Passion Week Wednesday

I’m fascinated with the way Jesus spends His final Wednesday before the cross. The week begins with him pouring himself out in ministry and teaching. The week will end as he pours out his very life and redeems the world. It’s hard to imagine a heavier load or a busier week.

And yet Wednesday is unique. For as many details as we have about every other day of the Passion week, Scripture is strangely silent about the happenings of this day.

He spent the day in Bethany.

Surely there were a million things that could be done, a thousand people who demanded attention, a score of sermons that could have been preached. And yet during these precious final hours leading up to a Passover supper and the ultimate Passover act, Jesus retires to Bethany. What is he doing? While I can’t be sure what he’s doing, I can certainly guess with whom he’s doing it, because whenever he made his way into that town Jesus seems to find time for one beloved family in particular. “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” (John 11:5)

What a powerful thought. In his final moments of preparation before the injustice and intensity of the Passion, Jesus seems to spend the day in community. With the people he loves, and the people who love him. Lone rangers never work out, because we were made in the image of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. We come alive in community because we are formed in the image of the God of community.

We have eight children, which means my offspring were not simply born in general, but into a family. The new birth that Jesus provides does not just create a new person, but a new family made up of people who have all had the same experience. And the same Daddy. Which is why we thrive in community and we wither in isolation.

Jesus is about to know loneliness like no human ever has. He is going to taste the isolation that no man or woman was ever meant to taste as he will pay the highest price. But not on Wednesday. Today he encounters community.

As we approach the explosive power of resurrection Sunday, I remind us to draw near to God and to draw near to each other. There is a world to reach and neighbors to invite and mission to accomplish. But amazing grace does more than save a wretch like me; it makes it’s sweetest sound through the harmonies of our community, not just the melody of my individuality.

Let’s go teach the world to sing.

Passion Week Monday

It was Monday.

Yesterday we waved palm branches to exalt Him; on Friday we will lift up a cross to execute Him. Crucify Him, we will demand. Oh how fickle, how changeable we humans are. And yet, “from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” (Psalm 90:2)

This is very good news.

The same One who counted the cost in eternity and chose to take on flesh, is now counting the cost in time and choosing to endure till it is finished. And we need it to be finished.

But first.

There is a temple to cleanse and a fig tree to curse. There is a widow’s mite to admire and unbelief to rebuke. There are religious abusers to confront and disciples’ feet to be washed. And don’t forget all those red words. Few syllables in history carry the weight of these final words from this final week. Parables and prophecies, lamentations and lessons, woe and wonder.

God is speaking.

Are we listening?

(If you’re interested, Matthew 21-25 is a potent way to spend some of your attention Monday and Tuesday during this holy week.)

I read this thought today and all I could think about was Jesus on Passion Monday morning: “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) He knew His hours were numbered; He knew the Passover clock was counting down; He knew the Lamb had to be slain. Thus He numbered His days, He moved in wisdom, and He finished the task at hand.

So with an eye on the ticking clock of your life, and a humility to recognize we have no guarantees about tomorrow, I challenge us to ask God to teach us to number our days. Obviously this means wise people plan their work and work their plan; they don’t just wait for life to happen to them.  But it’s more eternal than that. There are lives to touch, there is love to spread, and there is a resurrection story that changes everything. As soon as it’s believed. Which only happens when they hear. Which only happens when it’s shared. Let’s go.

Thank God it’s Monday.

Watch God move in silence

A busy weekend is upon us, which has me thinking about Sabbath.

And silence.

Many of us don’t know what to do with our silences. And yet this is when God does some of his deepest work. His silence does not mean his absence. Delay does not mean impotence. Every lull does not require activity. Every vacuum does not need to be filled with words. Take it from an extrovert; excessive words are not a strength, but a liability. God moves more in our weakness than our strength, so let him do his thing.

“Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10)

Are you in a valley? Maybe you need to stop fighting it and start dancing with it. Carve out enough breathing room, shut out enough distractions, and watch God move in silence. Discipline your soul to engage in solitude. You just might be surprised at what you discover.

