Ash Wednesday

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

And He said to Adam, “Because you listened to your wife’s voice and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘Do not eat from it’:

The ground is cursed because of you.
You will eat from it by means of painful labor all the days of your life.
It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.
You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground, since you were taken from it. For you are dust, and you will return to dust.”    Genesis 3:17-19 (HCSB)

Today is the beginning of Lent, a 40-day preparation for Easter. What does it mean and what will prepare me for Easter?

If you attend an Ash Wednesday worship service, you may very well hear part of this Scripture. For over 20 years I attended such a service and the priest would take palm ashes and mark a cross on my forehead and say, “Remember, daughter, that you are dust and to dust you will return.” I can’t say that I thought about what was said much past that I knew I was mortal and would one day die and my mortal body would decompose. In context, there’s more to think about.

Because the first man and woman chose to turn their own way and to disobey God, we have all inherited the consequences of that disobedience. God says that we will have to work for our food and shelter. The work will not be easy, in fact it will be painful. There will be no “free rides”. We will die.

Now some may read this and think that the amount of painful labor and sweat is not occuring equally and that some people are receiving some type of “free ride”. Whatever the cost in my life, the ride will end. Where the ride ends is depending on the decision I make about a relationship with my LORD.

Easter is the celebration of the Christian year. The depth of the joy that will fill my heart that day is affected by the consideration I give to the Father and the gift that He gave to me in the perfect sacrifice of His Son. Lent is a time of focus for me to “give up” the distractions and instead put that time with Jesus, listening and growing in my relationship with Him.

I weep today as I think about the depth of God’s love for me, a sinner. I cannot express in words what my spirit knows. Jesus gave us His Spirit and so, in prayer, spirit speaks to Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:9-16). Take six minutes and listen to this beautiful hymn and allow it to speak to your spirit and then offer it to Jesus, in thanksgiving and praise.

What Wondrous Love Is This, Words by Alexander Means, Music by William Walker, 1835, Sung by Connie Dover 

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There Is A Famine

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

Hear this! The days are coming— 
this is the declaration of the Lord GOD—
when I will send a famine through the land:
not a famine of bread or a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the LORD.
People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east,
seeking the word of the LORD,
but they will not find it.            Amos 8:11-12 (HCSB)

How much time did I give out of yesterday’s 24 hours to reading and thinking about what God was saying to me? How much time did I give to talking to Him (that’s prayer!) about concerns, whether they were about myself or family or friends or even people I do not know? Did I “miss” time with God? Did I notice?

It is so easy to get caught up in all the many demands on my time and energy. Most demands are “good” things. They are about family, my job, and people who who have many needs. I love doing things that encourage people. All of these are “good”.

Does the fellowship that I am a part speak “the word of the LORD” or just tell me what I want to hear? Is there an expectation in the culture of the group that participation in small groups or Sunday School for study and learning is just part of discipleship? God’s messages are not always ‘easy’ or pleasant. Sometimes God has a message that will address the difficulties in my life. Are those who are gifted to teach and preach willing to talk about suffering and the silence of God or what it means to be a disciple instead of a Believer? Is there outreach to the whole community without filtering for race, ‘class’, or even if they are Believers?

I cannot walk through Wal-Mart without seeing people who are hurt and starving for what Jesus has for them. There is a ‘famine’ or lack of fellowships that will be the places of healing that Jesus described (Mark 2:17) despite the fact that we have enough church space for everyone to have a seat in a pew in the United States. We are too often only long-term care facilities when we need intensive care units and rehabilitation centers for those whom Jesus looks at and is moved with compassion and feeds them.

Do we think there is plenty of time for the next generation to do the work? There are many excuses that come to mind but it all comes down to priorities and obedience. How long will I plug my ears and avert my eyes and pretend I just don’t see?

Take a step today. Make time with God the #1 task. Eat of His fresh Bread and drink the Living water He offers It may be 10 minutes but try 10 minutes more than we did yesterday. Listen. And then let us do what He puts into our hearts. Maybe it is committing to a small group. Maybe it is giving time to read or share about Him with those who are shut-in. Let us take fresh Bread or a cup of Living water to someone who is staggering and roaming before they die from the famine.

 

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A Covenant With God

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

O LORD, I give my life to you. 
I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O LORD.

The LORD is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.
The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.                Psalm 25:1-10 (NLT)

Lectionary texts: Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-10, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15

The lectionary texts this next week are all about God’s covenant and His faithfulness to that covenant. It is a principle that we all need to soak in and live in.

