Jesus' Life and Spring

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (II Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

Jesus’ Life and Spring

The change of seasons this year, at least in Kansas, has been unusual.  We have gone from bitter winter, to sudden spring, to snowy snow, to pleasant spring, to cold, to warm, to chilly, to hot, to green buds.

It has made me think a lot about spring.

Spring is new hope, a fresh start, life from sleep, and each year, something like a new creation.

But the new creation on this third planet is not only pleasant each spring, but it points Christians’ attention to the One who really brings new life:  and that life, eternal!

Jesus lived on earth through summer, autumn, winter and spring so that He could live the full experience that His creation does… and so that His presence could add to the FIXING of Adam’s breakage.

He SHOWS US spring … He BRINGS spring… … He IS spring

Jesus' Life (Again) and Fear

Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  (Luke 12:32 ESV)

Jesus’ Life (Again) and Fear

Our Father, since we are Jesus’ adopted siblings, promises us a kingdom.  And that kingdom is better than any earthly kingdom.  It is better than any fairy tale kingdom.  It is better than any imaginary kingdom.

It is perfect.

And Christians are on a path, a road, a Way, that leads there.

Sometimes, late at night, I end up walking through some dark places in my house.  And that could be scary.  Who KNOWS what is in the dark?

But the light that I am usually headed for gives me courage, hope, and peace.

I know where I will end up!  And the fear of Lego blocks, mice, cat tails, rug edges, and discarded books that seem so dangerous, unsure, and frightening disappears.

The more I recall the end of the journey, the less scary the dark is.

As in my house, so in all of life.

Know the future, heaven, God’s full kingdom, and fear slips away.

Not because of our skills, coordination, or knowledge.

But because of the One… the Three… that we will know completely at the end!

=-=--=

Jesus' Death and Fear

But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel:  Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. (Isaiah 43:1 ESV)

Jesus’ Death and Fear

Jesus’ death redeems us.  His death returns us into the family of our creator.  Jesus’ death restores us to the embrace of the heavenly Father.  His death restores us to the way God created humans to live.

And so, Christ Jesus’ death fixes everything.

And since that is true, His death has overcome every single thing we might fear.

The victory might not be obvious, but it is real.

The victory might not be immediate, but it is set in stone.

The victory might not be observable, but it is in God’s mind, and thus more real than anything else.

And therefore, because of Jesus’ death, there is nothing to fear!

The next time (and yes, it happens still, often) we think we have something to fear… remember the cross!  And fear no more.

Jesus' Life and Fear

And going a little farther He fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” … for the second time, He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done.” … So, leaving them again, He went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.  (Matthew 26:39, 42, 44 ESV)

Jesus’ Life and Fear

Jesus was afraid.  Probably not the insecure terror that WE experience as fear, but an apprehension, an awareness of upcoming pain, and a desire to avoid the immediate events in His life. 

In that way, He was afraid.

And in that way, He dealt with His fear in THE way that we can model Him when we are afraid.

He prayed.  Repeatedly.

We learn from Jesus’ example about fear.  But more importantly, we learn from Jesus’ example what to DO about fear.

Jesus' Live (Again) and Obedience

If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:11 ESV)

Jesus’ Life (Again) and Obedience

“Believing in Jesus” means believing in ALL of Jesus… particularly, here, in His Resurrection.  That belief, according to this verse, enables our mortal physical selves to be empowered to obey!

Jesus’ resurrection… perhaps because it overcame the EFFECT of sin, death… cuts out the power of sin in His people.  We now are able to obey.

Not to gain salvation… we have that through Grace, by faith…

But BECAUSE of the power of the Resurrection over death, really knowing God’s law, loving God’s law, and keeping God’s law is now within our power!  Or really, of course, still within Christ’s power, manifesting itself in us.

We cannot obey to gain salvation… but we have the ability to obey BECAUSE of salvation.

Jesus' Death and Obedience

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8 ESV)

Jesus’ Death and Obedience

I like movies with twists.  Those stories where things seem to be going completely wrong.  But suddenly we see that all of the troubles, apparent mistakes, and bumblings were ACTUALLY exactly what was supposed to happen all along!

Jesus’ death was no accident.  It did not happen with God wringing His hands in heaven with despair.  Jesus did not die against His will.

Jesus’ death was an act of obedience to God.

Jesus’ death was the completion of Biblical Promises from Genesis through Malachi.

Jesus’ death was exactly what needed to happen to fix OUR disobedience.

