Month: March 2018

We know we are in the anniversary week of the death of Christ, and there is something deeply meaningful about that.  Debate continues regarding the year (AD 30? Or 33?) and the exact day (Wednesday? Friday?) but we know that almost 2000 years ago this week on Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem seated on the colt of a donkey to the praise and adoration of throngs of Jews, as specifically prophecied 500 years before it happened.

Jesus’ entry was loud, joyful, triumphant! The people were shouting words that were true, and so very important that if the people were hushed the rocks would have cried out.

But the really weird thing is, the worshippers themselves didn’t understand the depth of their own words, or the significance of what they celebrated.  If they had, would the Pharisees have been able to turn the tide so quickly, within just a few days? Would there have been a crowd willing to cry out just the opposite- “crucify him!” in place of “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”?

No, the worshippers didn’t understand.  Nor did the disciples, who followed but remained blind to Jesus’ true purpose.

But you know what those guys did right? They kept showing up.  They stayed close to Jesus, they stuck around Jerusalem and each other, they stayed open to what Jesus said to do even when it went directly opposite to what they thought he was doing.  We know so many followers by name, but surely there were unnamed believers among the crowds who praised on Sunday then called for his death on a weekday then ate fish for breakfast with the risen Jesus.

Kids, Jesus does not depend on us to understand everything or behave perfectly. We are all foolish, and that is no surprise to our Heavenly Father. My prayer today, in this anniversary week of Jesus suffering sacrifice, is that we would keep showing up.

Father, your holiness is more beautiful in its love than anything we could ever have imagined outside your grace. This week reveals to us the unfathomable depth of your faithfulness, and my heart responds in love and gratitude.  I wonder at your ability to forgive the foolishness and faithlessness we your people have shown, and yet Jesus’ final words to his followers show that he continued to trust us with his work.  Father, today I pray for these children I love knowing you love them even more.  I pray that they will keep showing up in the company of believers, in the places where you are working, with hearts open to the Spirit of Truth. Thank you for this promise of a Friend who is always with us; may we continue in the work of Jesus through your power and presence.  #prayersformychildren

It is so easy to look at these old stories and scoff at the foolishness of the Israelites.  My Lent reading is taking me though Exodus, where God’s provision is so abundant- freedom from intolerable labor demands and a murderous dictator.  Water appearing miraculously, bread falling at their feet every morning and meat every evening.  And still, they cannot wait for a few days as Moses speaks to God.  They turn instead to the ways of the oppressors, worshipping a golden calf of their own creation, made from the bounty God provided as they escaped slavery. So tragically, painfully foolish.

But Lent is about self examination, repentance, a turning to Christ in gratitude. So this story of human foolishness, I have to admit– it’s my story too.  Do I count the gifts God provides, drawing on the undeniable evidence of his love and provision in times of doubt, in the times when he seems absent? Do I take what he generously provides and use it to create false idols in my life? Do I, like Aaron, make flimsy excuses instead of turning to God in repentance?

Why does God continue to put up with me? I don’t know why, but I know that he does.

Father, you are incomprehensible in your patience and faithfulness. You suffer our foolishness, you right our wrongs, you redeem our lives and free us from the burden and slavery of sin.  Grant that my children would come to understand the immensity of this gift of love so freely given.  I pray they- that we all- will know the truth of our need for you; that we would see our own sin clearly so that we can repent fully and understand the depth of the joy your forgiveness and restoration frees us to experience.

And Father, in this season of self examination I pray that you would show me how I can draw closer to you. I ask, Father, that your Spirit would transform me more into your image so that I can serve my family more fully as your servant.  #prayersformychildren #Lent2018