Music is different things to different people. Music can make us think, emote and behave. Music can provide the backdrop for deeply meaningful thought or it can be mindless entertainment. Music can exhilarate or provoke. The music of Christmas challenges and encourages our faith.

The brand Spotify is the world’s most popular audio streaming service. Spotify offers a free and a premium product with 365 million users, including 165 subscribers, across 178 markets in over 50 different languages. Their marketing efforts reveal how personal music is to each of us. They also showed how the music created a community with life connections that went deeper than just a love for a particular artist.

Researchers at the University of Westminster and City University of London discovered the music we listened to between the ages of 10 and 30 defines us for the rest of our lives. Music from this period of our lives connects us to people, places and events that are significant to our identities.

Music defines us, molding and shaping our minds and our souls. If these things are true – and they are – then music must also touch my spiritual being. Does the music I listen to define my spirit? Let’s listen again to the Music of Christmas.

Lesson Web Pages
Lesson One: It’s the Celebration Season Lesson Two: Songs & Santa

Lesson Three: Songs of Reflection

Lesson Four: Carols & The Christ
Lesson Handouts
[doc id=5829] [doc id=5835] [doc id=5836] [doc id=5837]
Christmas Music Trivia
Mediterranean Moments
Mediterranean Moments Mediterranean Moments Mediterranean Moments Mediterranean Moments

One of the movies scored by Irving Berlin’s musical talents was the 1942 Bing Crosby/Fred Astaire favorite, Holiday Inn.  The film is built around the premise that an entertainment venue in Connecticut would only be open on holidays. Berlin wrote music for each of the holidays like Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July, but the movie score is best remembered for Easter’s Easter Parade and the Christmas’ White Christmas.

 

Berlin (1888-1889) was a Russian American musician and composer, considered by many to be one of the greatest songwriters in the country’s history. Berlin’s songbook shapes a great portion of Americana music. During his sixty-year career, Berlin wrote about 1500 songs, including the music for 20 Broadway musicals and 15 Hollywood films. Of Berlin, America’s anchorman Walter Cronkite once said, “He helped write the story of this country, capturing the best of who we are and the dreams that shape our lives.”

 

For the Thanksgiving holiday, Berlin wrote, “I’ve got plenty to be thankful for; No private car, no caviar, no carpet on my floor; Still I’ve got plenty to be thankful for.” We do have plenty to be thankful for. Would you ponder a few moments on Psalm 100, and consider the things for which you are thankful?

 

our Scripture

Psalm 100

A thanksgiving psalm.

Shout out praises to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Worship the Lord with joy.
Enter his presence with joyful singing.
3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God.
He made us and we belong to him,
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise.
Give him thanks.
Praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good.
His loyal love endures,
and he is faithful through all generations (Psalm 100:1-5 NET).

Psalm  100 NIV Psalm  100 NASB Psalm  100 NLT Psalm  100 MESSAGE

 

our Lesson

 

Many theologians classify Psalm 100 with Psalms 93 through 99 as one of the “Royal Psalms.” These psalms praise God just because He is King of His people. These particular psalms are labeled in the Latin Vulgate translation as “Dominus Regnavit” – “The Lord Reigns!” More importantly, they are psalms which point the reader – and musician – to the Messiah.

Psalms are impassioned, vivid and descriptive. They are rich in images and imaginative use of language. The Psalms are filled with literary devices – assonance, alliteration, similes and metaphors – to enhance our understanding of the truths of the Bible.

In many ways, the Messianic Psalms are a devotional delight. They allow us to focus on an aspect of the Messiah or His kingdom with either a magnifying glass or a telescope. Psalms invite us to make an application that has been tailored just to fit our form and life.

Tucker and Grant, in their NIV Application Commentary Psalms Volume 2, list three significant challenges for our worship today from Psalm 100. The psalm encourages us that thanksgiving prompts worship. The three ideas are theirs, the comments following are mine.

  • Worship has an outward focus.

    Our worship services for the past decade have attempted to be “user-friendly” and more focused on the “un-churched.” There is no question that Psalm 100 compels the entire world to praise the Lord and acknowledge Him as King. The unbeliever is drawn to worship God by seeing us worship. Do our worship services explain why we praise? Do our songs explain that “the Lord reigns” like the Psalms?

