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Did You Hear the News?

Bible Reading: Luke 13:1-5

Luke 13:1-5, “There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.  And He answered them, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this sin?  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.  Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’”

Just as in our day, there was bad news in that day.  There was no newspaper to publish it, but the news of Pilate’s heinous act had spread.  Pilate mingled the blood of Galileans he killed with the sacrifices they had brought.  Though we are not given, the specific reason he killed them, it’s safe to assume they were involved in some kind of rebellion.  Pilate’s hold on that remote territory was tenuous and rebellious activity was met with horrendous brutality.  The event was reported to Jesus.  His response was other than what they might have expected.

On any given day, tragic things happen.  Recently, fifty-three illegal immigrants died tragically in the trailer of an overheated semi.  On Independence Day in Highland Park, a madman killed seven and injured dozens, indiscriminately firing his weapon into the crowd at a parade. Such stories rule the news.  Tragically, such events are commonplace in this sin-cursed world.

In Jesus’ response to the news of the Galileans, He spoke of another bad news situation.  A tower in Siloam fell and killed eighteen people.  It is interesting to consider what Jesus didn’t say or do regarding these two events.  He did not suggest the people rise in rebellion against Pilate for his wicked deed.  Nor did He suggest the institution of a “Building Codes” department to oversee the construction of new towers.  Not that He was oblivious to such matters, or uncaring, He had come to deal with a greater problem, a problem which underlies all of man’s problems and works to threaten our souls with infinite loss.

Jesus corrected a common erroneous assumption which supposes bad things happen to bad people.  So the people thought, but Jesus clarified the Galileans did not suffer because they were worse sinners than all the other Galileans and the eighteen did not die because they were worse offenders than all the other residents of Jerusalem.  Bad things happen in this world.  No one is exempt.  According to statistics, one out of one people die.  A person might die of natural causes, or he might die because of some tragedy, but—unless the rapture happens first—all will die sometime, somehow.

The Galileans were all sinners.  And so were the residents of Jerusalem.  So are we all (Romans 3:23).  The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).  Because of sin, we are all doomed to perish, not just physically, but eternally.  Risks of physical harm and death are to be avoided, yet there is another kind of death of which is of far greater concern.  Jesus was warning his listeners of that death.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).  He came to give His life to deal with sin that He might rescue the perishing.

Jesus called upon the people to repent.  They were lost in sin.  Their hearts were unbelieving.  Their eternal destiny hung in the balance.  Salvation was at hand.  There are no guarantees in this life—as was demonstrated in the two tragedies—but Jesus promises eternal life to those who place their faith in Him.  

“There is a lesson for us in the bad news we hear.  Sin is at the heart of all of man’s problems.  Jesus represents the sole solution.  We hear of lots of different kinds of tragedies in the news, but nothing is more tragic than the death unto a Christless eternity of an unrepentant sinner.  When you hear bad news, thank God for the good news of salvation in Christ!”

Jerry Conklin

JESUS SAVES!

We have heard the joyful sound:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to ev’ry land,
Climb the steeps and cross the waves;
Onward! ‘tis our Lord’s command;
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Waft it on the rolling tide:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Tell to sinners far and wide:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing, ye islands of the sea;
Echo back, ye ocean caves;
Earth shall keep her jubilee:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Sing above the battle strife:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
By His death and endless life:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing it softly through the gloom,
When the heart for mercy craves;
Sing in triumph o’er the tomb:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Give the winds a mighty voice:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Let the nations now rejoice:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout salvation full and free,
Highest hills and deepest caves;
This our song of victory:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Signs of the Times

Bible Reading: Luke 12:54-56

Luke 12:54-56, “He also said to the crowds, ‘’When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens.  And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens.  You hypocrites!  You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?”

The people of Jesus’ day could discern and predict, by changes in the sky, or the wind, what the weather would be.  Over time, they had learned how to forecast what was to come.  We, in our day, are even better skilled at such things.  We have radar and satellite capabilities which allow us to accurately predict the weather–even days and weeks ahead of time.

But while they showed some interpretative capability in the physical realm, Jesus chided them for their woeful deficiency as to the spiritual.  They could not “interpret the present time” (Luke 12:56).  Their inability was not because of lack of information.  Jesus, the Divine Son of God, was present amongst them.  Their promised Messiah was right before them, yet most refused to receive Him (John 1:11).  John the Baptist had proclaimed Him.  Jesus’ countless miracles testified to the truth about Him (John 20:30-31).  He spoke as no man had ever spoken and did things no man had ever done before.  Yet Israel was oblivious to the obvious regarding the truth. Jesus spoke words of pending judgment, but as in the days of Noah (and as they will be in the day of His second coming), they were oblivious, “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” (Matthew 24:38).

