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Happy Easter! The wonders of celebrating the resurrection of our Lord. He is not here. He has risen! While we always think of our resurrected Lord, this morning I also want you to think about something for which to be thankful.

Music has always been a huge praise driver for me, but especially on Easter Sunday. What are the songs of your resurrection Sunday?

Was your day a day of hymns? People my age grew up in a church that sang hymns – usually the first, second and last stanzas. Were your songs hymns today? While staples of “The Old Rugged Cross,”  “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” and “There is Power in the Blood” may have led us to the resurrection, our Sunday mornings on Easter were filled with “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” “Up from the Grave He Arose,” “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” and “He Lives!”

A Day of Hymns or A Day of Praise?

One year in college we tackled the peak of the mountain. Our choir performed the magnificent oratorio the “Messiah.” Beginning with the prophecies from Isaiah and the annunciation to the shepherds, the bulk of the music concentrates on the passion of Christ and ends with a chorus of Hallelujahs. Handel wrote “Messiah” for modest vocal and instrument presentation, though in the years following his death the work was adapted for a much larger scale, including giant orchestration and choirs.

In my years after college, contemporary Christian music tried to walk a strange fine line between the Eagles and Journey, between praise and rock. Kentucky born songwriter Don Francisco penned a Dove Award winning “He’s Alive,” a song covered by Dolly Parton, Ray Boltz, and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Sandi Patty performed “Was it a Morning like This?” and Glad offered a rendition of the “Easter Song.”

Origins of Contemporary Praise

Contemporary praise and worship music on Easter these days feature Chris Tomlin’s “The Wonderful Cross” and “How Great is Our God,” Phil Wickham’s “This is Amazing Grace,” Laura Story’s “Death Was Arrested,” or Passion’s “Glorious Day.” 

I have told this story to almost anyone who will listen. One of the Christian rock groups of the 1970s and 80s was a group called Petra. The music group is regarded as a pioneer of Christian rock music. With more than three decades of experience, the band released 20 studio albums, earned nominations for 13 Grammy awards, and sold about 10 million copies of music. Petra became the first rock band inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the first Christian band to have their memorabilia included at the Hard Rock Café chain.

I got one of their early cassettes and had it playing in the car when my dad got in to ride with me. Dad was an active leader in our church, serving as a Deacon for years. “Dad wouldn’t it be great if we could sing music like this in church?”

A grin came over my dad’s face. Actually, it leaned more toward a smirk. “We will never sing music like that in church.” The odds were in his favor. We hadn’t changed music in millenniums.

Twice today my oldest daughter Sarah plays bass in a praise and worship band that would make Petra sound like the opening act for Bill ad Gloria Gaither. And once yesterday. Friday.Thursday. And lots of practices beforehand.

An Eternity of Praise

While Casting Crowns, Hillsong, MercyMe and Newsboys play occasional concerts and earn a fair wage, across the country in almost every size church, musicians offer their time and talents for little or no monetary compensation. This message is for Aunt Martha as she plays the organ in a rural church in Georgia and the guy who just learned to play three chords on a guitar in Ohio. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing something that few of us can do.

I know how tiring giving of yourself is at church. There have been many times when I have given multiple sermons on the same day. I have taught more than one Bible lesson on the same day. It is both exhilarating and exhausting.

Playing music is something that most of us wish we could do. I am thankful that you have seen fit to use your talents in music and your gifts in leadership and interpersonal relationships to present and direct our worship. God must be so proud as you rally us together and lead us on a journey to His majestic throne room.

How Can We Say “Thanks?”

Thank you for your dedicated hours, your sore throats from singing, your tired feet from standing, the callouses from playing your instrument and your service to our church and our God. Literally we could not do Easter without you.

You set the mood for our service. We move one step closer to our Father. You make us smile when you share your gifts.

If there are stars on crowns when we get to heaven, you will have many. An angelic messenger will meet you at the gate with a new set of strings. He will hand you a note that says “Worship is at 10:00am. Bring your instrument.”

Thank you musicians for your ability to lead us in praise. To God be the glory. Happy Easter.

Explore well-preserved ancient rock-cut tombs with distinct entrances, showcasing historical architecture.

Years ago, when I was in third grade, our youth group leader asked the class, “What is the most difficult part of being a Christian?” The class had a variety of answers – I don’t even remember what my response was – but sixty years later, I know what I would have answered.

The most difficult part of being faithful is waiting.