[su_pullquote align=”right”]I was watching a “holiday baking competition” on the Food Network last night. They kept using phrases that captured my attention. They repeated the words “savor” and “savory” throughout the episode. The bakers were to not only make cakes sweet, but some of the cakes were to be savory. As the judges were tasting the food, one judge paused and commented that she just wanted to “savor” the amazing flavors. The heart of “savoring” is taking the time to add seasoning to the mix, and taking the time to enjoy it.

For your gratitude this Thanksgiving, how do you sprinkle “grace” into the moments of your life? Take the time right now to “savor” how God has been gracious to you.[/su_pullquote]

But God’s people need a time to be encouraged and study the Word of God together, apart from unbelievers who do not understand and respect His authority and words. We are called to fellowship with one another. The fellowship of the faith is more than just giddy joy or sharing a meal together in a special place called “Fellowship Hall.” Our fellowship is ground in a worldview that looks to the authority of Scripture for decisions in life, an understanding of how to apply those Scriptures to 21st century circumstances, and the wisdom to explain and communicate those truths to others in a loving and compassionate way.

Perhaps our morning worship should be filled with shouts of praise and the “milk” of the Word, and an evening worship should be for the faithful with songs of praise and petition, and encouragement and challenge from the “meat” of the Word. Would that pattern more closely follow the separation of the courts of the Gentiles and the Jewish worship in the temple?

  • Worship is a joyful act.

    Time after time the Psalms encourage us to shout to the Lord. Many of the psalms were intended to be sung, either in the actual worship service, or on the roads as the faithful traveled to Jerusalem for the celebration. There is no place where the psalmist demands the pitch must be perfect or the harmony blissful. Most of our worship services are filled with spectators – not the unchurched visitor, but the unmotivated believer. Wasn’t it Jesus that mused that if we don’t shout, the rocks will end up crying out?

Some have argued, “Well, I don’t always feel like jumping and shouting during worship.” I think that may be the exact point. We need to be joyful in worship because we don’t always feel like it. Circumstances, people and the weight of stress take their toll on our joy. Worship places circumstances and people in their perspective. Joy declares that I know that my God is in control, and that He reigns over my circumstances, my enemies and me.

When my actions are obedient in worship, my emotions will eventually follow. Wasn’t it the Psalmist who said, “You have turned my mourning into dancing” (Psalm 30:11)? When we worship with joy, we declare to the watching world that we understand who really does turn mourning into dancing.

  • In worship, we approach the King.

    So many of the “Royal Psalms” include the phrase, “The Lord reigns.” You don’t have to say it in so many words to believe its truth and understand its implications. The phrase “The Lord reigns” is the cry at the outset of several of these “Royal Psalms” (Psalm 93:1; Psalm 96:10; Psalm 97:1; Psalm 99:1; compare with Psalm 47:8). There is a distinct difference in the flavor of these verses when compared to a timeless statement like Psalm 95:3. If nothing else, the phrase should end with an exclamation mark!

We walk a fine line when we approach God in worship. On the one side of the line, we are reminded that we are approaching God, our Father, in worship. He invites us to come to the throne and share with Him on the intimacy level of a father and child. But on the other side of the line, we must always be aware that we are approaching the throne room of the King. Our demeanor should be respectful and filled with awe.

Although this analogy falters, can you remember a time when you talked with a grandparent and were filled with awe and wonder? Perhaps they showed you relics from their past, or shared with you moments from the experiences of their life? You were in awe because they opened a world to you that you did not know existed. They gave insights from their wisdom and experience. They loved you in a way that seemed unconditional, in no way tied to your behavior or even your obedience. You were indebted to them just for who they are.

  • In worship, we approach God together.

The psalmist encourages us to enter into God’s gates with thanksgiving. The imperative is collective in nature, picturing throngs of faithful coming into the Temple and into God’s presence. While worship is a personal thing, we gain immensely when we worship within the fellowship of believers. We are held accountable, but we are also held up by the comfort and support of people who know us, care for us and love being with us in God’s house.

 

our Devotion for Thanksgiving

It is interesting that Psalm 100 is the only Psalm that specifically identifies itself as “a thanksgiving psalm.” Expressions of thanks fill the verses of all 150 psalms. But following a series of psalms that focus on the coming King and His Kingdom, the faithful people of God can do nothing but give thanks.

 

The Lord is good.

 

The Lord was good when I was young and filled with energy and just as filled with hopes and dreams. The Lord smiled as I studied hard and played harder. The Lord approved as I mapped out plans, built barns and planted crops. The Lord rejoiced with my joy, strengthened my steps, provided light for my path, and guided my way.

