John 12:23-28
Jesus said: The time has come for the Son of Man to be given his glory. I tell you for certain that a grain of wheat that falls on the ground will never be more than one grain unless it dies. But if it dies, it will produce lots of wheat. If you love your life, you will lose it. If you give it up in this world, you will be given eternal life. If you serve me, you must go with me. My servants will be with me wherever I am. If you serve me, my Father will honor you.
Now I am deeply troubled, and I don’t know what to say. But I must not ask my Father to keep me from this time of suffering. In fact, I came into the world to suffer. So Father, bring glory to yourself.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
One of my all-time favorite hymns is “All Glory Laud and Honor”. When our congregation sang this as our “first hymn” on Palm Sunday, I was filled with joy. The little children of our church paraded up and down the aisles waving palm fronds as we sang,
“All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer, King!
to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.”
This was a moment filled with reverence, jubilation, and mixed emotions. We all know how the “Holy Week story” ends…but we also know what had to happen to get to Easter Sunday. We celebrate Jesus as our Redeemer King… we sing sweet hosannas…but we know what’s coming. They don’t call it “The Sunday of Passion” for nothing!
As our pastor reminded us that the same people who heralded Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday - and celebrated Him as their King - were the same ones who just a few days later cried out for His crucifixion. He also noted that you cannot get from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday without considering the cross.
So we will consider the cross for a few days. We will look at Jesus…God’s Son in human form who knew every single lash of the whip that would befall Him. He knew every person who would betray or deny Him…every agonizing thrust of the hammer as steel spikes were driven into His hands and feet. He knew each second of agony that lay ahead of Him…and He openly admitted that He was “deeply troubled”. Who wouldn’t be? Who among us could bear this? If someone described this suffering to you today and told you that this was in store for you this week, wouldn’t you do everything in your power to prevent it? Wouldn’t you beg, plead and bargain with God…promise ANYTHING to avoid such torture?
Now let me ask you this…suppose you could save your child by sacrificing your life in this manner. What if it boiled down to you…or that child? What if your agony and brutalization could save countless generations and offer them Eternal Life? Many of us would say, “Sure…for this reason, we would do it!” But if we are honest, I bet when the beatings started…when our backs were torn open and our heads were pierced with a crown of thorns…when we were handed an incredibly heavy wooden cross and told to carry it up a steep hill after our body had been mutilated…we would say, “Hold on…I can’t do this.” A few of us might even make it to Calvary. But when the spikes were placed on our wrists…when someone pulled our feet together, held a metal spear above them and raised the hammer, we would surely say, “Wait! Stop!”
If we possessed the supernatural powers of Jesus, surely we would command these people to halt such atrocities…to loosen the ropes, put away the whips and spears, remove our naked body from the cross and cover us in soft robes. But we’re not Jesus. We do not have His capacity for love and perseverance. We want to spend Eternity with Him…but few among us would be willing to suffer even a small portion of what He endured - regardless of the purpose. We want the happy, joy-filled, palm-frond-saluted Jesus who rode into Jerusalem to the applause and cheers of an adoring crowd. We do not want to consider the mutilated Savior who hung from a cross. But we must.
Somewhere in between the palm fronds and the Easter bunny, chocolate eggs and new outfits, we must stop to remember what happened in the days from that joy-filled Sunday to Resurrection Day. If we focus only on the “pretty” parts…we miss the message. Jesus came into the world to suffer…for you, for me – for all who would believe in Him. Don’t rush this Holy week! Study every facet…the good, bad and the ugly. Before we can celebrate the resurrection, we must consider the cross.
