Maranatha!

This Christmas Season Christ has already come and is coming anew. Our Messiah will do more than we ask or can even imagine. Too many times, as Advent (year after year) seems to come and go, I get wrapped up in my so-called busy life, and don’t take the time for Christ. This year I am going to make sure I am not “too busy” to answer God’s call and to prepare a place for him. This year I am going to raise my expectations and not simply reflect on Christ’s past comings, but to remember that Christ is alive and present here and now. This Advent I am going to stop, pause,

and welcome Christ anew in my life as I pray, “Maranatha, Maranatha, Come, Oh Lord, and set me free!”

Advent Thoughts

Each year in early December we celebrate three advents. The original coming of Jesus into the world - the third when he returns as the King of Glory and - the second in the NOW as he is born in us and shines through us today. Celebrate all three! GHT

Advent Thoughts

Though stores have had Christmas decorations up since the day after Halloween, though the world seems more focused on good sales than good news, though exams and performances and traditions and parties make this one of the busiest times of year, our faith invites us this week to be still and know that God is near. - From D365.org

Advent Thoughts - Day 3

Psalm 130:5-8 5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; 6 my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. 7 O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. 8 And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Advent engages us in the discipline of 'waiting'. Something most of us are not very good at. We want what we want and we want it NOW. But the Biblical story of God's work in the world includes a lot of waiting. The Promised One of the Older Testament does not appear quickly. Four hundred years of silent waiting separate the older from the newer segments of God's word. Galatians 4:4 tells us that God waited to send Jesus until the time was exactly right. So this Christmas while we spend the next twenty two days waiting - let's lean into it. Let's embrace it. God what is it that I can learn from you this week as I wait to celebrate the birth of Jesus?

December 2 - Advent Thoughts

It was not a silent night

There was blood on the ground

You could hear a woman cry

In the alleyways that night

On the streets of David's town

And the stable was not clean

And the cobblestones were cold

And little Mary full of grace

With the tears upon her face

Had no mother's hand to hold

It was a labor of pain

It was a cold sky above

But for the girl on the ground in the dark

With every beat of her beautiful heart

It was a labor of love

For little Mary full of grace

With the tears upon her face

It was a labor of love

Labor of Love -- Andrew Peterson

I'm sure Josef Mohr meant well when he wrote the words to Silent Night back in 1816. It is after all a lovely Christmas carol. Trouble is - it's just not real. The idyllic scene he painted was certainly lovely. But what happened on that first Christmas night was anything but perfect. This Christmas when life gets messy and loud and chaotic - remember that Joseph and Mary and the newborn would also have been surrounded by noise, from barnyard animlas to the clamoring cries of childbirth. In a way I'm glad it wasn't a silent night long ago in Bethlehem. After all we live in a noisy chaotic broken world which is why Christmas happened in the first place. God was invading our space with the light of his love. Jesus: love with skin on it!

GHT

Station 14 - Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

Station 14 - Jesus is Laid in the Tomb

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin. As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. (Luke 23:53-56 NLT)

So they take his lifeless body down and lay it in a borrowed tomb. He is gone. In fact they take the limp 33 year old body and wrap it in haste. The Sabbath is fast approaching so they only take time to partially embalm it. They'll come back on Sunday morning to finish the job. He's not going anywhere. Sadness descends.

So Lord Jesus - even though we know this is not really the end of your story - we will leave you here for now. Humanly speaking we would like to rush on to the events of Sunday morning but just for now - we'll wait. We choose to feel the searing pain and loss - the sting of death. For all you did for all of us - we give you glory and honor and praise - now and forever. "We adore you Lord Jesus and we bless you, for by your very cross you have redeemed the world." Amen.

Station 13 - Jesus Dies

Station 13 - Jesus Dies

By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last. When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” (Luke 23:44-47 NLT)

It had been almost six hours now. Jesus has been hanging in the searing afternoon sun long enough for the cross to do its horrific work. The hour has come. The prisoner has no strength left. None. His legs and arms are now useless and there is no way he can no longer catch oven - one - more - breath. So with one last gasp he tells his Father he is coming. He gasps and breathes his last and his head drops and his life is gone…

Lord Jesus - my Savior - who by your sacrifice provided the one full perfect payment for the sins of the world - I am in awe of the price you paid for my sins. I will never be able to repay you. Except with my love. When I see the cross I cannot help but love you back! "We adore you Lord Jesus and we bless you, for by your very cross you have redeemed the world." Amen.