 

The Lord is good.

 

The Lord was good when I was older and working hard to support a family. The Lord provided places to live and work, to raise children in the faith, to find friends and support, to prosper in ways I didn’t always understand and to gather with other believers to worship each week. The Lord watched over us as we moved, and lived and breathed. The Lord comforted when plans disintegrated. He mourned as I cried and was disheartened. He restored hope by giving life to dead bones. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

 

The Lord is good.

 

The Lord is good when my days are few, when my ears are ringing and when my fingers are feeble. The Lord watches as my steps falter, my mind wanders, and my eyesight fails. The Lord stands with me as my children are grown and have taken the mantle of faith. The Lord has blessed us and kept us. His face has shined upon us. The Lord has been gracious. His favor has been upon us and our children

 

and their children

 

and their children.

 

The Lord is good.

 

And I am thankful.

 

Welcome to the home of Koinonia Bible Studies. Koinonia is the Greek word for “fellowship.” Koinonia is a shared fellowship with Jesus, but it is more. Our fellowship involves how we look at the world, a shared system of beliefs or worldview. The fellowship we share is expansive; we are moved and motivated to communicate the joy and hope we have found with others. Communicating koinonia places a responsibility on our shoulders to do so correctly, with truth and in love. Koinonia Bible Studies seeks to assist you in understanding and communicating the koinonia of your faith.

A New Year of Faithfulness

Our faith stands energized as we celebrate holiday seasons. When we remember sacrifice and resurrection of Easter, we become impassioned by the redemptive love of God for us. The holidays of the fall focus our attention upon our thankfulness and gratitude for God’s blessings, seen especially in the greatest gift of all, His Son. As we start a new year, enrich the koinonia of your faith. Here are a handful of ways that Koinonia Bible Studies can assist you. Click the pictures below to lead you on a holiday journey.

I've Got Plenty to be Thankful For

Peek at “I’ve Got Plenty to Be Thankful For” for a quick and enjoyable look at Psalm 100. These comments and personal reflection should help focus your thoughts on the consistent way God has blessed your life.

 

Koinonia Bible Studies’ Ministry

New Year Counting

Research has shown that it takes between 18 and 60 days for something to become a habit. The 21/90 rule states that you build a habit in 21 days and make it a permanent lifestyle change in 90 days. Are you ready for some positive change in the new year? Let’s work first on building the habit. This link will take you to a twenty-one day program of reading the Bible, reflecting and praying at the beginning of your day. This link will become active tomorrow morning, January 3rd.

Follow this link to learn more about the Bible Study lessons and devotions planned for the year 2022. The year should include a couple of new e-books offered through Amazon available for purchase.

About Koinonia Bible Studies

About Tom May

Learn how your church or group can enjoy the teaching and ministry of Tom May and the Koinonia Bible Studies collection to help you understand and communicate the koinonia of your faith.

 

the journey begins renewal

Articles in this column over the last several weeks have considered ways that Christians can confirm their calling into the faith. Tangible actions and attitudes contribute to affirmation and confidence in the process of maturing as a believer. Christianity’s cornerstone doctrine, and foundation of one’s calling, is the resurrection.

Paul calls the resurrection of Jesus the matter of “first importance” in the gospel message (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). The apostle reasoned that the resurrection was based not on hear-say and tradition, but upon historical evidence and proof. The resurrection of Jesus was crucial to his arguments in the chapter, and for the spiritual behavior and decisions of the believers. But the resurrection did not come without sacrifice.

Christianity’s Holy Week immediately precedes Easter Sunday. It is the last week of the season of Lent and is often referred to as “Passion Week.” Liturgies and services have traditionally celebrated different events each day of the week, though today’s church culture often sees larger churches offering the same Easter service repeated throughout the week. Traditionally the services of Holy Week and Easter draw the largest attendance to church of the entire year.

Earlier in March, the Christianity Today magazine and website ran an article asking “Will Easter Resurrect Pandemic Church Attendance?” Most churches have had limited in-person congregational worships since Easter 2020. Even as groups begin to gather again, church attendance has been limited in returning to pre-COVID numbers. Leaders anticipate more than half of evangelicals to return in person, but many Catholic and mainline Protestant churches are still hesitating to return.