Father, today we thank You for Jesus. We thank You for loving us in our sinful, unlovable state…loving us enough to be willing to suffer at the hands of mere mortals who did not know You – did not understand Your love, grace, mercy, compassion and forgiveness. They did not understand about Eternal Life…and most certainly they could not comprehend the love of one Man for all mankind. Help us to focus on the cross this week…to remind ourselves just how profoundly Jesus loves each one of us. Make us uncomfortable as we ponder His suffering on our behalf. Humble us as we reflect on His passion and steadfast devotion. Forgive us for our weaknesses…and our ungratefulness. Make this a week when we renew our commitment…a time when we consider the cross and fully embrace Christ’s amazing love for each of us. Amen.
©2014 Debbie Robus
Psalm 41:11-13
I know you are pleased with me,
for you have not let my enemies triumph over me.
You have preserved my life because I am innocent;
you have brought me into your presence forever.
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
who lives from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and amen!
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
This morning, we took Timothy and Zola to an Easter egg hunt at our church campus… held after morning services on the grounds surrounding the sanctuary. There were people everywhere, and the grass was thoroughly covered in plastic eggs filled with candy. Timothy, Zola and several of the younger ones really didn’t know what to do with the whole situation…but they figured it out pretty quickly. After all the eggs were gathered, the children did what children like to do… they ran willy-nilly as far and as fast as they could!
When it was time to leave, my husband and I herded our two toward the car… but Timothy pulled loose and began to run. As we approached the street, I reminded him that he had to hold his Uncle Greg’s hand, because cars could be coming, and the drivers might not be watching for little ones. Sure enough, a car came up the street, and the man driving it headed directly for Zola and me. I am not sure if he saw Timothy, and he never really got that close to him, but my husband scooted over quickly to shield Timothy and protect him.
The man was intent on asking directions to another church in town, and I honestly don’t think it even registered with him that we had small children in our charge as he pulled up beside us. And certainly, my husband and I would both move heaven and earth to protect our little ones, so neither he nor any other driver was about to cause them any harm. But I said a quick, “Thank You, LORD!” anyway, as my husband scooped up Timothy and put him into our car!
Small children are indeed innocent. They have not yet learned about the perils of “enemies” such as fast-moving cars on a busy street… crowds of people at an outdoor event… and even the ramifications of eating too much candy or biting into something that is rock hard, like an all-day sucker that can crack a baby tooth! They have not yet learned the impropriety of announcing to the world that they don’t want to do something, or screaming at the top of their lungs in public just because it feels good. They don’t know how to be nice and polite to others… to speak when spoken to… or to come immediately when summoned. So we adults have to protect them, teach them, and nurture them… just as God has done for us.
In 1 Corinthians 13:11, Paul says, “When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.” The time has come for us to put away childish things and operate with integrity and honor. We can live with the assurance that God will protect us - not because of our innocence or immaturity… but rather, because we have put away the childish things and now walk in His truths – and demonstrate them in our daily existence.
Today of all days, as we think of Jesus and how He rose from the grave and conquered death, we should stop and thank Him for the tremendous work and sacrifices He has done on our behalf. We should praise Him for protecting us from our enemies – often when we totally do not deserve His help. We should humbly glorify Him for loving us enough to suffer for our sins… and we should make every effort to live each day in a way that shows how truly appreciative we are. Will you do this? Will you put aside childish behaviors and begin to operate with integrity and honor? Has God brought you into His presence? Do you live in a way that says that you belong there? Isn’t it time that you did?
©2013 Debbie Robus
Luke 11:9
So I tell you to ask and you will receive, search and you will find, knock and the door will be opened for you. Everyone who asks will receive, everyone who searches will find, and the door will be opened for everyone who knocks. Which one of you fathers would give your hungry child a snake if the child asked for a fish? Which one of you would give your child a scorpion if the child asked for an egg? As bad as you are, you still know how to give good gifts to your children. But your heavenly Father is even more ready to give the Holy Spirit to anyone who asks.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Timothy was staying with us recently, and my mother came over to visit. She brought a blue plastic Easter basket, filled with:
• blue Easter grass
• two different packages/flavors of “Peeps”
• a chocolate bunny
• a Curious George DVD
• a bottle of all-in-one shampoo
• a bunny car filled with Easter candy
• a wand of bubbles, and
• a baby doll that laughs when you squeeze it.
