"After The Sunrise"

After the Sunrise

Mark 16:2 (NKJV)
“Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.”

It was just after sunrise when the women, Mary, the mother of James, Mary Magdalene and Salome, gathered up their oils and spices to anoint Jesus’ body.  As they walked to the tomb they were still grieving over the death of Jesus.  Their whole world was turned upside down. Their Lord had been taken from them in an extremely brutal way and the picture of it hadn’t faded from their minds.

They were frightened because they knew the Roman soldiers were there guarding the tomb and you never knew what they would do.  Would they show a little compassion for the women by rolling back the stone so they could go in, or would the soldiers chase them away? 

When they reached to tomb, they were terrified because the stone had been rolled away and the soldiers were all gone.  They talked among themselves, wondering if they should go in.  Mary Magdalene finally said that she would go first. After living the life she had, there wasn’t much she was afraid of.   She hoped the open entry way to the tomb let enough light in so she could see where Jesus lay.

The other two women followed as she slowly entered the tomb.  A bright light filled the inside and they saw a young man in a white robe sitting on the right and they all cried out in fear.  But he quickly called out, “Don’t be afraid.”  They were so terrified they couldn’t have ran if they wanted to. The light that filled the tomb was emanating from the man sitting there. They were never sure if there was more than one angel because their eyes were almost blinded by the light.   They realized that it must be an angel sent from God. Salome was so terrified that she ran out of the tomb and left the other two women there.

The angel continued speaking and said to them, “I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified, but he has risen and is not here.”  He pointed to where Jesus’ body had been laid, “Now, go tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of them into Galilee.”  Then the angel disappeared.  The women were so frightened that they ran from the tomb and headed back to their homes. They agreed they would tell no one because they were sure no one would believe them.

Back in her home Mary Magdalene, still shaken, remembered that the angel told them to tell the disciples and the more she thought about it decided she had better go back to the tomb to make sure it was all real.  When she arrived at the tomb, she became overcome be grief and bowed down, she began to weep.  She noticed that someone had come close to her and she thought it was the gardener.  He asked her why she was crying and without looking up she answered, “They have taken away my Lord and I don’t know where they took him.”

Then she looked up and there stood Jesus.  She didn’t even recognize him until he spoke to her. “Mary.” Her eyes were opened and she knew it was Jesus.  As she reached toward him he spoke, “Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.”  Then he disappeared.

Then, Mary understanding it was the Lord and that he had risen from the dead, ran and told the disciples what he said regarding them.

This experience the women had on that first Easter morning would never be forgotten by them, nor by us who have come along 2000 years later.  Perhaps I have not heard his voice audibly, or seen him physically, but every Easter morning, I can still see him standing in the garden with the open tomb in the background.   He is standing there holding out his nail-pierced hands waiting for you to recognize him as your Lord and Savior, who died for you.  

Come Lord Jesus!

The Stubborn Donkey

The Stubborn Donkey

Jesus told his disciples, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to me.”  Matthew 21:2

Forty-some years ago, my children wanted a story about Palm Sunday and after some thought, I came up with this fictional story about the donkey that Jesus rode through the streets of Jerusalem.  The crowds lined the streets and threw down their cloaks on the ground.  They cut down palm branches and as He rode by they waved the branches and cried out, “Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna!”  Now for the rest of the story!

In a small village outside of Jerusalem, two donkeys stood in the heat of the day.  The larger of the two was the mother; the smaller was a colt that was her son. The mother donkey stood quietly and patient, but the colt stamped about; occasionally braying loudly.  “Will you ever learn to behave yourself,” asked his mother.  “The man who owns us will soon get rid of you if you continue to act like this.”

The colt refused to carry a rider or even a small load to the market place. He was so stubborn that many times he refused even move.  At other times, if someone came near he would kick up his hind legs just to frighten them off.  Yes, it was true; his owner would soon sell him if he was of no use.