Difficulty in Waiting

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). But I want – I need – my strength now. I don’t want to wait.

“And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised” (Hebrews 6:15). But Abraham and Sarah waited twenty-five years before the birth of Isaac! Think of what they went through during those years. How can we wait that long for God?

“Jesus told his disciples, ‘Wait here while I go over there and pray’” (Matthew 26:36). Within the hour, Jesus’ closest disciples had drifted to sleep. The spirit is willing …but it is so difficult to wait.

The other day I was sitting at the ballpark waiting for the baseball game to begin. As I noticed about twenty minutes on the clock before the first pitch was scheduled, I instinctively pulled out my cell phone and began to play my favorite word search game. Some people go to Facebook; others flip through photographs. What is your habit for wasting time when you are doing nothing?

We tend to think the same way when we are waiting on God. It is easy to perceive that we – and God – are just wasting time. Let’s shift our thinking to understand that God is up to something while we wait. Here are some concrete actions that you can do while you wait.

While You Wait

First, make a routine for spending time regularly with God. Carve out some of your “prime-time” moments and dedicate those each day for praying to God or for reading Scripture. Being with God will keep us from being distracted and allowing our minds to wander into worry and doubt.

Think about what happens when you haven’t heard from one of your adult children or a good friend. We begin to think, “Has something happened to them?” or “Are they mad at me?”  Before long, we question what we have done wrong. We become convinced that the person has forgotten about us.

God is Up to Something

We tend to think the same things about our relationship with God. I have sinned so much God has abandoned me. My problems are too much – even for God. He has either forgotten about me or maybe He doesn’t even exist.

Don’t give God the six minutes before you fall asleep. Take the moments of your day when you are at your best. It is easy for my mind to wander when I pray. During these important times of praying, I often write out my prayers. When my eyes are not closed and I am writing things on paper, my mind stays sharp and focused.

Second, spend time with other believers who you trust. When times are challenging, many of us withdraw from activities and being with others. During these times, we need the encouragement and accountability that comes from other people. We are a much stronger, more resilient people when we are with others. There is a reason that Solomon told us that two or three cords together are not easily broken.

Finally, look for specific things that you can do to be of service to others. Volunteer at a local shelter, offer to help do things around your church building, or spend time working for your favorite charity. Instead of just tapping your feet impatiently, tap into the strength that comes from being a help to others.

Saturday Summary

Solomon offered this conclusion as he pondered the meaning and purpose for life: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV). Paul put it this way – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God has prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).

When we are waiting on God, he orchestrates events and answers beyond our wildest imagination. The disciples were waiting, feeling hopelessly abandoned by a Savior whose life was snuffed out by an indifferent government and misguided religious leaders.

While you are waiting, always remember, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming!”

woman confessing priest, group drawings

We are continuing our thoughts from Psalm 32 about the depth of our sin. David begins the Psalm by reminding us, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven” (Psalm 32:10). He goes on to explain that when he kept silent about his sin, when he tried to cover it up, he was is torment and torture all day long (Psalm 32:3). But finally he understood what he needed to do – David has to confess his sin before the Lord.

David’s sin was against Bathsheba and Uriah. He could not confess his sin to a dead man. He might have confessed his sin to Bathsheba, but my guess is that she understood that once David penitently made his sins known to God.

What Does “Confess” Mean?

When we hear the word “confess” during the days of the season of Lent, the image that comes to mind probably includes recounting sins in a private session with a priest. The Sacrament of Penance – or Confession – is one of the seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church. In the New Testament, James encourages believers to “confess their sins to one another” (James 5:16). By the second century, church leaders encouraged confession and penance for “big” sins of apostasy, adultery, and murder committed after baptism. By the 8th century confession was a practice spread throughout the church. The Fourth Lateran Council (1215) made confession to a priest obligatory within a year of committing the sin.

Perhaps your idea of confession does not come from the Catholic Church at all, but from a persistent lawyer in a television series. On a witness stand before a judge and jury, the guilty party breaks down and admits participation in the crime, only after evidence, witnesses, and intense cross-examination by a gifted lawyer.

Perhaps there are threads of biblical truth in both of the images. Scripture emphasizes the importance of confessing sins both to God and to others. Confession leads to healing, forgiveness, and spiritual growth. Let’s look at a handful of Scriptures to further enhance our understanding of the biblical doctrine of confession.