I groaned when I saw all the sticky candy, and she laughed and said, “It’s okay… I’m the great-grandmother!” This is one great-grandmother who knows how to give “good gifts!” And of course, three Peeps later, Timmy was a happy, sticky mess out on our driveway blowing bubbles! He’s not old enough to actually ask for gifts yet, but when he is, I’m sure we will gladly - and readily – oblige… and our door is always open to any and all of our nieces and nephews and young friends.
Truly the basket of goodies was filled with things that, while not necessarily healthy for Timothy, were just what a kid needs on Easter week. Many needs this kid didn’t even know he had were met… and then some!
The GOOD NEWS for each of us this Easter weekend – and always – is that God’s door is always open. He may not give us Peeps and chocolate bunnies, but whatever we ask Him will be given to us, according to His will – and with our best interest at the forefront. So if you ask God for a new Mustang, and you really need transportation to get back and forth to school or work, He may give you a used Ford Focus! If you ask God to help you put food on the table, He may see that you have just enough to eat each day rather than showering you with a pantry filled with groceries. But the point is, God will answer… He will meet your needs. His door is always open!
Because of the blood of Jesus… because of the incredible sacrifice of a totally innocent man Who was willing to take our sins and die for them, we can freely ask for anything. Because this man was Jesus Christ in human form, who could not be contained in an earthly grave, the door to our Father’s house is always open. Because of the incredible love of our LORD and Savior, the Holy Spirit is available to each of us…ready to fill our hearts and be our constant companion!
This is the “Good Gift” of Easter. This is the Good Gift we can enjoy all year long… every year… again and again! Ask God for anything, and trust Him to know just how to answer… and to give you “good and perfect gifts” upon request.
©2011 Debbie Robus
April 4 ~ 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
What if I could speak all languages of humans and of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. What if I could prophesy and understand all secrets and all knowledge? And what if I had faith that moved mountains? I would be nothing, unless I loved others. What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others.
Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. `Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.
Love never fails! Everyone who prophesies will stop, and unknown languages will no longer be spoken. All that we know will be forgotten. We don't know everything, and our prophecies are not complete. But what is perfect will someday appear, and what isn't perfect will then disappear. When we were children, we thought and reasoned as children do. But when we grew up, we quit our childish ways.
Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don't know everything, but then we will, just as God completely understands us. For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I can’t think of a better day for this scripture passage. When we consider God’s love for us – a love that caused Him to send His only Son to die for our sins – this scripture passage is a fitting one. When we think of the resurrection – how the power of God was so strong that even death and the tomb could not contain Jesus – it is fitting to read these verses.
There is no way we can comprehend the depth and breadth of God’s love for us. It is all-consuming, overwhelming, incredible, amazing… and given unconditionally. God’s love is beyond anything in our capacity. But we can strive to love others more… to be patient, humble, without envy and pride, courteous, slow to anger, quick to forget, supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. We can grow up and at least try to act more like Christ and model the behavior He showed us.
We can show God our gratitude and give Him praise for loving us so well… and for sending Jesus. We can thank Him that Christ rose from the grave… and that in doing so, we are promised that we will rise to spend Eternity with Him someday. If we do not strive to love as Jesus taught, the “Easter experience” is wasted on us. If we do not have faith that God will fulfill His promises, then why did Christ die on the cross and rise from the tomb? If we do not love others, Jesus does not matter. And we all know better – Jesus does matter – nothing about Jesus is a waste!
We don’t know everything – God has not revealed all of the answers. But we have faith, hope and love… and for now, these are sufficient. Today and in days to come, give all three your heartiest workout. And toss in praise and thanksgiving to God, as well. Hallelujah! Christ is Risen! Praise be to God Almighty! Happy Easter… share God’s love with others today… and always!
©2010 Debbie Robus
