Saturday, December 06, 2008

Telling the Truth

Today’s Reading: John 18:16b-17 (NIV)

16b The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. 17 “You are not one of His disciples, are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.”

Good morning!

Jesus was in hot water and Simon Peter knew it. Thinking that anonymity might be best, he denied being one of Christ’s disciples. This was the man who recognized Jesus as the Son of the Living God, the Messiah. Jesus said that His church would be built upon the Rock solid foundation of Peter. Yet, in the courtyard, the Rock was shaken. Sometimes, that firm foundation we stand on seems to quake underneath our feet. Do you think Peter should have told the truth?

This is a unique distinction between human security and our eternal security promised through Christ. His foundation is firm; Christ’s Word is Truth and He spoke the Truth plainly to Simon Peter and the other disciples. Yet, when Jesus was taken into physical custody, His friends did not want to accept or believe it was true. They were not ready to give up their Lord, and yet, they were terrified they might lose their own lives trying to save His. Earthly security can vanish as quickly as the weather changes. What we have today can be gone tomorrow. Eternal security is the only firm foundation we have to stand on.

Isn’t it ironic that even in the courtyard, Peter had no clue that Jesus was literally saving him with every drop of blood that spilled from His body. Peter could not comprehend the length that God was willing to go in order to preserve his soul and the souls of believers forever.

Sometimes things happen in life that we just don’t understand. There are moments when it seems much easier to cower behind our faith, for fear of offending someone else. We hope and pray for the salvation of our family and friends who are not yet believers; yet, we worry about telling them about Jesus for fear they might reject us. We may find ourselves standing with Simon Peter in the courtyard, confronted by a co-worker or friend, and just like Peter, we may choose to deny the Lord we love by our words, our actions, or sheer apathy.

If you had been in the courtyard that day, waiting for word from the High Priest on the fate of the Master, would you have been willing to openly admit your relationship with the Lord? If someone asked you today about your belief in Jesus Christ, what would you say?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Waiting outside the door


Today’s Reading: John 18:15-16a (NIV)

15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door.

Good morning!

I enjoy watching my grandchildren learn about different geometrical shapes. One of Granny Deb’s favorite toys is Fisher Price’s Baby’s First Blocks shape sorter cube. On the plastic lid, there are cutouts of various geometric shapes: a square, circle, triangle, rectangle, and oval. Inside the cube are wooden block cutouts in the exact same shape and size. The objective is to find the block that matches the shape on the lid, slipping it into the container. Our grandchildren would sit for long periods of time, trying to figure out why they cannot seem to push a square block through a round hole.

Have you ever felt as if you were the square block, trying to squeeze through a round hole?

While we share a lot of common ground, every human heart has a specific set of identifiers that sets us apart as individuals. We have a name; and it is unique to each of us. We are sometimes classified by our physical attributes; whether we are short or tall, fair or dark skinned, and even our age range places us in specific categories and groupings. We are often recognized by our beliefs and philosophies, the things we say and do, and the way we choose to live out our days. In Missouri, we are culturally categorized by where we graduated from high school, a unique identifier of Midwestern culture. What are some individual attributes that set you apart from the world around you?

Jesus had been arrested and Peter, along with another disciple, presumably John, followed the Lord to the high priest’s courtyard. The unnamed disciple was recognized by the girl on duty, and she let him into the courtyard. Peter got stuck outside the door. The guard did not know who he was.

Sometimes anonymity seems preferable. We look to fade into the faces of the crowd, unrecognized by the ones who may judge us harshly for who we are. We don’t often seem to fit the stereotypical, theological shape that our culture longs to embrace. We stick out like a square peg, trying to slip through a round hole. My grandchildren would tell you that the shape doesn’t fit.

Once Peter was identified as a follower of Christ, he received admission into the high priest’s courtyard. This unwelcome recognition came at a cost to Peter and all who knew him. He wasn’t so sure he wanted everyone to know who he was and whose he was.

Are you waiting outside the doors of faith, hoping someone will recognize you and let you in?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Preliminary Hearing

Today’s Reading: John 18:13-14 (NIV)

13 They brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.

Good morning!

It wasn’t exactly the preliminary hearing Jesus’ disciples had hoped for. Taken into custody in the middle of the night, Jesus stood before Annas for questioning. Annas had been high priest for nine years, and even though Caiaphas was high priest this year, many considered the election of high priest to be a lifelong vocation. The people looked to Annas because they believed he had a brilliant mind and exercised sound judgment. What in the world was he thinking that night as Jesus was brought before him?