We live in an oblivious age.  There is much concern in our day regarding “climate change,” yet woeful ignorance regarding the drastic changes in the spiritual “climate.”  Jesus warned of the things which would proceed His second coming: false Christ’s will “lead many astray.”  He said there would be ”wars and rumors of wars…famines and earthquakes” (Matthew 24:4-9).  He called such things “the beginning of the birth pains.”  “The whole creation has been groaning together (under sin) in the pains of childbirth until now,” but most have no eyes to see or ears to hear (Romans 8:22).

We have likewise been warned of specific concerns which would characterize the last days.  “There will also be false teachers,” Peter warned (2 Peter 2:1).  We should not then be ignorant to the prevalence of false teaching and the urgent need for us to exercise discernment (1 Thessalonians 5:21).  Paul wrote of the need to “realize… that in the last days difficult times will come” (2 Timothy 3:1).  We should not then be surprised then by the present moral free-fall that is taking place in our society (Romans 1:18-32; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).  We were warned “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires (2 Timothy 4:3).  We should not be surprised by the reality that much of the modern church has little appetite for the truth.  We were warned ahead of time a church in this age that would be Laodicean in nature (i.e., self-confident, and self-assured; Revelation 3:17).  So, we should not be surprised to learn its ministries are too often of a Christ-less, cross-less, gospel-diminishing variety.  We were warned ahead of time of the “mockers’ who would come in the last days, who would dismiss the reality of God’s pending judgment (2 Peter 3:3f).  It should not therefore surprise us that in our day few take such matters seriously. Many in today’s church refuse to acknowledge the existence of sin and hell.  Any spiritually minded person can’t help but realize drastic changes are taking place both in society and in the church.

The sons of Issachar were commended because they were “men who understood the times, with the knowledge of what Israel should do” (1 Chronicles 12:32).  They had the wisdom to perceive what God was doing in making David King.  They stood by David and garnered support for him.  Our day has a desperate need of men and women who understand the times.  The church needs them, and families do too.   They pay attention to the Word as they live in anticipation of Jesus’ imminent return (2 Peter 3:11-13).  They are not oblivious to the signs of the times.

“The clouds of pending judgment are on the horizon. Nothing less than genuine faith in the Risen Lord can save a soul.  Those who understand the times, fix their eyes upon Jesus, urging others to do the same.” 

Jerry Conklin

IS IT THE CROWNING DAY?

Jesus may come today,
Glad day! Glad day!
And I would see my Friend;
Dangers and troubles would end
If Jesus should come today.

Refrain:
Glad day! Glad day!
Is it the crowning day?
I’ll live for today, nor anxious be,
Jesus my Lord I soon shall see;
Glad day! Glad day!
Is it the crowning day?

I may go home today,
Glad day! Glad day!
Seemeth I hear their song;
Hail to the radiant throng!
If I should go home today. (Refrain)

Why should I anxious be?
Glad day! Glad day!
Lights appear on the shore,
Storms will affright nevermore,
For He is “at hand” today. (Refrain)

Faithful I’ll be today,
Glad day! Glad day!
And I will freely tell
Why I should love Him so well,
For He is my all today. (Refrain)

Rich in Mercy

Bible Reading: Luke 9:51-56

Luke 9:53-56, “And they did not receive Him, because He was journeying with His face to Jerusalem.  And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them [some later Mss. add “and said, ‘You do not know what kind of spirit you are of’”]. And they went on to another village.”

The time for Jesus’ departure drew near, so He “set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51).  He had foretold of his pending death.  Though the disciples couldn’t understand what he was talking about, He himself was fully aware of what lay ahead.  He was fully submitted to drinking from that bitter cup of betrayal, injustice, affliction, sorrow, and death.  He was resolute and determined and would not be dissuaded from His mission.

The life of Jesus is filled with examples which speak to the riches of His mercy—he relentlessly and compassionately concerned Himself with the needs of others.  According to Vine’s Expository Dictionary, mercy is “the outward manifestation of pity; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it.”  Mercy is something that we need and can relate to.  There is no greater demonstration of mercy than what we find in Christ’s redemptive mission (Luke 19:10).

On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus sent messengers ahead to a village of the Samaritans to plan for Himself and His disciples (Luke 9:51-52).  Yet, since He was on His way to Jerusalem, the Samaritans refused to receive Him.  The Samaritans had no regard for Jerusalem and in that they shared in a centuries old disagreement with the Jews (John 4:9, 20).  Jesus’ request of the Samaritans for hospitality was refused, which was too much for James and John.  Their prejudice combined with the Samaritan’s inhospitality made them mad, so mad they asked Jesus if He wanted them destroyed!  How contrary their thinking to that of their Master!