Station 12 - Jesus Cares for His Mother Mary

Station 12 - Jesus Cares for His Mother Mary -

Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. (John 19:25-27 NLT)

It is amazing really. This moment on the cross when wracked in agony of body and mind Jesus stops to talk to his Mom. Clearly he has enough time and energy left to be a good son. With these simpe words he provides for the care of his only earthly parent before his last breath. The people on and near the cross are all real human beings. We are watching a family take care of business as Jesus passes the care of his Mom to his best friend John. Here near the end, Jesus is making sure the one who nursed and nurtured him and stayed nearby when virtually everyone else hid - was properly cared for. What a good son.

Lord Jesus we remember that not only were you the Son of God, but you were also the son of Mary. She loved her boy and she was loved in return. May we show our love for You, in the way we love the family with whom you have blessed us. "We adore you Lord Jesus and we bless you, for by your very cross you have redeemed the world." In your name Amen.

Station 11 - Jesus offers Paradise to the Crucified Thief

Station 11 - Jesus Promises Paradise to the Penitent Thief

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43 NLT)

There are three crosses on the hill that day. One condemned criminal taunts Jesus with his dying breath, the other speaks in his defense and simply asks that the Lord will remember him. Not much of a sinner's prayer really. Barely a gasp of hope. But it is enough for Jesus. "Sure. You can come with me today to Paradise." What a promise - to a desperate criminal who only had a few hours of life left in him. This man has no time to pay Jesus back or to live a life of noble service as restitution for his crimes. But still his desperate cry was good enough for Jesus.

So we thank you Lord that you offer eternal life to all who ask humbly in faith no matter how far gone we are. Heaven is for broken repentant people like me. So we pray once more "We adore you Lord Jesus and we bless you, for by your very cross you have redeemed the world." In the name of the name that is above all other names we pray. AMEN

Station 10 Jesus is Crucified

Station 10 - Jesus is Crucified

When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened to the cross above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” (Luke 23:33-38 NLT)

The cross is now laid on the ground and prisoner is lashed to it. Huge sharp spikes are hammered through his hands and feet. Shockwaves rack his body and the cross is slowly lifted upright and then suddenly dropped into place. Pushing down on his feet and pulling up with his arms the crucified one gasps for air. Until he has no more strength. Jesus - I cannot ever say thank you enough for all you endured for me. So I pray once more "We adore you Lord Jesus and we bless you, for by your very cross you have redeemed the world." In your holy name I pray - Amen

Station 9 - Jesus Speaks to the Weeping Women

Station 9 - Jesus Meets the Weeping Women of Jerusalem

A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed.’ People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” (Luke 23:27-31 NLT)

I’m not sure how I missed this one. But Luke didn’t. He had a knack for pointing out the foreigners and the children and the women Jesus touched. Despite the culture of the day that didn’t see women as equals, Jesus did. Right up to the hour of his death he took time to listen to and speak with the weeping women. Amazing.

Lord Jesus though your word to the weeping women was a warning - may it remind me today that to you - everyone matters. May everyone matter to me too. So I pray "We adore you Lord Jesus and we bless you, for by your very cross you have redeemed the world." Amen.

Station 8 - Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry the Cross

As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26 NLT)

So Jesus the pain and agony was too much for you to take and still drag that cross. No one could blame you really. Loss of blood, the beatings, the ongoing agonizing pain combined to leave you too weak to go on. So the soldiers grab an innocent bystander, an African from modern-day Libya and make him do the dirty work. So I guess, in a sense, I ought to identify with Simon of Cyrene since in my following in your steps I too will be “crucified with Christ.” But it's different between us Lord. You invite me to carry my cross and follow you you don't force me. And then you give me the strength to do it.

For all this and more I thank you so much. So I pray once more "We adore you Lord Jesus and we bless you, for by your very cross you have redeemed the world." Amen.

Station 7 - Jesus take up His Cross

Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus away. Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). (John 19:16b-17 NLT)

Now this long sad journey grows even harder as they lay that heavy cross on you and make you carry it. Some have said what they made you do was like Isaac in the older Testament carrying the wood for what was intended as his own funeral pyre. But as we shall soon see - it was too much for you to bear. Even so you took it. You began to carry it. Not just the weight of the cross itself but also the weight of the sins of the whole world - including mine. Please carry me and my sin. There truly is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. I love You because you first loved me. So I reiterate this timeless prayer "We adore you Lord Jesus and we bless you, for by your very cross you have redeemed the world." Amen.

