"The Believer's Highest Priority"

Scripture Passage

Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1-2:47

Scripture Focus

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8 NLT)

Observation

I know—there’s nothing more predictable than that I should focus in on Acts 1:8. I can’t help it—there’s no verse more essential to kingdom living and kingdom advance for any believer!

In these days immediately following Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus’ disciples had a lot of questions. Jesus dismissed those summarily. Jesus’ disciples had a lot of distractions. Jesus focused those completely. At this remarkable moment in history when, for the first and only time ever, a man has come back from the dead never to die again…with all that could have been said and all that could have been done…Jesus directs His disciples entirely towards one place and one priority—“Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised” (Acts 1:4 NLT). Why? Because…

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8 NLT)

Remember that Jesus’ ministry consisted of announcing and demonstrating the inbreaking of God’s kingdom…the invasion of heaven into the earth, of eternity into time. The heaven-like character of Jesus’ ministry (good news to the poor, freedom for prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind—Luke 4:18) was evidence of this. And the church is commissioned to carry on that same mission. The Gospel of Luke (as the opening verse of the book of Acts makes clear) was all about “everything Jesus began to do and teach” (Acts 1:1 NLT)—began being the operative word! Everything Jesus began to do and teach will be continued in the life and ministry of His Church—but only when she has been empowered by the Holy Spirit as He was!

Without this empowerment, we have no ministry to offer—no message to deliver. Presuming we’ve experienced Christ’s redemption, nothing is more important than Holy Spirit empowerment. I must have Him—and live with sensitivity to and dependency upon Him!

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"Tell the Rest of the Story!"

Scripture Passage

Luke 24:13-43; Mark 16:12-13; John 20:19-23; Mark 16:14; John 20:24-21:25; Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:44-49

(Paul Harvey, Of Course)

Scripture Focus

“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” (Luke 24:22-24 NLT)

Observation

The honest truth is, before I sat down to write this morning, it became clear this was one of those mornings where nothing was going to go right—where nothing was going to please me and where my negative reaction to my circumstances was going to be totally disproportionate to whatever obstacle I bumped into. I know you never have days like that, but sometimes I do.

And I knew, of course, that today I’d be reading of the post-resurrection appearances of Christ. Scripture's most victorious verses were meeting head-to-head with my bad attitude. Do *you* ever hate it when you’re wrong about something, someone (Someone) else is right about that something, and you know you’re going to have to admit it? That was my status before I ever opened up the Scriptures today.

That’s why I take some special, ironic joy in the story of Jesus’ conversation with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. I love how they think this stranger must be “the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days” (Luke 24:18 NLT). And I love the story as they retell it—particularly for what’s missing!

These disciples tell about the visit of the women to the tomb, and about their “amazing report” (Luke 24:22 NLT)—that the body was missing but that angels had announced Jesus’ resurrection. Then they declare that “some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said,” (Luke 24:24 NLT)—but there they stop!

The information they had was more complete than what they gave! What they knew about the story didn’t stop with the missing body, but rather with the angelic declaration of Jesus’ resurrection. But they stopped their story short!

So do I—all the time. When there’s something stuck in my craw that makes everything worse than it is…when I refuse to see past this moment to what God is doing in the big picture (even if I can’t see what it is)…I’m just like these two disciples who refuse to see past what they see to what heaven itself announces—“He is risen!”

Graciously, Jesus opens their eyes and they recognize the Christ. “Jesus, open my eyes…let me recognize You today!”

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"One Confirmed Dead"

Scripture Passage

Mark 15:42-47; Matthew 27:57-61; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Matthew 27:62-66; Mark 16:1-8; Matthew 28:1-7; Luke 24:1-12; Mark 16:9-13; John 20:1-18; Matthew 28:8-15

Scripture Focus

The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead… (Mark 15:45 NLT)

Observation

I’m rehearsing in my heart, this morning, the reality of Jesus’ death. I understand that the point becomes the resurrection of Christ, but—hey—if Jesus didn’t really die, then Jesus wasn’t *really* resurrected!

I know that’s obvious, but I’m not convinced we take the reality of Jesus’ death seriously enough. It’s tough to—we didn’t live through the events of His death and burial. Beyond that, centuries take their toll and the vibrancy of the story wears away. On top of even that, some people (much too easily) dismiss the resurrection as a myth, a hoax, or some other form of mistake or deception.