In God’s eyes, a covenant is more than a promise. It may be closer to a vow. When Abraham and God entered into their covenant, it involved animal sacrifice (Genesis 15). It was a serious, binding contract. A person did not back out of the agreement because it became too hard or inconvenient. Once a covenant was struck, the parties knew they could count on the pledge because breaking the covenant usually involved serious consequences, even death.

In our 21st century society, marriage and business agreements are made and broken daily. When I think of entering a covenant do the words “binding”, “promise”, and “eternal” enter my mind? The Scripture passages today are worth reading and taking time to meditate on how the words effect how I think about my relationship to others and how I view God’s relationship with me.

As I read through this psalm (read the other 12 verses!) my thoughts recalled times in my life when God showed me the road to follow. When God taught me a new truth. When I had nothing but to hope in Him. When I read stories in the Bible and from other sources of how God showed His extravagant, compassionate love to others. How God didn’t just forgive my sins, He totally erased them from existence. How God doesn’t just tell me what to do but He actually is my example.

I hope you will join me this week in reading these passages of Scriptures not just once but several times this week. We hear junk all day every day from the world that are just out-and-out lies. Let’s take some time to absorb truth that will change our “stinkin’ thinkin’” to “right thinking” – righteousness.

LORD, I give my life to you.

Lord, I Give You My Heart written by Reuben Morgan, performed by Michael W. Smith


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Open the Eyes of My Heart

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

A lot of Samaritans in that town put their faith in Jesus because the woman had said, “This man told me everything I have ever done.” They came and asked him to stay in their town, and he stayed on for two days.

Many more Samaritans put their faith in Jesus because of what they heard him say. They told the woman, “We no longer have faith in Jesus just because of what you told us. We have heard him ourselves, and we are certain that he is the Savior of the world!”     John 4:39-42 (CEV)

I know people who can tell you the day and time that they accepted Jesus as their Savior. I also know people who grew up knowing about Jesus and because He has always been a part of their life they do not have a single defining moment. As I talk with them, they have such a “glow” as they relate how Jesus has been there to guide them and hold them through different times. Both have testimonies to tell.

One of the biggest lies that the enemy, the accuser, will whisper in my ear is that whatever I am going through – I am the only one going through it. There isn’t anyone else going through exactly what I am so there is no one I can turn to. What a lie! First, it’s arrogant. Second, it’s a way to keep me isolated and spinning in my knowledge. I will get no input of truth, will I? I am hearing only one voice – mine.

Jesus could have gone out and ministered to people all by Himself. He didn’t need others because He wasn’t just a man. He was God! Jesus showed me the importance of having the “three” who are there to see it all. I don’t know it’s about the number but it is about an intimate number who really know who I am and are also actively growing in their relationship with Jesus. They are willing to love me and hold me accountable.

I often share here what J. Lee Grady writes and this week he wrote a blog, Whitney Houston and the Silent Shame of Addiction. I am appalled, disgusted even, at discussions about whether Ms. Houston (or anyone else for that matter!) is saved and in heaven. When did Jesus say that it was my job in His Kingdom to speculate or proclaim who has a saving relationship with Him??? Mr. Grady said, “What I can do is plead with Christians today to stop ignoring the monster of addiction that is killing so many people, including those who may be sitting next to you in church.” Whether it is alcohol or drugs or any other behavior that is placing someone that I know on a slippery slope, it is part of my life as a Believer to be willing to go and speak to that person in love and say, “I want to hold out a hand and encourage you. I am praying for you. Come on, dear one, let’s make a turn in the road to a better place. Listen to the One who loves you best.”

Let us not be “isolationist-Believers”. Let us follow Jesus’ example and live every aspect of our lives like He did. Be open to opportunities that His Holy Spirit may us direct us into, gently sharing what Jesus has done and encouraging about what He can do. May people we meet only remember Him and leave us closer to Him than when they arrived.


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First in My Life

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life— 

that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—
what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may have fellowship along with us;
and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.        1 John 1:1-4 (HCSB)

What or Who is #1 in your life? As a Believer and Disciple of Jesus Christ (I am committed to Him, not part of a denomination of that name) God is #1 in my life. My husband is not first. My children and grandchildren are not first. My career or how I identify myself is not first. God is #1 in my life.

