Easter: clarity in confusion

Easter 2013 in N. Ireland. Too much snow, power cuts, inconvenience in the towns, serious anxiety for sheep farmers. Surely it should be sunshine, daffodils and crocuses, pleasant walks in pleasant temperatures, cute lambs in green fields.

Easter for the 21st century. Eggs, bunnies, chicks and chocolates or an eternally pivotal Christian festival…

The first Easter appears at first glance to be all confusion.

A derisory king: mocked, abused and tortured by cruel soldiers.

A rejected king: accused via trumped up charges, his death demanded by power threatened priests.

An alternative king: proclaimed innocent, misunderstood and oddly feared by a puzzled Pilate.

The King of Kings: crucified to rise again by God’s plan to bear our sins and re-establish God’s true kingship on earth.

Confusion at Easter? Not for God nor for his son Jesus. Ultimately not for us either.

With thanks to SU WordLive today and especially Derek Tidball’s Deeper Bible Study

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Looking the wrong way at Christmas

I remember the time when, as a family with two young children, we saw our first ever kingfisher on the River Lagan – and I missed it!

I was looking the wrong way.

And then a pair of kingfishers flew back past us! Wow!

 

Richard Littledale at The Preacher’s Blog made a similar point this morning about people who missed it by looking the wrong way at the first Christmas…

It has always struck me that one of the saddest moments in the whole Christmas story is to be found in Matthew’s Gospel.  When the Magi arrive in Herod’s palace and ask where the king of the Jews is to be born, the answer is rapidly found. Without skipping a beat, Herod’s religious advisers tell him ‘In Bethlehem in Judea’.

The question is this: if they knew that to be so – why were they looking the wrong way when the moment came? This is a warning for all of us to search both scripture and circumstance to see what God is doing.

The picture below says it all. Enjoy…

The photo reminds me somewhat of a boat trip in Skye last August…

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“What do you have? …Ok, I can use that!” Jesus

For the disciples in Matthew 15 it was:

“What do you have?”

“Seven loaves and a few fishes…”

“Ok, I can use that.”

And Jesus fed 4,000 plus people in a deserted area in Gentile territory – and continued the process of teaching them who he was and what he was about.

For me and my wife, almost 25 years ago, it was:

“What do you have?”

“Seventeen years teaching experience in Belfast…”

“Ok, I can use that.”

And Jesus led us into Wycliffe Bible Translators and took us to a boarding school for missionary children in a very rural environment where we taught some wonderful children of equally wonderful missionary colleagues for eight years.

First year at Vavoua International School

I’ve been thinking about this idea since last Sunday morning…

Jesus says: what do you have that I can use? So you can help me in my mission to the world that I created.

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The Passion of Christ

How do you respond to scenes of extreme violence?

The opening words as I read SU WordLive this morning. “How do you respond to scenes of extreme violence?” It is a very sober treatment of the passage in Mark 15:16-20 when the Roman soldiers torture Jesus cruelly and viciously before he was taken off to be crucified. It’s worth a look and a read and some meditation…

John Grayston comments…

Roman flogging was so vicious that victims sometimes died. The pain was intense, the blood loss considerable. Jesus would have been a pitiable figure by this point. The rough mockery of the soldiers simply adds to that. How could such a figure be a king?

But back to the opening question: How do you respond to scenes of extreme violence?

Recently I walked out of a film for the first time in my life. It was an Argentinian thriller and there was some excellent camera work, but the violence became just too much for me. I like a good thriller, but this was descending into violence and horror – and I’d had enough.

How will I cope tonight? My church is showing The Passion of Christ as part of our Easter week programme. Quite rightly the announcements last Sunday pointed out that this movie is very graphic in content; strictly over 18s only.

I saw Mel Gibson’s film in the cinema when it first came out. It’s a tough watch. The violence is probably worse than that in the Argentinian thriller – but there is a difference! It is what happened when Jesus Christ, the Son of God willingly submitted himself to the injustice and cruelty of both Jewish and Roman authorities and died so that my sins could be forgiven. Jesus suffered this awful pain and violence and death for me.

It is a real part of the Easter story. I will rejoice on Easter Sunday as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection. This evening I want to remember what it cost him in human pain. I want to see my own life situation in perspective. I want to say, thank you Jesus, for what you have done for me,

I want to remember that this lies at the core of why I work with Wycliffe Bible Translators; why as I approach retirement age, I am still passionate to do what I can to resource the translation of the Bible into heart languages so that speakers of over 2,000 languages can read or hear the story of God’s love for them in the language that they understand best. So that they can acknowledge Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

To end, another quote form SU WordLive this morning:

The story we are to see here is the story of the Creator and King of the universe establishing his reign through sacrifice, not the exercise of power. Jesus’ story has been of true greatness, revealed through humble service and sacrificial giving. Seen like this, the figure of Jesus is not one for ridicule but for worship. Here we see ‘love vast as the ocean’ (William Rees, 1802–83) which will, if we understand it correctly, leave us awed and overwhelmed. Throughout the passion story we are on the holiest of ground, gazing into the face of a mystery deeper than we can ever understand.    John Grayston

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Good Friday: a Roman soldier remembers… again

Last Easter my local church Saintfield Road Presbyterian Church, Belfast staged a musical called Stauros in the church on two nights. I was part of the 50+ choir along with an 11 piece band and a team of readers. Being involved gave me  a fresh perspective on the Easter Story and a new appreciation and gratitude for what God has done for his creation and his people. A mixture of poems and other readings helped to emphasise the Easter Bible readings and prevent me from simply half listening to very familiar passages read year after year. I’ve noticed some activity on the post recently so as we near Easter once again in this Biblefresh year, I thought I would re-post the blog.

