Category: Teaching Topics

At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.  John 20:14

Nothing short of seeing Jesus would make Mary stop crying.  Two angels appeared earlier, and though she experienced a conversation with heavenly beings, her weeping continued.  She had a one-track mind, and it was focused on Jesus’ absence.  She grieved that he was not where she expected him to be.  Yet he was there.  She simply didn’t recognize him.

Mary had a crisis of faith, as I do when I’m tossed by the storms of life. The roaring sound of the waves drowns out Jesus’ whispers.  The fog and the mist obscure my sight of him.  I think he’s missing yet he stands near.  I weep for his absence though he has his arms securely around me.  I accuse him of abandoning me but he has already moved heaven and earth to give me intimate access to him.

King David reassured me of this.  “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted.”  Psalm 34:18  I may rest in this certainty.  If I seek Jesus, he is near.  My relationship with him is driven by faith, not by sight.

Mary would have been comforted if she had recovered the dead body of Jesus but Jesus gave her more than what she asked for.  He appeared alive, not dead.  We who seek heaven’s treasures always find riches beyond our wildest imagination.  God gives us more than we could have dreamed of.  He is generous, extravagant, and delights in giving lavish gifts.  If we weep at our tomb of loss today, let’s hang on.  Jesus is with us and our sorrow will turn to indescribable joy.

Lord, I trust that you’re here.  You will reveal yourself in your time, by your mercy and by your loving-kindness.  Amen

Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out.  John 18:4

The time for the cross is upon Jesus.  He knows it and surrenders willingly to the authorities coming to arrest him.  This is not the first time that his life has been in danger.  Numerous times before, he fled to retire for a while to some obscure place because he knew that the timing for his death was premature   Satan would have loved to tamper with God’s timetable but Jesus never allowed it.

We’re told that we will be called upon to take up our cross and follow Jesus.  However, knowing the proper time is as critical for us as it was for Jesus.  Satan brings crisis after crisis meant to overwhelm us and to bring us to destruction.  Often unaware of his tactics, we mistake painful scenarios as our time for bearing our cross rather than treating them as a mirage of the Evil One.  When we should be engaging in spiritual warfare, we retire instead, and then carry our counterfeit cross on the shoulders of immature, feeble faith.  Not able to withstand the pressure, we crumble in defeat and wonder why God wasn’t faithful to give grace in our time of need.

On the flip side, there are conflicts we should excuse ourselves from.  There are illnesses to pray against.  There are blows to our character needing a tough-love response rather than a turning of the other cheek.  Knowing when to retire or resist is critical.  God can show us what is needless pain meant to harm us and what is his cross, the cross that allows us to share in Jesus’ suffering.

If I face suffering that is in your perfect, plan, Lord, I surrender.  To all else I take up a sword of your Word against the plans of our enemy.  Amen

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of Joh, do you truly love me more than these?”  “Yes Lord,” he said.  “You know that I love you.”  Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”  John 21:15

Jesus asks Peter this important question, not once, but three times consecutively: “Do you love me?  Good. Feed my lambs.”  Jesus is so concerned about the welfare of His flock that He is very choosy about who he puts in charge of them.  Only a sincere love for Him will equip Peter to feed hungry lambs.

Jesus did not say, “Are you concerned about people?  Feed my lambs.”  Or, “would you like a rewarding occupation?  Fed my lambs.”   Or even, “would you like to be appreciated and respected?  Fed my lambs.”

Feeding lambs is a difficult calling.  Ask any pastor.  Some lambs are hungry and want to be fed.  Others want the food of their own choosing.  They think they know what they need, not understanding that what naturally appeals to them is deadly.  It brings self-centeredness and instability.  Then there is the small minority who comes to hear the Word and make trouble.  Because of the complexity of responses, only a love for Jesus will give shepherds the endurance and joy they need for the long haul.  If they serve for any other reason, burnout and disillusionment are inevitable.

For far too many years I gave out spiritual food while my own spirit was shriveled from lack of nourishment.  I had tried to feast on Christian education, but it was like eating sawdust after a while.  It was dry and tasteless.  Interesting facts failed to sustain my heart when hard times came.  When I finally connected to the heart of Abba, I found the feast I had been looking for.  The Word came alive, His voice made me tremble, and this constrained me to feed His daughters.

Keep my faith from becoming intellectual, Lord.  Keep me connected to you so I can feed your lambs.  Amen

And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: Matthew 4:13-14

False prophets will give ‘feel good’ messages. Wanna-be prophets will give such broad predictions that the probability of them coming true is fairly certain. But, the prophecies within the Bible are specific, down to the smallest detail. Matthew told us that Jesus went to live for a brief period in Zebulun and Naphtali. That’s important because those two specific towns were prophesied in Isaiah.

The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali —the people dwelling in darkness there have seen a great light. Isaiah 9:1-2

Scripture doesn’t give us God’s reasons for moving His Son to these two small towns but from Isaiah’s details, we know that some saw His light. God opened their eyes to His glory.

God must open my eyes to the light of the glory of Christ, too. If He doesn’t, Jesus could live next door and I’d never notice. Every day, He is eager for me to see Him and I will if I’m asking and seeking.