If God is first in my life, then when I think about Him and spend time with Him I AM EXCITED! If spending time with God doesn’t excite me – then I need to think about my relationship with Him. Loving passionately brings excitement and expectation into the relationship, doesn’t it? I want to spend time with Him. Is there something that was taught or said to me that made me think that those emotions are not “appropriate” in my relationship with Jesus? Think about what He has done for me! How much He loves me!

I have had some very dark nights. One of them was the night my son died. The house was quiet. I laid down and looked across the room at the empty hospital bed. My son was gone and he wasn’t ever – ever coming back to this world. The pain was so intense and heavy. And then I felt a hand stroking my head. At first I heard no words, just the comfort of that touch. I felt surrounded and safe. I drifted into sleep and it was there that I heard Jesus speak to me as I dreamed. I saw myself moving on in my life. There would always be a hole. I would learn to live in a “new normal”. And I received the assurance that I would one day see James again. Until then, he was safe and well with Jesus. Until then, I was safe and well with Jesus.

From the beginning of my life with Jesus, I have seen things with my eyes, heard things with my ears and known things with my spirit. It is to these that I know and to all that He is going to continue to teach me, that I testify. It is worth some excitement!

What is my thinking when I am traveling to worship on the Sabbath? Am I excited and looking forward to worshiping? Or am I just attending because it is expected? Am I willing to discuss my attitude with Jesus? Do I have “complete fellowship” with the Father and Jesus? Is my “joy complete”? Ask Jesus to do a Holy Spirit ‘scan’. Sit and listen. Spending time with Jesus is not only time well spent but time that is multiplied in what I learn and how I grow in my relationship with Him.

John goes on to say that in God there is light. There is no darkness. Life can seem foggy and confusing. God brings light into my life and leads me in His good way, not in sin. I have the promise that when I spend time with Him I will always find a way out of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) and into life of fellowship with Him.

I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever.
I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.
Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!
No one can measure his greatness.

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts;
let them proclaim your power.
I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.    Psalm 145:1-5 (NLT)

I am going to take time to meditate on #1 in my life – my LORD.

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Today’s Opposition

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from February 24, 2010]

20What honor is there in it if you are treated badly for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you endure suffering when doing good, God graciously blesses you. — 1 Peter 2:20 (HN)

– Henry Neufeld

When Peter penned these words, he was talking to Christians who might face persecution at any time. Most of the time they were left alone. At certain periods, the Romans instructed their officials not to pursue Christians, but to take action against them if they were reported. At one point, since martyrdom was considered great, some Christians would turn themselves in so as to become martyrs.

I doubt Peter was addressing that particular situation, but it illustrates a potential problem. Many Christians like to think of themselves as persecuted. For whatever reasons it makes them feel better. They wouldn’t want to undergo actual persecution, of course, but they like to be thought of as upholding their faith against great opposition.

Now I don’t want to belittle the opposition that Christians do face, including ridicule from unbelieving coworkers. More commonly you might face ridicule from others who are Christians, at least in name, usually because they regard some of your spiritual or moral choices as fanatical. At the same time, I think we need to be careful how we use the word “persecution” when all over the world there are people who are truly persecuted, in the sense of being killed, tortured, or at a minimum have their lives threatened. This type of persecution is very rare in the United States. Perhaps we could try “harassed” or “annoyed” for what we go through here.

The people Peter addressed, however, were more likely to give up on being law abiding citizens. After all, they were outlaws already, so what was the difference? Why not go all the way with the “citizens of another kingdom” thing? Peter is telling them to be sure they don’t deserve the trouble. Suffering for Jesus when you’re doing right is good. Suffering because of your own wrong actions is quite another matter.

Now I want to transfer this principle to modern day Christianity. Many Christians determine not to witness because they are afraid of opposition. Others who do witness tell repeated stories of being laughed at, ridiculed, or otherwise mistreated. I would start by reminding them that there are many places in the world where you would be likely to get executed for witnessing, so what’s a little verbal opposition. The number of people who will drive you off with a shotgun in America is vanishingly small.

But a more important point is this: Don’t bring harassment on yourself because of your behavior. The fact is that too many Christians see witnessing as the process of proselytizing, which we could define as “making other people into Christians.” But that isn’t it. God makes people into Christians, or not, according to his knowledge and purpose. (I’m purposely skirting the “free will” discussion here!) Convicting and changing hearts is the work of the Holy Spirit. Your job is simple: Witness.

Now there are matters of timing, but most of us, if we would just treat witnessing as a natural part of our lives, would have no trouble with that. What do I mean about treating witnessing as a natural part of our lives? If you buy a new car you tell your friends about it. You don’t break into their church service, for example, to do so. You do it when it comes up naturally in conversation.

