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"And they all left Him and fled" (Mark 14:50)
When it comes to being a betrayer, beloved, Judas Iscariot sure gets all the press. And rightly so! Surely no word in the English language is any uglier than "betray." And to sell out someone for money is certainly the most venomous act imaginable. So stand up in that spotlight, Judas. You earned it!
But was Judas the only betrayer on that night of horrors? I don't think so. Mark has recorded for us here that at the point when the disciples saw that Jesus was taken there in the Garden of Gethsemane, they bolted and scattered like scared rabbits. But is that even the moment when in their own way they too betrayed the Lord?
Back up with me just a bit before Judas and the mob of religious leaders, Roman soldiers, and temple police descended upon them that night. It was still quiet and they had the garden to themselves. Jesus had only made one request of them. He had told them that He was heading for the cross but they absolutely refused to accept it. So when He asked them to watch and pray with Him, they did not see the need. What did they do? It is difficult to believe what they did!
"And He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, 'Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?'" (v. 37)
Not only did Peter and James and John fall asleep on that occasion, beloved, but Jesus went away and prayed twice more and each time came back and found them in slumber. It was as if He had never made any request of them at all! Finally, when Judas and the others were in sight, Jesus had to wake them one final time so that together they could go and face what was coming. And at that moment, having slept away their opportunity to stand with Him, they ran away!
As I think about my own life today, I must confess that there has been at times the manner of a betrayer in me as well. I know that there have been occasions when I should have prayed but did not, should have been alert but was not, should have spoken but stayed silent, should have stood up but fell back. And in those times, beloved, I was as much a "betrayer" of the Lamb of God as were the disciples that night. Think of the opportunities you may have missed yourself to stay the course, to reach out in love, to speak an encouraging word, to extend much-needed forgiveness. There is something, then, of a "betrayer" in all of us.
The thought of the disciples running away from the soldiers and temple police that night, and especially the memory of my own such failures, have filled me with the determination that they will not occur again. As a follower of Christ I am determined to stand with Him, to speak for Him, to go where He goes and to be everything He wants me to be. Want to come along?
Ron
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Grabbing for the Brass Ring
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9)
Anyone who has been around as long as I have will surely remember personally the "brass ring" that riders of the old carousel at the fun park used to try to grab as they rode 'round and 'round on their paint-gilded hobby horse. For those of you younger than that, well, you'll just have to watch some old movies of that era. What fun it was to try to "grab the brass ring" as you whirled around and past it each time. Reaching... reaching... reaching... stretching a little further each time until you got it. The part I can't remember is whether or not you got a free ride on the carousel when you did succeed in grabbing that ring. Hmm! Maybe someone older than I can help me out with that one.
Today it seems that when it comes to the mercy and forgiveness of God, many of us are likewise trying to "grab the brass ring" as we go around in life. We love to quote this very same verse of Scripture each time that we mess up and stand in need of forgiveness. Unfortunately, that same forgiveness so readily available to us becomes for us a "brass ring" that is right there within reach. Mess up, ask forgiveness. Mess up, ask forgiveness. Mess up, ask forgiveness. 'Round and 'round she goes. After a while, you don't even notice or care about the messing up part anymore simply because, after all, you've always got God's "brass ring"!
Maybe it's time to climb down off that carousel for a moment and take a closer look at something else that the Apostle John wrote in this same passage.
"My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin" (2:1)
Hold it right there! Did you catch that, beloved? God's willingness to forgive us when we mess up is not just some spiritual "brass ring" that dangles in front of us and all we have to do is not think about it but just grab it next time around. He clearly wants us to think about our choices before we make them. In fact, John makes it clear that God would rather not have to forgive us at all! As willing as He is to forgive and cleanse us when we do sin, He would much rather that we not need that forgiveness in the first place.
I don't know about you, but I think that I've ridden that old carousel enough. I'm ready to start taking more seriously the need to walk in holiness before Him and not just be glad I've got a brass ring to grab so that I can be forgiven. Want to join me?
Ron
Anyone who has been around as long as I have will surely remember personally the "brass ring" that riders of the old carousel at the fun park used to try to grab as they rode 'round and 'round on their paint-gilded hobby horse. For those of you younger than that, well, you'll just have to watch some old movies of that era. What fun it was to try to "grab the brass ring" as you whirled around and past it each time. Reaching... reaching... reaching... stretching a little further each time until you got it. The part I can't remember is whether or not you got a free ride on the carousel when you did succeed in grabbing that ring. Hmm! Maybe someone older than I can help me out with that one.
