Come, Lord Jesus

"'...and they will call him Immanuel' - which means, 'God with us.'"
Matthew 1:23b

“Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let thy gifts to us be blessed. Amen.”

Do you know this prayer? I’ve been a Lutheran my whole life, so I think I’ve probably said what we call the Common Table Prayer about 35,000 times, give or take a few. Of course, the “thy gifts” could be “these gifts” or “this food” or whatever else depending on whose table you’re sitting at or whose fellowship hall you’re standing in, but the words that I will think of differently from now on are the first ones: “Come, Lord Jesus.” Maranatha!

There are various ways to look at the definition of maranatha. I guess as a child, whenever we said the Common Table Prayer, I would kind of imagine Jesus coming to sit at an empty chair at the table with us. In any other context, “Come, Lord Jesus” has always been in the anticipation category in my mind looking forward to His return. Somehow I’ve missed the whole “Come, Lord Jesus, right here, right now, where I so desperately need You” part of the word maranatha.

The three year old is refusing to eat his dinner...again. Come, Lord Jesus!

It took 3 hours to get the kids to bed. Come, Lord Jesus!

We missed nap time, and now there are 2 fussy children under my feet while I am attempting to make a dinner that may or may not get eaten. Come, Lord Jesus!

I could add so many things to this list. I DESPERATELY need Jesus, right here, right now, and that will always be true no matter when right now is. Now when I pray that familiar prayer, I will be reminded that “maranatha” isn’t just for meal time or the end of time; it’s for right now in the messy details of my life. Maranatha!

To listen to the sermon that inspired this post, CLICK HERE.

Dear Jesus, Thank You for being with us at all times and in all places, and thank You most of all for what You did for us on the cross. Amen.

Ordinary? No, Extraordinary!

1 Chronicles 18:20a David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you."

The daily grind can be just that, a grind. I can't read the word grind without thinking about a friction that causes something to break apart into smaller pieces. The sound of the word itself brings about images of an abrasive sound.

Oh how often spring becomes a grind. The kids are ready for summer break, we parents are ready for summer break and lets face it. Some day, for me most days, are set within the premise of survival mode.

With this framework set in place, it is so easy to fall into the thought that each day is ordinary. We moms don't really do anything extraordinary. We clean, we cook, we cheer for our kids in their various sporting activities, we poke and prod our kids to make it up out of bed, to the table and then on to school. Day in and day out.

Before you hit that exit key wondering why you bothered to read this devotion. I challenge you to continue to read on.

I was stuck in that same rut until the Holy Spirit prodded me to pull out a old book from my days of studying for my masters degree. Opening the pages of this book became a clarifying moment for me.

Yes, in many ways I am ordinary. I face the same challenges in my faith life that most moms do. I face the same disobedient children as most moms and I balance, sometimes rather ineffectively, the demands on my time as most others. And yet it is in that ordinary-ness that I am through the grace of God extraordinary!

Think about it for a minute. God sent his son, Jesus, down to this earth in the form of man. Jesus in great wisdom chose 12 of the most ordinary men he could find to be a part of the most extraordinary three years in history. He chose some of the most hated men, tax collectors to be a part of ministry. He chose men who caught fish for a living to become fishers of men!

Oh how inspired I become when I realize that just as these ordinary men were a part of something extraordinary. I too, am part of something extraordinary. Each task that was once mundane and ordinary has become extraordinary. I may not see the results of the extraordinary-ness but I know it is part of a bigger plan. I don't know what plans my Father in Heaven has for my two young boys but I do know that God has made me their mom for a reason. He will bless that role and every ordinary interaction I have with them as part of an extraordinary plan for their lives.

So, just as David spoke the words of wisdom to his son Solomon, I repeat them now to you. "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God is with you."

Lord, Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, to Earth. Thank you for choosing ordinary people to be part of your extraordinary plan. Thank you for loving us so much that your son willingly gave His life for mine. Give me encouragement to continue on during those grinding days where we feel broken down. In your name I pray, Amen.

Bold Assurance

“Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”  Mark 16:6,7

This weekend packed a punch.  Several of my friends and/or their children were celebrating birthdays.  Friends were burying friends.  Family and neighbors were grieving loss.  And in the midst of it all, we celebrated the defeat of death, the risen Christ, the renewed life, on Easter Sunday.

In Pastor’s sermon this Easter Sunday, he pointed out that the day began with tears and then moved to fear.   (His message inspired this devotion.  Listen to it here.)  The grieving women went to the tomb with their tears and their traditions.  I think of my friends who have suffered loss so recently.  I can see the women, walking arm in arm, comforting each other as they walk down the road.  I know how important it is for those who mourn to feel like they have a task to attend to.  It had to be comforting for these women too, to make their way to the gravesite, on a mission. 