This was one of the readings…

Testimony of the Guard by David Kossof

I was assigned to the ugly duty that day.  We didn’t like the job, but if we were detailed that was it.  Our duties were clear.  There were regulations; a book.

Jesus carrying the cross

The crosses were ordered normally three at a time – because three criminals were usually done together.  There used to be a joke, made first, I was told by Pilate.  Seems he said, ‘Do ‘em in threes.  Nice company for each other.’  It’s possible.  He was a cruel, hard man was Pilate, with jokes to match.  The prisoner carried his own cross, or at least dragged it with a cross bar over his shoulder.  Very heavy timbers they were.  A long, up and down, winding route would be worked out, so that as many people as possible would see the prisoner and read his crime, written on a board and carried by the lead corporal.  Jesus’ board just said, ‘King of the Jews’.  Another Pilate joke.  When the Jewish elders asked him to change it, he refused and got very nasty.

Jesus was too weak to carry his cross.  Not surprising, he’d been flogged half to death, so we pressed into service a man in the crowd.  It was regulations; he couldn’t refuse.  There were regulations for everything. The distance apart of the crosses, the nailing of the hands and feet, the periods of watch, the crowd control, everything.  There were always certain perks.  Extra pay, extra drink ration – it could be a bloody business, the nailing part – and extra leave the following week.  Also, we were entitled to the clothes and possessions of the prisoners.  We would settle who got what by casting lots or gambling.  Jesus had nothing much, his old clothes, sandals… poor stuff.  We did better out of the two criminals we hung with him.  They made a lot of noise those two, shouting and screaming, sometimes sensibly, sometimes like crazy or drunk men.

The crucifixion

There were always women who offered drugged wine to those on the cross.  Sisters of mercy.  It was allowed in the regulations.  Jesus refused.  He didn’t say much.  At one point I think he said a few words of comfort to the fellow on his left.  There were some women a little way off who seemed to know him.  None of his followers or disciples were there, I don’t think.  There was one young fellow, but I’m not sure who he was.  I guess they were all hiding out, lying low.

We put the prisoners up at nine in the morning.  Fine, sunny morning.  But at noon the sun went in and it got darker and darker.  And very still and close.  Most unusual. Frightening.  Never before, or since.

At about three o’clock all three had been quiet for some time.  They’d been up six hours.  Suddenly Jesus raised his head and looked at the sky.  I was quite near.  Then he shouted at the top of his voice.  His face was alight, his voice and body full of power.  He died magnificently.  I’ve never seen anything like it.  One of the things that got him killed was saying that he was the Son of God.  At that moment I believed he was.  I’ve believed it ever since.

‘My God, why have you forsaken me?’

‘Father forgive them, they do not know what they are doing.’

‘Father into your hands I commit my spirit.’

You can read the Bible account of the crucifixion in the Gospel of Mark here - it includes these words:

“And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

You can find Easter resources on the Biblefresh website and via our Wycliffe UK website

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God told me yesterday that He loves me!

It wasn’t the best start to a day. My mobile phone needed charging and my only charger was in the office. I had booked the car (sounding a bit dodgy these past few days) into the garage for the next day but decided to drive it to the office – it wouldn’t start. OK, let’s get the bus.

As I walked down the street, I thought, “It’s fine, isn’t it, God? You’re going to look after me today!” I had a spring in my step as I reached the bus stop. Probably ten minutes to wait, so I got out the book I’m reading – and realised that my good leather gloves, a present from my daughter, had disappeared from my coat pocket.

I had a clear view across the Saintfield Road through the rush hour traffic. There was something dark on the footpath… and I don’t think it was there when I walked past a few minutes ago. A gap in the traffic, a quick sprint – one glove! A few metres more, round the corner – and on the next corner – another dark object. Glove number two! Thank you, Lord!

The book I’m reading is RICH by Peter Dickson and David Gibson. It is sub-titled The Reality of encountering Jesus. Peter and David are the ministers in High Hilton Church of Scotland in Aberdeen, the church my daughter attends. David Gibson I first met when he came as an 18 year old GAP year teacher to Vavoua International School in Ivory Coast where I was school principal.

The bit I was reading was based on Luke chapter 12…

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!” Luke 12:27-29

God was interested in my gloves!