A Biblical understanding

Let’s build our understanding on a couple of Old Testament concepts. Solomon warns, “whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). The Psalmist writes, “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:5). Confession needs to be directed to God, but Solomon seems to also include confessing to others to find mercy and prosperity.

The principles of confession can be found in the Law. In Leviticus, we read, “when anyone become aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned” (Leviticus 5:5). In Numbers we are told, they “must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged” (Numbers 5:7).

New Testament clarification

 

The New Testament certainly deepens the teaching of the Old Testament. James tells us to “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

This is such a powerful verse of Scripture on prayer and confession, but is so often misunderstood. Let’s examine it a piece at a time. In the minds of many, the most important word in the verse is the word “healed.” They see the verse as a gateway toward physical healing. The verse seems to also be teaching that only a really righteous person’s prayer is going to be effective.

But we know better – the Bible teaches us. Isaiah wrote, “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind” (Isaiah 64:6 NLT). Indeed, as it is written, “None is righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10 NIV).

I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.

Psalm 38:18 NIV

But believers do not stand on their own righteousness. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3 NIV). “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV).

Of what do we really need healing?

What kind of healing could James be talking about? What kind of healing has a connection to sin? Of course, the obvious answer is the sickness of our sin. Does the Bible ever use the image of being healed from the sickness of sin by the cross of Christ? Yes! Again Isaiah says, “But he was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him. And by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5 NKJV).

Peter emphasizes the same thing when he writes, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24 NIV).

So let’s think a little more about the word “confess.” What do we need to confess, and how do we go about doing it?

The word we translate “confess” is the Greek word ὁμολογέω (HOMOLOGEO). The word literally means “to say the same thing.” When we confess, what are we saying the same thing as?

We are saying the same thing that God says about our sin.

Disagreement with God arises about our personal sins. We tend to believe two things about our own sins: that our sins are not that bad and that we justify the reason we chose to sin. My sin – even just one of them – condemns me to hell. My sin – is my choice and responsibility – regardless of the circumstances. First, I need to admit my sins and own them. I confess that I fall short of the glory of God. Finally, I confess that my nature is not like the nature of God’s.

We confess that we need a savior.

If we under-estimate the depth of our sin, we over-estimate the value of our good works. Somehow, we imagine that God is keeping score each day: today it’s Good Works, seven; Sinful Acts, six. I confess that the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus our Lord. There is nothing I can do on my own to change my nature.

We confess that we will forgive just as God has forgiven us.

Finally, when I understand how gracious God has been to me when he forgave my sin, how can I do anything but be gracious to others who have sinned against me? How often do I need to forgive someone else? Peter asked Jesus, “Must I forgive my brother seven times?” Jesus replied, “No, seventy times seven.” Was Jesus saying that we don’t need to go past 490? Of course not. He was saying we forgive countless times. Just like the previous lesson taught us that God does not “count” our sins against us. What if the sin was really grievous? If we ask that, we neither completely understand the nature of sin, nor the nature of God’s forgiveness.

We confess by the words we say to God, by the words we share with each other, and by the actions we take as we represent God to a world that doesn’t understand grace.

 

 

Unlike many of the other Penitential psalms, we want to spend the entire week focused on this one passage of Scripture. Psalm 51 contains some important truths for us to consider. This well-known passage is perhaps the most difficult to expound of all of these special psalms.

The Words of an Expositor

Charles Haddon Spurgeon was the prince of expositors. He and D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones could get more out of a passage of Scripture than anyone I have either heard or read. In the preface to the second part of his first large volume on the psalms, Spurgeon tells that he postponed working on Psalm 51 week after week. He concluded:

It is a bush burning with fire yet not consumed, and out of it a voice seemed to cry to me, “Draw not nigh hither, put off thy shoes from off thy feet.” The psalm is very human, its cries and sobs are of one born of woman; but it is freighted with an inspiration all divine, as if the Great Father were putting words into his child’s mouth. Such a psalm may be wept over, absorbed into the soul, and exhaled again in devotion; but, commented on—ah! where is he who having attempted it can do other than blush at his defeat.

This is the fourth, and surely the greatest, of the penitential psalms.

Derek Kidner

Psalm 51

Psalm 51 provides the first of a series of Psalms that are credited to David. In the second book of the Psalter, all but four of the psalms are ascribed to David. Psalms 66, 67, and 68 are unnamed. Psalm 72 is credited to Solomon. Let’s talk for a moment about the sin that led to the writing of this psalm.

