Praise for the Resurrection

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.~ Matthew 17:21-23

This passage follows the astonishing meeting on the Mount of Transfiguration wherein Jesus communed with God the Father and two specially chosen saints of the Old Testament. Peter, James, and John fell faint as they observed the true nature of their Master. On the Mount, Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, just as Peter declared. (Mark 8:29) 

Jesus often referred to himself as “the son of man.” The phrase seems strange to us because we understand that he is the Son of God, just as Peter professed and observed at the Transfiguration. It helps to remember Isiah’s prophecy about Jesus, which subtly states the awaited Messiah’s nature, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” (9:16a) Jesus is the child of a human (man, mankind) and the Son of God. So, when he said “the son of man” will be handed over to the “hands of men,” he meant that his human body would be subjected to human authority. 

As a man, Jesus took human sin upon himself. “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17) Recall that “propitiation” means that Jesus is the means God’s grace, or the delivery mechanism - “like his brothers in every respect.” [Though the language suggests maleness, it is understood as human nature.]

The saints join the Apostle Paul in praise saying, “but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57) The victory of Jesus is celebrated as his mastery over sin, death, and Satan. Saints rejoice in Heaven too; “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” (Revelation 19:2) 

Jesus is the first of the resurrected dead, but countless multitudes will follow because of him. What is resurrection? How is it different from being raised from the dead, like Lazarus? The Transfiguration witnessed in Matthew 17 demonstrated a type of resurrection. The “son of man” was temporarily changed to be united with God the Father in His holy realm. Resurrection is a permanent union of human flesh with the kingdom of God. All Christian Believers look forward to the same transformation, whether from the grave or life in the flesh. 

Therefore, rejoice in Jesus’ sufferings and sorrows because of the victory won through them. Exalt the Name of King Jesus and submit to His rule. One day, sooner than it seems possible . . . 

“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) 

So, be encouraged, beloved of God. 21st Century Christian Believers ought to joyfully celebrate the resurrection they will soon experience, even while praising “Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)

Remember the Kingdom Call

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on March 17, but why? Many who celebrate have only a vague idea that there was a real man — a Christian — named Patrick. He was born in Britain to a Christian family, but he didn’t accept Christ until after he was kidnapped at age 15 by Irish pirates and sold to a harsh Druid man in Ireland. Patrick was forced to work as a herdsman by his captors, and during that time he would pray for hours. At age 22, he escaped and returned to Britain. But several years later, he had a dream calling him back to Ireland to minister to its people. Heeding this call, Patrick journeyed throughout Ireland, sharing Christ until his death, thought to have been around March 17, A.D. 461. Whether you’re wearing green or not, remember the story of the Christian witness behind St. Patrick’s Day. ~ Voice of the Martyrs - USA (FB Post 3/17/21)

A year after having the proverbial rug pulled out from under us, we find ourselves having adapted to the post-lock-down world. It’s is Saint Patrick’s Feast Day again and much of the traditional activity is resuming, albeit with appropriate restrictions. I’ve shared a Facebook post from the Voice of the Martyrs organization because it serves as a reminder to Christians who enjoy the freedom and unincumbered religious living that, even under the worst of circumstances, the LORD is at work for the sake of the Kingdom. VOM reminds free Christians that persecution and suffering for Christ occur daily in many parts of the world. What’s more, those suffering saints, like Patrick grow the Kingdom of Christ despite their sorrows. Therefore, let us take a moment amid celebrations of Irish culture, stout, and green things, to give thanks for liberty and pray for those who suffer for Christ. Let us repent of complaining and apathy toward our shared calling and join the LORD wherever we witness His presence and activity. “Amen.”

Jesus, who harrowed hell; who is not undone at the destructive force of the hottest fires this world can burn; who knows the name of each casualty, numbers the hairs of each individual, stands next to each overwhelmed physician [and all who’ve striven against the tide of negativity ~ DLS]; who exploits every opening that evil leaves, turning the tables on the propaganda of despair, knocking the teeth out of hopelessness, bellowing a song of healing. ~ Elizabeth Glass Turner (“The Indecency of Hope.” Good News Magazine, February 8, 2021. https://goodnewsmag.org/2021/01/the-indecency-of-hope/.)