If you live as a Christian, you will have little difficulty finding opportunities. In fact, if you are involved in your church community it is likely to show, and you’re likely to get questions. Answering someone else’s questions is always good timing.

Make sure that if you’re being treated badly for your faith, you’re not bringing it on yourself. As Peter says elsewhere: “. . . Always be ready to give an answer to those who ask for the hope that is in you. 16But do so with gentleness and respect, having a clear conscience, so that those who speak ill of you for your good behavior in Christ might be put to shame when they abuse you” 1Peter 3:15b-16 (HN)

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Valentine’s Day 2012

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

There will be cards, chocolate, and fields of flowers moved around today by hand, through the postal service, and even the internet as we all try to tell those that we love – how much we love.

But all that “stuff” means nothing without the real stuff. I mean buying a card or five pounds of chocolate or a three-carat diamond will mean nothing to someone if every day we do not love them.

Now I could go on and on about what love really means but why try to reinvent the wheel when Jesus and Paul already did it so well. So I am going to bow away and let them speak to me and to you. May we open our hearts and receive God’s Word today, growing deep roots and yet freely giving it away.

[Jesus said,] “I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you. If you obey me, I will keep loving you, just as my Father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him.

I have told you this to make you as completely happy as I am. Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them. And you are my friends, if you obey me. Servants don’t know what their master is doing, and so I don’t speak to you as my servants. I speak to you as my friends, and I have told you everything that my Father has told me.

You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. So I command you to love each other.”     John 15:9-17 (CEV)

So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts.
But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.     1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 (NLT)

Now listen -
At the Cross by Brian Doerksen

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He is There

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

Happy is one who cares for the poor; 

the LORD will save him in a day of adversity.
The LORD will keep him and preserve him;
he will be blessed in the land.
You will not give him over to the desire of his enemies.
The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed;
You will heal him on the bed where he lies.      Psalm 41:1-3 (HCSB)

Lectionary texts: Isaiah 43:18-25, Psalm 41, 2 Corinthians 1:18-22, Mark 2:1-12

It’s late at night. I am up for several reasons. I usually work late at night as it’s quiet. I have several people on my mind tonight who have needs. In my human reasoning, I have no answers for these people but one.

When sickness comes, when relationships become tangled, when someone I love moves away or dies, when something happens in this life – that is just hard, I turn my eyes and heart toward God and cry out to Him. I ask Him for help. I ask Him for healing. And He always answers.

“But God didn’t answer me!” “I lost my job!” “My mother died!” “My baby was sick for a week!” “But I loved him! Why did he leave?” “Why did we have to go through this?”

The enduring promise of God is that He will never leave me. God is the perfect Father. He loves His children. He has been there, watching and waiting, all the time. From the moment I said “Yes” to Jesus, He moved into my life. Through the times of unlimited joy, my LORD has been there with the biggest smile, dancing over me (Zephaniah 3:17). Through the darkest, loneliest of nights when my face is flooded with tears, my Jesus is there to hold me and comfort me (John 14). When I cannot find the words, for whatever reasons, I can go to Psalms and find the outlet for my feelings. God has heard them all before. He’ll hear them again.

God will sustain when I am too weak, too tired, too confused. When the path He asks me to walk is long and steep, He will walk beside me every step. He will even pick me up and carry me.

God will refresh when I am dirty in sin, exhausted from trying to climb a mountain He never intended for me to walk alone. Jesus washed the feet of the disciples (John 13) to set the picture before me that He will wash the sin from me, all I have to do is ask. He walked the road, bloodied and torn, to Golgotha so I would know there is no road that He will not walk before me.

God will speak to me words of Life when the world chatters on about things that are temporary and just downright lies. God will speak only truth. His words will not contradict who He is. His words will encourage me and strengthen me. God’s truth will convict me when I have strayed but never condemn me when I return.

Oh, my friends and fellow travelers through this world, we struggle not against flesh and blood (2 Corinthians 10) so our relief from those struggles, our victory over those struggles, comes not from my flesh – but from my LORD. Are you struggling today? Then come closer to our Father. Sit down today with Jesus. Listen with your spirit to the words of comfort from His Spirit. He is faithfully there.

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Life Words

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

Jesus Heard You
from He Lives, He Comforts  (ISBN#978-0800760519, July 1977)
by Corrie ten Boom

Jesus heard when you prayed last night.
He talked with God about you.
Jesus was there when you fought your fight,
he is going to bring you through.