Jesus’ death was the only way for His people to avoid God’s wrath.  In His death, He took our well-deserved punishment on Himself.  Jesus obeyed God by punishing every Sin of every one of His people… He just punished Himself instead of us.

His death saves His people.

Jesus' Life and Obedience

For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.  (Romans 5:19 ESV)

Jesus’ Life and Obedience

I once did a homework assignment for a friend.  He had been sick, had been overwhelmed by situations at home, and had humbly cried out for help.

I should not have done it, of course.

But I did.  And my friend got credit for my work.

One good thing (maybe the only good thing) that came from that event, is that it gave me a little bit of understanding of how Christ’s obedience is credited to me.

Jesus obeyed God… perfectly, in every tiny and gigantic way.  But because of God’s amazing Covenant, God gives ME credit for it.  God chooses to see what JESUS did as my thoughts, words, and deeds.

Just as my friend was unable to complete his assignment, I am unable to complete God’s holy requirements.  But Jesus did my work for me.

It is the only way that I could enter God’s perfect heaven.

His life on earth, from birth to crucifixion, provided Him with every opportunity to be perfect and sinless in every human situation… so that His perfect holiness could be credited to His people.

It is the only way Christians (or anyone) can be holy in God’s sight.

His life saves His people.

Jesus' Life (Again) and Christianity

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. (I Corinthians 15:17-19 ESV)

Jesus’ Life (Again) and Christianity

The most important part of breakfast might be bacon.  The most important part of Star Trek might be Mr. Spock.  The most important part of a long drive might be the radio.  The most important part of lawnmowing might be my MP3 player.

But without doubt the most important part of Christianity is the Resurrection, eternal life, and heaven.

It is not true that the here and now is meaningless… but eternity is more.

And if Christianity is ONLY about our dirty feet, our gardens, our drinks-of-water, our conversation, our time… then Christianity is no different than any other worldview.

But Christianity is about forever, is about fixing everything, is about true rest, is about real hope.

Jesus was resurrected first, and Christians will follow Him.

Christianity is yesterday and today.  But most of all, it is tomorrow.

Christ's Death and Christianity

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. (Romans 5:9 ESV)

Jesus’ Death and Christianity

If it were not for the death of Christ, Christianity would not mean anything.  Uniquely, Christianity is not founded on the morals, deeds, or choices of it’s people.  Rather, Christianity is founded on Christ’s death on behalf of Christians.

His death makes us right in God’s eyes.  His death saves us from God’s wrath.  His death is what separates us from other unrighteous people.  (ALL sin, but Christians receive forgiveness.)

We Christians do not merely follow a wise leader, we are followers because that leader died for us.  We Christians do not merely study and believe effective philosophy, we study and believe because our teacher died for us.  We Christians are not merely members of a group, we belong together because all of us are so broken that we needed someone… Someone… to die in our place.

The Chinese of the 19th century, when learning about Christianity, called us, “The People of the Dead God.”  While there is ANOTHER part to understand… they were not wrong!

Christ’s death makes us Christians.

Jesus' Life and Christianity

And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. (Acts 11:26 ESV)

Jesus’ Life and Christianity

The name, “Christian” means “one who is like Christ.”  A little Christ, perhaps… a follower of Christ perhaps… those who desire and strive to be Christ-like.

And while those things might seem at first to be a philosophy, some ideals, or principles, more than that they refer to the actual Life of Christ.

A Christian studies what Jesus did, and does likewise.

A Christian imitates Christ’s life, and does things in the way He might have.

Christ lived… and therefore we know how to live.

Christ lived righteously… and therefore our lives become righteous in God’s eyes.  Because of the great exchange!

If Christ had not lived humanly on earth, Christianity would be a meaningless philosophy, just like any other that would fade over time.

But He lived.  And so Christianity IS.

Jesus' Life (Again) and Learning

According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, (I Peter 1:3,4 ESV)

Jesus’ Life (Again) and Learning

I am very cynical about plumbing projects.  I have a fair bit of plumbing knowledge and experience, but rarely does a project work out as I planned, expected, or anticipated.  For me, there is no hope in plumbing.

Many are very cynical about politics.  History and experience both seem to indicate that promises will be broken, plans will fail, and efforts will over or under achieve. 

Some are even cynical about gravity.  Not only have scientists failed to present a true complete theory of gravity, but it sure seems at times that gravity is inconsistent!  Sometimes it is my friend, and sometimes it is not.

