Slapping God!
Father, though it may be on the cool side, we are blessed with a beautiful, sunshiny day! All praise to our awesome Creator God!
John 19:1-3 (<<click here to read the passage)
I hadn’t gotten very far in my reading today when a particular phrase caught my attention. Pilate handed Jesus over to Roman soldiers to do with as they wanted before His crucifixion – unjust though it was! They forced a crown of thorns upon His head, dressed Him in a purple robe, and mockingly proclaimed,
“Hail King of the Jews!”, as they slapped him across the face. v3
The night before these events, after Jesus verbally stood up to the High Priest’s questioning, this took place.
Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. “Is that the way to answer the high priest?” he demanded. John 18:22 NLT (Emphasis mine.)
Slapped…across the face…
Both times I’ve read that action, it has taken my breath away! They literally slapped GOD in the face! Their Creator! The Being whose power so towered over any of those present that with a mere thought, no words necessary, any number of things could have happened to them – the least of which is that they could have ceased to exist! How audacious! It is shocking in its reality!
The Temple guard may have had an inkling as to who he struck. The Roman soldier probably had no idea whatsoever. Regardless, they were both guilty as all get out!
But neither Jesus nor His Heavenly Father retaliated. It was all part of the plan, no matter how humiliating it was… no matter how outrageous their actions were.
It is easy for us to be appalled by their actions. We can feel justified in pointing our finger at them, highlighting their cruel and over-the-top disregard for Jesus’ standing. But we must never forget that we – every single one of us! – are no less guilty than the guard and the soldier.
Every time we have defied God and done as we well pleased instead, we have, in essence, raised our own hand and slapped Him across the face! “I know better. You know nothing! How dare You tell Me what to do!”
Maybe those particular words don’t come out…but the attitude and mentality do…don’t they?
Lord Jesus, may we not judge the actions of others who have disobeyed and disregarded You and Your commands. May we humbly admit our sin and give ourselves over to Your rule over our lives. Forgive us our trespasses and sins. Amen.
Nov 1st, 2021, Mon, 12:29 pm
Wind Blown Leaves
Thank You, Father, for a day of rest. I needed it today for sure.
********
The other day while driving my bus I saw a single leaf blowing across the road. Isn’t that exciting? It wasn’t earth-shattering for sure, but it did get my thoughts rolling.
How often could that leaf be us – busy going from here to there. But so many times we are not in control – we are being driven by forces outside of ourselves.
We are driven by our society. We have to keep up appearances. Our kids have to be in all kinds of things if they are going to succeed in life. Many times, we spend long hours at work, spending even more hours before and after work trying to get up that ladder of success. For many, everything has to be just so, in our homes, with our vehicles, at work, in our relationships. It often spills over into our church activities and relationships as well.
There’s surely nothing wrong with being active and involved but there is also nothing wrong with saying “no”. As believers, we must diligently seek the Lord’s direction in everything. I’m sure there are some reading this post that just chuckled at that! It is much easier for us just to do what we do. Who has time to pray about everything we do? We’re busy enough as it is! And we sure don’t need something else slowing us down!
The Apostle Paul admonishes us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17,
Never stop praying. NLT
…be unceasing and persistent in prayer… AMP
…pray continually…NIV
Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean we have to drop to our knees, clasp our hands, bow our heads, and unceasingly, persistently, continually, and never stop praying. We’d never get anywhere and nor accomplish anything with that approach! But…we can live a lifestyle of prayer.
After all these years, I still struggle with prayer but some areas have improved. I often pray as my route begins each morning. I go through all the bus numbers in my fleet and pray for each driver, as well as our Transportation Director and our mechanics. In the past (and I need to start doing it again) I would pray for all the kids riding my bus. After you’ve driven it as long as I have, I can travel the whole route in my head, even praying for kids that used to or have never ridden my bus but are technically still on my route.
And that’s just one example of how to incorporate prayer into our lives.
A consistent, day-in-day-out relationship with Jesus helps, as well. We do things and it often comes to mind to seek the Lord’s direction and blessing on our efforts. Again, I’m no pro but I know He guides me, and I can feel His hand upon me. I know when what I’m doing is a good thing…and when I need to turn the other way and run!
So many people throughout their lives are always on the run, and age makes no difference. As children, as young adults, as parents, as middle-aged adults, as retirees, we all have things to pull us hither and yon. Things that take up our time and attention.
But the problem is, just like that leaf that blew across the road, it was in a hurry, but it ended up where the wind blew it, and now…it is forgotten. One of millions of leaves, left to decay and to be remembered no more.
Lord Jesus help us to seek You – to be driven by love – to make our efforts count not just for the here and now but for eternity. Amen.
Oct 31st, 2021, Sun, 7:39 pm
What Is Truth?
Father, this has already been a full day and there is more yet to come. Bless this time that we have together. Guide my heart and mind.
John 18:25-40 (<<click here to read the passage)
“What is truth?”
That was Pilate’s retort after his discourse with Jesus about Him being “King of the Jews”.
Jesus had closed with the statement,
“You say [correctly] that I am a King. This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth [who is a friend of the truth and belongs to the truth] hears and listens carefully to My voice.” v37b AMP
And Pilate responded “scornfully,” the Amplified Bible says, with the statement,
“What is truth?” v38a
Pilate seems to have thought as many do today. What is truth? I have my truth. You have your truth. It’s all relative. We all believe what we want to believe. The problem with that particular take on things is that we avoid absolute truth.
