Why Do We Celebrate the Cross?

Sometimes it may seem strange that Christians celebrate the cross of Jesus Christ. Why would a symbol of torture and death become a fundamental symbol of our faith?

The answer, in part, is that we celebrate because of all God accomplished through the cross of Christ. Here are a few of those accomplishments:

• Our penalty has been paid: For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
• Our sins have been forgiven: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7).
• Satan has been defeated: He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him (Colossians 2:5).
• Death has been conquered: "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
• We have been redeemed: For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
• Our hearts are now reconciled to God: All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself...(2 Corinthians 5:18).
• We have been adopted as children of God: For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons...(Romans 8:15).
• We have the promise of eternal life: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16-17).

God the Father sent Jesus the Son to do what no person could possibly do: redeem sinful people like you and like me. THAT is why we celebrate the cross!

"Evangelism" is Scary!

Sometimes "evangelism" can be a scary idea. Truth told, we seldom feel "ready" to share the gospel. I've learned that we BEST point people to Jesus when we live our lives for the glory of Christ, and take opportunities along the way to tell people why we have hope and joy in serving God and people. Here's something I wrote to my church family earlier today:

Do you realize that God has purposely placed you where you are, whether at work or at school or in your neighborhood, in the midst of all kinds of people who need to know the love of Jesus? Every day we all come into contact with dozens of people who don't know Christ, and who will likely never walk through our church's doors on their own. What are some simple ways we can point people to Jesus? 

* We can invite them to a church service. If it's helpful, perhaps we can offer to meet them for breakfast and then bring them to church with us. 

* We can serve them in some way. Perhaps we can take them some cookies or help with their kids or offer to care for their lawn when they go out of town.

* We can engage them in regular conversation. Even if the conversation yesterday didn't open an opportunity for the gospel, maybe today's conversation will. If today's conversation doesn't lead to the gospel, let's build the relationship today so we will have the opportunity for another conversation with them in the near future.

* We can discern their needs and offer help if appropriate. Are they caring for a sick parent? Do they struggle with a rebellious child? Are they unemployed or underemployed? Maybe there are ways we can reach out to them in Christ's love and help meet a need.

Sometimes we think of "evangelism" as a huge, daunting task for which we never feel qualified. Often I find it's better to think of simply serving in the love of Christ, and looking for ways to share the "why" behind our love and care for people.

Ephesians 5:15-16: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 

Colossians 3:17: And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Let's prayerfully look for ways we can point people to Jesus today.

Making MY Name Known?

Over the last three years I have been reading about how to "market" myself as an author and blogger. In a way, this concept makes perfect sense: if people don't know who I am, they will likely not read my blogs or buy the books/plays/music I've written. I'm told that if I want my message to get "out there," I have to work hard to market myself online. Yes, I have a website, a Twitter account, multiple blogs, several Facebook pages, and a LinkedIn profile.

I must admit that marketing doesn't come naturally to me. So I sometimes lie awake at night wondering how I can make my name more well-known across the internet.

But then I think about my primary purpose as a Christian and as a pastor. Is it really important to make MY name known? Or should I just point to Christ and make HIS name known?

Here's my resolution. I will do what I can to let people know about what I've written. But my primary energy will be spent on making CHRIST well-known. It's up to Him whether anyone else will ever know my name.

Always Saved?

A friend of mine posed a good question about salvation: "Can a person who has been truly 'born again' lose (or throw away) their salvation?"

I do not believe that someone who is truly saved can walk away from Christ. If God is the one who did all the work (Ephesians 2:8-9), how can we UNDO that work?

In John 10:27-30, we read about how Jesus Christ holds His sheep in His hands, and how God the Father holds His sheep in His hands. God holds on to us, not the other way around.

In Ephesians 1 we have some wonderful teaching about what God has done in bringing us into a relationship with Him. The whole chapter is helpful to read, but I would especially point to verses 11-14.

