Category: Jesus

The Person who prayed for his followers to possess his joy was called “Man of Sorrows.” Jesus was not disturbed by this apparent conflict. He knew the Source of his joy and he knew the reason for sorrow. If Jesus walked the earth today, he wouldn’t be confused by the mixed messages that seem to be preached in Christian circles. Prosperity can come from the hand of the Most High who owns “the cattle on a thousand hills.” But if the Father calls one of his own to become nothing, we must trust that God’s higher purposes are good.

Jesus knew who he was; he knew where he came from; he knew where he was going. The joy of the Lord was his strength, yet he was on a mission that could not avoid sorrow. His mission field was a world that had been ruined by sin. All were held captive by one who rejected Light and chose darkness. “Man of Sorrows” does not describe the personality of our Savior… it simply describes what he was sent to face. The Source of perfect joy hates murder and betrayal and injustice and suffering and death, but God used murder and betrayal and injustice and suffering and death to destroy sin and save us.

I am writing this on a Saturday morning, two days before the start of a new year. A dear friend just called with sad news about a precious family. The father of one of Kinsey’s classmates died suddenly in the night of a heart attack. The friend that called lost her husband to the exact same cause a couple of years ago. In my mind this is “sorrow upon sorrow.” I think of a wife and mother. I think of two high school girls who have lost their dad. I think of my friend who still grieves over the loss of her husband. I know I can ask all who read this to pray for the McMahon family. I know my friend will have special understanding as she reaches out to comfort. But there seems to be no good answers for this sorrow. My tears join countless others but the pain does not wash away.

One of my nurses at Northside Hospital went to Kenya recently on a medical mission trip. I just received a video and newsletter describing her week in Africa. This wonderful nurse, an expert in her field, faced a world she had never seen. Poverty you can’t imagine, disease, hunger, hopelessness… As she walked through a poor area of Nairobi, mothers tried to hand their babies to her to take back to the States where they believed a child would receive a better life. My nurse said she would go to her bed at the end of every day and cry and cry. When she came back to Atlanta she cried and cried. She does not know how to process what she experienced, but she knows she cannot run from it.

I just received an e-mail from a missionary friend saying they are about to have an evangelistic prayer gathering in their city. She wrote, “I want to be made uncomfortable with the sense of His painful love for the lost.” Why ask to feel God’s heart for the lost? Won’t that cause heartache? Why go to the slums of a city and witness the horrors of poverty and disease? Won’t that make you feel bad? Why enter the sorrow of someone who has lost a loved one? Won’t that dampen the New Year’s spirit? Jesus says if we are his disciples we must go where he went. He entered the pain of the grieving. He walked the streets of the poor and laid his hands on the sick and afflicted. He embraced the incredible love his Father has for the lost and laid down his life to purchase us. “Your attitude should be the same as Jesus Christ.”

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11

Jesus knew what would face all who denied self and followed him. He, of all people, knew an enemy would oppose righteousness and friendship with God. “If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

So in this journey full of danger and difficulty, what does Jesus think we need? Some are in storms right now that have no end in sight. You know Jesus has all power to change any situation, but he seems to be sleeping in the boat. You pray, you cry, you look to the heavens for help, but pain, grief, and confusion crash against you. At the end of his life, Jesus knew the disciples were about to experience the worst of times. There was nothing they could do to avoid what was destined to happen. Jesus knew joy would eventually come, but for a while they would be overwhelmed by sorrow. So what did the Savior promise? What does He offer us as we enter periods of darkness? “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Jesus was about to go through his darkest hour. Shortly after encouraging his friends, the Son would sweat blood as he asked his Father for another way. But a perfect Father denied the request. Has anyone faced a trial with more courage and poise than our Savior? Has anyone faced the devil and trampled injustice like the One from Nazareth? The peace Jesus possessed as He went through Hell, he offers us. We are not exempt from sorrow or pain, but we have something the world cannot understand. His peace does not remove the danger, but it gives us courage to face it. The Warrior who defeated Satan prays for us: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

“For he himself is our peace…” This truth sets believers apart. I wish I could avoid the storm altogether, but who can? Jesus says, “Follow Me” and he went through storms. I can, however, let his peace rule my heart. I can talk to him. I can believe him. I can trust.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

A recent issue of Time Magazine contains an interview with Clint Eastwood discussing WWII heroes in his latest movie, “Flags of Our Fathers.” In the interview, Eastwood admitted most of the characters he played in older movies were flawed individuals who seized the opportunity to be a hero. He gave an interesting answer to the last question of the article. “Interviewer: ‘Is there hunger among Americans for heroic behavior?’ Eastwood: ‘I think there is a hunger. I think that most people would love to see a heroic figure step forward. I can almost sound like one of those Christian-right guys: Where is the Messiah?’”