Whether you return to a church building this year or not, gather your spirit with the Christian community during Holy Week this season. Prepare yourself spiritually, mentally and emotionally to celebrate the resurrection this year. The paragraphs that follow will point you to passages in the Bible to accompany each day. Set aside a time each day to read the Scripture and to pray.

Jesus’ ascent to Jerusalem on the Sunday before Easter has become known as Palm Sunday in most church cultures. The Lord’s arrival as King and Sacrifice follows the Jewish Passover traditions for the selection of the sacrificial lamb. Shouts of “Hosanna” and the waving of palm branches were both declarations from the people that their political and spiritual hopes were resting on the Messiah.

All four gospels record the events of what is known as the “Triumphal Entry” on Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44 and John 12:12-19). Select one or more of the passages for your Scriptural reading, mediation and prayer time for the day. Ask God to lead your week to the cross and beyond.

The chronology of the remainder of Christ’s last week on earth has been a topic of theological debate for centuries. The Roman Catholic Church’s tradition for the week has been the most widely accepted and is used for the formation of Holy Week services.

Holy week

 

There is often confusion about the days of the Hebrew week. Their “day” began at sunset and proceeded until the next sunset. Their Sabbath – Saturday – actually started at sunset Friday evening.

On the Monday of Holy Week, most traditions see Jesus cursing the fig tree and cleansing the temple (Matthew 21:12-19). These events are also described in the gospels of Mark (Mark 11:12-18) and Luke (Luke 19:45-48). There may be many spiritual applications in these passages for Christians today, but an over-riding theme seems to be that it is easy for religious leaders to be so immersed in the details of the faith that it is easy to miss the larger significance of what God is accomplishing. Read one or more of the passages and pray that you never miss the forest while looking for the trees.

During the Tuesday of Holy Week, Jesus taught in the Temple area. His teaching not only looked to the future, but hinted to His own death (John 12:20-36 and John 13:21-38). Jesus had predicted His death at least three times in the synoptic gospels (Matthew 16:21-23, Matthew 17:22-23 and Matthew 20:17-19; all three occurrences are also recorded in Mark and Luke). On your Tuesday of Holy Week, notice how all of Scripture looks toward the sacrificial death of Jesus. Offer prayers of thanksgiving to God for His attention to the details of salvation.

On Holy Wednesday, most churches remember the story of Judas arranging the betrayal of Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16). Many Western churches hold Tenebrae services on Wednesday, the word coming from the Latin for “shadows” or “darkness.” Betrayal is horrendous, but easy. This day, as you read this passage, join the other disciples in asking Jesus, “Is it I, Lord?” (Matthew 26:22)

The Thursday of Holy Week is known as Maundy Thursday in many church cultures. The day commemorates the institution of the Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:17-25; and Luke 14-20). Paul summarizes the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Select one of the verses for your reading and prayer time today, remembering what the symbols of communion stand for.

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Many church cultures observe Good Friday as a day of fasting. The Roman Catholic traditions include the Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion on this day. Scripture readings from Isaiah 53, the book of Hebrews, and the passion narrative from John are focal points. The death of Christ is recorded in all of the gospels (Matthew 27:35-56; Mark 15:24-41; Luke 23:33-49; John 19:18-30). Select one of the passages for your reading and prayer time.

Saturday before Easter is the Sabbath in the Jewish tradition. Following His burial (Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:42-46; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-42), guards were placed at the tomb to assure its security (Matthew 27:61-66). The Sabbath is a day of rest, a commodity more valuable than gold in our society today. As best you can, allow this day to be a day of rest for you. Remember that the disciples had a day of rest prior to the resurrection.

Remember the events of Holy Week in the life of Jesus, and anticipate the amazing work that God is about to perform. Reflect on how God has taken the “death” of your life, worked it together for good, and brought deliverance. Anticipate Him doing even more.

Have your heart ready for the resurrection.

 

raise hallelujah

Palm Sunday celebrates the commemoration of Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem before His crucifixion. Remembering the day in worship can be traced back to the late third century. [su_quote align=”right” cite=”Johnathan Edwards”]To pretend to describe the excellence, the greatness or the duration of the happiness of heaven by the most artful composition of words would be but to darken and cloud it; to talk of raptures and ecstasies, joy and singing, is but to set forth very low.[/su_quote] Observances included hymns, prayers and Bible readings. Early in Jerusalem people would travel through the holy places in the city as they read Scriptures and sang songs. As the end of the day approached, the people would return home declaring, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

 

The “Triumphal Entry” is one of a handful of incidents in the life of Christ that is recorded by all four gospel writers. It is the Sunday that begins Holy Week, remembering Jesus’ entry into the city as prophet, priest and king. By the sixth and seventh centuries palm leaves were added to the celebration. Early in the eighth century, an early morning procession replaced the evening one, and the Roman Catholic Church had institutionalized the celebration of Palm Sunday.