 

Go to those who want you

Go to those who want you. But especially go to those who want you the most.

This is an old John Wesley principle that speaks to the fact that not everybody is going to like us. Not everybody will give us the time of day. Not everybody will appreciate what we bring to the table.

It’s not just a religious insight, it’s a human insight. Back in the day, companies engaged in mass marketing to hit the middle of the bell shaped curve and offer decent enough products. With limited shelf space and television commercials to choose from, consumers settled for something in the middle of this bell shaped reality. And yet a television show is now a smashing success with less than 1% of the population tuning in. A new product doesn’t need to make it to the shelves of our local Wal Mart; it just needs to find traction with a little tribe who really wants it.

I want to call us to experiment. To be willing to step out and see how God is leading us to create. And innovate. And to find our voice. I don’t want my life to be an echo. I don’t want our ministry to be a cheap knock-off of some great original. I don’t want our leaders so crippled by fear that we shy away from trying things because we’re afraid of the critics’ reviews from the middle of the bell shaped curve.

Do you have an idea for a microchurch that only 1% of the population would ever take seriously? It just might change the world. Do you envision an approach you’ve never seen done? Go read the Bible; that’s how God rolls. Are you holding off because of the intimidation of the big belly of the bell shaped curve? Enough is enough.

It’s why I love this word go. We don’t simply move for the sake of moving, but we realize that Jesus said, as the Father sent Me, so I send you. Do you have any idea how many of our problems and how much of our soul-dullness is the result of our failure to embrace our sentness?

I dare you to look for the clues to your calling and say this: “Here I am; send me.”

I realize everybody is not ready. And I accept the fact that everybody will not like us. But we don’t make our impact in the middle of the bell shaped curve. Just give us a God-inspired 1% or 5% who really, really want it, and watch us change the world.

Hey leaders, stop wasting your life trying to entertain the lukewarm.

Who “wants you”? Who wants Him? Who’s hungry? Who’s listening? Who’s broken? Who’s interested? Who’s curious? Let’s go.

Random thoughts

1. I’m looking so forward to eating watermelon with our faith family tonight.

2. Can’t wait to go watch Selma. Let’s get out and support this movie.

3. I’m counting the minutes until I get to start preaching through the life of Joseph. This weekend. These have become some of the most redemptive words in my life: God meant it for good. (Genesis 50:20)

4. God’s will. As much of our community concludes our fast, I know that many have been seeking God concerning life direction and major decisions. One of my heroes is a man named George Mueller. I read these words from his journal this week:

• “I get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to any particular matter.”
• “I do not leave the result to feelings or simple impressions. That can make one open to great delusions.”
• “I seek God’s will through, or in connection with, His Word. If you look to the Spirit without the Word, you open yourself to delusion.”
• “I consider providential [God-controlled] circumstances.”
• “I ask God in prayer to reveal His will to me.”
• “I make sure I have a clear conscience before God and man.”
• “Every time I listened to men instead of God, I made serious mistakes.”
• “I act only when I am at peace, after much prayer, waiting on God with faith.”

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. ~Romans 12:2

Don’t go to church to get fed.

Go to church to get hungry.

Don’t go to church to get fed? People say this sounds unbiblical. Didn’t Jesus tell Peter, “Feed my sheep”?

That’s the point.

We first hear this idea in Ezekiel 34 where God was speaking “against the shepherds of Israel” who failed to feed the sheep and instead fed themselves: “The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought … My sheep were scattered with none to search or seek for them …” (Ezekiel 34:4,6)

Imagine the scene. Peter swims up to a beach where the Messiah he denied is cooking him breakfast over a charcoal fire. Just a few days earlier he was warming himself around another charcoal fire when a girl gave him a chance to stand up for a suffering Jesus. He fails miserably, the cock crows, and he flees in shame, lacking faith to believe in a Redeemer who could beat death, much less his sin.