Today it seems that when it comes to the mercy and forgiveness of God, many of us are likewise trying to "grab the brass ring" as we go around in life. We love to quote this very same verse of Scripture each time that we mess up and stand in need of forgiveness. Unfortunately, that same forgiveness so readily available to us becomes for us a "brass ring" that is right there within reach. Mess up, ask forgiveness. Mess up, ask forgiveness. Mess up, ask forgiveness. 'Round and 'round she goes. After a while, you don't even notice or care about the messing up part anymore simply because, after all, you've always got God's "brass ring"!
Maybe it's time to climb down off that carousel for a moment and take a closer look at something else that the Apostle John wrote in this same passage.
"My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin" (2:1)
Hold it right there! Did you catch that, beloved? God's willingness to forgive us when we mess up is not just some spiritual "brass ring" that dangles in front of us and all we have to do is not think about it but just grab it next time around. He clearly wants us to think about our choices before we make them. In fact, John makes it clear that God would rather not have to forgive us at all! As willing as He is to forgive and cleanse us when we do sin, He would much rather that we not need that forgiveness in the first place.
I don't know about you, but I think that I've ridden that old carousel enough. I'm ready to start taking more seriously the need to walk in holiness before Him and not just be glad I've got a brass ring to grab so that I can be forgiven. Want to join me?
Ron
Friday, March 2, 2012
I Was Just Thinking...
"Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:22)
It seems that the nation is divided...again. People seem torn between what is and is not a "right," what should or should not be provided free of charge. You've heard the news report, I'm quite sure. A young lady in law school feels that her health insurance coverage should include free prescriptions for contraceptives because she cannot afford to pay - what was it - $3,000 to cover her needs during her years in school? So the nation is divided...again: those for yet another government entitlement and those for personal responsibility.
I was just thinking...
Has anyone yet given any thought to the very obvious spiritual needs of this young lady's heart, not to mention the reported 40% of her fellow female students who according to her testimony before Congress are facing the same situation? Has anyone yet stepped forward to say that to be involved in extra-marital sexual relationships not only offends the holiness of God but grieves His tender heart because of His love for the offender?
So I was just thinking...
This young lady is, of course, only an indication of the moral breakdown that is happening across the length and breadth of the United States. From a president who declares publicly that we are "no longer a Christian nation" to a society that believes not only that nothing is off-limits but that the government should pay for it, we are facing perilous times here in the land that we love. Freedom of religion and worship are under attack from the very source that swore an oath to protect it and anyone at all can see that things are not likely to improve much in the foreseeable future.
But I was just thinking...
What's a Christian to do today? Is it as hopeless as it appears? Will the forces of evil and the powers of darkness prevail? The good news is that the answer to each of those questions is a resounding "No!" It is not hopeless and Satan will not prevail. But what is a Christian to do? Paul in writing to Timothy has answered that question beautifully for us. We are first of all to flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness. In case you didn't get that, it means to run away from the first and chase after the second. Can you imagine the impact of every true believer in the United States of America all at the same time deciding to pursue daily a lifestyle of personal righteousness? Paul also urged Timothy to pursue "faith, love, and peace" and that is something that we can all do together. We can show this misguided world of ours what life can be like when we live by God's standards and not those of man.
And I was just thinking...
Doesn't this seem to you to be a wonderful time to renew our zeal for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ? I know a young lady in law school who needs to hear that Jesus loves her and gave His life to forgive her and to transform her. And she needs that gospel as surely as you and I need it today! What we must realize, beloved, is that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only real hope that the United States of America has. No president, political party, or member of Congress can fix what is wrong with us. But God can and He will if we are willing to be His instruments.
So what do you think?
Ron
It seems that the nation is divided...again. People seem torn between what is and is not a "right," what should or should not be provided free of charge. You've heard the news report, I'm quite sure. A young lady in law school feels that her health insurance coverage should include free prescriptions for contraceptives because she cannot afford to pay - what was it - $3,000 to cover her needs during her years in school? So the nation is divided...again: those for yet another government entitlement and those for personal responsibility.
I was just thinking...
Has anyone yet given any thought to the very obvious spiritual needs of this young lady's heart, not to mention the reported 40% of her fellow female students who according to her testimony before Congress are facing the same situation? Has anyone yet stepped forward to say that to be involved in extra-marital sexual relationships not only offends the holiness of God but grieves His tender heart because of His love for the offender?
So I was just thinking...
This young lady is, of course, only an indication of the moral breakdown that is happening across the length and breadth of the United States. From a president who declares publicly that we are "no longer a Christian nation" to a society that believes not only that nothing is off-limits but that the government should pay for it, we are facing perilous times here in the land that we love. Freedom of religion and worship are under attack from the very source that swore an oath to protect it and anyone at all can see that things are not likely to improve much in the foreseeable future.