Scriptural passages | Palm Sunday
Matthew 21:1-9 Mark 11:1-10 Luke 19:28-39 John 12:12-18

The contrasting events of Holy Week perplex many Bible readers. Was the crowd so fickle that they are praising the name of Jesus on Sunday and yelling, “Crucify him!” days later? While some people may have joined into the exuberance of the crowds, the best explanation sees two separate groups of people dictating the direction of the sentiment. On Palm Sunday, the crowd was driven by faithful Jewish followers praying for redemption from the enslavement of Rome and sincere disciples of the rabbi from Galilee. The crowd that later would yell for Jesus’ execution was driven by Jewish leaders and people the leaders had paid off. The majority of those praising Jesus on Sunday were not present in the crowd later in the week.

Praise Beyond Words

The Gospel writers describe a crowd gathered outside of Jerusalem filled with excitement. Don’t picture they were outside the city gates waiting on Jesus to finally arrive. The Passover was at hand and every faithful Jewish male was required to be at the Temple to celebrate the event (Deuteronomy 16:16 NIV). The paths leading up to Jerusalem were filled with excited Hebrews. The people were not sure whether Jesus would be attending the celebration (John 11:56-57).

Like the Sabbath, the celebration of the Passover stirred a time to remember God’s activities and His promises. It was a renewed and invigorated time of Messianic hope and expected deliverance. The people came to Jerusalem expecting the miraculous intervention from God.

Pharisees and temple soldiers, along with a small Roman presence, lined the way to Jerusalem assuring peace among the people. Some religious leaders were concerned that Jesus’ followers were making so much noise that the Romans might become fearful of a riot or revolt and step in with force (Luke 19:39).

It Was What the People Said

Luke tells us that the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully praising God in extremely loud voices for all of the miracles they had seen (Luke 19:37 NIV). The shouts of the people seemed simple:

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! (Luke 19:38)

The Pharisees immediately tried to get Jesus to silence the followers. They understood. This isn’t just a cheer devised by the disciples. The phrase is found in the Hebrew scripture. Listen to the words of Psalm 118:1-29 NIV. While affirming that the loving kindness of the Lord endures forever, a vital truth is declared, “I will give thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation” (Psalm 118:21 NIV). The next verse sheds new light:

The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone (Psalm 118:22 NIV).

Peter makes sure that we understand that this verse is speaking about Jesus (1 Peter 2:6-8 NIV). Peter’s words also reference Isaiah 28:16 (also quoted by Paul in Romans 9:33 and Ephesians 2:20) and Isaiah 8:14 (again found in Romans 9:33). Matthew (Matthew 21:42) and Luke (Acts 4:11) quote the Psalm 118 passage.

This phrase finds its use only regarding Israel’s savior. This marvelous work that the Lord is doing launches the day of salvation (Psalm 118:23-24). The day of the long-anticipated salvation from Lord arrived. Many disbelieved the day would ever come. But it will come – indeed, it has come. Hope captured and displayed.

Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success! (Psalm 118:25 ESV)

Matthew, Mark and John indicate that a word used in the chanting is the Hebrew, Hosanna. The word means “to save, to rescue” and it can denote a “savior.” The word referred to the Messiah as “the Son of David” as its only use.

This reaction of the crowd angered the religious leaders (Matthew 21:15-16 NIV). The scribes and Pharisees displayed jealousy toward Jesus more than anything else. Concern also arose that the Romans would not like to hear Jesus proclaimed as King while the Romans believed that Caesar alone occupied the King’s throne.

Raise Your Hallelujah

As we prepare for the resurrection, we have talked about being raised for such a time as this, about being raised to walk, and about our need for a Sabbath’s rest to prepare for the resurrection. It is also vitally important that we raise our “hallelujahs” because of what the Lord has done. As Jesus said, if we do not do it, even the rocks will cry out (Luke 19:40).

Bethel Music released a praise and worship song in 2019 called “I Raise a Hallelujah.” Since its release, the song earned nominations for Billboard’s top Christian song of the year and the Dove Award for Best Worship and Praise Song of the Year. Listen to a few of the words:

I raise a Hallelujah in the presence of my enemies.