But nothing was as they expected when they arrived.  And after being addressed by an angel, the women were afraid.  Trumping their tears, was fear.  Throwing them off, stifling their expectations, confusing the norm.  They left – afraid.   

How do we leave the tomb?  How do we move forward from this weekend?  Does fear grip your heart as you consider life without a friend?  Does denial ensue when you realize the age of your growing children?   Do your expectations for this next week include feeling overwhelmed by your long to-do list? 

Fear is a very real part of our lives.  Whether it is something small, or something big - It can paralyze us.  The women who went to the tomb to carry-out their duties and their grief, found plenty of things to fear that day.  But we don’t have to live life this way.  We can live our lives with a boldness that only an empty tomb can provide.  We can approach our day with a boldness fitting the reality that a risen Savior brings.  We can begin our week, leaving our fears AT the empty tomb, and embracing the bold renewed LIFE that is gifted to us. 

Praise the Lord, that in the midst of it all – all that we have going on in our lives right now – we can lay our sadness and our fears down at the tomb, and leave with a bold assurance of eternal life and a merciful God.  A merciful God who comforts us, encourages us, empowers us, and inspires us to do the work that He has for us to do. 

Thank you, Lord.  Embolden me with the confidence of the cross.  Amen. 

Submission as Strength

And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?" But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" And Jesus said, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." And the high priest tore his garments and said, "What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?" And they all condemned Him as deserving death. Mark 14: 60-64

There Christ stood, as man, offering no defense of His own. "But he remained silent and made no answer."

Isaiah 53:7 prophesies, "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth."

True man took the scoffings, the mockings, and the beatings, "yet he opened not his mouth."

Jesus knew that God, the Father, was about to speak to all of mankind with the greatest display of love, the sacrifice of His own Son. In Jesus's silence, God spoke through Him. Jesus did not assert His own will, the will of a man, in these final, long-suffering hours. He submitted to the will of His Father. And in this perfect submission, Christ had the strength to endure the sins of the world.

Submission as strength. What a beautiful picture and reminder for us all.

Lord, Quiet our minds, so Your wisdom can be heard.

Help us to be still and know that You are God, the Author and Perfector of our faith.

Dear God, Silent our earthly defenses, so Christ, our only sure defense, shines victoriously.

Heavenly Father, hold us in Your everlasting arms as we reflect on our Savior being nailed to the cross for our wretched sins.

Lord, strenthen our hope in Jesus "seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven." AMEN.

The Rest of the Story

“When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” Mark 14:26

Radio personality, Paul Harvey, did much in his long career as a radio broadcaster. Yet, I would have to say that Harvey was best known for the radio show, The Rest of the Story. The show began broadcasting regularly in May of 1976 and continued until Harvey’s death in February of 2009. The Rest of the Story consisted of stories presented as little-known or forgotten facts on a variety of subjects with some key element of the story (usually the name of some well-known person) held back until the end. The broadcasts always concluded with a variation on the tag line "And now you know the rest of the story.”

In today’s Bible verse Jesus has just finished bringing the Lord’s Supper to his disciples in the upper room. Once that was over, they sang a hymn and departed for the Mount of Olives, which we know is where Jesus prayed while his disciples fell asleep and Jesus was arrested there and taken to appear in the temple.

As we consider the rest of the story, that time between the singing of the hymn and Jesus appearing in the temple of the high priest, what kind of things come to mind? Are we disappointed in the disciples? Perhaps – they said they’d stay faithful but, in the end, they fled. To be honest, we probably would have too, had we been there. Besides, when we sin, isn’t that just like fleeing from Jesus?

When we think about Jesus praying in the Garden, do our hearts ache for him? He knew what was coming, asked that it be removed, but deep down, he probably knew that his sufferings and death were inevitable. To think, it wasn’t even his own doing that put Jesus in this position. It was the sin of the world, including yours and mine.

As we ponder these and other parts of the rest of the story, we should keep in mind the last thing Jesus said to those who came to arrest him: “But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” When man first fell into sin, God promised a Savior. Throughout the Old Testament, there’s prophecy of this Savior who would give up his life for the salvation of all people. Jesus is that Savior and, if he didn’t fulfill what Scripture said about him, there would be no salvation for the sinful human race.