But the Scriptures—the most verifiable of all ancient documents by any modern standard—make it clear that Jesus died. Completely. He was gone. No breath, no pulse, no sign of life—nothing but a corpse and no reason to hope that would ever be different. Pilate’s question and the officer’s response were not just casual conversation—their interaction constituted the legally binding inquiry by which Pilate was authorized to release the body of Jesus. Based on the testimony of the Roman officer, Pilate’s government certified the death of Jesus of Nazareth.

Only when we actually capture some measure of the reality of Jesus’ death will we capture some measure of the wonder of His resurrection. The closest you’ll come is if you’ve known the loss of someone dear. Imagine getting that loved one back again. Once you get past the “Wow, that’s spooky” part, can you imagine that your life would ever be the same again? I can’t.

And such was the case for those who saw, touched, and spoke with the resurrected Christ. Everything changed, because His resurrection promised their resurrection—as it does ours. “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (Romans 8:29 NLT)

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"What Kind of Criminal Are You?"

Scripture Passage

Mark 15:21-24; Matthew 27:32-34; Luke 23:26-31; John 19:17; Mark 15:25-32; Matthew 27:35-44; Luke 23:32-43; John 19:18-27; Mark 15:33-41; Matthew 27:45-56; Luke 23:44-49; John 19:28-37

Scripture Focus

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.’ Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” (Luke 23:39-42 NLT)

Observation

Two criminals were crucified alongside Jesus at Calvary. We don’t always give them a lot of thought—indeed, we don’t know much about them, and their deaths were not especially unusual. Capital punishment was commonplace in ancient Rome.

We do know, however, that they each held different attitudes toward their own deaths and the death of Jesus. One of the criminals was caustic and sarcastic, demanding that if Jesus really were the Messiah, He should prove it by saving himself and—while he was at it—the caustic criminal, as well! The second criminal took a different bent, acknowledging the greatness and justice of God, the sinfulness of his own life, and the innocence of Christ.

Today, I’m asking myself this question: “What kind of criminal am I?” That is, with which of these two men do I most readily and consistently identify? For however others might see me, I am—in the sight of an altogether perfect, holy God—a rebel…an insurgent…and absolutely guilty of multiplied crimes against Him. The question is not my guilt or innocence—or God’s authority to judge my crimes. The question is my response to my condition. Am I arrogant and critical, casting blame on others for my status before God? Or do I readily acknowledge my sinfulness, own it as my own, and welcome as His gift of grace any deliverance He might offer?

Of course, the second course is the only effective course. As Jim Cymbala wrote in Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, “God is attracted to weakness. He can't resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need him.” Like the second criminal to address our Lord, my heart cries out, “Jesus, remember me!” (Luke 23:42 NLT) I’m grateful for our Savior’s reply—“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 NLT)

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"Wimp!"

Scripture Passage

Mark 15:2-5; Matthew 27:11-14; Luke 23:1-12; John 18:28-40; Mark 15:6-15; Matthew 27:15-26; Luke 23:13-25; John 19:1-16; Mark 15:16-20; Matthew 27:27-31

Mattia Preti, Pilate Washing his Hands, 1663

Scripture Focus

“Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?” (John 18:34 NLT)

Observation

Pilate was a wimp—a full-fledged, “see which way the wind is blowing” politician. And yes, I’m sure that my thoughts today are fueled by “election fever”—by all the brouhaha surrounding yesterday’s vote—but they’re really not political thoughts, they are personal, spiritual-development thoughts!

In John 18:33, Pilate has asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” It’s a fair enough question, I suppose, and not all that different from the question of the high priest written about yesterday: “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” (Mark 14:61 NLT) But the question comes from a different source—a source other than Pilate himself. The high priest’s question was his own, but Pilate’s question was prompted only by the political pressure placed on him by the Sanhedrin. “Be a man,” I want to say. “Ask your own questions and stop asking questions as someone else’s pawn!”

The same thing is true when Pilate offers the release of Jesus to the public in keeping with an annual Passover tradition. The Scriptures affirm that Pilate understood full well the evil motive of the Sanhedrin, but Pilate was clearly unwilling to act rightly on he knew to be true. Instead, he hoped to weasel his way out of a difficult situation by sly manipulation, convincing the crowd to ask for Jesus’ release so that he didn’t have to order it himself (something he didn’t have the nerve to do). Ultimately, of course, that plan failed when the crowd asked for Barabbas instead of Jesus.

In a last-gasp effort to relieve himself of any responsibility, Pilate “sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!’” (Matthew 27:24 NLT) Of course, the symbolic gesture of washing his hands accomplished nothing—Pilate remained fully culpable for his actions in spite of his obtuse machinations.