David was guilty of enormous sins. David committed adultery with Bathsheba and later, after discovering that she was pregnant, arranged to have her husband, Uriah, killed in battle. The sins color one of the darkest times in the life of Israel’s great king (see 2 Samuel 11 and 2 Samuel 12). We are unsure how to handle the difficulties of when a leader falls. But it was this very black darkness that led David to the light.

David’s Sins

Murdoch Cambpell writes,

The story of David’s sin and repentance is a story of transformation. Nowhere is the power of God’s word more strikingly evident than in the pages of David’s story.

David had committed two sins for which the Mosaic law provided no forgiveness. For deliberate murder and adultery death was the inevitable penalty. He knew that before God there was no forgiveness through any sacrifices which he might offer or any gifts which he might present. With Micah he could have asked the solemn question: “Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” No! By such offerings God cannot be appeased. David might have said: “If I build him an house, a magnificent temple; if I plead my hitherto circumspect life and all my good deeds in his service, will these not compensate for my lapse, and restore me to his favor?” No! “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.

David’s Words

The significant lesson to learn from David’s response to his sin. David becomes profoundly aware of his sin and its true nature. Not masked by pleasure and pursuit, he sees the sin for what it is. He uses three words in Psalm 51 to describe his own sin.

First, he uses the word “transgression.” The Hebrew word refers to crossing a forbidden boundary with the intent for serious rebellion. If you recall from the life of Julius Caesar, as long as he remained north of the river Rubicon, he was on peaceful terms with the Roman Senate. But once he crossed the Rubicon, he was at war with the legislative body. Civil war was the result.

The second word he uses is the word “iniquity.” It actually means “perversion” and is the word often used in connection with the original sin or our sinful natures.

The third word is simply the word “sin.” It means falling short or missing the mark. We miss God’s high mark of perfection. It is not that we get really close to the center of the target – it is that we fall short of even being close to the target.

Our Conclusions

It is only when we come face to face with our sin that we can begin to realize, understand, and appreciate our need to be cleansed from sin. In verse seven, David asks to be cleansed. It is such an interesting Hebrew word. It literally means “purge” and is based on the word “sin.” David is asking God to “de-sin” him.

In the first century, the material used upon which to write was called papyrus. It was scarce and valuable enough that if for some reason the writing was no longer needed, people would purge and clean the material “whiting out” the prior ink and words so the material could be used again. But because the cleansing was not perfect, shadows of the previous words were often still visible. When a new manuscript was written, they would turn the material sideways so the prior words could not be noticed. The material when used properly could be considered purged.

God wants to purge your heart of sin by writing a new story, a new covenant, a new life on a heart turned upside-down.

How do you feel about sin? You may be tempted to answer, “I feel guilty” or “I am filled with remorse.” Certainly, we should feel badly or negatively about the fact that we have been lured into Satan’s snare. Reading Psalm 38 gives a peek into how David felt. Though he does not actually name the sin, his confession reveals that he asks for mercy and help from God because of the terrible sickness, loneliness, and isolation he feels because of sin.

More than a psalm, the words in Psalm 38 are more a lament or a prayer. P.C. Craigie says, “Psalm 38 is a prayer … evoked by the experience of sickness and the consequent sense of alienation from both God and fellow human beings.”

Responsibility for Sin

Let’s look at some verses of the Psalm and notice how David must feel about sin.

David begins by pleading with God not to continue to rebuke him in anger (Psalm 38:1). It is the same way that Psalm 6 begins. He sees the physical and emotional problems that he goes through as either caused by God or at least allowed by God. David is begging for mercy (note Psalm 6:2). Mercy is not getting what you deserve. David understands that he deserves everything that he feels and gets, but he asks God to give mercy.

When we go before God feeling the consequences of sin, we first need to admit that we deserve punishment because of sin. On the surface, we act as if our sins are not that bad, or that we don’t sin very often. David understands the nature and depth of his sin. He accepts full responsibility.

Notice David says, “I am deprived of my health because of my sin” (Psalm 38:3). In verse 5, David adds “because of my foolish sins.” When we are in the midst of sinning, the path seems like the answer. We can escape the stresses of the world. We can pursue pleasure in the way we choose. When the dust settles – and eventually it will – the pursuit and the sin have been nothing but foolish. Look at the cost of our sin.

It is interesting that the psalmist uses the word “overwhelm” to describe what sin does to him. Sin after sin places amazing weight on our shoulders. It damages all of those around us.