But Jesus’ Resurrection teaches us that hope is reasonable, hope is truth, and hope is going to be fulfilled.  Not any hope… but the hope of new life, the hope of restoration, the hope of sin’s utter destruction.

And those are pretty big hopes!

We do not learn that hope from observing nature, taking part in human relationships, or heavy contemplation.

We learn that hope only from Jesus’ Resurrection!

Jesus' Death and Learning

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Romans 6:5 ESV)

Jesus’ Death and Learning

I have a mysterious cistern in my yard.  It is covered with a metal plate, and I do NOT know what is down there!  I have attempted to open it up, but so far, have not been successful.  If I knew someone who had opened it before, though, it would not be so mysterious, scary, and ominous.

Most humans fear death.  We do not know what is on the other side.  We have not experienced what happens after our eyes close the last time.

But Christians do not need to be afraid.

Because our Savior, our Friend, our Brother, our King has already walked through death’s door, and removed all the darkness from it!

Death is no longer merely the end curse. Now it is the way to the greatest blessings ever known!  Because Jesus died before us, and changed death.

Death is no longer the great unknown.  Now it is a path, a road, a way, that Jesus has already walked and cleaned up for us.

Death is no longer a failure, a disaster, or the end.  Now it is the finish line, the victory march, the homecoming.

Jesus died, and taught us about the greatest unknown event of human existence.

Jesus' Life and Learning

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7 ESV)

Jesus’ Life and Learning

God could have instantly created a fully formed and developed human do be the Messiah.  But instead, the Christ was incarnated as a baby.  And that baby Jesus learned human things, just like every other human.  He learned to speak, and to walk, and to interpret His senses.

Just like us.

But Jesus had one huge advantage.  He BEGAN His life with the fear of the Lord.

And so, His knowledge came easier.  His knowledge came without deception.  His knowledge came without confusion.  His knowledge came without inaccuracy.

But He paved the way for us, too!

Our knowledge becomes easier, better, purer, and more true when it is learned with the foundation of the fear of the Lord.

He had it earlier, but He gives it to us, too.

Let your knowledge about, of, and in God guide your minds.

Truth is best known when seen in HIS light.  Morality is only known when seen in HIS light.  The best paths are only known when seen in HIS light.

Jesus knew first… and now we can, too.

The Big Events

The Most Important Events!

I am convinced that the three most important events in the history of the universe are the Life of Jesus Christ on earth; the Death of Jesus Christ at Golgotha, and the Life Again (the Resurrection) of Jesus Christ.

For the next “things”, ( I am not sure what to call these written presentations…)  we will be asking what difference the Life, Death, and Life (Again) of Jesus Christ makes.  Why are they so important?

Our general format will consider a triad of themes.  First, for instance, we will examine Jesus’ Life and Learning, Jesus’ Death and Learning, and Jesus’ Life (Again) and Learning.

If you have suggestions or requests, please send me a private message, and I will attempt to comply.

Life and Death and Life (again) of Jesus

The Necessary Life and Death and Life of Jesus

When I consider my existence (I know… it sounds like I have become a hippy!) I realize that from almost any perspective some parts of my life have been more important than other parts.

Nobody noticed the first time I ate bacon.  While it might have been a good day for me, I do not even remember it myself.

Nobody noticed my 26th birthday.  While I advanced in years, nothing particularly important happened.

In the life of Jesus there are three particular phases.  And those three phases are necessary for our justification, necessary for our sanctification, and necessary for our glorification.

In the life of Jesus there are three particular phases.  And those three phases are necessary for our past, necessary for our present, and necessary for our future.

In the life of Jesus there are three particular phases.  And those three phases are necessary for the physical world, necessary for the emotional world, and necessary for the spiritual world.

And so, for the next while, let’s examine those phases:  The earthly life of Jesus… the death of Jesus… and the life (again) of Jesus.

Jealousy?

Then the Lord became jealous for His land and had pity on His people. The Lord answered and said to His people,  “Behold, I am sending to you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.” (Joel 2:18,19 ESV)

Jealousy?

When I am jealous, it is a bad thing. 

But when God is jealous, He blesses His people!  He hates it when God’s people receive the WRONG kind of attention from others.

When He sees HIS enemies pressing His people, God helps us.

When He sees His people oppressed and threatened, God helps us.

When He sees His people suffering, God helps us.