It is possible for us to entertain similar thoughts regarding the enemies of Christ and His gospel.  How deeply ingrained in the hearts of men is the spirit which gave rise to the disciple’s request!  Through the course of history, thousands and tens of thousands all ‘round the world have been put to death for religion’s sake.  They’ve been crucified, burned at the stake, shot, or otherwise brutalized. These perpetrators of violence have even supposed themselves to be doing God a favor!  Some time ago I read an account of Anne Askew’s life.  A believer in Christ, she was burned at-the-stake in 1546 by so-called Christians, because she refused to recant her disbelief in the doctrine of transubstantiation.  The spirit which would incite that kind of hatred does not come from God!

There is a spiritual war ongoing.  Some are unsuspectedly led to fight against the wrong enemy, with the wrong weapons. We, as believers, are called upon to “wage the good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18), but not against flesh and blood and not with carnal weapons (Ephesians 6:12).  For “the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh.  For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).  

James and John’s response was strikingly inconsistent with that which they had witnessed in Christ.  There would come a day in the villages of Samaria when the gospel of Jesus would receive a warm reception (Acts 8:14, 25).  The Apostle John was sent there, perhaps to the same village.  One wonders what he must have thought as he recalled his previous ill-founded request seeking their destruction!  By the Spirit he was transformed and then instructed and empowered to compassionately reach out to those he had previously despised.  

“God is rich in mercy, and, by the Spirit, those who claim His name should be too.”

Jerry Conklin

FREELY, FREELY

God Forgave My Sin In Jesus’ Name
I’ve Been Born Again In Jesus’ Name
And In Jesus’ Name I Come To You
To Share His Love As He Told Me To

He Said: ‘Freely, Freely, You Have Received
Freely, Freely Give
Go In My Name, And Because You Believe
Others Will Know That I Live.’

All Power Is Given In Jesus’ Name
In Earth And Heaven In Jesus’ Name
And In Jesus’ Name I Come To You
To Share His Power As He Told Me To

He Said: ‘Freely, Freely, You Have Received
Freely, Freely Give
Go In My Name, And Because You Believe
Others Will Know That I Live.’

Text and Music: Carol Owens
Copyright 1972 by Lexicon Music, Inc.

Saved to Serve

Bible Reading: Luke 8:1-3

Luke 8:1-3, “Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.”

As Jesus traveled through cities and villages, preaching the good news of the kingdom of God, He was accompanied by the twelve, along with a group of women who had been healed of evil spirits and various infirmities. These women accompanied the group and provided for their needs.  Three women are mentioned by name: Mary, called Magdalene; Joanna and Susanna. Not much is elsewhere written about these women, yet we can ascertain a few things about them from our text. 

Mary Magdalene had been delivered from demon possession. Indeed, seven demons had gone out of her. Other instances of demon possession speak to the awful consequence of that affliction. Demon possessed individuals were mentally unstable and prone to bouts of self-affliction. Their lives were literally hell on earth. Jesus delivered her from that hell. Joanna and Susanna were likewise healed of either evil spirits or infirmities. Joanna was a woman of privileged means, her husband being Herod’s household manager. She had likely abandoned a life of comfort and ease to follow Jesus. 

Despite their differing backgrounds, these women shared one thing in common—they served Jesus. They had experienced His healing touch and believed in Him and in His message. They gladly and whole-heartedly devoted themselves to providing for the needs of the traveling group. And though Susanna remains otherwise anonymous to us (in the Scriptures), the record of her service was duly recorded for posterity’s sake in this account of Jesus’ life.

Mary Magdalene and Joanna continued to follow Jesus. They remained at the cross when others deserted Him. It was to them the angel revealed the resurrection truth. They passed the message on “to the eleven and the rest” (Luke 24:9-10).

Noval Geldenhuys (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) wrote of this, “What a challenge and inspiration it must be for every woman to consider that, while nowhere in the four gospels is mention made of any women who were hostile to Jesus, there are numerous references to ministration and marks of honor which they accorded Him. With much affection and faithful devotion they ministered to Him with their possessions (verse 3)—to Christ Jesus who became poor so that we might be made rich. What an example of service to be followed by every woman who believes in Him!”

The body of Christ includes many women who serve in likewise fashion, humbly serving, oftentimes anonymously, with undying devotion. They serve Him day-after-day, in countless ways, in serving their husbands, families, and others. Their sacrifices, whether great or small, often go unnoticed. Take courage, faithful servant of Christ, the Lord is well aware of your service, in due time you will receive your reward (Galatians 6:9-10)!

