Silent Saturday

This post was first published in 2017.

Saturdays are days that I have looked forward to for most of my life. Getting to sleep in late… no school… laid back schedule… Looney Tunes in the morning (where did they go?)… ball games … on and on…

I still love Saturdays to this day. I may not sleep in like I once did, but Saturdays are days where you can do what you want to do easier. I especially like Saturdays from September to January with college football going on.

This week, I have been reflecting on events that took place during the first Passion or Holy Week leading up to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We come to one of the hardest, if not the hardest day of the week. I call it “Silent Saturday.”  This includes much of the time between the cross and the empty tomb. 

The only thing really mentioned about this time period in the Bible is found in Matthew’s gospel. 

“The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive he said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come, steal him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” “You have a guard of soldiers,” Pilate told them. “Go and make it as secure as you know how.” They went and secured the tomb by setting a seal on the stone and placing the guard.”

Matthew 27:62-66 CSB

Those who had pleaded for Jesus’ death wanted to make sure that He stayed there. They had shut this rogue Rabbi up, and they wanted to make sure things went back to the way they were when they were calling the shots. 

What strikes me more than the paranoid (yet rightful) worry of the religious leaders of that day was the silence that is found in the Bible. The is not much at all mentioned about that day. 

I can understand that though, too. If the One that you had put all your hope and dreams in was suddenly gone, would you really feel like doing much? I can imagine the remain disciples hiding out wondering if there would be a knock at their door from those who had Jesus killed wanting to do the same to them. 

Some of the most difficult times in our journey of faith with God are those of silence.  It seems that God doesn’t say or do anything. One can easily think that God has either been bested/stumped, doesn’t care, or left the scene and we are all alone in the situation. 

The truth is that Saturday was silent because God wanted it so. I’ve come across some material that leans on the thought that Jesus was taking a Sabbath from His work on this Saturday. I could see that in one sense. I think it is more about what was said in the prophet Isaiah: 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.” This is the Lord’s declaration. “For as heaven is higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return there without saturating the earth and making it germinate and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.”

Isaiah 55:8-11 CSB

What looks like apathy or abandonment to us was very different to God. Jesus had already said that He would be raised on the third day (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17:22‬). This was all part of the plan. A day of letting all of what had already taken place sink in was in play, but the silence wouldn’t last forever. 

You may be in a period of silence. I would encourage you to take this time of silence to remember what God has done for you, already taught you, already done in you. Then, lean on His understanding and trust His timing. God is always right on time… not too early, never too late. 

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Happy Resurrection Day!

I cannot think of a better song for today. 

http://youtu.be/H_zB_tSpl9w

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Lent 2017

We have come upon one of the great seasons of the Christian faith.  The Lenten season is one that is celebrated by Christians around the world.  It is a time where Christians choose to fast from certain things in order to focus their attention more on Christ and what He has done for us through the cross and the empty grave.

Different people choose different things from which to fast (give up or not partake in for a time).  Some people choose certain types of food or drink… others may choose to lay down social media or TV…

Our family has chosen to partake in a “Daniel Fast” for the Lenten season. We are doing this to help our family not only grow closer to the Lord, but also to help clean up some of our eating habits.

Whatever one chooses to “give up” during Lent, I have learned from times before that just giving something up for a while doesn’t do what this season is intended to do.  Lent is for us to purposefully draw closer to the Lord and refocus on what He has done and is doing in our lives. This is not done by just giving up something.  We have to purposefully redirect that attention towards Christ.

While it is not necessary that a Christian partake in Lent, I would encourage any follower of Jesus to take part in this wonderful season.

I would encourage you to spend some time finding out what is one thing that takes your attention away from God, and then give it to Him in this season.  Fill that time with prayer and study of the Bible.  I have found some good resources that would help one refocus on Christ as we approach the greatest season of the year.

He Reads Truth / She Reads Truth

These are some really good websites that come with Bible studies and devotionals to help followers of Jesus spend time in God’s Word.  They have apps for your smartphones or tablets also.  Some of the plans do cost (the Lent devotionals are $2.99 and well worth it), but they also have free studies.

YouVersion

YouVersion is an app for smartphones, tablets, and computers that allows you to access the Bible in just about any translation you could imagine.  It also has many devotional plans (FREE) that help followers of Jesus in their time in the Word.  They have a multitude of devotional studies for the Lenten season.