But Jesus thoroughly defeated sin and absolutely conquered death.

Peter now finds himself looking into the same eyes of the Man he betrayed, with the smell of his failure in his nostrils. He then hears the question he never saw coming, with a command that would change his life:

Do you love Me?

Feed my sheep.

When most Christians hear the words feed my sheep they tend to think of reaching in. Going deep. Finding a church that meets my family’s needs. They call it discipleship. For most people feed my sheep means improving existing believers.

But I don’t think that’s what Peter heard.

There’s no doubt that improving and caring for found sheep is part of what Ezekiel 34 had in mind. Strengthen the weak, heal the sick, have meaty Bible studies. One hundred percent necessary. But when you read the story of Peter, you do not find him staying in; he goes out. Central to God’s rebuke to shepherds was their characteristic neglect of lost sheep.

After 2000 years Christians still miss it. We still think feed my sheep means preaching good sermons. (And listen, I’m a sermon guy. I’m sold on well-prepared, expository, Christocentric, Redemptive-historical, gospel preaching) We still act like feed my sheep means helping already-found sheep shine a little brighter. (And just to be clear, I’m all in with with laboring for Christ-like sanctification by faith, a la Galatians 4:19.)

But what if feed my sheep is something more like the great commission.

You know, Go make disciples.

What if making disciples is like making a cake. It certainly includes the icing and the decorating, but it absolutely demands the cooking. Starting with nothing but ingredients and turning this nothingness into somethingness. Sounds a lot like God: “Let there be light.” What if making disciples is exactly what Jesus said it is: teaching and baptizing. (Matthew 28:19-20) What if feed my sheep says loving Jesus means I’ll care about what he cares about. And he feels deeply about lost things.

What if feed my sheep is a lot more like an urgent search for your lost keys when you’re running late for work? Funny how I never hear people passively sit down and rationalize theology with their lost keys. Well, maybe I was predestined to never find these keys. If God wants me to have them, he’ll find a way. Let’s be honest, if we treated looking for lost keys the way we treat looking for lost sheep we’d be unemployed.

Feed My sheep.

I have eight children. That means every now and then I lose one. Can you imagine if I went home to my wife with seven out of eight? As my wife explodes in maternal concern do you think she’d be okay with me saying, “Ruth, calm down. We still have seven. Let’s not be all about numbers. Besides that, the more kids, the less the rest of us get our needs met. The less food for the rest of us. I don’t want us to be a mega-family, I like small-family. All these extra people make it harder to go deep.” My wife would go off.

Because that’s her sheep.

What if your wife-swapping coworker is His sheep, but he doesn’t know it yet? What if your annoying neighbor is His sheep, but she’s never been told? What if feed My sheep means we’re rubbing shoulders with lost sheep all the time, and God wants people with a heart like his?

Which is why He’s asking, “Do you love Me?”

And that’s why I don’t want to go to a church that “feeds” me, in the way a predictable American Christian hears the word feeds. I want to be a part of one that makes me hungry. Hungry enough to go all the way with this gospel I say I believe. And nothing makes me hungry like the uncompromised proclamation and demonstration of the substitutionary death and explosive resurrection of Jesus, among people who burn in white hot passion for their first love, and for the sake of the people He adores. In creed and deed.

Feed My sheep.

“I just want you to hold me.”

I just want you to hold me.

Those were the syllables streaming off the lips of my new bride on the first night of our marriage. Just to give you context, we waited. And waited. And I can’t overstate how ready I was to fully know my wife. Biblically. As Jesus followers we were saving our sex for our marriage. And as a Bible guy I knew that my strongest desire was supposed to be the Lord’s return, but I had a different prayer: Please wait until after my wedding night. I had nightmares about seeing my beautiful wife, in bed, giving me the look of desire as I leapt through the air, toward my lover, just as the trumpet of God sounded. You get the idea.