“No matter the specifics of our individual backgrounds, we are all saved to serve. He has freed us from our afflictions to that end. Service involves sacrifice, but no sacrifice is too high for the One who has sacrificed even His own life to save us.”

Jerry Conklin

MAKE ME A SERVANT

Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord let me lift up
Those who are weak
And may the prayer
Of my heart always be
Make me a servant
Make me a servant
Make me a servant today

Songwriters: Kelly Faye Willard
Make Me a Servant lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing

An Audacious Act of Love

Bible Reading: Luke 7:36-50

The problem with mere religion is it has no life to it.  It can be cold, hard, loveless and lifeless.  Religions say “do this” and “don’t do that,” supposing to somehow bestow benefit to the lives of its adherents.  But “dos” and “don’ts” are no substitute for the love and forgiveness bound up in the heart of Jesus and imparted to those who trust in Him.

Simon was a Pharisee.  His everyday routine was governed by countless “do’s” and “don’ts” which were deemed essential to his self-righteous esteem.  He invited Jesus to his home for dinner.  We are not given the reason. Perhaps he was curious about Jesus, but whatever the reason, the dinner was soon disrupted in dramatic fashion.

A “woman of the city, who was a sinner” entered the home (Luke 7:37).  According to Luke’s account, she was an immoral woman.  That Simon knew of her reputation, “what sort of woman” she was, would indicate some public sin (Luke 7:39).  Perhaps she was a prostitute.  To enter that Pharisee’s home was an incredibly bold venture.  What caused her to do it?  In the chronology of events, Jesus had previously invited “all who labor and are heavy laden” to come to Him (Matthew 11:28).  Perhaps she came looking for Jesus, yearning for the “soul rest” He had promised?

So the woman entered the house.  Jesus was reclining at the table.  She came up behind Him and did all that she could in expressing her love for Jesus.  She had brought an “alabaster flask of ointment” (Luke 7:37).  She was weeping and “began to wet his feet with her tears.”  She wiped His feet with the hair of her head and anointed them with that rare and expensive perfume (Luke 7:38).  It was a bold public display of extravagant devotion!  She was taking a tremendous risk of rejection and humiliation, if Jesus had refused to have anything to do with her.

Simon was disturbed by what he saw.  “Didn’t Jesus know ‘what sort of woman’ she was?” he thought.  But Jesus discerned his thoughts and used the opportunity to explain, with a parable, important truths to a man who was religiously wise, but spiritually stupid.  He said, “A certain moneylender had two debtors.  One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  When they could not pay, he canceled the debt of both.  Now which one of them will love him more” (Luke 7:41-42)?

We are all sin-debtors to God.  Religion falsely supposes the debt can be somehow worked out through religious self-effort and good deeds.  Simon was a religious man, yet he had never experienced God’s forgiveness.  He saw no need for it.  His religious life had no “vertical” to it.  His religiosity was a cold, hard and lifeless thing and he was ignorant of matters pertaining to grace and love. He invited Jesus to his home, yet his invitation was not marked by love.  He gave no kiss, washed no feet and offered no anointing.  In his religious economy, the sinful woman’s only worth was to prop up his own religious prestige.

Yet the sinful woman found a friend in the “Friend of Sinners.”  No sin debt can exceed His capacity to forgive.  His forgiveness worked a change in her, removing her burden of guilt and setting her free in remarkable fashion.  She loved much because she had been much forgiven, and in that she possessed something far greater than Simon’s dead and heartless religion.  One by one God’s much-forgiven saints file into church on any given Sunday, like alabaster flasks, created anew in Christ and filled up to overflowing with His love.  He has filled them so they might be poured out as He was–as she did–in loving others in Jesus’s name.  In audaciously loving Jesus, the much forgiven woman has set a good example for us all!

“It matters how we look at people.  Simon only saw the woman as a despicable sinner, beneath his regard or concern.  But Jesus saw her as someone longing for His love and forgiveness.”  

Jerry Conklin

BROKEN AND SPILLED OUT

One day a plain village woman
Driven by love for her Lord
Recklessly poured out a valuable essence
Disregarding the scorn
And once it was broken and spilled out
A fragrance filled all the room
Like a pris’ner released from his shackles
Like a spirit set free from the tomb

Broken and spilled out
Just for love of you Jesus
My most precious treasure
Lavished on Thee
Broken and spilled out
And poured at Your feet
In sweet abandon
Let me be spilled out
And used up for Thee

Lord You were God’s precious treasure
His loved and His own perfect Son
Sent here to show me
The love of the Father
Just for love it was done
And though You were perfect and holy
You gave up Yourself willingly
You spared no expense for my pardon
You were used up and wasted for me