But I was just thinking...
What's a Christian to do today? Is it as hopeless as it appears? Will the forces of evil and the powers of darkness prevail? The good news is that the answer to each of those questions is a resounding "No!" It is not hopeless and Satan will not prevail. But what is a Christian to do? Paul in writing to Timothy has answered that question beautifully for us. We are first of all to flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness. In case you didn't get that, it means to run away from the first and chase after the second. Can you imagine the impact of every true believer in the United States of America all at the same time deciding to pursue daily a lifestyle of personal righteousness? Paul also urged Timothy to pursue "faith, love, and peace" and that is something that we can all do together. We can show this misguided world of ours what life can be like when we live by God's standards and not those of man.
And I was just thinking...
Doesn't this seem to you to be a wonderful time to renew our zeal for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ? I know a young lady in law school who needs to hear that Jesus loves her and gave His life to forgive her and to transform her. And she needs that gospel as surely as you and I need it today! What we must realize, beloved, is that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only real hope that the United States of America has. No president, political party, or member of Congress can fix what is wrong with us. But God can and He will if we are willing to be His instruments.
So what do you think?
Ron
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Chihuahua Contentment
"But godliness actually is a means of great gain, when accompanied by contentment" (1 Timothy 6:6)
The inspiration for these devotional thoughts came to me a short while ago, beloved, as I sat in the living room with my wife and watched as she cuddled her "baby" - our 4 year old, 4 pound bundle of joy named Cocoa. Those two have bonded like nothing I have ever seen! As I watched her so gently scratching Cocoa's head as she lay in her arms, the picture on that tiny face was one of sheer contentment - Chihuahua contentment.
The Apostle Paul was instructing and encouraging Timothy about the misplaced emphasis on gaining great wealth that seemed to abound even in the church and how it adversely affected even one's relationships. As he did so, he made the amazing statement that you see printed above concerning the vital role of "contentment" in our lives as Christians and what that contentment has to do with genuine godliness.
First of all, "godliness" in the original language of the New Testament means "piety" or "reverence" in the sense of a personal likeness to God. The false teachers who abounded in the church of Paul's day taught that godliness was related to one's religiosity or external form of religious practice. The apostle taught instead that true godliness is one's inward genuine likeness to and relationship with God.
But what does the concept of "contentment" have to do with such godliness? Those same false teachers in the 1st century church carried out their religiosity in the hope of personal financial gain and its accompanying prestige within the religious community. Actually the word "contentment" in the original language means "self-sufficiency" and points to the person who is unmovable and who responds successfully to his circumstances in life. To be content, then, is to know a sense of sufficiency and its satisfaction with life, not needing to always seek more than what you have.
The key, however, is that genuine contentment comes from God. No greater description of the nature of spiritual contentment has ever been penned than that written by this same Paul to the believers in the city of Philippi.
"Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11-13)
When a person is right with God, beloved, and demonstrates genuine godliness by accepting from His gracious hand all that comes his way in life, seeking always God's perfect will and seizing every opportunity to serve His cause, then that person knows the meaning of true contentment! How truly content are you today?
Come to think of it, I think I'll go and share in some of that "Chihuahua contentment" going on in the living room...
Ron
The inspiration for these devotional thoughts came to me a short while ago, beloved, as I sat in the living room with my wife and watched as she cuddled her "baby" - our 4 year old, 4 pound bundle of joy named Cocoa. Those two have bonded like nothing I have ever seen! As I watched her so gently scratching Cocoa's head as she lay in her arms, the picture on that tiny face was one of sheer contentment - Chihuahua contentment.
The Apostle Paul was instructing and encouraging Timothy about the misplaced emphasis on gaining great wealth that seemed to abound even in the church and how it adversely affected even one's relationships. As he did so, he made the amazing statement that you see printed above concerning the vital role of "contentment" in our lives as Christians and what that contentment has to do with genuine godliness.
First of all, "godliness" in the original language of the New Testament means "piety" or "reverence" in the sense of a personal likeness to God. The false teachers who abounded in the church of Paul's day taught that godliness was related to one's religiosity or external form of religious practice. The apostle taught instead that true godliness is one's inward genuine likeness to and relationship with God.
But what does the concept of "contentment" have to do with such godliness? Those same false teachers in the 1st century church carried out their religiosity in the hope of personal financial gain and its accompanying prestige within the religious community. Actually the word "contentment" in the original language means "self-sufficiency" and points to the person who is unmovable and who responds successfully to his circumstances in life. To be content, then, is to know a sense of sufficiency and its satisfaction with life, not needing to always seek more than what you have.