How We Should Feel About Sin

How do you feel about sin? Notice some of the powerful words that David uses.

  • Humiliated (Psalm 38:6)
  • Shame (Psalm 38:7)
  • Numb (Psalm 38:8)
  • Anxiety (Psalm 38:8)
  • Heart beats quickly (Psalm 38:10)
  • Friends distance themselves (Psalm 38:11)
  • Words used against him are destructive and deceitful (Psalm 38:12)
  • Incapable of trying to argue to defend himself (Psalm 38:14)

Two Actions to Take

David gives two specific things that we should do – but neither of them are easy. First, David says we must wait for the Lord (Psalm 38:15). We tend to be impatient, wanting our circumstances and our feelings to change. Waiting on God to redeem and restore is not an easy thing to do.

The second thing David suggests that we do is equally difficult – and one that we do not completely understand. He says it is vital that we confess our sins. Our “image” of confession probably takes us to a private meeting with a priest. We will talk about confession in more detail on Friday.

As we continue our journey through the season of Lent on the way to the resurrection of Easter, how do you feel about sin?

Has there ever been a time – maybe even right now – when you have so much going on that you are struggling to cope with it all? Perhaps you don’t have too much going on, but one thing is so stressful that you are having a difficult time making decisions or functioning. What are the signs of being overwhelmed, how does it make you react, and what are some ways to cope with it.

When a person is overwhelmed, thoughts, emotions, and even physical sensations can become difficult to manage. Everyone feels overwhelmed from time to time. It is a completely normal response to the stresses of everyday, according to Sabrina Romanoff, a clinical psychologist and professor at Yeshiva University. Being chronically stressed and constantly feeling overwhelmed can take its toll on your mental and physical health.

While one or two events causing stress are normal for most, when a series of stressors accumulate and pile up, the weight of them all can be overwhelming. A lack of coping skills can also contribute to the sense of being overwhelmed.

Often there are triggers that can cause you to feel overwhelmed. Death or loss of a loved one, excessive workload or a very stressful work environment, conflict in personal relationships with family or friends, financial problems, health concerns, traumatic experiences, political issues, and major life changes can be the triggers.

Mental health conditions, such a depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or obsessive compulsive disorder might predispose a person to feeling overwhelmed.

For a believer, does the presence of personal sin contribute to stress? Sin is not the normal behavior for a believer. Sin probably triggers the following emotions and resulting stresses.

Signs of Being Overwhelmed

Irrational Thoughts

Paralysis

Disproportional Reactions

Withdrawal

Pessimism

Mood Changes

Fatigue, Depression

Physical Symptoms

Strategies for Coping

Coping Mechanisms

Change Your Perspective

Challenge Your Assumptions

Seek Support from Others

Simplify – Calm Down Your Life

First, sin breeds sin. Sin often involves a cycle of action and cover-up. Sin rarely travels alone. If you cave into one sin expect a parade to follow. Sins often travel in pairs. The Bible gives several examples: rebellion and malice; immorality and anger; laziness and theft; anger and disobedience; jealousy and strife; bitterness and fornication; as well as hatred and murder.       

Next, sin leads to guilt and shame. We misuse the word “guilt” often. When we say that we are feeling “guilty,” we are mistaken in our use of the word. Guilt is an objective, legal term. Guilt is our status when we break the law. We are guilty. Shame is the feeling we have when we are guilty of breaking the law. We feel shameful in relationship or comparison to those who have not broken the law.

How can we cope with the overwhelming presence of sin in our lives?

Psalm 32 provides instruction for dealing with our sins. James Montgomery Boice suggests that Psalm 32 and Psalm 51 need to be understood together. David has committed adultery with Bathsheba, He has sinned by manpulating battle plans so that her husband Uriah would be killed. He tried to hide the sins for awhile, but when Nathan confronted him, David confessed and was restored.

Psalm 32 is given the title “Maskil” which means “a psalm of instruction.” It is one of twelve psalms which bear the title.

The first step is handling our sin is to let God’s Word instruct and convict us of the sin. Nathan brought God’s Word to David. Though we are not condemned because of our sin, we are certainly damaged by it. Our sin can also damage others.

We need to hear God’s teaching, and like David, understand that we stand before God both guilty and shamed.

The second step in this psalm is to confess our sin. Although we will go into much more detail on Friday about the meaning of confession, at this point let’s define it by saying we do not rationalize our sin, we admit it and accept its consequences.