His Highest Hopes for You

He has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ~ 2 Timothy 1:9

    What do you do with a couple of sentences that contain more than the sum of their parts? An average phrase is like a deflated balloon, but a Word from the LORD is like one inflated to the point of bursting. Here is the Apostle imparting his vision of the mystery of Christ. As Christian Believers, we are saved by Him and for His sake. For His sake, the Father takes away our sin and imparts new life by the indwelling of Christ’s Spirit. Holiness is a natural outcome that, remarkably, many people spend a lifetime resisting. 
    Why do we resist holiness? Perhaps because the enemy deceives us into thinking of holiness in human terms. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you imagine a particularly holy person? How do you measure yourself against them? Do you think, “I could never be like that”? Now, be honest with yourself and the LORD and deeply consider what holds you back. Is it that you would rather not pay the price to be like them? When you consider their lifestyle and sacrifices, it seems like more than you could bear. Satan’s deception is at work. Remember his words to Eve in the Garden. After she told him the truth of God’s expectations regarding the fruit from the tree of death, Satan twisted the meaning of God’s expectations so that it seemed that God was unfair and expecting too much. (Genesis 3)
      What if God’s expectations for our holiness align with a standard we have not seen? Consider these words of Paul  “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29) First, he states that we are no longer sons and daughters of our earthly parents but children of God. It is a spiritual transformation that causes us to bear our heavenly parentage’s visible signs, just as our physical parents have passed traits down through the generations. When we see ourselves in the mirror or a photo, we recognize our ancestors in the image. What if holiness is seen in the mirror too? Paul said we are clothed in Christ. Here’s some excellent news! The LORD tailored your clothes for you and mine for me. What if the LORD patiently oversees our transformation, day-by-day as we become just what He wants us to be?
     Paul says that what we are becoming is what we were meant to be since before time began. As creatures made in the image of the Creator, we strive to return to that image, it is the holiness we seek. Holiness then is not outward piety or presumptuous moral superiority but constant attention to the condition of one’s soul. It is the sign emerging from ever-increasing love for God. It is not about words and deeds but attitudes and vision. Holiness changes the way we see things and feel about them. Grace, mercy, and compassion are outward signs of holiness. Holiness is most evident in the absence of pride, anger, and idolatry. Therefore, to become the God-envisioned version of yourself, you must be clothed in Christ and confirmed the garment He tailor-made for you. It covers your sin and reveals the LORD’s highest hopes for you.  

Servant's in Caesar's Household

All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. ~ Philippians 4:22

This brief addition to Paul’s final greetings in his letter to Church at Phillippi stands out because of its acknowledgment that there were Christian Believers in Ceasar’s household. It serves to remind modern believers that Christ’s followers are embedded in unlikely places. It is often problematic for Christians in small towns and rural settings to believe that authentic Christianity thrives in big cities and even media centers like New York and Las Angeles. It is even more challenging to imagine them in the media industry. When one considers government centers like Washington DC and the UN, it seems impossible to believe that authentic Christian women and men serve there. Yet, Paul sent greetings from the believers in Ceasar’s household. 

It is short-sighted and a little arrogant to think that God is not at work in power and influence centers. They are present witnesses for Christ, though like missionaries amid foreigners, they adapt to the culture and meet the people where they are. They learn the language and seek to understand before striving to be heard and followed. So, imagine the Christian in Ceasar’s household for a moment. He/she dresses appropriately for the environment and cultural norms, as far as it is compatible with his devotion to the LORD’s precepts. He/she observes and recalls the motives and priorities of his non-believing associates. He/she prays and trusts the Spirit to enhance his conversation and actions so that associates are intrigued by his unusual approach to everyday matters. The Christian in Ceasar’s household is most influential when exhibiting God’s unprecedented grace, the extraordinary love of Christ, and the irrefutable wisdom of the Holy Spirit. 

Servants of the Enemy are also deeply embedded in the centers of influence and power. Typical of Satan’s ways, they cunningly mirror the servants of Christ while subverting and mocking the LORD. Therefore, the Christians in Ceasar’s household live a supernatural variation of the political schemes, spy stories, and cold war chess matches associated with government and media. It is a life-and-death struggle both literally and figuratively. Careers and personal security are at stake, and sometimes even one’s life. 

        Awakened to the reality of God’s servants in Ceasar’s household, how shall Christian Believers in other settings respond to the awareness? First, pray fervently for saints who witness in such places. Second, look for their work and influence. Satan is always easily identified by the chaos that reigns under his influence. Likewise, recognize the LORD by the cosmos, or divine order, that reigns under His power. Christian disciples are always there, in the cosmos, not the chaos. The beloved children’s television host, Fred Rogers, said, “When I was a boy, and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” It is true of Ceasar’s household too. Christ’s helpers are there. So, prayers for them are essential. Above all, trust the LORD and look for His divine order pushing through the chaos like the green shoots and blooms emerging from the cold soil amid the brown doldrums of the waning winter.