All that said, it’s easy enough to berate Pilate, but the point of this is personal—for me. “Be a man, Duncan,” I’m saying to myself today. “Step up to the plate. Ask your own questions, not somebody else’s. Do what’s right, not on what’s easiest. And deal with whatever consequences result like a man should.”

That may not seem all that spiritual to you. But the reality is, part of spiritual growth involves each person taking responsibility for his or her own spiritual life. There comes a point where you can’t blame the preacher, the church, your parents, your siblings, your kids, your spouse, your boss, your employees or anyone or anything else. There comes a point where the person ultimately responsible for your spiritual health turns out to be you. So man up. Yep—even if you’re a woman. On this one, “Man up!”

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"Did You Catch That? Huh, Did You?"

Scripture Passage

Mark 14:53-65; Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:66-72; Matthew 26:69-75; Luke 22:54-65; John 18:25-27; Mark 15:1; Matthew 27:1-2; Luke 22:66-71; Matthew 27:3-10

Scripture Focus

Jesus said, “I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:62 NLT)

Observation

I love words. Not as much as some, I’m sure, but years ago Proverbs 15:23 became one of my favorite verses: “What a joy it is to find just the right word for the right occasion!” (Proverbs 13:23 GNB)

Jesus does that here—finds just the right word for the right occasion. He has been cruelly betrayed by Judas Iscariot. He has been arrested and falsely accused by members of the Sanhedrin. Finally, in an attempt to convict Him for blasphemy, Jesus is asked directly by the high priest—“Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” (Mark 14:61 NIV). Aware of it or not, the High Priest has just set Jesus up for the most richly-loaded-with-innuendo reply that’s ever been given. Jesus said, “I AM.” (Mark 14:62 NLT)

When God spoke to Moses at the burning bush, directing him to lead the deliverance of the Hebrews from Egypt, Moses protested and insisted upon additional information. He demanded to know the name of the God offering this deliverance. This was God’s reply:

“I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14 NLT)

Jesus recalls that very revelation here. That is the implication and interconnection Jesus delivers with His matter-of-fact reply.

And indeed, He is. All that Israel hoped and longed for…everything that Israel’s prophets had spoken of…everything that their covenant with Yahweh anticipated and portrayed…stood before the Jewish High Priest that day in the person of Jesus. Oh, that they could have seen it! Oh, that they—the descendents of Abraham—might yet see that yet today—that everything promised when God said to Abraham, “through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,” (Genesis 22:18 NIV) has found it’s fulfillment in the Jesus of Scripture.  Oh, that all flesh might see it!

Oh, that all flesh might see not just the wonderful double entendre in Jesus' reply, but the wonder that the great "I AM" has borne our sin and supplied our redemption through through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ of God!

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"The Power of a Praying Team"

Scripture Passage

John 18:1-2; Mark 14:32-42; Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 22:39-46; Mark 14:43-52; Matthew 26:47-56; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:3-24

Scripture Focus

Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had often gone there with his disciples. (John 18:1 NLT)

Observation

The opening verses from John 18 set up the remarkable moments when Judas, accompanied by “a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs” (Mark 14:43 NLT) shows up in the Garden of Gethsemane to carry out his act of betrayal. John says that “Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had often gone there with his disciples” (John 18:1 NLT).

That’s an amazing statement. I’ve heard plenty of people note how frequently the gospels remind us of Jesus’ commitment to prayer. This verse tells me that Jesus was committed not just to prayer, but to corporate prayer—to time spent praying in concert with others. Judas knew where to find Jesus because he’d often been there with Him as they prayed together. I’m sure I’m latching on to this verse because prayer with others has become something I’ve valued ever more highly in recent years, but I’m encouraged to know that this was common practice for Jesus and his disciples.

Christianity has become highly individualized these days (“me” instead of “us”), and prayer has become incredibly privatized (praying alone instead of praying with others). But that certainly doesn’t seem to have been the case for Jesus and his disciples or for the early church. Perhaps this is one place where Christians have an opportunity to paint the portrait of an “alternative culture” in our world simply by living out kingdom values. Perhaps a people who learned to pray together might even discover the more powerful impact of corporate prayer. In a world of anemic churches and feeble Christians, the increased effectiveness of unified prayer could prove worth the effort!

Equally remarkable, of course, is that Judas would choose a place of such sacred significance for his unthinkable act. To me, the thought that Judas would choose this place…a place of shared spiritual experiences…for his betrayal of the Christ had to add significant additional pain to the experience for Jesus. Can you imagine? Jesus really did bear it all for me—I’m grateful for His persevering love!

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