But when my long-anticipated night approached, my bride was far from the frisky, disciple of desire I had imagined. She froze up. She just wanted me to hold her. How do you define hold, I wondered. But it was no use. In the aftermath a dozens of well-intentioned Christians loading down my wife with every conversation and book about the holy-act-of-marriage-wild-woman-intimate-joy experience, I was done for. Maybe we could try in the morning, she suggested. I set the alarm for 3:00AM.

I tell that story because of the way I see so many Christians approach the Holy Spirit. All you have to do is thumb through the book of Acts or the writings of Paul, and you discover a far more intense relationship and openness toward the Holy Spirit than you see today. They treated Him like a person. They expected holy interaction. They approached Him as God. Because the Holy Spirit is I Am. Transformation itself “comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) I hear many people profess a theoretical submission to Jesus as Lord; but how many have functionally allowed the Spirit to be Lord? Everything Jesus was to His followers, the Holy Spirit is. Helper, comforter, friend, advocate, counselor. For as much as we Bible-Christians pride ourselves on our commitment to Scripture, it’s stunning how shallow we have gone in the truth of the experience of the Spirit.

A little explanation.

Every believer has the Holy Spirit living inside of him or her. “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Galatians 4:6) Like a pilot light that will never go out, the Spirit begins to live in us from the moment we first believe. However, every believer is not always walking in a real-life experience with the Spirit. This is why Paul says in Ephesians 1:13 that all believers were sealed with the Holy Spirit, but then four chapters later he says to “not be drunk with wine … but be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18).

According to Paul, the experience of being filled is something like coming under the influence of alcohol. You lose some of your natural inhibitions; you have more boldness; your tongue gets loosed; and you aren’t afraid of what people will think. It’s like what happens when the pilot light is allowed to grow into a fire source that boils your water. You don’t need a new flame, you need to go all the way with the flame you’ve got.

This is why in Acts 19 Paul’s opening question to a group of disciples was, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2) A real relationship with the Spirit is a game-changer because you are different when you are under the influence of the Spirit. There are crucial conversations you should never have until you are filled. There are painful memories you should not even think about unless you are filled. There are some activities you were never meant to attempt until you get filled. There are commands in Scripture that are downright impossible without the influence of the Spirit. Forgive your enemies? Bless those who curse you? Articulate the gospel in an awkward environment? We spend too much time striving to do with a pilot light what can only be done with a raging fire.

And this is where all the controversy and family feuding is so counterproductive. It freezes people up. It turns the Spirit into an it about which we theorize instead of a Person with whom we relate.

We get tripped up over terms like the baptism in the Holy Spirit and the various manifestations of the Spirit. When Charismatics over-emphasize specific experiences, they fail to recognize that believers have Spirit encounters all the time. If you’ve ever walked into church cold and then walked out on fire; if you’ve ever been in an intimidating situation and an unusual boldness came over you to articulate the gospel; if you’ve ever felt lost and someone spoke a word of encouragement that had a God-centered effect you could not explain … then you have come under the influence of the Spirit. It’s almost like drinking spiked punch you thought was kool-aid; it just happened to you. You came under the influence accidentally. On the other hand, what non-Charismatic Christians under-emphasize is the biblical mandate to intentionally pursue this experience. Coming under His influence is supposed to become a lifestyle. So ask for the Spirit (Luke 11:13) Charismatics are correct in pointing out the possibility of an experience subsequent to salvation. But they seem so obsessed with the initial infilling that they under-stress the call to live a life of being filled again and again and again.

He wants to do more than seal you for the day of redemption. He wants to fill you today. Is fear closing in? Ask for the Spirit. Are you in trouble? Ask for the Spirit. Having trouble praying? Ask for the Spirit.

It really is tragic. While the world has become more spiritual, Christians have become secular. Natural. You were never wired to be satisfied with a purely natural life. Lay aside every unbiblical inhibition, set your gaze on Jesus, and wait for the Spirit.

