Luke 19:1-10 Come Down From Your Tree

Luke 19:1-10 NIV
"Zacchaeus was a wee little man." I have no clue how many children I have taught the words of this song to; too many to count. Personally, I prefer the words from the KJV over the NIV, "And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature." (vs 3)

Zacchaeus was of little stature not only in physical height; but, in social stature as well. He was a tax collector and had made himself wealthy by cheating his own people. Therefore, he was not a popular fellow. No one in the crowd that day was going to move out of his way so that he could see Jesus so he climbed a tree to get a look from a distance. Jesus knew of his desire to see him and so he arranged to make it up front and personal. He told Zacchaeus: "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." Today, (and every day) Jesus wants to be welcomed into your home. If you want to see Jesus, just climb down from whatever tree that you've chosen to watch Jesus from and welcome Him into your life.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 13 - Keep Alert! He Will Come Again!

Mark 13 NIV
No one knows. No one knows when our end will come; not for the individual; not for the world. There have been days when I thought "isn't it about time, LORD?" So many wars and threats of wars; families fighting within themselves and with their neighbors; congregations and communities battle with one another; will there ever be peace?

These are not things that should lead us to despair. Jesus tells us that all these things and more will and must happen before the end. We must be prepared. We cannot give up hope. We cannot let our faith lie dormant or die. Be alert! Watch! Wait! He has come. He is present now. He will come again. “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens." (Mark 13:26-27)

“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” (Mark 13:35-36)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Matthew 26:36-46 - Pray One Hour

  Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
  Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
  Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt 26:36-41 NIV)

We were having a prayer vigil. Individuals and families volunteered to come to the sanctuary to pray for one hour during the hours beginning right after the Maundy Thursday Service until the Good Friday Service. I had volunteered for three hours, from 3 a.m. until 6 a.m., as I lived right next door and I thought it would be easier for me than others who would have to drive to the church at such early hours. I began my hours praying, kneeling in front of the altar, next to the baptismal font. I was awakened by the couple, who was to follow me, to find them kneeling and praying at the altar. They had come in quietly and didn't want to disturb me. I had fallen asleep, on my knees, leaning against the baptismal font. Every Maundy Thursday, I recall this time. Apparently, it is not only those first disciples who cannot keep watch, stay awake, and pray for "one hour."

The spirit is willing, but so often the flesh is weak.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Matthew 25 - Unprepared Virgins

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps." (Matt 25:1-4 NIV) 

I have occasionally been accused of worrying too much. What they should understand about me is that all my busyness is not due to worry; it is what I consider being prepared. If I am going to a meeting, I like to have everything that I might need, copied and organized, ready to go and in my bag, at least the night before. Trips to town actually include a plan in my head on where I need to go, in which order, and what I need to bring with me to accomplish the most in the least amount of time. I contact family members in town, just to check if there is anything they need or want from out here or from any of the places I will stop before I see them. That is to avoid having to go back to the same shop on errands for someone else. I do get a little flustered when I finish my errands and I get a text asking me to take care of something at a place that I just left. I really like organization. It's not worry. It is preparation. I just don't like missing opportunities (doors that might be open) to live life. Can you imagine missing out on the opportunity to live and enjoy life in His Kingdom, in His presence? I'd rather not entertain that possibility and so it behooves me to try to do all that I can to be prepared; not suffering my light to go out; but, allowing the light to shine in and through me.

Five of the virgins were wise and prepared for the bridegroom to come and take them to the wedding feast. Five were not. They did not take enough oil with them, in the case that the bridegroom would be delayed. They had to go and purchase oil at the eleventh hour. When they returned they found that the bridegroom had come for those who had been prepared. They tried to gain admittance to the wedding banquet; but, it was too late. The door was shut.

Are you prepared? Are you ready for the Lord to come and take you to be with Him at the great wedding feast? We can never know all that the Lord has in store for us. Therefore, be prepared for all the glorious possibilities and "...keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." (Matt 25:13)

God's Peace - Pr. J