In Philippians 1:6 we read about how the Lord will be faithful to complete what He started in us. In Romans 8:38-39, we read that nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Still, we have a very sticky problem whenever we see someone who has seemed to walk faithfully with Christ for a long time, but now is not living at all for Him. What do we do with that?

Let me turn the coin over and show the other side for a moment. Yes, the Lord holds us firmly in His hand. But as Christians we also have a responsibility to follow the Lord in daily obedience.

In John 14:15, we read Jesus' words: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." He repeats and expands this teaching just a few verses later, in John 14:21-24. If we love the Lord, then obedience to Him will come naturally. And it is by our obedience that we show we truly love the Lord, as we read clearly in 1 John 5:3.

We have a duty as His disciples to take up our cross DAILY and follow Him (Luke 9:23) and to abide in Christ (John 15:1-17).

If we have been truly saved, then God holds on to us, and we are always His. But if a person can comfortably walk away from the Lord and not feel the convicting work of His Holy Spirit drawing him or her back, then I doubt that person has ever been truly saved. (Even Judas appeared to be a good follower of Jesus for more than three years, but Jesus said that Judas never truly belonged to Him.)

If someone has walked in long-term disobedience to Christ, I would take them back to the Cross. Whether they belong to Jesus but got involved in a sinful pattern, or they never belonged to Jesus in the first place - the Cross is still the place to go when anyone is ready to repent. And God is faithful to forgive (see 1 John 1:9)!

His Story

He faced an unplanned pregnancy. The woman he was going to marry was now expecting a child. This was not in his plans.

He was shocked. He was scared. He worried about what people would think.

He considered all his options, but he didn't really like any of his alternatives. He finally decided to do the most loving thing he could: he would just leave quietly. Indeed, this would have been a life-altering decision. Really, no matter what he did, it would affect his life (and her life) forever, but this one option seemed to be the the most reasonable choice with the least painful consequences.

Then an angel appeared to him. "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (See Luke 1:18-25.)

Have you ever thought about the Christmas story from Joseph's perspective? Have you considered the tremendous courage he had to exercise in following God's plan for his life? As a skilled worker in a small town, Joseph would have been known by nearly everyone. But nobody would believe the truth about a miraculous conception and two angelic appearances, so (as far as we know) he did not tell anyone. He simply had to press forward with following God's will, knowing only a tiny portion of the larger story you and I can read in the Bible now.

I am thankful for many people in the Bible who endured hard times and found God's faithfulness helping them through. Noah, Abraham, David, Ruth, Esther, Joseph, Mary, Simon Peter, Saul/Paul - and most of all, Jesus Christ. As I read about God's faithfulness in their lives, I am encouraged to trust Him in all of my daily circumstances too.

Hebrews 12:3 reminds us of Christ's example: "Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

Tell His Disciples...And Peter

It is the morning of the resurrection. The angel is making a great announcement to the women who had thought they were coming to the tomb to embalm Jesus's body. As part of the announcement, the angel says these words as recorded in Mark 16:7: "But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he [Jesus] is going before you to Galilee."

I love the two words: "and Peter"! Peter had denied Jesus three times. He was familiar with Jesus's teaching: "whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:33). I suspect Peter felt like a total outcast, unworthy of Jesus's love or forgiveness.

With two gracious words Jesus reached out in forgiveness: "and Peter." Peter was still to be counted among he disciples. He was to be included with those who would be the first to meet Jesus face to face after His resurrection. He was not an outcast; Jesus still loved him.

These words of grace and forgiveness have often been extended to me as well. When I have sinned and feel ashamed and unworthy of God's love, I hear Jesus call to me with grace and forgiveness. It's as if He's saying, "and Brian."

There is nothing you can do that would make you unworthy of God's love and forgiveness. Even if you feel totally unworthy, will you turn to Him today?

Choices

I like to have lots of choices. I love places with big menus, or buffet meals, where I can take time choosing my favorite thing to eat. I enjoy carrying a wide variety of music or movies on my iPod, so I can indulge my momentary whim when I have some time to watch or listen to something.  