Get the Story Right

Some time ago I was speaking with a young couple on the verge of getting married and the subject of my marriage came up. The more I talked about the marriage I have experienced – and the wife I enjoy – the more grateful I became. My final assessment was, I’m so blessed it’s crazy.

As I walked away from the conversation I began to think about how rose-colored my glasses seemed to be in that moment. Was I really being honest? Was I setting this couple up for disillusionment when they don’t feel the reality I described? God knows how many difficult season these 20 years of marriage have endured. Some of that has been basic life tribulation. Much of it has been my sin. During many seasons of difficulty I have not been so positive.

So why was I walking away from that conversation with such hope and joy?

Was it because life is much easier now compared to other seasons of life? Not a chance. Was I so positive because I happened to get lucky enough to land the perfect marriage? Absolutely not. It has been a rude awakening to discover that there is no such thing as a perfectly compatible couple. Marriage is not about compatibility; it’s about commitment. And communication. And ultimately communion. You either connect with Jesus and become whole in Him, or you will be a black hole that sucks your spouse dry with expectations that only God Himself can fulfill. Marriage does not work because two people are compatible; it works because two people do the gospel on each other.

So why was I so hot on my marriage – and my life – as I left that conversation?

Because of the story I chose to tell myself.

The reality of my life (and yours) is that I have had some very high highs and some very low lows. There has been sin and grace, hardship and redemption. But God is the Author, and He does not write bad stories. When I start to tell my story with God, with grace, with redemption in mind – the whole thing sounds different. I get to choose the story I tell myself. And so do you.

Get the genre right. It’s not a horror flick; it’s not a tragedy. It’s a love story. With action and adventure. And drama. But this thing is absolutely not chaotic and pointless. He’s writing a masterpiece, so don’t give up on the plot. Don’t lose hope in the Director. You may be in the middle of a really difficult chapter, but it’s an amazing story. Read it all the way to the end.

Don’t underestimate the Author.

This is beyond positive thinking. You have to tell the right story, because your heart will follow the story you tell yourself. Your life moves with your meditation. Paul got it right: “Finally, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Go tell the right story.

A call to prayer

Dear faith family,

Let’s pray.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) I’m inviting everyone who reads this to fast and pray for the many needs we are witnessing around the world, including here at home. It’s easy to be overwhelmed and disengaged amid media reports of wars, and disease, racial and ethnic conflict, and corrupt governments, but Believer, you are anything but powerless to bring change! The prayers of the righteous avail much.

• Pray for our Christian brothers and sisters being persecuted to the point of death in Iraq and Pakistan.
• Pray for unity, neighborly love, and peace in Ferguson, Missouri and the entire United States.
• Pray for the citizens of Israel and Palestine.
• Pray against the ebola plague in West Africa.

On one hand Scripture tells us that we are citizens of heaven. And yet on the other, it describes us as residents of this earth. Jeremiah 29:7 tells us to “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.” The best evidence of being a citizen of heaven is making a difference on earth.

There is evil in this world that loses power when we fast and pray. Prayer is not the only thing to do; but without it the other things to do always fall short.

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6

Mike Patz

Jesus in every book of the Bible

 

Here is a list of scratch notes I’ve had in my Bible for years (cut and pasted from today’s sermon).

Jesus from Genesis to Revelation:

In Genesis He is the Creator, the seed of the woman.

Exodus – Our liberator, the Passover Lamb, I am who I am.

Leviticus – Perfect High Priest making perfect sacrifice.

Numbers – Brazen serpent, the cloud and the fire.

Deuteronomy – The prophet to come even greater than Moses.

Joshua – Mighty conqueror, captain of our salvation.

Judges – Your leader, judge, and lawgiver.

Ruth – Your kinsman redeemer.

1 Samuel – Root of Jesse.

2 Samuel – Son of David.

1&2 Kings – He is the King of kings & Lord of lords.

1&2 Chronicles – Your intercessor.

Ezra – Your Temple.

Nehemiah – Your mighty wall.

Esther – He stands in the gap to deliver you from enemies.

