Mark 14:66-72 - Denying Christ

Mark 14:66-72 NIV
As much as he loved Jesus, when it came to being willing to die for him, he denied him. He denied him, not once, but three times.

We want to serve Jesus. We would really like to say that we would even die rather than deny him. But, when it comes right down to it, none of us really know if we what we would do when faced with that situation. Most of us will never be called to face this type of trial. But, there are those who have faced death and refused to deny Jesus, even in our day. There are those who have died confessing their faith in Him. Let us give thanks for all the martyrs who have taken up the cross and died for the sake of His Holy Name. May God help us to be faithful in confessing all that He has done for us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 24 - St. Valentine

“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matt 24:9-13 NIV)

Today is St. Valentine's Day. I am not exactly sure how we came to be buying gifts for those whom we love on St. Valentine's Day; after all, according to tradition, February 14th is actually the day we commemorate St. Valentine's martyrdom. He refused to deny Christ and was beheaded for his ardent love of God.

So, maybe, love is the perfect theme for the day. St. Valentine's love for God did not grow cold; not even in the face of death. 

How about ours? Has our love for God grown cold? Do you love Him so much that you cannot wait to hear His Word on Sunday mornings or whenever it is your community gathers together as one body to worship Him? Do you love Him so much that you want others to know about the love of your life? One of my pet peeves for years has been to attend a meeting or dinner with other Christians and the name of Jesus never even comes up. (Really irritating when the group are all ordained!) There is talk about baseball, football, fishing, hunting, the weather, propane prices; there may even be a few very bad jokes; but, no Jesus. How does that relay our love of God; our gratefulness that Jesus loved us so much He was willing to die for us?

When people genuinely love someone it is a natural outflow to talk about the person they love. A loving parent or grandparent talk about their little ones (no matter how old they get) because they love them. They are a central part of their lives. So, it seems to me, if God is our ultimate concern; if we truly love Him; then we will talk about Him. We will share the stories of our love with others.

The stories of St. Valentine tell us of a man who was so willing to confess His love for Jesus, that he was willing to die for the love of His life. He is not alone. There are many in our history. Even today, many are persecuted for daring to profess their love for the God who loves so much that He who was willing to die for them.

Has our love for God grown cold? Do we truly love our neighbors, as God loves us?

Have a blessed St. Valentine's Day.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 2 - Magi, Children, Martyrs. and Moves

From the very beginning, attempts were made to do away with Jesus. Today we have the popular Christmas story of the Magi's visit to Jesus. Unfortunately; King Herod, heard that that they were seeking the king of the Jews, who was due to be born, so that they could worship him. Herod became anxious over the possibility of another "king" and plotted to kill the infant Jesus.

He did not succeed. But, in his attempts every boy child, two years old and under, in the region of Bethlehem was slaughtered. These babies became the first martyrs for Jesus.

Fortunately; an angel was sent to warn Joseph that Jesus' life was in danger. So he took Mary and Jesus into exile in Egypt to protect his family. They moved to Nazareth upon hearing that Herod was dead.

I often listen in amazement when I hear people say that they will not leave the area where they are born in. I know people who have never left the Upper Peninsula of Michigan even for a vacation. They simply will not leave what they know. Yet, Jesus, including the trip he made, still in the womb, to Bethlehem, was moved three times in a course of a few years.

Yes, I love Upper Michigan, too. But, there has been more than once in my life that I have been uprooted and called to move. I recall very vividly arguing with God about yet another move. When we are called to go; when God sends us a message to move... it's just a really good idea to do that. He has His reasons; whether, we like them or even know them. He was with Joseph and Mary and Jesus and was guiding them (i.e. sending his angel messengers) through these early years so that Jesus would be around for the purpose that he was sent for. No matter what it is that God calls us to do; no matter how hard it may seem; He has a good purpose for it. Listen and follow...

Take just a minute to thank the LORD that we have no Herods in power, in this country, today! There are, after all, still places and people in various regions of the world that do not seem to have a problem massacring even the children.

God's Peace - Pr. J