So where is the Light to be found today? Where will I be dazzled by His glory? Where will my worship be breathless? He speaks in a passage, a verse, a promise, a song, in a nudge while in prayer. Jesus is everywhere but if I’m not tuned in, I’ll miss Him. Jesus once dwelt exclusively in the land of Zebulun and Naphtali but now His Spirit dwells in Athens, and Chicago, and in the very town where you live. He lives on your street and even in your home. As He moves and fulfills His Word all around you, can you perceive His fingerprints? Do you see traces of glory in the smallest answered prayers?

What did Jesus feel as He made His way to Zebulun in Capernaum? While He knew that some would receive Him, He also anticipated spiritual blindness. What is Jesus feeling today as He seeks to enter my world and bring the kingdom to every thought and every decision that is yet to be made? Is He filled with hope ~ knowing that my heart is open? Or is He saddened by the distractions I’ll allow to veil His presence?

Let me tell You tonight that I, indeed, ‘saw a great Light.’ Amen

Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull.  John 19:17

The suffering of Jesus began before his crucifixion.  He lived with the knowledge that death was coming.  He always knew his purpose and functioned under the weight of it.  That any laughter marked his life was a miracle!  As I think about this, I realize that God is kind to me, not letting me know what tomorrow holds.

Jesus was made to carry his own cross through the streets.  His shoulders, which were torn and bleeding from the scourging he’d just received, bore the weight of this heavy cross.  Can I begin to imagine how painful every step was?  No.

If we saw our dearest family member extracted from our home and beaten out on the street by a gang of thugs, we would be traumatized for a long time.  Seeing one member take the wrath for our entire family would bring a mixture of reactions.  Anger.  Grief.  And then guilt that we were spared while our loved one suffered.

Is it any wonder that many of us don’t like to think about Jesus’ death too much?  It’s macabre material to begin with, and to know that he was innocent and did it willingly, just for each of us, makes us cringe.  How do we properly receive such a costly gift?  Not feeling worthy, we can shut down emotionally and just say our token ‘thank-you’ during Communion.  We miss out.  As we foster an intimate relationship with Jesus, we no longer look at his crucifixion forensically.  We are emotionally involved because we are connected to him.  As each nuance of his death overwhelms us, we reach out to embrace it.  It takes courage but there are two wonderful outcomes: humility and gratitude.

Jesus I will enter into your pain.  Help me fully receive the gift of your sacrifice.  Amen

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.  John 21:12

Jesus never ceases to surprise me.  As soon as I think I have him pictured in my mind as a divine rabbi, public teacher, compassionate minister, and defender of the truth, he appears in a new way.  Today he is a culinary host.

Jesus is making breakfast for his disciples.  They are famished after a night of fishing.  Were it not for his guidance as to where they should drop their nets, they would have no food at all.

It has been a long night.  They are cold, wet, and weary.  Can you imagine how wonderful it is for them to not only see Jesus alive and well but also to smell the aroma of fish cooking over an open fire?  His care is tender and practical.

The resurrected Jesus is still alive today.  I know that in my head but my heart is still surprised when he shows up and offers me a spiritual meal.  Every morning, he calls my name.  “Christine, breakfast is ready.”  He prepares the right amount of nourishment for the day.  As soon as I catch the aroma of his meal, then close my eyes to inhale deeply, I find that I am ravenous.  Everything he creates appeals to my senses.

Though today’s banquet was more than satisfying, I have to admit that I will be hungry again tomorrow. Living here on earth takes its toll.  I am easily depleted, needing daily infusions of wisdom, love, and grace.  I can’t generate the I need on my own.  There’s no need to panic, though.  Jesus will still be tending the fire.  I can smell the fragrance of his provision.

There is no friend like you, Jesus.  You have anticipated my need for spiritual food and have already provided it.  I just need to sit down and eat.  Amen

Jesus said, “It is finished.” With That, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.  John 19:30

Every climb a mountain?  The first part is often easy as you walk miles along flat terrain until the ascent begins.  The end usually requires supernatural effort as you push your muscles beyond their accustomed limits.  Standing at the summit, you declare victoriously, “I did it!”

There’s exhilaration over what you’ve accomplished.

Jesus finished the redemptive work when he spoke the words, “It is finished.” Heaven was exhilarated.  God prepared for his Son’s homecoming!  There was nothing more to be done to accomplish our salvation.  A spotless Lamb was needed to atone for sin, and Jesus was the only one qualified.  Our efforts are nullified though our relationship to sinful Adam corrupted our genetic makeup.

I once treated Jesus’ death as though it were insufficient, even though he stated otherwise.  I worked zealously to make my contribution to the redemptive cause.  I thought I could make it more complete.  I declared some of my worst acts unforgivable and refused to believe Jesus when he said, “You’re fully forgiven.  Dance with joy!”  Seeing myself as guilty, I labored feverishly to earn the rest of my salvation. I burned out for the cause of Christ, believing that he required it of me so my sin would be paid in full.  What a tragedy.  Radical forgiveness and complete restoration was mine to embrace.

You did it all, Jesus. You died so I wouldn’t have to.  Your blood was payment for all my sins and I was meant to walk out of sins’s prison as a free woman.  Amen