Up from the ashes.

I raise a Hallelujah louder than my unbelief.

Hope will arise.

I raise a Hallelujah in the middle of the mystery.

Death is defeated. The King is alive!

Spend this week raising your hallelujah. You live the resurrection.

raised to walk

Before the Resurrection

Raised to Walk

This Easter, let’s look at the resurrection in a little larger context than we normally view regarding this important Christian doctrine. It is easy to focus attention on the immediate setting of the crucifixion of Jesus to the degree we miss the bigger picture the Bible portrays of the context and contrast between life and death. As we consider several lessons the Bible is teaching “before the resurrection,” remember there is a large context (life vs death) and an immediate context (the nature of a Jewish religion in the culture of the Roman Empire) for the doctrine of the resurrection.

Consider also that God tends to teach important concepts to His people by first previewing or introducing the subject, then by teaching about it in space and time, and finally by reinforcing the concept in practical, historical settings.

The Raising of Lazarus

Our Scriptural passage for the day is John 11:1-57. Many recognize a structure of the Gospel of John which focuses on signs (John 2:11) through which God reveals the glory of His Son (John 1:14). The raising of Lazarus from the grave becomes the ultimate sign of His ministry and previews the resurrection of Jesus himself. The impact of this event is multiplied exponentially by the interactions with the disciples during an unhurried journey to Bethany, the connection between beliefs about the resurrection and immediate behavior, and the understanding by Mary and Martha and the religious leaders that the resurrection changes everything.

The setting in the previous passage, John 10:22-42, reveals the immediate context of this Scripture. Jesus and the disciples had attended the winter Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem. The December festival was about ninety days away from the Passover. The 11th chapter of John indicates following the raising of Lazarus the Passover feast was “at hand” (John 11:55). This phrase usually indicates the time is within the month. For more information on the immediate setting of this passage, see the Mediterranean Moments article.

This is For You

John spends a little time at the beginning of the eleventh chapter to identify the main characters in the account (John 11:1-5).  Messengers arrive to Jesus with an announcement, “The one whom you love is ill.” John uses the phrase of himself – in a very personal, yet humble way. Jesus loved the family and had a more intimate relationship with them than He did with many others. Just as the Twelve had a special place in the life of Jesus, this family occupied a similar position.

Jesus’ first statement reacting to the news is comforting. “This illness does not lead to death.”  But Jesus adds some depth to the observation. “It is for God’s glory, so the Son of God may be glorified through it.” This is one of the few times that Jesus refers to Himself directly as the “Son of God.” Jesus’ preferred title of Himself seems to be the “Son of Man.”

If there was any question about the depth of this relationship, John clarifies it completely in verse five: “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” John probably uses the term “her sister” rather than her name, Mary, because there were so many women named “Mary” in the life of Jesus. The real question comes with the unexpected action that follows. “So when Jesus heard that Lazarus was ill, He stayed two days longer in the place where He was” (John 11:6 ESV). While we would have expected Jesus to drop everything and head to Bethany, He stays where He is two more days.

Jesus’ attitude toward this illness is the same as in John 9:3. The sickness provides an opportunity for “the work of God to be displayed” in His life. What is true here can be applied to every trial that a Christian faces. Our natural reaction to trials is to treat them as an intruder, getting rid of them as quickly and painlessly as possible. When we offer our trials to God and allow Him to use them as He pleases, we bring glory to His name as He works through and in the trials of life.

Perhaps the relaxed response of Jesus confused the disciples. After two days, Jesus announced they were heading to Judea (John 11:7). The disciples, ever protective of their Master, reminded Jesus that Jewish leaders were ready to arrest or kill Him. “Our friend, Lazarus, has fallen asleep and I must wake him.” The disciples giggled under their breath. “Lord, he will wake up on his own.” Can you see Jesus shaking His head and saying, “Lazarus is dead.”

But you said his illness wouldn’t lead to death. Jesus continued more deeply, “I am glad that I was not there. This all happened for your sake, so that you may believe. Let’s go to him.”

The Believer Never Tastes Death

At this point, our expectation rests upon Peter saying something. But it isn’t Peter who speaks, but rather Thomas. Some thirty days before we have labeled him a “doubter,” Thomas speaks confident words that indicate he may understand what Jesus is trying to teach. “Let’s go with Him that we may die with Him” (John 11:16).

