God's Word is rich and abundant - by that, I mean that the Bible has many layers and depth of application and substance, from the simple to the profound. I've noticed that it never becomes "exhausted" no matter how many times I read it. God's Word is always new, valuable, needed, and on target.
This week, the week before Easter, is Holy Week. On Thursday the church will observe Maundy Thursday, the day when Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples.
One of our Lutheran distinctives is our view of communion. Lutherans believe that Jesus is present in the supper - and not just spiritually or just as a memorial. We believe it because the Bible says it.
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:27-28
Lutherans also believe that there is a very real forgiveness of sins associated with communion. We believe it, because God's Word says it: "poured out...for the forgiveness of sins."
I've read the account of the Passover meal many times. But Luke records something I often overlooked:
And [Jesus] said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." Luke 22:15
Even knowing that the cross was coming, Jesus was looking forward to this particular Passover.
During this meal with His disciples, Jesus instituted an "event" that the church regularly observes - what we call communion or the Lord's Supper.
“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19
And just as God's Word is read and preached every Sunday, my church observes the Lord's Supper every Sunday. And, like His Word, His Supper is always new, valuable, needed, and on target.
But I read those words, "I earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you," and I have to think that Jesus was also eagerly anticipating instituting the Lord's Supper. He was instituting it for His disciples...and He was instituting it for me.
And, like Jesus, I too anticipate and desire the Lord's Supper. I earnestly desire to partake of it.
"...Take,eat...this is my body...drink...this is my blood...for the forgiveness of sins...do this in remembrance of me..."
Always desired, always needed, never exhausted - and given for you.
When I'm on task, I'm basically a problem-solving, time management freak. I plan and think through my work, and to other people, I always seem to be calm and "in control."
Yesterday I had a short to-do list, thinking I'd get that done and have most of the day to handle whatever else came up.
But, first thing in the morning, I had to clear an icy sidewalk; and then, one after another, things went wrong; and I was left scrambling the entire day.
And I went home feeling defeated, as if I'd "lost" the day.
Then this morning, I happened to read:
...by instructing us to pray "your will be done," God "teaches us that we have no greater enemy than ourself." Since we want our will to be done, God is asking us to pray against ourselves...This means asking him to put our self-will to death through the cross.**
Wow - I have my lists and my will for each day; but God has His will. And yesterday, a "lost" day for me, He accomplished something. By defeating my day, He taught me to also consider His plans, not just mine.
From the above passage - This means asking him to put our self-will to death through the cross.
The cross...and Jesus prayed...
...saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42
It seems so obvious that, in like manner, I should've been praying for my day and including God's will; His will perhaps being the unexpected and unpleasant. But, I wasn't. I was equating my work with His will.
And we all have work to do, every day. And it's necessary to have a "plan" to get through the day and to get the work done.
But God's will needs to be in my "plan for the day."
I remember Rich Buhler, a Christian talk show host who'd always end his show with, "I'll be back tomorrow...Lord willing." And I thought he was just being pessimistic!
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for teaching me that I'm not in control. Help me to use my talents and my time to serve others, and to accomplish my work. But, help me also to be mindful that, in the end, it's "Thy will be done" not mine.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5–6
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
I pray for my desire and my delight to be in You and in Your will. And I pray for wisdom to understand Your will and to act accordingly - putting all my trust and faith in Jesus.
In Jesus' name and with the Holy Spirit.
Amen
**The Unholy Trinity: Martin Luther Against the Idol of Me, Myself, and I - Michael A. Lockwood.
I just read Homeschool Will Not Save Them on the Desiring God website. The author homeschooled her daughter, thinking that a homeschool education would ensure that her daughter became a Christian.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
However, during her first year in college, the daughter decided that she didn't believe the Bible anymore.
And I couldn't help thinking about my youngest son, who'll be going to college this fall.
Like the girl in the article, he knows his Bible, he's educated in the creation vs evolution debate, and he's capable of defending his faith.
In the end, the mother concludes that a Christian education doesn't make a person become a Christian but "only Christ can move upon human hearts inclined toward sin and do a work of regeneration."
And I ask, "What does she mean by that?"
It doesn't mean that a heart just needs to believe the Bible, believe in creation, and know and obey the commandments, or just be a good Christian with a Christian philosophy.
The heart that needs to be changed is a heart that doesn't recognize its own sin and sin nature. That truth and the depth of sin often get lost amidst Christian learning, morality, and good works.
My sin nature is the ugliest thing about me, the thing I hate, and avoid admitting or thinking about.
But God's Word comes to me, when I hear it proclaimed or when I read the Bible...and it's like God is ripping my chest open and saying, "Look."
For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. Psalm 38:4
Ironically, what drives a person to Christianity is a very real and very personal recognition and understanding of his or her own sin, a recognition that a person isn't good, and can't be good...apart from Christ.
In other words, in hearing God's Word and His Law, the heart becomes tenderized to its own sin and knows it's not good...and despairs...
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. Romans 7:18a
Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Romans 7:24
The heart despairs...until it hears the good news of Jesus.
...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 1 Timothy 1:15
And my college-bound son...in the midst of his sins and struggles, I often remind him of the fallen world, the world he lives in. And he'll resist and mope for awhile.
But eventually he'll recognize his own sin and confess, "Everyone's a sinner." And then he'll add, "Except me. I'm perfect." Even in his sarcasm, he knows the sweetness of the cross.
We all wear masks. We mask our inner thoughts, our struggles, and our failures. And social media is the biggest mask - I get the impression from Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram that everybody has a fun, happy, and pretty life. People can even "spin" messes into a good time.
During this Lenten season, our Sunday sermons are focused on getting us to think about what we'd say in defense of Christianity and how we'd share our faith with others.
When I think about sharing the gospel with someone, I remember this...
One Sunday, I was waiting for a prayer meeting at our sister church and I noticed an unfamiliar gentleman standing by himself. He told me that he'd been living in a half-way house and that things in the house and things in life had gotten to him...and he had run away.
He said that he "just couldn't be good and do what [he] was supposed to do."
His words reminded me of the apostle Paul:
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Romans 7:18-19
After listening a bit, I said to the man, "I'm not any different from you. Things happen to me and I want to run away." Then I gave him a simple gospel message, which included our inability "to be good" and the sweetness of the cross.
Now, when I compare that man's story with the stories that social media paints, I think, "We're missing something here."
We put on happy faces to convince others that we have a perfect life, perfect family, perfect job, etc. To the non-Christian, to the hurting person who's struggling with life and faith issues...the impression is, "You're not good enough."
Our God does provide all we need and even gives joy in this life. But, it's not the joy of pretty and happy or popular. It's the joy of "peace with God" of "being a son or daughter in the Father's house."
If the gospel is to reach hurting people, then people need to know that Christians are also among the hurting, that we don't have it together, that we need the grace, mercy, and peace that only God can give, peace that comes only through Jesus and the cross.
Jesus came for the needy, the hurting.
Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Mark 2:17
I find myself "guilty" all the time of projecting an image of having it all together.
Heavenly Father,
Help me to reach people and to connect with people who need to hear Your truth, to know Your love, Your forgiveness, and Your peace.
Help me to have compassion on "the least of these" and to identify with them as fellow sinners.
Forgive me when I "pretend" to have it all together; help me to show others the face of a sinner, saved by grace.
In Jesus' name and with the Holy Spirit.
Amen