This day the little donkey was even more restless than usual.  He had a feeling that something very exciting was about to happen so he stomped around and then he would bray loudly.  He told his mother how he felt, but she laughed and told him he had better calm down.  (It sounded like our parents and their children.)

A short time later two strange men came walking up to the donkeys and began to untie them.  The owner came running out of his house shouting, “What are you doing with my donkeys?”

“The Master sent us for them,” replied one of the men.

“And who is your master?” asked the owner.

“Jesus of Nazareth”, they answered.

The owner’s face softened and with a big smile he happily agreed they could borrow the donkeys as long as they were needed. You see, the owner had heard of Jesus and knew that he must have wanted his donkeys.  The men led the two donkeys down the road until they came to a large group of people standing around a tall, dark, kind-looking man.  The disciples told him, “Here are the donkeys, Master.  We think you should ride the big one who is quiet and well trained, but this colt is very frisky and has never been ridden.”

The Master looked at the donkeys as the mother donkey stood patiently waiting to carry the rider, but the colt pawed at the ground and brayed loudly.  Then Jesus laid his hand gently on the young colt.  “This is the one I will ride,” he said.  “No one is going to ride on me” thought the colt to himself.  Then the colt felt a gentle touch and heard a soft voice; he quieted down and stood still while the disciples placed their cloaks on his back.  He felt the strange weight when the Master carefully sat on him.  However, without a word of command the young donkey started down the road toward Jerusalem.

As they neared the city, crowds of people joined them shouting, “Hosanna in the Highest; Jesus, the Christ, the King of Israel.”  They went through the city waving palm branches and singing.  The little donkey held his head higher and began to prance.  He was so proud that he had been chosen to carry the King.

In the evening the colt was returned to his home.  He was so happy to see his mother and nuzzled her, then stood quietly.  His mother was amazed at the change in her son. “I can’t believe you would carry a man on your back,” said his mother.  The colt looked up at his mother with shiny eyes, “Mother, he wasn’t just a man.  He was the Son of God, Jesus Christ, our Lord.” 

At times we are like that little donkey, stubborn and restless.  Yet, when we feel the Master’s touch, our hearts are filled with love and joy, we too will wave palm branches and sing, “Hosanna to Jesus, King of the world.”

This is one of my favorite days at church, waving a palm branch and singing “Hosanna”.  Closing my eyes, I am taken back in time; I hear the crowds, feel the dust rising from the press of people.  I gaze on the face of Jesus as he goes by; my heart is thrilled and my faith is full.

"Why Should You Be Born Again?"

Why Should You be Born Again?

                             “Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you                                                unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”   John 3:3

Jesus had been preaching during his 3-year time of ministry on this earth and for many of the people who listened, some of the things he said didn’t make any sense.  One of those people was Nicodemus, a Jewish Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin.  The Sanhedrin was the ruling body of judges who laid down the laws for the Jewish people and judged the people as well.  It was similar to our Supreme Court. 

Nicodemus was a very wise man and one who wanted to understand more of Jesus’ teachings.  He slipped away at night to meet with Jesus because the Sanhedrin were not happy with Jesus and his teachings.  So he said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”  [John 3:2] Apparently there were others who wanted to understand Jesus and perhaps Nicodemus was their spokesman.  Jesus knew what they were curious about and so he said, “You will never get to heaven unless you become ‘born again’. 

Nicodemus was puzzled by this remark.  Anyone who has logical thinking understands that you can’t crawl back in your mother’s womb and come out again.  Jesus explained it to him, “Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.”  John 3:5-7 (NLT)

This answer seems pretty plain, but raises more questions like, “Are you born again when you get baptized?”  The answer to that is ‘no’! Baptism is just an outward sign of an inward experience. There is one way and one way only to be ‘Born Again’ and that is to accept the fact that you are a sinner and ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and come live in your heart (spirit). (John 3:16)

Another question comes to mind. Why does a person need to be born again?  “Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5) So without being Born Again’, when you die you will not go to heaven!  I don’t think that can be any clearer.