The beginning verses of Psalm 32 provide a classic example of Hebrew poetry. It perfectly describes Hebrew parallelism. There are three terms for sin in verse one. The psalm begins with the word “blessed.” Literally the word is plural, meaning “blessednesses.” A man is blessed – trifold – when he has sinned, has repented, and knows the joy of restoration.

The first word for sin is “transgression.” The word in the Hebrew literally means “a going away” or a “departure” – in this case a rebellion against God and His authority. There is something powerful here that we should not miss. Even when it appears that our transgression is against another person, who may be hurt by our sin, ultimately the sin is against a God who tells us how to behave with our neighbor. This is why in Psalm 51 David can proclaim “Against you, and you only have I sinned” even though David’s sin was directed toward Uriah and Bathsheba. As Alexander Maclaren writes, “You have not gotten to the bottom of the blackness until you see that sin is a flat rebellion against God himself.”

The second word for sin in verse one is translated sin. It means coming short or falling short of the standard. The term was used in archery to describe a person who shoots at a target but the arrow comes up short of hitting the target. It is not that the arrow barely misses the bull’s eye, nor that it powers past the target. God’s Law is the target and this word describes that we fail to measure up to it.

The third word for sin is iniquity in verse two. The word means “twisted, crooked, or corrupt.” These three words round out our understanding of sin: first, we are seen as being in rebellion against God; second we fall short of what is necessary because of the Law; and finally, this type of sin describes what the sin does to us – it mars and disfigures who we are.

Because of Christ, our sin does not leave us with eternal consequences, we need to see that our sin has consequences in our lives and in our relationships. Jesus covers our sins.

Corresponding to the three words for sin, there are three words in this Psalm that speak to how God deals with our sin. The first word is forgiven. The word literally means “to lift off.” The weight of sin on our shoulders is a burden that we cannot bear. Do you remember the words to the hymn? “My sin – O the bliss of this glorious thought – my sin, not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul.”

The second word is covered. It is a strong word taken from the imagery of the Day of Atonement. In Greek, the word means “propitiation” – turning aside the wrath of God. In Hebrew the word is covering, the term that David uses here.

The third word speaks to what God does not do. He “does not count” the sin against us. The word “count” is the word impute. It is a bookkeeping term. It means to keep a person’s account activity on a ledger. God does not “count” our sins against us.

We need to consider one last thing from Psalm 32 as we think about what we need to do with the sin in our lives. Look again at verse 10. I like the NET version of this passage because it captures the meaning of the word from its Greek translation of the Hebrew.

An evil person suffers much pain, but the Lord’s faithfulness overwhelms the one who trusts in him.

Sin causes pain. The pain touches the people around us. Like a cancer, it eats away the threads and strength of our soul. Sin in our lives causes suffering and much pain.

Sin can overwhelm us.

But as sin slowly dissolves the foundation of our lives, the faithfulness of God overwhelms the one who trusts in Him as a tsunami overwhelms the ocean’s coastline.

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you who have been forgiven. Indeed, you are blessed.

winds of change

A couple of years ago I was with a fairly non-religious group of people on Ash Wednesday and the conversation turned in a way that surprised me. “What are you giving up for Lent?” the older, curmudgeonly gentleman asked. “Cheese” was a young lady’s quick reply. “I am giving up cheese. The doctors suspect that I have a lactose intolerance, and this seems like a good opportunity to test the theory.”

“I am giving up playing the Lotto,” answered another. “The money that I save will more than pay for our Spring Break trip to Panama City.”

My cantankerous friend, who posed the question, smirked as he was about to posture the definitive answer. “This year I am giving up Lent.”

It’s kind of ironic; we sacrifice things that are marginal, often for our own benefit. Perhaps more appropriate would be forcing ourselves to do something. Instead of fasting an afternoon or giving up meat on Fridays, we should force ourselves to eat something that we don’t like.

Brussels sprouts.

Enough said.

The History of Lent

Truthfully, fewer and fewer people are aware of Christianity’s heritage, including Lent, a tradition that dates back to the second century in the early church. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Occurring 46 days before Easter, it can fall as early as February 4th or as late as March 10th. The 40 day period (not counting Sundays; they are considered a “mini-Easter” in the Catholic Church) is to be reflective of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert.

