Matthew 26:3-16
When you read this passage do you focus on Judas' betrayal of Jesus or the woman's extravagant act of preparation? My attention keeps drifting towards Judas, however, what Jesus says is that this woman will always be remembered wherever the gospel is preached. We know how badly Judas fails, but Jesus doesn't point at Judas in this passage, he points at the woman. Maybe he wants us to recognize her stunning act of generosity and learn from her.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
March 30
Matthew 21:18-25
The last three months we have heard the expectation that our lives bear fruit. Sometimes we fall short. Like I did yesterday when I forgot to write! (I had to be at a hospital at 5:30 for a surgery and I just forgot.) God has expectations for me, but God is also willing to forgive. What God asks of us is to not fail once and quit. God asks in the face of failure we repent. We acknowledge our failure, and seek to live a new way. God's grace opens the way for this new beginning. We may fail to bear fruit today but that failure is not the final word on our life.
The last three months we have heard the expectation that our lives bear fruit. Sometimes we fall short. Like I did yesterday when I forgot to write! (I had to be at a hospital at 5:30 for a surgery and I just forgot.) God has expectations for me, but God is also willing to forgive. What God asks of us is to not fail once and quit. God asks in the face of failure we repent. We acknowledge our failure, and seek to live a new way. God's grace opens the way for this new beginning. We may fail to bear fruit today but that failure is not the final word on our life.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
3/27 - Mark 15
Mark 15
I wonder what it was like for Simon to carry the cross. That he is identified as the father of Alexander and Rufus is a clue. In the ancient world, men were identified by who their father was. To identify a man by his son's was unusual, unless the reader knew the sons. Thus it is very likely that Matthew was writing his gospel to Christians who know Alexander and Rufus. Who were most likely Christians. In other words, it appears that carrying Jesus' cross influenced Simon's family to the point that they became believers. God was working in all kinds of ways to bring about good on this day.
I wonder what it was like for Simon to carry the cross. That he is identified as the father of Alexander and Rufus is a clue. In the ancient world, men were identified by who their father was. To identify a man by his son's was unusual, unless the reader knew the sons. Thus it is very likely that Matthew was writing his gospel to Christians who know Alexander and Rufus. Who were most likely Christians. In other words, it appears that carrying Jesus' cross influenced Simon's family to the point that they became believers. God was working in all kinds of ways to bring about good on this day.
Friday, March 26, 2010
March 26
Matthew 27:57-66
A guard is posted over his tomb. The religious leaders remembered his claim about rising after the third day and are afraid the disciples will steal the body. The irony is that the disciples either did not remember what he said or did not believe what he said. How could his enemies remember his teaching but his disciples not remember? How could they not believe? Maybe their fears were so great they overwhelmed every remembrance of Jesus at this moment?
Fear is a very powerful emotion. Fear shapes how we see the world, how we respond to what is taking place around us. Fear can easily replace faith. Look in your life for your greatest fears. Spend time in prayer today asking God to help you have faith in face of your fears.
A guard is posted over his tomb. The religious leaders remembered his claim about rising after the third day and are afraid the disciples will steal the body. The irony is that the disciples either did not remember what he said or did not believe what he said. How could his enemies remember his teaching but his disciples not remember? How could they not believe? Maybe their fears were so great they overwhelmed every remembrance of Jesus at this moment?
Fear is a very powerful emotion. Fear shapes how we see the world, how we respond to what is taking place around us. Fear can easily replace faith. Look in your life for your greatest fears. Spend time in prayer today asking God to help you have faith in face of your fears.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
March 25
Matthew 27:33-56
I find it amazing that the two robbers hanging on the cross also taunted Jesus. You would think that if you were dying on a cross, taunting would be the last thing on your mind. I like the other gospels telling of this story, Luke 23:39-43, where on of the criminals repents. Jesus tells that man he will be with him in paradise. What I love about Luke's telling of the story is that it is never too late to repent.
I find it amazing that the two robbers hanging on the cross also taunted Jesus. You would think that if you were dying on a cross, taunting would be the last thing on your mind. I like the other gospels telling of this story, Luke 23:39-43, where on of the criminals repents. Jesus tells that man he will be with him in paradise. What I love about Luke's telling of the story is that it is never too late to repent.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
March 24
Matthew 27:27-32
The Message translation of this passage uses the word "fun" twice. "The soldiers assigned to the governor took Jesus into the governor's palace and got the entire brigade together for some fun.....When they had had their fun, they took off the toga and put his owns clothes back on him." Their fun was the manner in which they beat and mocked Jesus. It is amazing how sin can so grip our lives, that brutalizing another human being becomes 'fun'.
The Message translation of this passage uses the word "fun" twice. "The soldiers assigned to the governor took Jesus into the governor's palace and got the entire brigade together for some fun.....When they had had their fun, they took off the toga and put his owns clothes back on him." Their fun was the manner in which they beat and mocked Jesus. It is amazing how sin can so grip our lives, that brutalizing another human being becomes 'fun'.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
March 23
Matthew 27:11-26
Pilate washes his hands while saying that he is innocent of this man's blood. He is not innocent. He is the Roman authority. He has the power to put Jesus to death or to free him. Just because he gives into the wishes of the crowd does not diminish his responsibility in the death of Jesus. The passage makes it clear that Pilate believes Jesus is not guilty of the accusations brought against him. However, Pilate does not want to stand against the crowd. It is easier to blame the crowd than takes responsibility for his actions.
We are often tempted to think we are not responsible for our actions or words. It is easier to blame others. In calling us to repentance, God asks us to accept responsibility for our actions, to acknowledge what we have done. Until we are willing to do so, change can never really take place in our lives.
Pilate washes his hands while saying that he is innocent of this man's blood. He is not innocent. He is the Roman authority. He has the power to put Jesus to death or to free him. Just because he gives into the wishes of the crowd does not diminish his responsibility in the death of Jesus. The passage makes it clear that Pilate believes Jesus is not guilty of the accusations brought against him. However, Pilate does not want to stand against the crowd. It is easier to blame the crowd than takes responsibility for his actions.
We are often tempted to think we are not responsible for our actions or words. It is easier to blame others. In calling us to repentance, God asks us to accept responsibility for our actions, to acknowledge what we have done. Until we are willing to do so, change can never really take place in our lives.
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