Absolute truth is something that is true at all times and in all places. It is something that is always true no matter what the circumstances. It is a fact that cannot be changed.
I can guarantee that even now some are frowning. Especially in our culture, we don’t like – no…we despise! – being told what to do, or think, or be. “I’ll do what I want! …when I want! …and how I want. And no one can tell me different!”
If we hold that all truth is relative…if we believe that truth is whatever the majority of people agree with, then we’re in trouble.
My study Bible goes on to say,
When there is no standard or acknowledgment of truth, there is no basis for moral right and wrong. Justice becomes whatever works or whatever helps those in power. In Jesus and his Word we have a standard for truth and for our moral behavior.
Remember back in John 14:6 when Jesus said,
“I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” AMP
Don’t be like Pilate. Don’t be like so many others.
What is truth? Jesus, our Lord and Savior, and all He said and did! His very life is an example for us! Be like Jesus!
Oct 28th, 2021, Thurs, 12:47 pm
Need Refreshed?
Father, I would ask that You would help clear my mind. There is much before me and right now, this time with You is my priority. I come humbly before You to hear what You would say to me. Amen.
********
Tonight, Lord Jesus, I need something to lift me up. And as I sat and pondered that almost immediately music came to mind – specifically hymns.
I referred to this past Sunday’s sermon in Monday’s post and once again it comes to mind. (If you’d like to listen to the whole thing, just click here on its title If There’s Victory in Jesus, Why Do I Struggle? If you just want the sermon you can skip to 3:30, otherwise, you get an opening and closing hymn!)
Anyway, this portion of my sermon came to mind.
What do we think about most often? What fills our minds and dominates our thoughts? Does God or his Word come to mind very often? Do we ever have a Scripture passage, a song or hymn rolling around in our hearts and minds throughout the day?
I’ve ingested so much music in my lifetime that it is not unusual for a hymn – at least the tune – to pop in my head quite often. And I must admit it is quite beneficial on many fronts, especially spiritually.
One of my favorite hymns is Be Thou My Vision. I thought of giving you a post of how it came to be, but I fear I would not do it justice. Though I did find a very informative post by a pastor from Bayview, Idaho. Check it out! The Story Behind “Be Thou My Vision”
I will say that it has deep Irish roots and deep theology, as well. In my searching, I also came across a video of Be Thou My Vision sung by the group Celtic Worship, and it is absolutely beautiful! (By the way, they’re on Spotify, too, if you’d like to listen to more of their stuff.) I’ve included a link to their rendition at the bottom of today’s post but here are the lyrics for your convenience, including a traditional third verse (at least in Ireland!) you may never have heard before.
So, set back and let it flow over you. Let it refresh you in this dry and weary land!
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art
High King of Heaven, my victory won
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun
|Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all
Oct 27th, 2021, Wed, 7:01 pm
Grasping at Straws
Thank You for today, Father. Thank You for Your inspiration yesterday, and every day for that matter! You are an awesome God!
John 18:19-24 (<<click here to read the passage)
Most of us are probably familiar with the idiom “grasping at straws,” but just as a point of clarification. Idioms Online states that the phrase means to be willing to do, say, or believe anything that offers even the slightest hope in a desperate situation, even though there is almost no chance for success.
The idiom is said to have come from a proverb found in “Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation” written in 1534 by Thomas More – a prominent lawyer and statesman in England in the early 1500s. (He served King Henry the VIII – and that didn’t work out so well for More!)
The proverb states, “A drowning man will clutch at straws” which refers to the reeds that would grow alongside a river. If you’re drowning, you’ll grab for anything that might save you, no matter how hopeless doing so might be.
And that’s what Annas, the priest, and all the other Jewish leaders were doing. They hated Jesus with a passion and even though He was now in their clutches they had absolutely no grounds on which to prosecute Jesus. They were grasping for straws. They were trying to nail Jell-O to the wall with not much success!
Just reading verse 19 clearly shows they had no idea what they were doing. All they knew was that Jesus was a splinter up their fingernail and they wanted Him gone. Verse 19 says,
…the high priest began asking Jesus about his followers and what he had been teaching them. NLT
Like, duh! Jesus’ retort pointed out the foolishness of Annas’ questioning,
“Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret. Why are you asking me this question? Ask those who heard me. They know what I said.” vs21-22 NLT
But as the above definition states, they were willing to do, say, or believe anything that offered even the slightest hope in the desperate situation in which they found themselves, even though there was almost no chance for success, at least from a human perspective.
They wouldn’t have gotten this far, but again it was only because it was all part of God’s plan! These events had to transpire for Jesus to be able to offer Himself willingly in our stead. Even with all their hate-motivated conniving, they had no power whatsoever to take Jesus’ life – He gave it willingly.
Remember Jesus said back in John 10:17-18,
For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life so that I may take it back. No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily. I am authorized and have power to lay it down and to give it up, and I am authorized and have power to take it back. This command I have received from My Father.” AMP
The Jewish leaders were both shallow and empty. Their self-satisfying mentality had caused them to totally miss out on God’s greatest gift to mankind. They definitely pulled the short straw on that one…
Oct 26th, 2021, Tues, 6:26 pm