The key, however, is that genuine contentment comes from God. No greater description of the nature of spiritual contentment has ever been penned than that written by this same Paul to the believers in the city of Philippi.
"Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11-13)
When a person is right with God, beloved, and demonstrates genuine godliness by accepting from His gracious hand all that comes his way in life, seeking always God's perfect will and seizing every opportunity to serve His cause, then that person knows the meaning of true contentment! How truly content are you today?
Come to think of it, I think I'll go and share in some of that "Chihuahua contentment" going on in the living room...
Ron
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Dad's Wedding Band
"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1 Peter 3:15)
Valentine's Day was very special for us this year, beloved, because I had the opportunity finally to give to my wife a new engagement ring, the one I wish that I could have given to her when first I proposed to her more than forty-six years ago. In getting the ring sized our jeweler-friend soldered three rings together: her wedding band, her new ring, and my mother's wedding band that my wife has worn since my sisters gave it to her following my mother's home-going. Seeing my mother's band reminded me that I now have my father's wedding band as well and what a treasure that is for me!
As I thought about the wedding bands of two such precious people, now both together with the Lord, I thought about the word "commitment." Having performed many wedding ceremonies over the years, I made it my custom to always hold up one of the wedding bands and show to those present how it is a complete circle. There is no stopping point! And that is the way that our love for and commitment to Jesus Christ is to be - unbroken, unending, unrelenting.
The Apostle Peter urged his readers to "sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts" and went on to challenge them to be "apologists" - those who defend their faith in Christ by demonstrating and explaining the eternal assurance that we each as Christians have surging within our hearts because of the presence of the blessed Holy Spirit of God. That is the essence, then, of our commitment to Jesus Christ, our covenant with Him. It is as if when we received Him by faith as Savior and Lord that He put a ring of gold on our finger to let us know that ours would be an eternal covenant, a lasting relationship - unbroken, unending, unrelenting. And to that end our living for Him every day must be just as unrelenting and unbroken.
It is certainly appropriate, given the symbolism of wedding bands upon which we are focused here, that Scripture refers to Jesus as the Bridegroom and to us as believers His Bride, the church. If you are wearing a ring at this moment, beloved, look closely at it. Note how it has no end. It just goes on and on and on. That is the way that you and I are to be living for Jesus Christ today! Are we?
You'll have to excuse me. I think I will go take another look at my dad's wedding band. Not only was he a great father, but he was also one whose relationship with Jesus Christ was unbroken, unending, and unrelenting for all to see.
Ron
Valentine's Day was very special for us this year, beloved, because I had the opportunity finally to give to my wife a new engagement ring, the one I wish that I could have given to her when first I proposed to her more than forty-six years ago. In getting the ring sized our jeweler-friend soldered three rings together: her wedding band, her new ring, and my mother's wedding band that my wife has worn since my sisters gave it to her following my mother's home-going. Seeing my mother's band reminded me that I now have my father's wedding band as well and what a treasure that is for me!
As I thought about the wedding bands of two such precious people, now both together with the Lord, I thought about the word "commitment." Having performed many wedding ceremonies over the years, I made it my custom to always hold up one of the wedding bands and show to those present how it is a complete circle. There is no stopping point! And that is the way that our love for and commitment to Jesus Christ is to be - unbroken, unending, unrelenting.
The Apostle Peter urged his readers to "sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts" and went on to challenge them to be "apologists" - those who defend their faith in Christ by demonstrating and explaining the eternal assurance that we each as Christians have surging within our hearts because of the presence of the blessed Holy Spirit of God. That is the essence, then, of our commitment to Jesus Christ, our covenant with Him. It is as if when we received Him by faith as Savior and Lord that He put a ring of gold on our finger to let us know that ours would be an eternal covenant, a lasting relationship - unbroken, unending, unrelenting. And to that end our living for Him every day must be just as unrelenting and unbroken.
It is certainly appropriate, given the symbolism of wedding bands upon which we are focused here, that Scripture refers to Jesus as the Bridegroom and to us as believers His Bride, the church. If you are wearing a ring at this moment, beloved, look closely at it. Note how it has no end. It just goes on and on and on. That is the way that you and I are to be living for Jesus Christ today! Are we?
You'll have to excuse me. I think I will go take another look at my dad's wedding band. Not only was he a great father, but he was also one whose relationship with Jesus Christ was unbroken, unending, and unrelenting for all to see.
Ron
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