Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
What a great celebration of the Resurrection we had this past Sunday – the music was tremendous, the baptisms were moving and the living cross was a beautiful witness to the city of Dallas about our living Savior. It is wonderful that we take a Sunday each year to proclaim the Risen Lord with such magnificence. It is right for the Church to do so, but it is interesting to note that the Gospel writers who proclaimed the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, did so in whispers and not pomp and circumstance. We are not told in the Scriptures how Jesus was resurrected, only that it was by the power of God. We don't know if there was an explosion, if beams of light shot out from Heaven, or if Jesus just sat up. It was not revealed to the Gospel writers how it took place; the importance of the Resurrection was simply that it occurred.
This is why the next few weeks ought to be spiritually precious to us. After all the celebration has calmed down we go about celebrating the Resurrection in our daily lives in the same way as Jesus' disciples did so many years ago. It is important to remember that Easter begins a seven week period of celebration of Jesus' Resurrection which culminates in Pentecost Sunday when we once again celebrate the initiation of the Church through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. These next few Sundays are the “Sundays of Easter” and not the “Sundays after Easter.” A world of difference hinges on understanding this. Now is the time to continue to read Scripture and meditate upon the Resurrection, but also begin to seek to understand the Holy Spirit and its importance in your life. This is the way to peace and joy which Jesus promised to us when He spoke to His disciples just prior to His death and resurrection, “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 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.” (John 14:25-27). Selah.
In Christ,
Steve
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Talk About the Passion
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Easter comes early this year; I hope that during this season of Lent you have been meditating on the meaning of Jesus' death and resurrection for your life. It is important for each of us to understand the Passion of Jesus as being eternally relevant in our daily lives. If we make it merely an abstract concept or proposition, then it really loses all personal meaning. I remember my Ordination presenter Dr. Mac Hollins saying to me that it is not enough to know that Jesus is Lord of all; I must know that Jesus is my Lord. In the same way, we must remember that Jesus died on the cross not just for the world but for you and me in our 21st century lives. The cross of Christ has influence on every decision that you make or will make if you understand the meaning and importance of the cross. Two of the great thinkers in Christian history - Martin Luther and Thomas a Kempis - can help us to understand how to incorporate the Passion of Christ in our daily lives.
First, Luther shares how the Passion can help us in our struggles, “When your heart is thus established in Christ, and you are an enemy of sin, out of love and not out of fear of punishment, Christ’s sufferings should also be an example for your whole life . . . if a day of sorrow or sickness weighs you down, think how trifling that is compared with the thorns and nails of Christ. If you must do or leave undone what is distasteful to you; think, how Christ was led hither and thither, bound and a captive. Does pride attack you: behold, how your Lord was mocked and disgraced with murderers. Do unchastity and lust thrust themselves against you: think, how bitter it was for Christ to have his tender flesh torn, pierced and beaten again and again. Do hatred and envy war against you, or do you seek vengeance: remember how Christ with many tears and cries prayed for you and all his enemies, who indeed had more reason to seek revenge. If trouble or whatever adversity of body or soul afflict you, strengthen your heart and say: Ah, why then should I not also suffer a little since my Lord sweat blood in the garden because of anxiety and grief? That would be a lazy, disgraceful servant who would wish to lie in his bed while his Lord was compelled to battle with the pangs of death . . . For Christ’s Passion must be dealt with not in words and a show, but in our lives and in truth. Thus St. Paul admonishes us, “For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against Himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls;” (Hebrews 12:3) and St. Peter, “As Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind.” (1 Peter 4:1). But this kind of meditation is now out of use and very rare, although the Epistles of St. Paul and St. Peter are full of it. We have changed the essence into a mere show and painted the meditation of Christ’s sufferings only in letters and on walls.”