Broken and spilled out
Just for love of me Jesus
God’s most precious treasure
Lavished on me
You were broken and spilled out
And poured at my feet
In sweet abandon Lord
You were spilled out and used up for Me
In sweet abandon, let me be spilled out
And used up for Thee

Songwriters: Bill George / Gloria Gaither
Broken and Spilled Out lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group, Capitol CMG Publishing

Bad News/Good News

Bible Reading: Luke 3:1-22

I was talking to someone recently about the convoluted process in which they received the bad news of their cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, the news came later than it should have, because doctors failed to discern the telltale signs in a timely fashion. The delayed diagnosis resulted in a delay in treatment, unfortunately allowing for the unnecessary progression of the disease. It would have been better for her if she’d heard the terrible news sooner, so she could have received the necessary care.

The Bible has a message of good news for us—Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)!  Yet in order to understand and fully appreciate the glory of that good news, it’s necessary for us to understand the depth of the bad news. John the Baptist was heaven sent in fulfillment of prophecy to “prepare the way of the Lord” (Luke 3:4).  He ministered in a time of great darkness.  The leaders of that day were ungodly men and their religion was a hypocritical sham (Luke 3:1-2).  “The word of God came to John” and he boldly proclaimed it to the people (Luke 3:2).

“He preached good news to the people” (Luke 3:18).  But much of what he had to say could hardly be termed “good news”.  His message was one of sin and pending judgment.  He boldly addressed the sin problem, “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3).  No one was exempt, as he exposed the sins of the common people (3:7), tax-collectors (3:12), soldiers (3:14), religious leaders (Matthew 3:7) and political rulers (3:18-19).  He warned of pending judgment.  He spoke of the “wrath to come” (Luke 3:7) and of One who would come and burn the chaff “with unquenchable fire” the chaff (Luke 3:17). He spoke without fear of repercussions. As a direct result, he was eventually imprisoned and ultimately put to death (Luke 3:20).

It is impossible to appreciate the good news of a Savior without coming to terms with the dreadful news of sin.   It is impossible to be cured of a problem without first diagnosing its nature and severity.  John the Baptist proclaimed bad news, and it is bad news still.  We are all sinners by birth (Romans 3:23).  Because of sin, we deserve God’s wrath and judgment (Romans 6:23).  John the Baptist declared truths related to sin and judgment in his day. The Spirit has this same ministry in our own lives (John 16:8-11).  

John the Baptist not only made much of the sin problem, he also made much of the Savior.  His ministry was one of preparation for the coming Lord (Luke 3:4-6).  He spoke of the One coming Who was mightier than he, acknowledging His preexistence and true identity (Luke 3:16; John 1:15, 1:34).  The multitudes were following John. They wondered if he was the Christ (Luke 3:15), however, he told them “don’t look at me, look to Jesus.”  His was a Christ-exalting ministry.  There is salvation in no One else (Acts 4:12).

John the Baptist spoke prophetically of Christ’s death, saying, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29)!  The problem of sin and pending judgment can only be resolved by such a Savior.  We live in a culture in which the concept of sin has been virtually exorcized from thought.  What was once called sin is now deemed a disorder, or a mistake.  Countless reasons and excuses are given for social maladies, but sin is never a part of the equation.  Years ago, H. Richard Niebuhr offered this critique of theological liberalism, describing its message this way: “A God without wrath brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross.”  That spirit of ministerial negligence has infiltrated much of which identifies itself today as “Christian.”

In preaching and accepting the whole counsel of God’s Word, it is necessary to make much of sin and much of the Savior.  The Bible itself could be summarized this way: “Man sins, God saves.”  The bad news of sin is very bad, but we need to hear it, if we are going to seek the cure God has provided in Jesus.

“It is in appreciation of the gravity of the bad news, the glory of the good news (and God Himself) is fully realized and appreciated unto salvation and worship!“

Jerry Conklin

AT THE CROSS

Alas! and did my Savior bleed?
And did my Sov’reign die?
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I?

Chorus: At the cross, at the cross,
Where I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away –
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day.