Jesus knew when you shed those tears,
you did not weep alone.
The burdens you thought too heavy to bear,
he made them his very own.

Jesus himself was touched by that trial,
you could not understand.
Jesus stood by as you almost fell
and lovingly clasped your hand.

Jesus cared when you bore that pain,
indeed, he bore it too.
He felt each pain, each ache in your heart,
because of his love for you.

Ms. ten Boom’s words could have been written within the psalms. Her experience in Ravensbruck concentration camp gave her a wealth of wisdom and encouragement that continues to bless so many of us over 50 years later.

It’s hard to remember that in whatever circumstances God has the last word – and it is victory! The voice that whispers inside my head that God is ‘way off and isn’t interested in what unimportant me is doing or He has bigger problems than mine to handle. My own shortcomings or sins add to the doubt that God is or will become an active part of my life.

My Bible has, besides a small concordance, two lists in the back of it. The first is a list of “Promises” with related Scripture references. The second is a list of Scriptures on “Perspectives” or “What to read when:”. If you don’t happen to have those features in your Bible, go to Amazon.com’s book store and check out The Bible Promise Book (ISBN#: 978-1557481764) which is available ‘used’ for one penny! These ‘tools’ have been invaluable during times when finding the impetus to begin my own search for words of truth, encouragement, and strength were just too much for my “feeble limbs” (Hebrews 12:12).

Jesus, by His example, gives me footsteps to place my own feet in as I walk through difficult seasons in my life. He shows me how to persevere and keep focused on the goal He has for me. The Hope that is Jesus is the anchor when sickness, failing relationships, financial burdens, and events that may seem random and horrific try to demolish the peace and balance in my life. The closer I walk with Him the better I can hear and copy His life.

If you have never read some of Ms. ten Boom’s, or haven’t recently, I encourage you to do so. I cannot imagine her daily life in a concentration camp but she does an excellent job sharing her experience with Jesus in her writings. Every word shared is connected to Jesus and Him crucified and victorious.

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Jesus: More, So Much More

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from March 4, 2010]

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. Then they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says,
“They parted my garments among them. For my cloak they cast lots.”
Therefore the soldiers did these things.
But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home.   John 19:23-27 (WEB)

I believe God pointed this Scripture out to me today because I know some people who are going through great pain in their lives right now. Jesus’ road to Calvary is full of His love for me. (I hope I can write this next part clearly – help me, Lord!) Jesus went to the Cross and gave His life in sacrifice for me. That was everything and enoughbut – today I saw that even though that was everything and enough – Jesus gave me more! Jesus showed me again (and again!) how He – even as God – can also show me in ‘humanness’ His understanding of my life and the tragedy and suffering that can come.

Jesus’ personal garments, all that He had left in this world, became no more than ‘booty’ or plunder for the Roman soldiers. I was always taught as a child in Bible class that Jesus’ garment was probably made by His mother. It was certainly made with much effort and skill to weave it as one piece and without seams. They were not a rich family and Jesus, being single, may very well have been wearing a tunic made by His mother. And so maybe His mother was standing there watching her son being tormented and beaten and then one more insult on top of so many – His tunic is given to a Roman – through the degrading sport of gambling!

Then the ‘camera lens’ swings around and I am no longer looking toward Jesus but I am looking through His eyes to His mother. Mary is always shown to me as a woman of quiet yet determined faith. She has withstood the whispers and snickers since before Jesus was born. And yet she, too, has set her eyes forward and not looked back. Jesus turns His eyes to this woman that, I don’t believe any of us would debate, He loves. He sees to her care and entrusts her to one of His closest disciples, someone He trusts will do whatever it takes to care for her. It is interesting to note here that Mary had other children who I would assume would take up her care after the death of her eldest son – but Jesus knows the weakness of His biological brothers and sisters. He turns to John who is already standing close by and maybe instinctively ready to support Jesus’ mother however he can. Jesus confirms to John what he wants him to do – care for His mother; allow her to care for him. How beautiful and how awesome!

Jesus brings me through the pain and the suffering so that He can show me the hope and the promise that only HE can guarantee.

“Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning Star.”      Revelation 22:12-16 (WEB)

If this is a day of pain and suffering for you – take heart! Jesus has (it’s done!) overcome this world so grab on to that true promise! If you know someone who is suffering, then be that disciple, that ambassador, of Jesus and walk out His promises to encourage and point your loved one toward the hope that is Jesus.

 

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