On the other side of the issue, I strongly dislike times when I have only one choice. I do not like to be told there is only one option in a given situation. In my heart, I tend to rebel against that option simply because it's the only one offered to me - while I secretly try to look for some other option I might take.


That's my nature. And I suspect it's really true of all of us as human beings. Don't you do it too? We have only one choice of weather at this moment - how often do you or I complain about it? How often do our kids complain about the dinner food made available to them? How often do we gripe when we are called into a "mandatory" meeting at work? How often do we complain about a decision that another person has made which now affects our own lives? How often do we bristle when we are told we MUST do this or that?


I wonder if this is why so many people have trouble with the biblical concept that Jesus is the only way to get to God. We read about Jesus's being the only way, like John 14:6 ("I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.") and Acts 4:12 ("And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."). Still we might secretly think, "Maybe there is another way. Surely God wouldn't be so exclusive as to give us only one choice."  


Dear reader, God made the world, and God has given us only one way to have a relationship with Him. The only choice we really have is to choose His way or not choose His way. We can bristle all we want; we can look for other options; we can rebel against such an exclusive arrangement. But this doesn't change the central fact: there is only one way provided for salvation. To be honest, it is an act of amazing grace that God would give any way of salvation at all, so I have personally chosen to embrace that offer. I choose to follow Jesus Christ.


What's your choice?

The Willing Sacrifice

This is the devotional I shared as part of the Good Friday service at Highland Community Church:


In John 10:17-18 we read these words of Jesus: "For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."


Jesus was not a victim. He was not a helpless sacrifice. He was not a martyr to a worthy cause. From the beginning of the world, even before the first sin, Jesus was chosen as the way of salvation. He came to earth willingly, graciously, and humbly - so that we might be brought into relationship with God through Him. This was the great plan of God from the very beginning. The price was high, and we who have surrendered our lives to Christ are recipients of unfathomable grace.


Jesus was a willing participant in the work of redemption. The Old Testament gave many prophecies about this great plan. The angel announced that Jesus was the One. John the Baptist testified to Jesus as the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. Jesus knew why He had come, and He willingly participated in the plan.


Jesus laid down his life for you and me. Think about that. Jesus laid down His life for you and me. He wasn't forced, but He did it willingly.


In Romans 5:6&8 we read more about this sacrifice: "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. ...God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."


Before we even knew we needed Jesus, He died for us. Before we had one thought of love for Him, He poured out all of His love for us. Wow!


On the cross, Jesus was taunted by the crowd. Among the insults, the onlookers laughingly invited Jesus to come down from the cross, as we read in Matthew 27:40&42: "If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross," and "He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him."


Those mockers did not realize that Jesus could have done that very thing. And if Jesus had rescued Himself from the cross, I suspect many doubters that day might have believed in His power. But that wasn't the goal of the day. His physical death was necessary to pay the penalty of your sin and my sin, so He persevered in the plan even though He could have turned aside. In His love, He willingly laid down His life for you and for me.


I'm so thankful He did!

A Small Sacrifice

A friend of mine wrote an e-mail with a keen observation that the idea of sacrifice is largely unexplored - or at least, under-explored - in Christian teaching and writing.  He noted that in our lives, every time we choose one thing, it involves forgoing something else (e.g., one cannot spend the entire winter skiing and go to school at the same time).  He also noted that many personal issues begin with an unwillingness to sacrifice something.


I wrote a few thoughts in response to his e-mail, which I want to post here for others to consider:


You've got some good thoughts here.  I see your point that the idea of sacrifice is perhaps underemphasized, yet it is a clear component of true Christian faith (as well as a reality of life in general, as you have noted).