The grain, wine, and oil are not just random examples of God’s blessing, either.

The grain and oil make bread.  And together with wine, we see shades of our celebrations of the Lord’s Supper.

How does God bless His enemy-oppressed, threatened, suffering folk?  Not just with food… but with a Savior!  With a Messiah!  With Jesus Himself.

Better

I came to my garden, my sister, my bride, I gathered my myrrh with my spice, I ate my honeycomb with my honey, I drank my wine with my milk. Eat, friends, drink, and be drunk with love! (Song of Songs 5:1 ESV)

Better

The poet here urges his readers to be drunk with love!  And that is a strange idea. 

By drunk, though, he does not mean stupid, buffoonish, clumsy, unaware, embarrassing crudeness.

He means ecstatic, unabashed, joyful, excited, awareness of love’s power, goodness, and glory.

Just like spices make many things taste better, love makes all of life grand.

Just like honey makes bland things sweet, love makes common things delightful.

Just like wine and milk apparently combine both nutrition and pleasure,  love combines our peace, work, rest, and devotion into a fantastic life-enriching concoction.

And love only comes from God.  He invented it.  He is the source of it.  He gives it.  He receives it.  Other things imitate it… other things are similar… other things are love-like.

But God’s love, in Christ, and ONLY in Christ, makes all things better!

Satisfaction

The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand; You satisfy the desire of every living thing. (Psalm 145:15,16 ESV)

Satisfaction

When we depend on our skills to be satisfied, we will not find satisfaction.

When we hope for financial success through planning, hard work, or windfall, we will not find satisfaction.

When we expect peace and joy through our friendships, relationships, and personality, we will not find satisfaction.

But when the eyes, hearts, and souls of God’s people look to HIM… He satisfies.

Perhaps through our skills, but HE brings satisfaction… not those things.

Perhaps through our planning, our hard work, or windfall, but HE brings satisfaction… not those things.

Perhaps through our friendships, relationships, and personalities, but HE brings satisfaction… not those things.

And it is not just some bland nicey-nice work God does.  He gives satisfaction to His people through the life, death, and life of His Son, our Savior.

Jesus leads to satisfaction.  Nothing else does

Fasting

The hand of our God is for good on all who seek Him, and the power of His wrath is against all who forsake Him.”  So we fasted and implored our God for this, and He listened to our entreaty. (Ezra 8:22,23 ESV)

Fasting

The idea of fasting is often connected in the Bible with crying out in desperation to God.  Here, Ezra describes how the people of God fasted, refrained from eating, while they implored God for help.

Fasting is not magic.  Fasting is not a ritual that we should perform to cause God to do things He does not want to do.  Fasting is not a means of coercing God.

Rather, fasting has to do with ourselves.

Fasting, doing without the pleasure of food, is an honest display of our urgent need before God.

Fasting, choosing to do without the common astonishing blessings God gifts us, reminds us of our daily dependance on Him.

Fasting, waiting to be full, content, or relaxed, is an indication of our problems that are looming large today.

Fasting doesn’t push God… but it might pull us in the right direction.

Motivation

Now there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. (Acts 7:11,12 ESV)

Motivation

I have a few things that I like to believe I would NEVER do.  This has nothing to do with unrighteous things, or illegal things, or moral things.  Merely things I do not appreciate, or like.

But I would probably actually do them, if push came to a shove.

Egypt, for Jacob and his family, was a place they would never want to visit.

At that point in history, Egypt was a rising power… and a fierce, unfriendly, extremely prejudiced land.  They knew they had the best army, the most money, and the most fertile land around.

Foreigners were treated, usually, with disrespect, disregard, and disdain.

But a terrible famine caused Jacob to overcome his own prejudice, his fears, and his doubts.

Hunger, the lack of food, motivated him.

And God knew what God was doing.  God wanted the Israelites in a corner in Egypt.  They had things to forget, things to learn, and a dependance on God to develop.

It did not make sense, I expect, to Jacob.  It was disappointing and shameful.  It was dangerous, unsure, and difficult.

But hunger, the lack of food, motivated him.

Perhaps our present day lacks are part of a similar plan of God’s.  He drives us to Him through the things we do not have, as much as the things we do have.  He drives us to His Son through our inabilities, our shortcomings, and our personal droughts, as much as through our skills, our successes, and our bounty.

Jacob was motivated, and followed what ended up being clear was the leading of His God.

Look for what God is motivating you to do, rather than focus on the famines around you.