Ash Wednesday takes its name from the practice of placing ashes across the foreheads of the participants in the form of a cross. Its purpose was to cause people to celebrate the day, to remind us of human mortality, and as a sign of mourning and repentance before God. Traditionally, the ashes used were gathered from the burning of the palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday services.

In the Catholic Church, the time of Lent emphasizes prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation for the celebration of the resurrection of the Lord. The Vatican Council II placed greater emphasis upon Lent as a time to “hear God’s word more frequently and devote more time to prayer” (no. 109). The word “lent” itself is from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “Spring.”

Evidence of a time of preparation for Easter surfaces early in church history. Irenaeus (c130 – c200) wrote to Pope Victor I about the different practices in preparing for Easter Sunday. Historian Eusebius (c275-339) writes that such observances did not originate in his time, but in the time of our forefathers (Eusebius, Church History). In 325, the Council of Nicea discussed a 40-day Lenten season of fasting.

The Symbolism of 40

Numbers play a significant role in the Bible. “Forty” often paints a picture of waiting and preparation. Noah and his family are shut up in the ark, enduring the deluge of water from the heavens for 40 days and nights (Genesis 7:17). Moses spends another 40 days and nights on top of Mount Sinai, without food or drink, as he experiences the presence of God (Exodus 34:28). Later God’s patience with Israel has worn thin and he sentences them to wandering in the desert for 40 years, punishment for their grumbling and idol worship.

Jesus spends 40 days in the wilderness, preparing for the beginning of his earthly ministry by a time of prayer and fasting.

Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus – a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you.

Mother teresa

It is also very telling that during this time of physical sacrifice and spiritual reflection and renewal, Satan chose that opportune moment to throw everything that he could at Jesus.

 

Fasting

Fasting became an important ingredient in keeping the traditions of Lent. Rules for fasting varied, but a couple of characteristics seemed to be most noticeable. Many abstained from all forms of meat and animal products, though some made exceptions for fish. In the fifth century, Pope Gregory wrote to the Bishop of Canterbury saying, “We abstain from flesh, meat, and from all things that come from flesh, as milk, cheese and eggs.”

Over the years, modifications to fasting were adopted. Dispensations were first given if a pious work was performed. Soon a person could have one meal a day, either in the evening or at 3:00pm. Today the only days of real fasting are on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Many abstain from meat on Fridays, replacing meat with fish.

Sacrifice

The current traditions still encourage people to “give up something” for Lent. This becomes a sacrifice, symbolically remembering the sacrifice of Jesus. Technically, Sundays are exempt so one could partake of the items sacrificed for Lent once a week.

Prayer & Study

The purpose of the 40-day time of Lent is to help you disconnect from the regular habits and patterns of this world. Breaking the comfortable ways can allow you to connect to God in new, different and more meaningful ways. Fasting separates you from the eating habits and lifestyles formed over time. Replacing the way you spend your leisure time with prayer and Bible study assists in leading you to the very presence of God.

The Xavier University website offers this prayer:

Almighty and ever living God,
You invite us deeper into your world, your people, your Lent.
May this time be one of outward focus;
seeking  you in those we often ignore.
Help us live a lent focused on freedom, generosity, and encounter.
Give us hearts hungry to serve you
and those who need what we have to give.

Because each week contains a Sunday of worship and celebration, each week allows you to recommit and rekindle your desire to grow closer to God in this journey. Lent is about self-discovery, self-sacrifice and personal discipline.

Value for All

While Lent is a Catholic tradition, many other denominations follow similar practices, including Western Orthodox Churches, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Episcopal churches. In a study conducted in 2014, a little over 70% of adults knew what Lent was. Of those who participate in Lent, almost 90% if people were giving up a food item for the 40 days. Chocolate was the food people were most likely to give up.

The practice of observing Lent remains in the discretion of each believer. While it is not an observance required by the Bible, the benefits of 40 days of prayer, fasting and study seem obvious to most. It is impossible to over-estimate the value of keeping traditions in the lives of the faithful.

 

 

One Step Closer to rest with the Father

I have always loved “punny” humor – gags that were built around clever uses and misuses of the English language. I enjoyed “dad jokes” long before I was a dad and long before I knew that they had any jokes. I would stay up to watch Johnny Carson when he had guests like Milton Berle, Henny Youngman, Rodney Dangerfield, or Groucho Marx on his show.