Job – Only one who will ever understand your pain.

Psalms – He is your song.

Proverbs – He is your wisdom.

Ecclesiastes – Your purpose.

Song of Solomon – The lover and Bridegroom.

Isaiah – Mighty counselor, prince of peace, everlasting Father, mighty God; the suffering servant.

Jeremiah – The weeping prophet.

Lamentation – The ever-faithful One.

Ezekiel – Your wheel in the middle of a wheel.

Daniel – Ancient of days who never runs out of time, the Son of Man coming in the clouds.

Hosea – Loyal redeeming lover.

Joel – Your refuge, your baptizer with the Holy Spirit.

Amos – Judge of the nations, your burden bearer.

Obadiah – Lord of the kingdom.

Jonah – Your salvation, 3 days and nights in the belly of the earth, the forgiving God.

Micah – The God of justice & mercy, the messenger with beautiful feet

Nahum – The jealous God.

Habakkuk – The holy One.

Zephaniah – The witness.

Haggai – Desire of the nations, the cleansing fountain.

Zechariah – Riding on a colt, the pierced Son.

Malachi – Son of righteousness with healing in His wings.

–  –  –  –

Matt – King of Jews, messiah.

Mark – The servant, the Holy One of God.

Luke – Son of Man.

John – The Son of God, the only begotten, The I am: Bread of life, Light of the world, Door of the sheep, Good Shepherd, Resurrection and the life, the Way and truth and life, True Vine.

Acts – Savior of the world, Prince of life, Judge of the living and the dead.

Romans – The righteousness of God, the justifier.

1 Corinthians – The rock that followed Israel, the last Adam.

2 Corinthians – Your triumphant One.

Galatians – Your liberty.

Ephesians – Your peace breaking down the wall, Head of the church.

Philippians – Your joy.

Colossians – Your completeness, the image of the invisible God.

1 Thessalonians – Your hope.

2 Thessalonians – Your glory, your soon and coming King.

1 Timothy – Your faith, the mediator between man & God.

2 Timothy – Your stability.

Titus – Your reason for serving, your blessed hope.

Philemon – Your benefactor.

Hebrews – Your perfection.

James – Power behind your faith, the Lord of glory.

1 Peter – Your example, the chief shepherd, the living stone.

2 Peter – Your purity.

1 John – Your life.

2 John – Your pattern.

3 John – Your motivation.

Jude – Foundation of your faith, the only wise God our savior.

Revelation – Alpha & Omega, lion of the tribe of Judah, the soon & coming King.

–  –  –  –

If you are depressed – He is the man of sorrows.

Carpenter – Door.

Banker – Hidden treasure.

Soldier – Captain of the hosts.

Confused – Light.

Hungry – Bread of life.

Thirsty – Living water.

Wandering – Good Shepherd.

Professor – The greatest teacher.

Slave – Your ransom.

Astronomer – The bright & morning star.

Geologist – Rock of ages.

Builder – Chief cornerstone.

Doctor – Great physician.

Florist – Lily of the valley, rose of sharon.

Jeweler – Pearl of great price.

Architect – Sure foundation.

War weary – Prince of peace.

Writer – Author & finisher of our faith.

Lost – WAY.

Deceived – TRUTH.

Dying – LIFE.

Drowning-SAVIOR.

Stranded—BRIDGE.

Weak-ALMIGHTY.

Lonely—FRIEND.

If you’re a sinner —LAMB OF GOD who takes away sin of world.

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The Son … must be lifted. (John 3:14)

Ed Clowney was fond of pointing out that it is very possible to know Bible stories, but miss the Bible story. Where God is the main character; where world redemption is the plot; where Jesus is the center.

When the esteemed Jewish ruler Nicodemus failed to connect the dots as Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God, Jesus changed gears and pointed to an Old Testament story about a brazen serpent. He began to reveal himself. Because the kingdom cannot be deduced, it must be revealed. And it gets revealed when the Son is lifted.

If we will but look.