Was it for crimes that I have done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree! (Chorus)

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut its glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker, died
For man the creature’s sin. (Chorus)

Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears;
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt mine eyes to tears. (Chorus)

But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe:
Here, Lord, I give myself away –
‘Tis all that I can do! (Chorus)

No Ordinary Death

Bible Reading: Mark 15

Death can happen in so many ways.  In hospice, nurses say a person is actively dying when certain symptoms are observed.  The patient may experience a bluish discoloration of their extremities and the skin of their arms and legs may feel cold to the touch.  These conditions worsen as circulation slows down.  The entire process lasts about three days.  Jesus died, but His death was unlike any other before or since.  When the preordained time came, He yielded up His spirit.  The Centurion was a witness…

Some were there because of their hatred for Jesus (i.e., the religious leaders), some were there because of their love for Him (i.e., His mother and some of His followers), and some were there because they had no choice (i.e., the robbers). The Centurion was there simply to do his job. As a centurion, he was a non-commissioned officer of the Roman army, a man of authority having charge nominally of 100 men (Matthew 8:9).  He was tasked with overseeing the execution of Jesus.  He was a soldier who was used to doing what he was told.  That was what he was there to do.  One might suppose he’d witnessed more than his share of human brutality, yet nothing would have prepared him for what he saw and heard that day. He was a part of a larger contingent of soldiers–an entire cohort (usually about 600 men) had been called together (Mark 15:16).  

What happened?  It was a chaotic and macabre scene.  Three cruel crosses bearing three condemned men towered over the crowd.  Amongst the ordinary sounds accompanying such a large gathering were the poisonous taunts of the mockers.  In glorious contrast, Jesus spoke words of forgiveness, salvation, and victory. 

It was no ordinary day and God would mark the occasion in special ways.  Luke’s account speaks of the darkness which beset the scene from around noon for three hours.  Then, as Jesus breathed His last, several things happened all at once.  “The Life of Christ in Stereo” (A harmony of the gospels) gives the following interwoven account: “Then Jesus therefore on receiving the wine cried out again with a loud voice, ’It is finished!’  And he bowed his head, and said, ‘Father into Thy hands I commit my spirit.”  And having said these things, he yielded up his spirit.  Now the centurion who stood confronting him nearby, when he saw that he (cried out) thus (and) expired, glorified God by saying, ‘Truly this was a righteous man!’  And behold, the veil of the temple was wrenched in two from top to bottom.  And the earth was shaken, and the rocks were rent, and the tombs were opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep arose; and they came forth out of the tombs after his resurrection, entering into the holy city and appearing to many.  And the centurion and those who were with him standing guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that took place, were struck with fear and said, ‘Surely this was the son of God!’ (Matthew 27:51-56; Mark 15:38-41; Luke 23:45b, 47-49; John 19:31-37).”

What did the Centurion see?  He saw the manner in which Jesus died.  One would suppose he had witnessed the demise of countless others who reluctantly succumbed to death’s call.  But Jesus didn’t die like that—He yielded up His Spirit.  No one took His life from Him, He laid it down on His own initiative (John 10:18; Galatians 2:20b).  The Centurion’s response?  “Truly, this was a righteous man!”  Then he saw the veil of the temple torn from top to bottom followed by a mighty earthquake which rent the rocks.  Then tombs opened and people were coming forth from the tombs!  His response?  “Surely this was the son of God!” 

He had gone as ordered that day, to do his job.  Yet it was no ordinary day.  The man on the cross was no ordinary man.  We have no information about what happened in the Centurion’s life afterwards, but seeds of truth were planted and it’s possible, if not likely, the Centurion placed his faith in Jesus.  He proclaimed important truths regarding Jesus’ identity and was a firsthand witness to Jesus’ saving work.  His impartial witness to the events of that day lives on.  

No one ever lived as Jesus lived and no one has ever died like Him either.  No one took His life from Him, as the Good Shepherd, He laid it down of His own accord for His sheep! 

Jerry Conklin

WERE YOU THERE

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?
Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when God raised him from the tomb?

He Does All Things Well

Bible Reading: Mark 7:31-37

We’ve had some hospice patients who have suffered from severe hearing loss or dementia to such an extent that they could no longer communicate.  In one case, we used a whiteboard and marker to interact.  Another patient’s dementia was so debilitating that she couldn’t respond verbally at all, so I sang hymns to her and prayed.  How incredibly difficult it must be for such folks!  We tend, I suppose, to sometimes take our ability to hear and speak for granted.

We are not told how long he’d been that way, but the deaf man of Mark chapter 7 could not hear or speak plainly. One can only imagine how difficult his life must have been.  Cut off from normal conversation, making his needs and wishes known would have involved incredible effort and much frustration.  He could not hear a singer sing or a teacher teach and was an alien to the ordinary banter of everyday discourse.  Others could use words to express their love, but he could neither hear such words nor speak them.  He was undoubtedly much dependent on help from others, for how else would he arrange for food and clothing and other essentials.  He was a desperate and lonely man in a time and place when there was little reason for hope!