The disciples were no doubt puzzled as they made their way to the village near Jerusalem. Jesus had said this sickness did not lead to death, but now Jesus had clearly stated that Lazarus was dead. Jesus had never been wrong before. What did all of this mean?

Not too long ago Jesus had been teaching the very same thing. In John 5:24, Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” In John 8:51, Jesus responds to accusations by the Pharisees, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” The Pharisees changed the wording to “taste death,” but Jesus did not correct them.

You will never taste death. Those are powerful words – but especially in light of the circumstance with Lazarus. “Jesus must have been wrong,” you can almost hear the skeptic murmuring. Death is all around; it has claimed another victim.

Outside Target Stadium in Minneapolis, the home of baseball’s Minnesota Twins, rests a plaque commemorating an historic event. At the location, just outside of Gate 34, exactly 520 feet from home plate stands a statue of a golden glove. The spot marks the landing of the longest home run ever hit by any Twins player – hit by Harmon Killebrew, Hall of Fame third and first baseman. On June 3, 1967 Killebrew launched one of his 573 home runs an amazing 520 feet, a record that, as of 2020. still holds for the Twins.

On May 13th, 2011, Killebrew left an even greater statue, written in a powerful blog on his website.

It is with profound sadness that I share with you that my continued battle with esophageal cancer is coming to an end. With the continued love and support of my wife, Nita, I have exhausted all options with respect to controlling this awful disease. My illness has progressed beyond my doctor’s expectation of cure.

On that evening, Killebrew entered hospice care preparing to die. Four days later, the man nicknamed “The Killer” and “Hammerin’ Harmon” passed away. It did not matter how many home runs he hit. There was no care given to his amazing career. Death is the great equalizer. You live; you die.

Or did he? Did Lazarus? Jesus says to Martha, outside of the grave of her brother, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet he shall live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26 ESV). Though he die, he never dies.

Jesus taught the same thing earlier in John’s gospel. In John 5:24, Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” In John 8:51, Jesus responds to accusations by the Pharisees, “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

Martha, do you believe this? Really? Are you ready for Lazarus to be raised to walk?

We Get What This Means

Mary and Martha believed in the resurrection of the dead, but they believed that it happened later, before heaven and at the judgment. Jesus wants them to look at the reality of a resurrection right now. The resurrection makes us be raised to walk differently. The Pharisees understood the implications of this teaching. “If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation” (John 11:48). From this point on, the Jewish religious leaders made specific plans on how to kill Jesus. They didn’t understand that Jesus was saying, “You cannot kill me.”

Life versus Death

The reason is that death is bigger than an event that marks the end of the body’s life. Death is what many people live every day. Since Adam’s sin, death has reigned through people on earth. The expression, “This has been a living hell,” has more truth to it than most realize. Because of death, two things dominate our lives – fear and guilt. The fear of death produces a pervasive bondage that is inescapable and unending. The condemnation of guilt shackles us to the wall, keeping us from ever touching the healing powers of life.

“Don’t you know … We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4 ESV). “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2 ESV).

We don’t have to live like this anymore. Was that what Jesus meant when He said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 ESV)?

Raised to Walk

I remember the words from almost sixty years ago, just as clearly had it been only sixty seconds. Warren Robbins, minister of the Plainfield Christian Church, rested the head of a nine-year-old boy in the palm of his hand. Bending at his back, he lowered the quiet and still body into a pool of less than warm water. Family, friends and curious strangers gazed at the ceremony taking place behind the shadows of the church pulpit.

“Buried with Him in the likeness of His death. Raised to walk in newness of life.”

I wonder if the words rang just as loudly in the ears of Lazarus for the remainder of his earthly years. I would imagine that he clings to them even now.

“Lazarus, come forth.”

If death was all around you – close enough to touch, poignant enough to smell, etched forever into the granite of your vision  – and somehow you evaded its snare and walked away, wouldn’t you walk differently? Wouldn’t your life be filled with a humbling wonder of how and why your life continued? Could you keep your tongue from shouting your experiences to everyone who would listen? The realization that you had been raised to walk again would be an explosive, volcanic force in your life for the rest of your days.

Raised to walk in a newness of life.

Logia

Necessary Sacrifices

Are there times in the Bible when you so identify with the characters and the situation that you can almost imagine yourself in the scene? About a month before Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, a close knit family of three siblings experience pain and grief up […]

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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.