Someone once told me that I didn’t have to worry about going to heaven because I was a good person and never did anything really evil and was not a sinner.  Then I read in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.  I realized that I was dead in my sins and had to ask the Lord to forgive me of all my sins and He did.  He took that load of sin and regret I carried for so long and “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Psalm 103:12 (NLT)

 When that load of sin was removed by me repenting I became a new person.  Instantly, my heart was changed and even my thoughts.  I felt as innocent as a new born and by God’s Spirit, I was ‘born again’.  “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

The Title of this Blog is, Why Should I be Born Again?  I think it is explained clearly in the Bible and I suggest if you are not, you should try it because the benefits are the best you’ll ever have; you will live forever in heaven.  The alternative is not so good; going to hell to burn forever.  It’s a choice only you can make and no one can do it for you. I pray that you will make the right decision. 

"Seven Things a True Christian Doesn't Do"

Seven Things a True Christian Doesn’t Do

                               “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain                                  for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”

Deuteronomy 5:11

After listening to hours of the election debates, it is so discouraging to see that all the present candidates are no longer discussing issues that face our country, but have fallen into tearing each other’s characters apart. Oh, they say they are going to do this and that, but don’t get into the details of how they plan on accomplishing what they say they are going to do.

1)       When candidates have to swear to get a point across and then claim to be a ‘Good Christian’, flags go up.  If they don’t know that a person who is a Christian tries to set a good example for others by keeping their speech pure, then they don’t have a relationship with Christ.

2)      Name calling – Matthew 5:22, tells us that, “If you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” Why do people think that by belittling others it makes them seem like a better person?  Actually, the opposite is true; it makes you appear less of a person who thinks very highly of themselves.  This is someone who cannot be trusted.

3)      Lack of Love or Respect - I love what the Bible says in John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  What we need to understand is that we are going to have love for other Believers if we truly belong to Jesus!  Showing hatred by ripping someone apart does not show Christian values and lack of respect.  This scripture is pretty plain – ‘if you don’t love others, you are not my disciple!

4)      Judgment – This is a hard verse in the Bible, because most of us are so quick to judge people.  Maybe we don’t like the way they look or talk.  Maybe it’s how they dress, like wearing sandals in the winter instead of shoes, or having their hair cut different than most. God gives us a stern warning about this. “Judge not that you be not judged for with what judgment you judge, you will be judged.”  Matthew 7:1-2. Most nonbelievers see this in the church and don’t want to be part of it.  They feel judged.  People don’t really understand what it means to judge others.  “It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside.” 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 (NLT) This says it pretty plain.

5)      A Proud Look – There is so much more to this statement in Proverbs 6:17.  It speaks of someone who looks down on other people.  A person like that is overconfident and listens to no one.  A word for that kind of person is a ‘Narcissist’ and one we have already dealt with too long in America. God looks at that type of person as an abomination.  Need I say more?

6)      A Lying tongue – In all my years I have never heard candidates accusing each other of lying as much as in these debates.  Most continue to push the fact that they are Christians.  Let me remind you of God’s outlook on this in James 3:5, “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” It makes a person begin to wonder if any of them are capable of telling the truth. 

7)      “One who sows discord among brethren” is one whom God hates.  [Proverbs 6:19]  When these debates began I had great respect for several of the candidates, but as time has passed, they all appear to be losing their integrity.  There has been only one man who stood up for his belief and did not shame himself as so many of the others have.  He has now had to drop out of running because the American people as a whole, do not want our country run by faith and freedom.

All of the above boils down to the fact, who do we vote for?  We have two choices, 1) Vote for Experience or 2) Power.  Both parties have experienced candidates and both have powerful people.  We apparently cannot vote for Christian values because we don’t know what they really stand for.  Pray about it, because we have several months before we actually vote and ask God to direct us.  The Bible says he puts rulers in place and takes them down.  At times God sends us bad rulers because a country needs to be shook up

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How this is going to end up is anyone’s guess, but listen to your heart.  God is still in control!