Most followers of Jesus probably don’t want to be called “Christian-right guys”, but believers know the Messiah has come. For generations Jews sang, “My Deliverer is coming…”, but only a few recognized him when he came. Bono still sings, “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for…”, but Jesus says, “Come to me; find out who I am.” Those who know Him have found what they are looking for.

Perhaps it is the “giving up of self” that makes a hero. When you examine the life of Jesus you see power and strength, but you also see meekness and humility. Some might even call Jesus “weak”, but the Son of God knew his Father’s power is made perfect in weakness. Without his willingness to give up self, Jesus could not have been our Hero. Of course we see ultimate selflessness at Calvary, but before this final sacrifice, Jesus lived a surrendered life. Don’t miss the heroism of the journey.

He lived a simple life in the home of a carpenter. He obeyed his parents. He grew in wisdom and stature. He grew in favor with God and man. Few recognized a Hero was being formed. Jesus seemed content to live in obscurity. When John called him the “Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world,” some noticed, but most probably scoffed. To have people not believe who you really are is troubling, but Jesus was not after personal glory. Some wanted to make him king after his miracles, but Jesus rejected the world, gave up self, and kept his eyes on his Father. God chose unlikely men to be his disciples, but Jesus trusted his Father completely. He patiently taught the twelve and loved them despite their ignorance and faithlessness. All the trials Jesus endured were part of the plan of the One who knows what makes a hero. Jesus ran the race set before him with patient endurance then fulfilled His purpose for coming. He was despised and rejected by men. He was mocked and spit upon. He was beaten and cursed. He carried the Cross, took the sins of the world on Himself and died. I wish I could fully grasp this description of the Messiah’s life: “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him…” (Hebrews 5:7-9)

What would we do without this unflawed Hero who invites us to walk in his steps and who is not ashamed to call us brothers?

“In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.” Hebrews 2:10-11

I’ve been thinking all week about this question: What’s the difference between the Israelite bitten by the snake in the desert and the person in jeopardy of losing his soul? My first thought was that the person bitten by the snake knew he was in trouble, but the person lost in his sins may not even realize there’s a crisis. Recognizing there’s a problem is critical, but Jesus gave a much more disturbing answer in his talk with Nicodemus: “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)

I wonder if things are any different than when Jesus walked the earth. Do people still love darkness more than light? Does this still prevent belief in Jesus? If He were on the earth today would He say the same jolting things to our generation? If a normal American interviewed Jesus would he be happy with the answers he received?

American Citizen: Jesus, you seemed to boil everything down to one basic question: Do you believe I am who I say I am? Is that right?

Jesus: That’s about right. You’ve read the Gospel of John, haven’t you?

AC: Yes, a few times. But I don’t think we have the same problems in America that you faced in your day. Recent polls show that a very high percentage of Americans say they believe in you. Most go to church and most say they’ll go to heaven when they die.

Jesus: Don’t fool yourself. I think I’d get the same reception in your country that I did in Israel. Most in my day also claimed they were pleasing God. They weren’t. Neither are the citizens of your land.

AC: Well I know we have a lot of problems in our country, but I’m focusing on “belief in you.” Most Americans believe in you, don’t they?

Jesus: No. Most don’t. When I say “believe in me” I mean “know and believe who I say I am.” I was ultimately rejected on earth because people realized I claimed to be the Messiah. If a person really believed I was the Messiah, he would worship me as God and submit to me as King. If a Jew recognized I was Messiah, he would know he had to be totally devoted to the Holy One the prophets had written about. The person that truly calls me “Lord” gives up control of his own life and allows me to have complete authority. Don’t you see how this led to my death?