Whatever you do, my prayer for each of you is that you draw closer to Jesus and what He is wanting to do in your life this Lenten season.

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Why is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Important?

This was the title from my sermon this past Sunday for Easter.  We (Christians) celebrate Easter not because of the pastel colors (definitely not the pastel colors), the arrival of spring, the candy or bunnies.  We celebrate Easter because it is the single most important event of all history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

There are many who do not believe that this event is possible or all that important.  I would disagree with them.  Here are four reasons that I believe that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is important.

1.  It establishes Jesus' identity.

In 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul addresses some arguments that the Corinthian believers had been facing.  Among these arguments was the issue of the resurrection from the dead.  Paul states in verse 13, "But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised."

Paul basically states that if Jesus did not return from the dead, then He was a liar and possibly the greatest con artist of all time.  Jesus had done many wonderful things - teachings and miracles, but He had also claimed that He would die and return from the dead (Mark 8:31).  If He did not come back from the dead, then nothing of what He said or did is worth listening to.

But He did come back from the dead!  Because He came back to life, everything that He stated about Himself is trustworthy.  Possibly one of the greatest things He claimed about Himself is that He was the only way to find forgiveness for sins and eternal life (John 14:6).

2.  It establishes our identity as Christians.

Continuing with the work of Paul in 1 Corinthians, he states that if Jesus did not return from the dead, then we as His followers are either liars or naive.  Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:15 that we are false witnesses if Jesus did not come back from the dead.

A false witness is a serious offense.  In the Old Testament, if one was found to bear false witness, then whatever sentence the defendant was to receive would fall on the false witness - even death.  Even today, when a person commits perjury, they will suffer severe consequences.

Nobody wants to be labeled a liar or naive.  Because Jesus DID come back from the dead, a Christian's identity is solidified, and we have strong ground to stand on.

3.  It gives life to our faith.

Faith is only as strong and alive as the substance that you put it in.  Paul states that if Christ did not rise from the dead, then our faith is worthless and we are still in our sins.

When Jesus arose from the grave, He brought life to our faith that we have placed in Him.  Our sins have been washed away.  We have a home waiting in heaven for us.  We live a life powered by a living faith (Galatians 2:19-20).

4.  It gives us an eternal hope.

Just like many of us, the original recipients of 1 Corinthians had laid many of their loved ones to rest.  They were being told that there was no hope of ever seeing them again.  Because Jesus came back from the dead, Paul was able to show them (and us) that there is a hope that lasts for eternity.

"Your heart must not be troubled.  Believe in God; believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you.  I am going away to prepare a place for you.  If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. "  (John 14:1-3)

Because Jesus did come back from the dead, we who have placed our faith in Him and follow Him daily have a hope that not even death can take away from us!

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is of utmost importance.  Today, may we live in the light of this eternal hope with a living faith in our risen Savior.

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Silent Saturday

Anxious days.

I can't stand anxious days. Those days when you know something is coming (or you hope so), and you have to wait for it. Yesterday, I did good with the wait of my birthday present. I was told what it would be (new iPad mini) but had to wait until Friday to go get it. On the way, we had a make a detour due to a child who got carsick.

With all the wait, I thought back to a moment when I was a little child and waiting on Christmas morning. I laid there all night long awaiting what would greet me under the tree that morning.

This morning my thoughts went back to what seems to me the most anxious day in the history of mankind: the Saturday between the crucifixion and the resurrection.

Think about it.

There was all kinds of emotions swirling as Jesus paid our sin debt upon the cross. The skies turning black at midday. The earthquake. The veil in the Temple tearing. There is no doubt that Friday was a full day.

We look now and know that that Sunday morning was filled with excitement as Jesus proved to be exactly who He said He was. He defeated death and hell! The new life that God promised was finally available to those who would believe in Jesus!

That Saturday in between had to be the worst day of history. The anxiousness of the day would have done me in. After coming down from the emotions of Friday only to be welcomed by thoughts and maybe small reminders of Jesus' words...

For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. (Matthew 12:40 HCSB)

Those thoughts I believe would have torn me to pieces. Would He really be back? What would happen on that third day? So many questions. But Jesus answered them all on Sunday morning when He said, "I'm back!"