“They” brought the deaf man to Jesus and begged him “to lay his hand on him” (Mark 7:32).  Note how Jesus dealt with the man.  He respected his dignity, taking him aside privately.  He compassionately used symbolic gestures as he condescended to the man’s lack of hearing–putting his fingers in the man’s ears, touching his tongue, and looking up to heaven.    And so Jesus unstopped the man’s ears and unleashed the man’s tongue.  Laura Bridgman (1829-1889) was left deaf-blind at the age of two after contracting scarlet fever. Having entered the Perkins Institution for the Blind in Boston at age eight, it took two years for her to learn to write her own name.  She was never healed of her disabilities.  Still, she became world famous after Charles Dickens visited and wrote about her.  She was taught to cope with her disability, whereas Jesus healed the deaf man immediately and completely.

The crowd saw what happened “and they were astonished beyond all measure, saying, ‘He has done all things well.  He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak’ (Mark 7:37).”  Amongst other things, it was prophesied that the Messiah would open the eyes of the blind and unstop the ears of the deaf (Isaiah 35:5).  The miracles of Jesus authenticated His identity as the promised Messiah (Matthew 11:4-6).  

Not only was Jesus able to physically open deaf ears and loosen chained tongues, He can do the same in a spiritual way for those who trust in Him, that they might be given ears to hear and tongues to worship!  Years ago there was a deaf and mute shoemaker by the name of Henry Plunkett, who lived in Ireland.  He was a man of faith, and when it neared time for him to die, Henry rejoiced at the thought of meeting his Savior.  During the last few hours of his life he suffered much pain, but he was quite sensible, and made signs indicating that if the house was piled up with gold, he would not take it all and live, for he said, pointing his hand to heaven, “I wish to go up!”  To the woman attending him he signed, “Do not fear, not never; I am going to be with Jesus!” In heaven, all impediments to speech will be no more!

“Jesus indeed, ‘has done all things well.’ One strong evidence of His deity is this very fact. No matter how carefully one studies His words and His deeds, no real flaw can be found in any of them–no deficiency, nothing to retract, nothing to change at all. Everything He did or said was exactly right for each occasion.”

Henry Morris

FAIREST LORD JESUS

Fairest Lord Jesus,
ruler of all nature,
O thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish,
Thee will I honor,
thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.

Fair are the meadows,
fairer still the woodlands,
robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer
who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine,
fairer still the moonlight,
and all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer
than all the angels heaven can boast.

Beautiful Savior!
Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor,
praise, adoration,
now and forevermore be thine.

What Doctors Cannot Do…

Bible Reading: Mark 5:21-43

I love some of the names of the churches I have visited in Uganda.  Names that speak to a Biblical truth, like “People of the Way Church,” “Victory Church,” and “Jesus Loves You Church.” One of my favorites is “What Doctors Cannot Do Jesus Can Church.”  It’s a long name, but clever.  

The account of the healing of the woman with a hemorrhage is sandwiched between the report of Jairus’s daughter’s illness and Jesus’ raising of her to life.  The woman suffered from some sort of 12 year-long chronic bleeding problem.  We are not given the exact cause or nature of the bleeding, but one would suppose that it was both physically debilitating and emotionally embarrassing.  Beyond that, according to OT Law, it also caused her to be considered “unclean” (Leviticus 12:3-8; 15:19-27).  She could not have gone to the synagogue or temple.  Anyone she touched would have been deemed unclean.  She had been an outcast for 12 years.  One can hardly imagine how desperate she must have been for help.

Apparently, she tried everything she could.  She “had suffered much under many physicians” (Mark 5:26). Given the state of medical expertise in those days, it is likely that the many physicians had done more harm than good.  She “had spent all that she had and was no better but rather grew worse” (Mark 5:26). In her desperation to be healed, she had pursued every possibility and exhausted all her resources. 

But “she heard the reports about Jesus” (Mark 5:27).  She had no doubt heard of how others had been healed.  A flicker of hope gave rise to a plan born out of her desperation.  She thought, “If I touch even her garments, I will be made well” (Mark 5:28).  Her plan was not without obstacles.  She was not accustomed to touching or being touched, she would encounter both in making her way through the crowd.  She was unclean, others would be rendered unclean in the process.  More than that, what would Jesus say were He to know that an unclean woman touched His garments?  So, the goal was to touch Him serendipitously. 

All went according to plan. She “touched his garment” and “immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease” (Mark 5:27,29).  But Jesus perceived that power had gone out from Him.  He “turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my garments’ (Mark 5:30)?”  The woman heard him.  “Knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth” (Mark 5:33).  She trembled in fear, wondering about his response—would he rebuke her?  Would he undo what had been done?  How precious then must have been His reply, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease” (Mark 5:34).  By faith in Jesus, she was made well.  In so doing, she marked out a path for other desperate souls to follow.