There are two potential reasons I can think of which might explain this underemphasis in Christian writing/teaching:


1) Christians already get a bad rap for talking about "dos" and "don'ts" and the list of "fun" things that are "prohibited" (I'm using the language of many people, not necessarily what I would personally say).  To combat this, Christians may tend to steer clear of the idea of sacrifice.


2) Most of the time when we speak of the gospel message, we're emphasizing what we GAIN in a relationship with Christ, rather than what we GIVE UP.  That's partly because that emphasis is more attractive - yes - but it's also because when we truly comprehend all that Christ gives, we begin to see that the things we give up along the way were never worth much to begin with.


This is consistent with Jesus' parables about the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great value, recorded in Matthew 13:44-46:


"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up.  Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it."  


In both cases, the men didn't even think about the cost, because they knew they were getting the bargain of their lives, so to speak.  What they gained was infinitely greater than the cost, even though it cost them everything they had.


Yes, there is a cost.  Yes, the cost is high.  Yes, there is sacrifice, as you've noted.  But - WOW! - the gain is so much better.  I'm not just talking about a future in heaven - that is great, but not the entire package deal.  I'm talking about daily joy and peace that nothing in this world can offer.  I'm talking about the vast treasure of getting to know the God of the universe, and to be able to talk to Him, and to have relationship with Him.  I'm talking about the awesomeness of His Holy Spirit at work within me each and every day.  These joys far outweigh any temporary pleasures the world may offer but which I've sacrificed to follow Christ.


And this goes back to your original observation.  Now that I have been a follower of Jesus for many years, I don't really think at all about what I have "sacrificed" or "given up."  I spend my thought time learning more about the Lord and about all He has for me.  So if you ask me about my relationship with Christ, I may not even remember to talk about the concept of sacrifice, because I have I have found the Treasure, or the Pearl, and that's what my mind is focused on, and what I want to tell others about.


Dear reader, what about you?  Have you realized that a relationship with Jesus Christ is worth far more than anything you might "sacrifice" to obtain it?  Yes, a relationship with Jesus will totally change many aspects of your life, but it's worth more than anything else in this world!

It Turns Out Okay in the End

My three-year-old daughter was explaining a movie she wanted to watch (again).  There are definite themes of good and evil and a very clear "bad guy" in it.  "It's a little scary," she admitted, then I finished her thought, "But you don't have to be scared because you know it turns out okay in the end."


As she began watching the video, I thought about the times I get a little scared about how things are going in this world in general or in my life in particular.  However, the Bible assures me that it turns out okay in the end.  I don't know all the details about the future, but I know enough to know that Jesus is coming back, sin will be conquered, and because I have given my life to Jesus, I have a glorious future in heaven with Him.  


Things may get a little scary from time to time, but I know it turns out okay - actually, more than okay - in the end!

"Jesus Loves Me!"

My daughter Emily just turned three years old.  I want to share something that has brought Kristin and me great delight over the last few weeks.


Probably three weeks ago I was working on something in the kitchen while Emily and Kristin were resting and watching a video in the back bedroom.  Suddenly, Emily raced into the kitchen, and with excited joy on her face, shouted, "Daddy, Jesus loves me!"


Though she had heard this truth countless times, she finally got it.  She understood for real.  It excited her heart and stirred her soul.  


This scenario has repeated itself many times since.  Every time she exclaims, "Jesus loves me," she exudes great joy all over again.  It delights our hearts as her parents.  I believe it delights her heavenly Father's heart as well.


Oh, the simple faith of a child!  I believe this is one clear example of the childlike faith Jesus encourages us all to show (Matthew 18:1-4).  May we all feel that same unfettered joy every time we remember how much Jesus loves us!  
   

The Cross I Have to Bear

From time to time I hear people say, "This is just the cross I have to bear."  They usually say it with a pained expression on their face, as they refer to a trial or emotional pain they suffer.


I have to be honest: I don't like this saying at all.  Here are three main reasons.