AC: Yes, I knew that, but I still don’t see what this has to do with my country.

Jesus: Because I am asking for no less devotion today. It would help your citizens if they understood the concept of “king”. You select your own leaders. You decide what you want. If you’re not happy with your leaders, you criticize them and vote for someone else the next election. A kingdom is a bit different. In a kingdom you do what the king says. You don’t get your choice. I’m afraid your citizens are so consumed with pleasing themselves that submitting to an ultimate authority is a foreign idea.

AC: Yes, but what if a king is bad? What if he abuses his power? What if he hurts the people?

Jesus: On earth, there have been many bad kings, but I am talking about the Kingdom of God. The Messiah is the perfect King. He knows all things. He has perfect wisdom. He is worthy of all praise and he can be trusted. Everything the Messiah ordains will work out for eventual good. I offer a life greater than what anyone can imagine, but a person must believe what I say is true. The moment one of your citizens sees who I really say I am, he is in the same position as those people you’ve read about in the Gospel of John. If he really believes in me, he forfeits the right to himself. He gives up his life and gains something far better. When a person believes, he receives Life and Light. Unfortunately, most choose darkness.

AC: But I just can’t believe it is this bad.

Jesus: OK, I’ll give an example. Would you say most in your land are overly concerned with what other people think?

AC: Of course. Advertisers use this to sell things. Politicians are consumed with what people think. Young people have to deal with peer pressure. Even churches aren’t exempt. I would say worrying about what others think is pretty widespread.

Jesus: It was widespread when I walked the earth too. You may remember me asking this question in the Gospel of John: “How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?” That was a rhetorical question. A person can’t believe in me the way he needs to believe if he cares more about what man thinks than about what God thinks. Do you see the problem? People are more interested in themselves than in God! People care more about the praise that comes from other people than the praise that comes from God. People choose darkness over Light! My call is a simple one, but only the humble can respond. Here it is: Come to me as a pauper. Don’t even consider the opinions of others. Come to me, knowing who I really am – the Messiah, a good King. Come to me, and receive true love – I am love. Come to me without claiming to know anything and receive the Truth that sets you free. I am Truth. I am the Way. I am Life. I want everyone to know me; for if you know me you will know the Father. If you know me you will love me. And if you really love me you will obey me, and we will come to you and make our home with you. I gave my life to make this possible. Won’t you come?

Once there was a guy who was bitten by a poisonous snake. He knew he would perish because he had just witnessed others die from the bites of the deadly serpents. Then someone shouted, “If you look at the snake on the pole you will live!” Such a message seemed ludicrous, but the man did not argue. When he looked on the bronze serpent, the poison left his body and his health was restored.

Little did this man know that his story would point to an even greater miracle… for all have been bitten. “‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.’ ‘Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.’ ‘The poison of vipers is on their lips.’” (Rom 3:10-13) All are dying! No one has hope… unless he hears the incredible call: “Look to Me! I have been lifted up for all men. Your sin has been put on Me. Believe in Me and you will live!”

When you drive by a hospital or doctor’s office and see the snake on the pole, the symbol of the medical profession called a “caduceus,” think about the miracle in the wilderness. I may be wrong, but if one day a nurse walked through our chemo room with such a staff saying, “If you look at the snake you will be healed,” we would all look. We all know we’re in need. Old or young, a doctor has told us we are dying because of something wrong in our bodies. None of us sits around debating whether or not there’s really a problem. I guarantee we’d all look if some frail old woman, without a hair on her head, jumped out of her chair and shouted, “It’s true! I’m well! Look at the snake and your cancer will be gone!”

So what’s the difference between these health crises and the spiritual crisis that faces each human being? Jesus gave the answer in a conversation with Nicodemus, but I think He wants us to be witnesses of truth. We are the healed sinners who should proclaim, “It’s true! I was lost, but He saved me! I was dead, but now I’m alive!” Only by God’s mercy does one realize he’s in such a hopeless condition. Only in humility can one receive this message of life. The One lifted up on the cross possesses all power to heal and to save. May He draw all men to Himself.

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” John 3:14-21