Jesus healed many of all kinds of physical afflictions and those healings spoke to the truth of who He is—“He is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31).  He came not just to heal broken bodies, but to give life to sin-burdened souls (John 3:16, 10:10).  He is the only one who can do that.  As the hymn says, “There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus; No, not one!  No, not one!  None else can heal all our soul’s diseases; No, not one!  No, not one!” (Hymn, “No Not One;” Lyrics: Johnson Oatman Jr.; Music: George Crawford Hugg.

I was walking down a road near to “What Doctors Cannot Do Jesus Can Do Church,” when a strange-looking car approached, driving fast along the narrow dirt road.  Music was blaring from the huge loudspeaker that was mounted on its top.  I turned to my friend Paul and asked him what the car was doing.  He told me it was a man driving from house to house in order to sell a medical tonic that he touted as being able to impart health and healing.  And as Paul was speaking, the car stopped at a house and a transaction was made.  Snake oil salesmen still exist.  But for unclean, desperate sinners there is only One place to go.  

“Jesus heals from “all our soul’s diseases” with power and compassion.  He can do what doctors cannot, He can cause lost sinners to be born again to a living hope (1 Peter 1:3)!”

Jerry Conklin

I MUST TELL JESUS

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.

Refrain:
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus!
I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles;
He is a kind, compassionate friend;
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end. [Refrain]

Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior,
One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share. [Refrain]

O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the vict’ry to win. [Refrain]

Faith Finds a Way

Bible Reading: Mark 2:1-12

It is the nature of faith to take risks and overcome obstacles.  Faith finds a way when there isn’t any way apparent.  Such was the case with the paralyzed man we read about in Mark Chapter 2.  We are not told how long the man had been paralyzed, though it had likely been for many years.  It would be difficult for most of us to relate to the severity of his need. Legs were made to walk, arms to do many things—but his were immovable and worthless.  He depended on others for all things, and that was the hardest part of his experience.  One would suppose that he had long ago abandoned any hope of regaining his mobility.

But he and his friends had heard about Jesus and the amazing miracles He had performed.  And he thought—they thought—that maybe Jesus could heal him, too.  But everyone else had heard about Jesus also, such that “people were coming to Him from every quarter” (Mark 1:45).  And though Jesus was right there in his own town, there was no apparent way “to get near Him” (Mark 2:4).  The multitudes were there.  “Pharisees and teachers… from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem” were there (Luke 5:17). The home was filled, and so was the doorway.  It would be hard enough for a man by himself to make his way through such a crowd, let alone a group of friends carrying a paralyzed man.

But true faith finds a way when there isn’t any way apparent.  It looks past the obstacles and fixes its gaze on its object, deeming it trustworthy.  Someone came up with the plan, one of the man’s friends or the paralyzed man himself.  They all concurred: “What if we let him down through the roof?”  It was an audacious plan, and it would be incredibly challenging to carry their friend to the roof and then let him down safely! 

His friends cautiously made their way to the roof, then “let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, right in the center, in front of Jesus” (Luke 5:19).  “Seeing their faith, (Jesus) said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven” (Luke 5:20).  A debate then ensued between the religious leaders and Jesus regarding that matter, but the result for the man was the same.  “(Jesus) said to the paralytic—‘I say to you, rise, and take up your stretcher and go home” (Luke 5:24).  “And at once he rose up before them, and took up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God” (Luke 5:25).

They had believed that if they could make their way to Jesus, their friend would be made well. Their faith devised an elaborate plan and propelled their laborious efforts.  “Their faith” (Luke 5:20) was rewarded and their friend was healed, body and soul.  Immobile hands and feet were given new life and steps were taken and all was gloriously changed.  The crowds “were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this’ (Mark 2:12).”

To problems great and small, Jesus is the answer.  Sometimes Goliath sized fears and mountain sized obstacles work to immobilize us.  “Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss.”  But faith says: “He is Able!” Sin works a spiritual paralysis in us.  Who hasn’t experienced discouragement or defeat?  But Jesus can forgive and restore!   Good friends direct and encourage others to look to Him (Romans 1:12).  Sometimes as burden bearers, sometimes as burdens borne (Galatians 6:2).  In either case, let us be careful to make our way by faith to the One who alone can heal and forgive (Hebrews 4:16).

“Sometimes Goliath sized fears and mountain sized obstacles work to immobilize us.  “Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss.”  But faith says: ‘He is Able!’”

Jerry Conklin

TRUSTING JESUS

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Refrain:
Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Brightly doth His Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Singing if my way is clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in danger for Him call;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting Him while life shall last,
Trusting Him till earth be past;
Till within the jasper wall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.