An odd thing about Jesus is that, every time he seems to be faced with temptation to give up on the Father’s plan that has him dying for the world’s sins, Jesus then overcomes the temptation with extra resolve. We’ve seen this throughout Lent. Right at the beginning of his ministry, he goes into the wilderness for the sole purpose of subjecting himself to temptation by no less than Satan himself. He comes out toughened and confirmed and ready for work.
Later, when Jesus begins to share with his disciples that he is going to have to die, Peter tempts Jesus by telling him that this isn’t the Father’s will. This really gets to Jesus, and Jesus responds by rebuking Peter (and Satan, who seems to be behind it all). Then, for good measure, Jesus says, “In fact, not only do I have to die, but anyone who wants to walk with me has to take up their cross and get in line!” Resolve!
Just a few days before the end, Jesus is standing among all the worshipers at the Temple, and he seems to be struggling. He tells everyone that his hour has come, and then he prays, “I don’t know what to say. Father, save me from this hour.” And then, the resolve, “No! It is for this reason I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Every time the chips are down, Jesus goes all in.
Read MoreI just started co-teaching a class on the spiritual disciplines using Richard Foster’s book Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth as our guide. In writing about the discipline of meditation Foster suggests that “Christian meditation, very simply, is the ability to hear God’s voice and obey his word.” Of course this hearing God’s voice and obeying his word applies to all of the disciplines, and also suggests a very healthy way in which we are to follow Christ and live our lives for Him.
Living in a constant state of meditation on the life of Christ is hard to do, but is a reasonable and obtainable life I believe those who follow Christ are called to practice and live out. I am not an expert, and my experiences of listening to the still small voice of God and being obedient need to be improved upon, but I am challenged to live my life in this manner while learning as I grow.
Read MoreThis is my first time writing on Daniel’s blog… which is actually rather intimidating! I was honored that Daniel wanted to include me as one of the contributors, but this group of men are on an advanced, doctoral level. I’m more on the preschool level. As the sole female, I hate to do that disservice to other women. I would prefer for our sole representative to be able to show up these men academically and theologically (in the nicest Christian-ly way of course) but for any of you women reading this, don’t get your hopes up with me. However, I am glad and thankful to be able to occasionally share my thoughts on here and I hope at least someone will be able to identify with them.
Daniel and I have a five year old son and a two year old daughter. The other day I was watching an animated movie with them called The Jesus Movie. Our son enthusiastically picked it out from the church library. I cringed inwardly at his selection – doesn’t a cartoon movie with such a “creative” title, just scream Christian cheesiness?! Thankfully, it was actually much better and more entertaining than I was expecting for a cartoon version of Jesus’ life.
As I was watching (I’ll admit–not very attentively), it came to the story of the feeding of the 5,000. I've heard that story countless times, and typically my focus is on the miracle of Jesus turning a small amount of food into enough to satisfy the hunger of a huge crowd with many baskets leftover. Wow! That should certainly capture our attention. However, this time something different stood out to me. My focus was on the small cartoon-boy who handed over his lunch. Jesus looked at him with eyes of compassion and said “Thank you for your offering.”
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