Yesterday I watched one of the greatest “dad joke” movies ever made. Leslie Nielsen carved a second career around a specific genre of comedic movies. His first was the movie Airplane! It handles a broad range of satire and silliness to perfection. The movie was made in 1980 to poke fun at the disaster films of the era.

As we were watching the movie, I would announce when a particularly clever scene was about to appear. Here is where he first has his drinking problem. Here is where he is going to pull out the electrical cord. Here is where Nielsen is going to say,

“Can you fly this plane and land it?”

“Surely you can’t be serious.”

“I am serious, and don’t call me Shirley.”

I wanted everyone to be prepared to watch. Humor was on its way and it shouldn’t be missed.  Let’s all enjoy this together.

Sometimes we announce bad news the same way, so that all can be prepared for it. Bad weather is approaching. The worst is yet to come for the virus crisis. The stock markets will take a hit.

Before the events of the arrest, trial and crucifixion, Jesus told the disciples how the events would unfold. “I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does you may believe.”

We tell people ahead of time so they wont miss what is coming. We warn them so they can be prepared. We don’t want them to be surprised. We want them to understand how to handle the circumstance.

Jesus had been telling the disciples what was going to happen so they might be prepared. On several occasions, Jesus looked ahead to the events of this week and warned the disciples. He wanted them to be prepared. He wanted them to believe.

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised (Matthew 16:21 ESV).

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men” (Matthew 17:22 ESV).

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again (Mark 8:31 ESV).

J.K. Rowling, in the book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, “Enter, stranger, but take heed Of what awaits the sin of greed, For those who take, but do not earn, Must pay most dearly in their turn.”

Take heed of what awaits.

On this, the last Thursday of the earthly ministry of Jesus, He was delivered before the chief priests, elders and scribes. He was given the sentence of death and condemned. Honor Jesus on this day by reading some of the account of the crucifixion from the gospels. You can find a good summary by reading Mark 15:16-19, Mark 15:20-23, Mark 15:24-37; Mark 15:38-41 and Mark 15:42-47.

According to the polling website, Rasmussen Reports, at the last election, voters believed more strongly than before that the president of the United States is the most powerful person in the world. They see the position as the leader of the world community and that the level of power that is in the office is appropriate.

Since 2009, Forbes magazine has published an annual issue featuring the “World’s Most Powerful People.” Vladimir Putin of Russia has been awarded the recognition twice. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi top the list. The Forbes’  list not only includes political rulers, but also business executives like Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Apple’s Tim Cook, and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.

What makes a person powerful? We probably should think a moment about the difference between power and influence. Power forces people to compete a task, while influence leads them to understand why the task is necessary. In his latest book, Power: Why Some People Have It and Other’s Don’t, Jeffrey Pfeffer says there are two sources of power. The first is bases on a person’s title – the former position of power. The second is informal or personal power. This is not based on your position, but on your abilities, knowledge and skills. You have heard the expression, “information is power.” Are you perceived as being an expert in an area? Pfeffer says you have the power, the question is “Do you know how to use it?”

When things go wrong, or deviate from the prescribed plan, people assume things are out of control and the person in charge has lost power and influence.

In the Upper Room, the lives of the disciples are beginning to spin at an unmanageable pace. Does God know what He is doing? Is He still in control? Where is God when we are hurting? These important questions are a part of our obedience to God and our perception of His will in our lives.

The disciples had to be thinking, “What is our world coming to?” Jesus’ answer to the disciples  is the exact answer that He would say to us today, whether we are contemplating wars, rumors of wars, or the coronavirus. The reality is we live in a world where Satan reigns. We live in a godless world. There is another force who is at work.

John records Jesus saying that Satan is the ruler of this world four times. When we are swamped with difficulties and challenges that rival the Old Testament character Job, we should not be confused about their origins. We live in a world that chosen to follow the wiles and the deception that is the Devil.

Sin has left its flavor on the world. Our own decisions have narrowed our choices while increasing our liabilities. When things don’t go the way we planned, let’s place the blame at the right place.

The ruler of this world has nothing to do with Jesus.

On the last Wednesday of Jesus’ ministry on earth, He seemed to spend the day wrestling with the prince of this world. Disciples arguing over who would be greatest, lessons about what it means to be a servant, predictions of denial and betrayal, and agonizing prayers in the garden seem to remind us that Satan has a stronghold on this world. Honor Jesus today by reading these important Scriptures, always remembering that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world: John 8:44-47, John 12:31-33, John 14:30, John 16:11, Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 6:12-13, 1 Peter 5:8-10