A preliminary hearing is an opportunity to hear evidence brought by a prosecutor, to determine whether and to what extent criminal charges should be filed. The outcome of this hearing sets the tone for the upcoming trial. It determines which court will hear the case, and what evidence will be admitted. In America’s judicial system, the accused is allowed to have legal counsel represent his or her interests at the preliminary hearing. If the accused cannot afford to pay for legal services, free legal counsel is provided.

Did anyone speak for Jesus at this secret lynching? Who could have adequately represented the Lord God Almighty in a human kangaroo court?

Fact-finding questions are asked at the preliminary hearing, to determine if the alleged crime occurred within this court’s jurisdiction, and whether there is probable cause to believe that the defendant actually committed the crime. If the judge determines there is sufficient evidence to believe the defendant did commit the crime, the judge would set a date for arraignment, at which time the defendant could enter his plea of innocent or guilty.

As the sun came up over the Jerusalem that morning, Jesus had already been arrested, arraigned, tried and convicted. At best, this was a total mockery of justice. At least Jesus knew He would not die in vain. The blood He shed for the sins of the world is the same blood that continues to wash and cleanse us today.

If you had been there, what charges would you have leveled against the Son of God in a preliminary hearing? Would you stand up in defense of the Master, or accuse the Lord of blasphemy? Would you have cared enough to get up in the middle of the night to attend the preliminary hearing?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Unbound

Today’s Reading: John 18:12 (NIV)

12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound Him.

Good morning!

My father gave me a butterfly net when I was a little girl. Whenever we would visit my grandparents’ farm in the early summer, I would take my net and go outside to find the butterflies. Some of the prettiest and most unusual butterflies would end up in the mesh net. I quickly learned that if I grabbed their wings with too much force, I would rip or tear them to pieces. Butterfly wings are extraordinary in texture, color and hue. I did not want to hurt the butterflies; I only wanted to see their wings up close.

The net couldn’t hold them for long. The butterflies would find a way to slip through an opening and fly away. One year, Daddy helped me collect a variety of butterflies and moths to display at my elementary school’s science fair. I placed them in cotton lined coffee cans, punching tiny air holes in the plastic lids so they could breathe. After they adjusted to the surroundings of their enclosed cage, they would stop moving. If I opened the lid to check on them, out they would fly, suddenly and without warning. You see, there are just some things that simply cannot be bound, no matter how hard we try to hold them.

The Roman authorities and the Jewish officials who sought the capture and conviction of Jesus were pleased with their latest conquest. They shackled the Lord, believing they could stop His message and mission. The Roman authorities feared Christ’s popularity among the people. They were blinded to His life’s blood flowing from the Father through the Son to the world. They didn’t know they could not bind the love of God. They did not realize it was God Himself who allowed His own capture that night.

The love of God is a beautiful thing. It is virtually impossible to keep it to yourself. His grace and mercy is the Father’s free gift to all who will believe and receive the Son. It is more beautiful than the butterfly wings hand-crafted by the Master artist. May you experience the Father’s gift of love through the gift of Jesus, and pass it on to someone you know today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Monday, December 01, 2008

Accept the gift

Today’s Reading: John 18:10-11 (NIV)

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

Good morning!

Why did Jesus have to die?

Simon Peter knew what was coming, but he didn’t like it, not even a little bit. I imagine that is why he drew his sword in defense of the Master. Peter is a man with great passion. He cared deeply for the Lord, and for his friends, the men and women he walked beside during the three year mission trip. The Holy Spirit had supernaturally revealed to Peter that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Still, the Master’s words were about to come to fruition. He was going to die, just as He said. Maybe Peter thought he could change the situation with a little diversion. In that moment, Peter would have preferred to die himself rather than watch the Romans take the One He loves. Peter allowed his passion to move ahead of God’s will, and it took him to a place he would rather not be.

I’m sure Peter didn’t know anything about me twenty-one centuries ago. He didn’t know that I would need the Lord to save me from my sin. Jesus said He came for this very purpose; to fulfill the Father’s plan for the salvation of the world. Peter reacted out of fear, when he took his sword and sliced the servant’s ear. He didn’t want the Roman guard to take the Lord away. I don’t blame Peter him for reacting like that. I might have done the exact same thing had I been standing next to Jesus that night in the garden.

Jesus knew that I would need His gift of salvation in 2008. If it were not for His willingness to take my sins upon Himself and endure the agony of the cross, I would have no future; no hope. Jesus came to die for me and He died for you too, and for all who comes after us. The day will come when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Knowing all this doesn’t make it any easier. Peter, the Rock, took matters into His own hands instead of waiting for the Lord. Sometimes, we can step in the way of God’s master plan. It is time we learn to get out of the way and let God be God.

Why did Jesus have to die? He died to save the world; He died to save you and me. And that, my friends, is the best gift we will ever receive. Will you accept His gift today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.