It is God’s greatest will that all people would be saved. Since we can’t do it on our own, God sent Jesus to become the perfect sacrifice. That means, God didn’t take the cup from Jesus. Instead, Jesus would go on to bear our sins on the cross. But, the cross wasn’t the end. Neither was the tomb. Jesus would rise from the dead and all who believe in him have forgiveness and eternal life. A hymn; a prayer in the garden; a betrayal; an arrest; disciples that fled; an unfair trial; a crucifixion; a death; a glorious resurrection; salvation for all who believe. Now you know the rest of the story!

(A special thank you to my husband for sharing portions of his sermon for this evening, to be used in this devotion.)

Prayer: Dear Jesus, we thank you for Your sacrifice on our behalf. Lord, help us to focus on You, on Your passion, on Your gift of forgiveness and salvation. Forgive us for the times that we flee from You. We praise and thank You for not fleeing from us in our greatest needs. Amen.

Peace of Christ

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts….” Colossins 3:15

We were cleaning the girls’ room and my 7 year-old finds a pair of earrings in her jewelry box. (She does not have her ears pierced yet.) I see her looking at them and the wheels are turning.

“Mom? Can you ear pierce your own ear?”

I hesitate. “Well, you can. But it’s not really a good idea… It would hurt a lot and you could get an infection… It’s just not a good idea.”

Her face is scrunched up wondering about the pain and the possibilities.

“Ok.” She adds. “I like good ideas.”

I smile. I know you do, I think to myself. I love these ‘smart’ moments with my kids, when their true genius comes out. ;) It’s fun to watch them, isn’t it? I am fascinated by their questions and their logic. Sometimes I hold my breath, waiting to see what they think of a new discovery. Often I shake my head and giggle a little (especially when the 3 year-old announces her take on life).

I hope my kids understand the world better than I do. I pray that they “get it” a lot sooner than I did. I know they are smart kids and will probably make some really good decisions. But of course I worry about them. Moms know how painful learning can be.

A few years ago I wrote a prayer for my kids, based on some verses in Colossians. Actually, it is the verses fashioned into a prayer. I have it posted on my bathroom mirror so I say it for them daily. Paul talks a lot in Colossians about life – a life with Christ. I had been an adult for quite a while before I realized a lot of the Truths Paul shares. I hope I can help to pass them onto my children so they can enjoy some of these Truths sooner than later.

Paul talks about putting to death our earthly nature, and instead putting on compassion, kindness, and love. I pray that my children learn these behaviors. I pray that they can somehow understand how loved they are, by their Savior. I pray that they can grasp the Grace of our Father.

But I know real understanding of these things is nearly impossible. I know that the Holy Spirit is working in us, but that we continue to trip over ourselves and sometimes life is really hard. So, while I pray these things for my children, at the end I pray that “the peace of Christ (will) rule in their hearts.” So often we don’t “get it.” So often we are faced with not knowing the right answers. But Paul encourages us to “Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts,” because peace from Christ is the ultimate answer to all our questions.

Lord, Thank you for your Peace. Thank you for your comfort. As Moms we often feel like we need all the answers. Let our children see that we do not trust in ourselves, but in the Peace and answers that you provide. Help us to lean on you, Lord, for the sake of our families and ourselves. Amen.

The Cross is Where it All Went Right

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Genesis 50:20

Joseph was the most beloved son of his father. He received a lavish offering in the gift of a beautiful robe from his dad and he had had some amazing dreams that he actually understood. On top of that, he was a pretty good looking young man. Then all of a sudden he was thrown into a pit by his own brothers who were arguing over whether or not to kill him. Where did things go wrong?

One day he was living the good life, and the next he was being shipped off to a life where he would spend years away from his family, be accused of adultery, and rewarded with prison time. Yet because of him many people were kept alive. It was the God of his word and the God of detail that meticulously wove the lives of so many together for the salvation of his people. “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” It was the God of love that Joseph served. This was where things went right.

Jesus was the most beloved Son of his Father. He rode into Jerusalem and was greeted with cries of, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” The people spread out their garments and cut palm branches. They lined the streets for just a glimpse of the Son of God. They begged for his attention, his healing, and his forgiveness. Then they gave him over willingly to be spat on, mocked, and beaten. Where did it all go wrong?

One day we are singing, “All glory, laud, and honor to You, Redeemer, King. To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.” And the next we are letting a murderer go free and nailing an innocent man to a cross. Yet, only because of Jesus are any of us kept alive. It is the God of his word and the God of unimaginable grace that can use our own wickedness to fulfill his promise for our ultimate good. It is the God of love that we serve. The cross is where it all went right.

Heavenly Father

You used our own sin to spare us the punishment for sin. What a great God you are! This week as we hear again exactly what the cost of our sin was, we praise you for sending your Son in our place. We say today and every day, “Hosanna, save us Lord.” Thank you for doing exactly that. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.