Station 6 - Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns

The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment. They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship. (Mark 15:16-19 NLT)

I've always felt so terrible about the mental torture inflicted on you Jesus. How those cruel soldiers mocked your kingship, with a scalp-piercing crown of thorns and a robe thrown over blood-soaked back. Indignity upon indignity and you in your love allowed it to happen. Not because you could not have stopped it - but because you chose not to. "Amazing love - how can it be that Thou my God shouldst die for me" - And Can it Be. So Lord Jesus I remember your physical pain and your mental torture as the painful result of my selfish sinful ways. Every time I willfully transgressed your moral law it was as if I added one more lash. With my name on it. Forgive me Lord as I join this timeless prayer "We adore you Lord Jesus and we bless you, for by your very cross you have redeemed the world." Amen.

Station 5 - Jesus Condemned by Pilate

Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have examined him thoroughly on this point in your presence and find him innocent. Herod came to the same conclusion and sent him back to us. Nothing this man has done calls for the death penalty. ...But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. (Luke 23:13-15, 23-24 NLT)

Pilate really blew it. He had a chance to do the right thing with you Jesus but he didn't. Pilate had a strong sense that you were innocent since he not only knew the law but his wife had told him about her dreadful dream. Still he caved. Pilate chose to placate the crowd who kept insisting on your guilt, rather than doing what he knew to be right. As we would say nowadays "Pilate had the gun." He was the only one with enough authority to sentence you to death, or to spare you, no matter how loudly the crowd yelled. Pilate alone made the decision to hand you over to be crucified. No wonder he is the only person other than God and your mother Mary mentioned by name in the Apostles Creed:"Suffered under Pontius Pilate..." So Lord help me to obey my own conscience and inner moral compass no matter what the voices around me a screaming. And when I don't - forgive me Lord. Forgive me. Once more I join in this prayer "We adore you Lord Jesus and we bless you, for by your very cross you have redeemed the world." Amen.

Station 4 - Peter Denies Jesus

Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.” But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said. A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.” Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly. (Matthew 26:69-75 NLT)

Lord Jesus, your word tells us that you predicted Peter's denial: he would deny you three times over. But of course Peter was sure you had overestimated his disloyalty. Now we know that it was he who had overestimated his courage and allegiance. So it all happened just like you said it would. Peter was tested three times and Peter failed three times. And then that rooster crowed. Peter's bravado was dashed and shame and sorrow gripped his heart. Finally he saw the truth about himself. He was not as noble and strong has he had thought. He needed you more than he realized. Which of course is the truth about us - about me too. So Lord whenever I get a bit too full of myself - when I think of myself more highly than I ought to think - bring me back to reality. There is a lot of Peter in me. I'm overconfident in my own goodness and under-confident (if there is such a word) in yours. Help me to be faithful when tested and humble always. So I join to pray "We adore you Lord Jesus and we bless you, for by your very cross you have redeemed the world." In Your strong Name I pray. Amen

Station 3 - Condemned by the Sanhedrin

STATION 3 - Jesus Condemned by Sanhedrin

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!” (Matthew 26:62-66 NLT)

Jesus - why do the religious leaders hate you so much? What did you do to offend them so deeply? The high priest tears his garments,because he cannot believe that this man standing before him is God-in-the-flesh. You try to reveal yourself but your accusers simply cannot - will not see. Lord Jesus, grant me the vision to see you for who you really are, in all your glory. Whatever preconceptions or limitations I have placed on you I lay at your feet. I too am somewhat 'religious' and I am sometimes tempted to make loving you into a duty. Forgive me. Help me never to miss your glory. So we pray with those who have made the Stations across the centuries and around the world: "We adore you Lord Jesus and we bless you, for by your very cross you have redeemed the world." In Your strong Name I pray. Amen

Station Two - The Betrayal

Station Two - Betrayal

Jesus, we remember the moment. That heartbreaking moment of betrayal when as you and the sleepy disciples turned to leave the garden, one more arrived leading an angry crowd. Your friend Judas kissed you - not to greet you with love, but to betray you. And we, who are often so quick to greet you with kindly words of affection in our prayers and worship, see something of ourselves. Our lips have both blessed your name and betrayed your love. We say we love you and we do. But Jesus, please help us to love you with all of our hearts - all the time. Forgive us for the times we have pledged our love for you, but didn't live it. Set us - set me free to be wholly devoted to you, even when I not exactly sure what you are up to. I will trust and follow you anyway. By your grace I will. So we pray with those who have made the Stations across the centuries and around the world: "We adore you Lord Jesus and we bless you, for by your very cross you have redeemed the world." In Your strong Name I pray. Amen.