Peter and David comment: “The logic here in these verses is that of proportional value… God takes time to dress the flowers of the field magnificently, yet their life span is incredibly short. So if God does that for… grass, when seen in proportion, do you really think he’s going to forget about you? You are much more valuable so don’t think God doesn’t care about your needs.”

I enjoyed the chapter as I re-read it during two short bus journeys and a walk which got me to the office within a hour. Yes, I thought, God loves me. I ought to trust him more.

And to celebrate I popped into the local Coop and bought myself a custard to eat with my morning coffee…

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“Sounds like a squirrel…

… but it could be Jesus”

Enjoyed this old chestnut (or should I say acorn) from preachersa2z this afternoon.

Ok, ok so you’ve all heard the story. Some well-meaning preacher is introducing his children’s talk by saying that he is thinking of something “with a red bushy tail which lives in the forest and buries acorns for the Winter months…and what do the children think it might be”. Some eager child raises their hand and says “it sounds like a squirrel but it must be Jesus”.  We smile indulgently because we have all been there.

With the prospect of a few Sunday church children’s talks looming, I valued Richard’s advice…

Preachers – never talk so long that you don’t listen…and whenever you can, expose your soul to the wonder of other souls – lest you forget how to be amazed!

Read the whole post here

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“Hail, king of the Jews!”

Crown of Thorns

It was, of course, one of the most irony laden acclamations in history!

The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.  Mark 15:16-20

The Roman soldiers mocked an exhausted man condemned to crucifixion – mocking and humiliation went with the sentence – and they didn’t know that they were mocking not the “king of the Jews” but the King of Kings – God Incarnate himself.

SU WordLive writer Jonathan today commented on Jesus’ silence before his accusers and tormentors:

Jesus’ silence in the face of persecution is perhaps the most compelling evidence of his complete trust in his Father. If we genuinely follow Jesus, we too will attract opposition.

There’s something about standing with Christlike integrity and purity that arouses anger from others. Wherever people don’t know Jesus, whether it’s in our workplace, our family or our community, we are liable to be mocked and insulted. Yet we’re to follow Jesus’ example and hold our tongue, refusing to retaliate with spiteful words of our own.

Perhaps you carry deep scars from some cruel or thoughtless words that have been said to you? If you have been wounded by the words of others, look to Jesus today and see how he suffered the pain that you feel. Recognise that he took that pain to the cross so that through his death you could be healed and set free.

Pray for the courage to be faithful to Jesus regardless of the response you get from other people. Be encouraged by the fact that even those who nailed Jesus to the cross ended up acknowledging that he really was the Son of God . Nothing can silence the truth.

And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:39

Photo and extracts from SU WordLive 1 April 2010 – the readings in Mark’s Gospel this year have been so thought provoking. To read and hear the passage and commentary for 1 April 2010, go here.

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“If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”

The title contains the words of Jesus to his disciples in John 15 verse 20. The verse can be read in its fuller context here.

Like many Christians the world over I have been reading the Easter Story in recent days. This year I am reading the account in the Gospel of Mark. Yesterday I read how the Jewish leaders, blinded to the truth that Jesus actually fulfilled their beloved Old Testament Scriptures, held an illegal night time trial where even their put-up so-called witnesses could not marshal enough consistent evidence to support any charge against Jesus. This wasn’t about the truth at all; it was about the jealousy of a religious elite who had corrupted their position to gain power and influence and had forgotten God’s command that the Jewish nation should be a witness to God’s love for all humanity. The passage ended with these verses:

They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

This morning I received this message by e-mail from the Pray 24X7 network of the Wycliffe family of organisations…

Opposition to Bible Translation

In Jesus’ day, many hated Him. Accepting Him meant giving up a familiar way of life. It is the same today, in 2010. In places all over the globe, the coming of the Gospel through Bible translation is causing conflict with those who prefer traditional religions. In one location, Christians were beaten for not following non-Christian burial ceremonies. Some Bible translators who are also pastors have been robbed and ordered not to preach. Please pray for persecuted Bible translators, that the Lord will continue to give them courage and the protection they need to do His will.

I can identify with this. We have recently been praying for some pastor /  Bible translators, whom I met on my sabbatical trip to Cameroon last year, who are being treated exactly like this.

I have been trying hard to read the account of Jesus’ opposition, betrayal, arrest, mock trial, torture and crucifixion with a fresh mind and fresh eyes. It is all to easy to let the familiar Easter Bible passages sweep over me as breakfast television’s “Easter Story” this morning was about buying children Easter bunnies as pets!

This is no sanitized Bible story! This is a history changing event in which Jesus allowed all this to happen so that the power of God the Father could bring him back to life again and begin the restoration of all creation. It’s hard to see it in our 21st century world and media, but it is true and God is at work through his people in his world.

Please pray for many many Christians throughout the world who are being mistreated simply because they are Christians. Let’s not be surprised that it is happening because Jesus predicted it. But let’s stand with these people in prayer this Easter time.

For how to pray for Bible translation and translators, go here.

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