Second, Thomas a Kempis shares how the Passion of Christ can then give us the inspiration to follow Christ's call on our lives, “If, indeed, there were anything better or more useful for man’s salvation than suffering, Christ would have shown it by word and example. But He clearly exhorts the disciples who follow Him and all who wish to follow Him to carry the cross, saying: “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23) . . . Jesus has always many who love His heavenly kingdom but few who bear His cross. He has many who desire consolation but few who care for trial. He finds many to share His table but few to take part in His fasting. All desire to be happy with Him; few wish to suffer anything for Him. Many follow Him to the breaking of bread but few to the drinking of the chalice of His passion. Many revere His miracles; few approach the shame of the Cross. Many love Him as long as they encounter no hardship; many praise and bless Him as long as they receive some comfort from Him . . . Those, on the contrary, who love Him for His own sake and not for any comfort of their own, bless Him in all trial and anguish of heart as well as in the bliss of consolation. Even if He should never give them consolation, yet they would continue to praise Him and wish always to give Him thanks. What power there is in pure love for Jesus—love that is free from all self-interest and self-love!” Selah
Steve
Easter comes early this year; I hope that during this season of Lent you have been meditating on the meaning of Jesus' death and resurrection for your life. It is important for each of us to understand the Passion of Jesus as being eternally relevant in our daily lives. If we make it merely an abstract concept or proposition, then it really loses all personal meaning. I remember my Ordination presenter Dr. Mac Hollins saying to me that it is not enough to know that Jesus is Lord of all; I must know that Jesus is my Lord. In the same way, we must remember that Jesus died on the cross not just for the world but for you and me in our 21st century lives. The cross of Christ has influence on every decision that you make or will make if you understand the meaning and importance of the cross. Two of the great thinkers in Christian history - Martin Luther and Thomas a Kempis - can help us to understand how to incorporate the Passion of Christ in our daily lives.
First, Luther shares how the Passion can help us in our struggles, “When your heart is thus established in Christ, and you are an enemy of sin, out of love and not out of fear of punishment, Christ’s sufferings should also be an example for your whole life . . . if a day of sorrow or sickness weighs you down, think how trifling that is compared with the thorns and nails of Christ. If you must do or leave undone what is distasteful to you; think, how Christ was led hither and thither, bound and a captive. Does pride attack you: behold, how your Lord was mocked and disgraced with murderers. Do unchastity and lust thrust themselves against you: think, how bitter it was for Christ to have his tender flesh torn, pierced and beaten again and again. Do hatred and envy war against you, or do you seek vengeance: remember how Christ with many tears and cries prayed for you and all his enemies, who indeed had more reason to seek revenge. If trouble or whatever adversity of body or soul afflict you, strengthen your heart and say: Ah, why then should I not also suffer a little since my Lord sweat blood in the garden because of anxiety and grief? That would be a lazy, disgraceful servant who would wish to lie in his bed while his Lord was compelled to battle with the pangs of death . . . For Christ’s Passion must be dealt with not in words and a show, but in our lives and in truth. Thus St. Paul admonishes us, “For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against Himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls;” (Hebrews 12:3) and St. Peter, “As Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind.” (1 Peter 4:1). But this kind of meditation is now out of use and very rare, although the Epistles of St. Paul and St. Peter are full of it. We have changed the essence into a mere show and painted the meditation of Christ’s sufferings only in letters and on walls.”
Second, Thomas a Kempis shares how the Passion of Christ can then give us the inspiration to follow Christ's call on our lives, “If, indeed, there were anything better or more useful for man’s salvation than suffering, Christ would have shown it by word and example. But He clearly exhorts the disciples who follow Him and all who wish to follow Him to carry the cross, saying: “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23) . . . Jesus has always many who love His heavenly kingdom but few who bear His cross. He has many who desire consolation but few who care for trial. He finds many to share His table but few to take part in His fasting. All desire to be happy with Him; few wish to suffer anything for Him. Many follow Him to the breaking of bread but few to the drinking of the chalice of His passion. Many revere His miracles; few approach the shame of the Cross. Many love Him as long as they encounter no hardship; many praise and bless Him as long as they receive some comfort from Him . . . Those, on the contrary, who love Him for His own sake and not for any comfort of their own, bless Him in all trial and anguish of heart as well as in the bliss of consolation. Even if He should never give them consolation, yet they would continue to praise Him and wish always to give Him thanks. What power there is in pure love for Jesus—love that is free from all self-interest and self-love!” Selah
Steve
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
