the full ramifications of everything but the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him most certainly did.
Jesus asked,
“Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a robber? Day after day when I was with you in the temple, you did not lay hands on Me; but this hour and the power and authority of darkness are yours.” vs.52-53 AMP
My study Bible* states,
The religious leaders had not arrested Jesus in the Temple for fear of a riot. Instead, they came secretly at night, under the influence of the power of darkness, Satan himself. Although it looked as if Satan was getting the upper hand, everything was proceeding according to God’s plan. It was time for Jesus to die.
Satan thought he had the upper hand for he knew, as well, that this hour and the power and authority of darkness was his and he gloried in his supposed victory, but it was short-lived. And in the end, his was the defeat. Darkness ruled but for a moment but ultimately suffered a crushing defeat, losing everything.
Lord Jesus, may we realize that regardless of what the world’s claims may be that You and You alone are King and Victor. As Aslan allegorically portrayed, You willingly laid down Your life for our lives – all of us “traitors” – and in so doing, we who choose to believe and follow You are victors as well! All glory to Your name and Yours alone!
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Dec 16th, 2020, Wed, 7:09 pm
Don’t Fall
Father, it has been a full and busy day. I am weary but I know our time together is the best thing for me. Help me to focus on what You have for me tonight. Amen.
Luke 22:39-46 (<<click here to read the passage)
The picture above is of daredevil Angelina Nikolau, a 23-year-old from Moscow, Russia. Russian media describes her as a ‘self-taught photographer, adventurer, and roofer from Moscow.’ Roofing – also known as rooftopping – is where people get as close as possible to the edge of a skyscraper’s highest point to take photos. In this particular shot, she is atop a skyscraper in Tianjin, China.
It is totally unnerving to look at, and I for one would never in my wildest dreams even think about trying it, but it is an excellent example of the pitfalls of temptation. Individuals such as Angelina get their thrills from such feats and, unfortunately, inspire others to do the same.
Many of us have heard of selfies but this type of extremism has led to what is now being called “killfies”. According to the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), 259 cases of selfie-related deaths occurred between 2011 and 2019. Analysis by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shows that the number continues to grow.
Why would anyone want to do such things? The idea that we have so devalued life in a world that embraces the idea that we are here only by happenstance and not as the cherished creation of a holy God, feeds our mentality of fatalism.
Angelina knows the risks, but it drives her to take more risks. Though at some point she may fall, to her it is worth that chance for one more high, one more opportunity for her to set herself apart from the norm. After all, she knows what is best for herself…right?
As I said, I wouldn’t even think of trying it but aren’t we all guilty of doing what we want to do, knowing the possible adverse outcome but determined to do what we want. We know what is best for ourselves…right?
Hours before his pending death Jesus calls out the disciples, compelling them to “pray continually that you may not fall into temptation.” vs40b AMP
Time is short and Jesus attempts to pound into their thick heads and calloused hearts what is at stake but at least at this point, the disciples only see what they want to see.
That’s the way temptation works. We see and feel what we want because in the moment it’s thrilling. It fulfills our heart’s desire. But going down that path only leads us to a fall. God warns us but often we refuse to listen. We tune Him out so we can do what we want to do. We want to enjoy the here and now, no matter how fleeting the pleasure may be.
But Jesus sees beyond the here and now. He sees us all, individually, in the forever. Our only hope of overcoming this downward spiral to eternal death is to pray continually. And the focus of our prayer to avoid our fall into temptation is to rely on His strength…His grace… Only that will see us through.
Dec 15th, 2020, Tues, 7:04 pm
Sifted
It seems, Father, that the end of this year is rushing towards us. Even though it is less full in many ways, it is still a bit overwhelming. Help us to take the time to see all that You want to hear, see, and feel throughout this season. Amen.
Luke 22:31-38 (<<click here to read the passage)
When I think of sifting, I think of the kitchen appliance we had in my youth pictured above. My mom and grandmother used it to shift flour to get rid of lumps and make it “airier” for recipes. Due to modern processing techniques, we no longer need to shift flour, except in special cases.
But the more I looked into Jesus’ statement of satan’s desire to sift the disciples like wheat, I discovered it was nothing at all like sifting flour.
Looking online I learned that “the first step in the process of sifting wheat is to loosen the chaff from the edible grain, which is called threshing. The old-fashioned way to do this is to spread the wheat onto a (solid) floor…and to beat it with a flail.”
OK, my next quest was to find out what a “flail” was. I found a short video that goes through the whole process of threshing wheat with a flail. (You might want to turn off your volume, the song in the video is a little odd…)
Now watching that quickly got my attention!
Note that Jesus never said they wouldn’t be sifted. He just prayed that Simon’s (Peter’s} faith, in particular, should not fail. v32
All the disciples would be sifted – flailed – like wheat, there’s no way around it. And though it’s majorly uncomfortable to think about…we will be, as well. But…Jesus prays for us in the same fashion. He prays that our faith should not fail and that when we have repented and turned to Jesus again that we can strengthen one another.
It is simply impossible to sidestep failure. Not one of us is perfect. Our willpower may fail and that most assuredly will lead to a flail by satan and his minions, or at the very least our own tortuous minds, but with God’s help, our faith will remain steadfast.
Lord Jesus, help us to fail less, for sure, but even more important still, may our faith be rock solid so that we may return to You for forgiveness and the strength to move forward…always upward and onward. Amen.
Dec 14th, 2020, Mon, 6:54 pm