First, for us as Christians, the cross is a symbol not of our suffering, but of our freedom and joy.  Yes, the cross brought intense pain to our Savior on our behalf.  But as we look back at the cross of Jesus, we should be filled with gratitude and humility.  We don't want to limit the cross in our minds as being something ugly or terrible, because there is so much joy and hope in what our Savior did for us.  


Second, we don't want to put ourselves in the place of Christ, acting as a martyr under some kind of instrument of suffering.  Christ bore our penalty through His suffering; He took the punishment for our sin.  While we are to "Take up [our] cross daily and follow [Christ]" (Luke 9:23), this is not a cross of suffering, but a conscious choice to identify ourselves with Jesus' suffering in our place.  Again we see that the cross is to be a source of joy and peace, not of our personal suffering.


Third, why do we feel like we need to bear our own burdens, anyway?  Jesus invited us to cast our burdens on Him.  Matthew 11:28-30 say, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  


Dear brother or sister in Christ, let's walk through life in joy and victory, casting our burdens on the Lord, and looking to the cross with gratitude and hope.

Rescue

Today it has been amazing to watch as miners in Chile, trapped underground for 69 days, have been rescued one by one.  I don't know any of them personally, but I still respond with joyful tears to see them emerge.  


The CNN website has a running tally of "Underground" and "Rescued."  One by one the numbers are decreasing on the left and increasing on the right.


Beyond the amazing details of this particular entrapment and rescue, I think of the rescue of a person coming to Jesus Christ in faith and trust.  One by one, people all over the world are coming to faith in Jesus, and there is great joy in heaven over each one (see Luke 15:3-7).  It is truly a blessing to be a small part of rescuing someone: sharing with them the life-giving gospel message and seeing them come to Christ.  


The Lord is the one doing the most heroic rescue; we're just a small part of the process as we obediently share the Good News.  Colossians 1:13-14 says, "For he [God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."


As we celebrate the rescue of each person from their entrapment in the mine, let  us also celebrate our own rescue, and look for opportunities to help free others who are captive to sin, rescuing them with the truth of Jesus Christ.

On the Burning of Books

Terry Jones and his Dove World Outreach Center are leading the news this week because of their announced plan to burn copies of the Koran (Quran) for the 9/11 anniversary.  Public leaders and media institutions have spoken strongly against this plan.  But the leaders and institutions have it wrong.  I believe Jones's plan is foolhardy, but for a completely different (and biblical) reason.

Muslims are some of the very people we're trying to reach with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Yet Jones's actions will most certainly alienate some of the very people to whom we are to bring the gospel.  There is no redemptive value in this demonstration he's planning.  Much better would be to reach out to the Muslims in his neighborhood and share the love of Jesus Christ.

Protesters like this promote hate, not love.  I widen this comment to include people who protest military funerals, and even some who protest outside abortion clinics (I'm thinking of the ones who speak caustically and hatefully).  Yes, we as Christians must stand AGAINST the wrong, but since I only have a limited number of redemptive hours in my life, I would rather spend them standing FOR what is right.  I will speak the truth, but not in debate or protest: I want to speak it to someone who is listening and who might turn his or her heart to Christ.  Jesus spoke the truth about the Pharisees and the hypocrites, but He spent much more of His time lingering with those who had open hearts for His message.  I should do likewise.

Washing Away the Stain

For the last three days I have been staining our two decks, the children's play area, and our wood-sided shed.  Tonight as I cleaned up, I realized how much stain I had gotten on my body, not to mention the stepstool, ladders, and other things that stain wasn't supposed to affect.

As most people know, there is really only one effective way to clean up oil-based stain: mineral spirits.  No other method easily gets the stain off of skin or anything else.

This made me think of the stain of sin.  Much more clearly than in my illustration, there is only ONE way to get rid of the stain of sin in our lives: the blood of Jesus Christ.  Only He can take away the sin and wash me white as snow (see Isaiah 1:18).

As the hymnwriter Robert Lowry penned: "What can wash away my sin?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus!  What can make me whole again?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus!"