How will you spend this day of pondering? I would encourage you to think about the price Jesus paid for your sins - He gave His life. Let that prepare you for the celebration that will take place all across our globe Sunday morning, as the Church declares: "He is risen!"

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An Easter Picture

This past Sunday was the celebration of the greatest day in history.  It was the celebration of Jesus Christ's victory over death and the grave.  We commonly call it Easter.  It was also my first Easter as the pastor of a local congregation.  I'm not sure why, but that didn't really sink in until Saturday sometime.  It turned out to be an amazing day of worshipping the living Savior at New Life Fellowship.

As I was leaving the building and heading home, I came upon a picture that is not that uncommon in these parts, especially this time of the year.  God used this picture to remind me about the power of the resurrection and just what it had accomplished for me and every other person who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ.

Due to the graphic nature of the picture, I have chosen to not post the picture.  What was this picture you may be asking... I'm glad you asked.  The scene that I drove up on was that of a snake that had been run over in the middle of the road.  Pretty common scene in these rural parts.  As I drove up on this scene where this reptile lay dead, God reminded me of something He pronounced way back in the Garden of Eden:

Then the LORD God said to the serpent:

Because you have done this, you are cursed more than any livestock and more than any wild animal.  You will move on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.  (Genesis 3:14-15 HCSB)

It was like God was saying to me that His plan of redemption for us as sinners and also defeat of evil and the evil one that was first pronounced in the Garden of Eden had come about.  Satan has been defeated!  We can live in victory through Jesus Christ!

What did God show/speak to you this Easter?

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Reflections from Easter

This past Sunday was a great day for every believer and follower of Jesus Christ.  It was the day that Jesus Christ proved that He was exactly who He said He was: the Son of God.  I thought that I'd share a couple of things that stood out to me on Resurrection Celebration 2010.

• Two boys were baptized. It was great to see the two sons of the Snow family follow Christ in believer's baptism.  This family has been one that has truly shown what it means to be followers of Jesus.


• Resurrection Eggs. This year was the first year that we got to do some Easter festivities with our family.  We decided this year to buy some "Resurrection Eggs" and tell our little man the true meaning behind Easter.  It was awesome watching him hunt the eggs.  What was great was how Drew listened as we talked about how Jesus was crucified and rose again.  I hope that I can hold that excitement that Drew showed when we got to the empty tomb.

How did you celebrate the celebration of Jesus' resurrection?

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All Things New

I was doing some work at the house on Friday since the offices were closed. I was getting frustrated with some tax stuff. That's when I decided that it was time to take a little break and enjoy the weather outside for a little. This was cool because I got to do something that I hadn't in a while: meditate.

I know that "meditate" sounds creepy, weird, and somehow just wrong to many Baptists, we are reminded to do just that in the Psalms. To meditate means simply to spend some time really focusing on one key thing about God.

I spent a few moments outside noticing how the trees & flowers were starting to bloom and show new life. I began to ponder this: "God, You knew exactly what You were doing. You knew that when You established the Passover that it would coincide with spring. You knew that Jesus would suffer, die, & rise from the grave during this time. You were setting the scene for the greatest on-going illustration ever. New life can & will come but only through Jesus."

I encourage you to take some time this week to just break away and let Jesus give you a refresher of what the resurrection is all about by spending some time meditating on His Word (the Bible).

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Afterthoughts on Easter

Yesterday was the greatest day of the entire year: Easter.  The celebration and remembrance of when the stone was rolled away from the mouth of the tomb to let the world see that Jesus Christ had risen.  I have attended "church services" for most of my life.  There have been different ways that fellowships have approached this event.  Some did very somber moods while others did more celebratory moods.  The fellowship that I am a part of here in Birmingham, Alabama took more of a celebratory approach.

Today, I was talking with a gentleman in Starbucks about the resurrection.  I have never understood why those who profess that Jesus is their Lord and Savior don't get excited about Easter.  I hope that it is few and far between, but I have come across people who think that it is wrong to get "excited" about different things.  It is my opinion that if there was ever anything that one should get excited about, it would be the resurrection of Jesus Christ!  This is the single event that defines and separates Christianity from every other "religious belief" in the world.

Let's get excited... Jesus is ALIVE!!!!

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