The Lion and the Lamb

     I've always been struck by the contrast between the Jesus who appears in the stories of the final week of his life and the Jesus who appears throughout the rest of the gospel. Before his final days he is like a lion. Performing miracles, healing the sick, raising the dead, he literally walks on water. There seems to be no limit to his power. And he always comes out on top. The demons always flee, the bad guys constantly try to trap him and trip him up and he always has just the right thing to say to confound them and frustrate them. For the first 3 1/2 years of his ministry the good guys always win, the bad guys are always sent packing. He's exactly what I expect a hero to be.

     Then, as the end approaches, Jesus says to his disciples, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified." (John 12:23)

     The stage is set, he's paid his dues, it's time for the final showdown, the big reveal.

     But the Jesus we see in the few hours before his death is so different from the lion like character that has been drawing such a crowd. First, he comes riding in to town on an under aged donkey. I don't care who you are, you're not going to look like a hero astride a shaggy, wobbly legged donkey. And once he gets to town, the bad guys get away with murder and Jesus has nothing disarming to say. He's bound and beaten, mocked and spit upon by the same clowns he's showed up in every confrontation for 3 1/2 years. Where's the hero? Where are the words of wisdom? It's frustrating to read the story. Why doesn't he show himself for what he really is? He seems the opposite of a hero. He seems like a victim. Is he really a lion? Or is he just a lamb?

     The reason this part of Jesus' life is so frustrating to us is the same reason that it was so confusing and sad for his closest disciples, his friends. They thought (and we usually think) that a person's finest hour is when they rise up in all their strength and ability, put their greatness on display and triumph completely over the enemy for all to see. But when Jesus said that the hour had come for him to be glorified, he meant that he was going to demonstrate what glory really is. And it turns out glory is not what we think it is at all.

     If we are honest, we have to admit that the biblical account of the original sin that Adam and Eve committed—not just the sin of eating forbidden fruit, but their prideful arrogance to want to be "as gods..." to do what they wanted when they wanted—is very believable. Adam denied God's will to do what he wanted to do. And from that day on mankind continued to do just that. We all want to be our own boss, to be as strong and fearsome as the Lion in defending ourselves and making a life for ourselves.

     But then Jesus came along. In Jesus the human race finally had a man that could resist the temptation to have it his way and instead say, "Not my will but thine be done." And that is precisely what it means to be worthy of glory: to know God's will and deny oneself and do it. 

     When his hour had come, he showed us what kind of a hero he really was. He said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (John 12:24, 25)

     He delivered himself to his tormentors, riding right into their stronghold on the lowliest beast of burden. They bound him, beat him, insulted him and he said nothing because everything that needed to be said had already been said between him and the Father.  To be a lamb like this requires the power and courage of a lion. 

     This truly was his finest hour on the earth and they never stop talking about it in heaven because it was and is the most amazing, selfless and courageous thing any man has ever done. And in the songs they sing to him, about him, the name He is known by is the one he proved he deserved in his finest hour: The Lamb of God. 

    

John 3:1-8

¹Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 
²This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 
³Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 
⁴Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 
⁵Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 
⁶That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 
⁷Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 
⁸The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 

This private dialog between Jesus and Nicodemus is one of the most well-known passages in scripture, and for good reason. This is the first time in the book of John that Jesus speaks more than a few words. And these words describe the central experience of those who enter into the kingdom of God. He's talking to Nicodemus but his intended audience is much bigger. He's talking to all of us. All of mankind. And what he says is on the top shelf, it's a stretch for anyone to grasp, but it's not completely out of reach.

I don't think Nicodemus was a bad guy. He wasn't the kind of man who judged someone from a distance, without talking to them face to face. He was obviously successful and well respected and well known. To me that indicates that he was probably hard working and dependable and a good leader. Qualities that make up a good guy.

But this night, in this conversation, as he tried to get a handle on an unconventional young rabbi, this successful and respected religious leader was out of his depth.

Nicodemus' question shows that he is trying to understand, but Jesus knows Nicodemus (and we) won't grasp these words with understanding alone.

Here's what Jesus is telling us: Intimacy with God results in spiritual conception. 

A new person is born, a spiritual person, when we are intimate with God. Other places this new person is referred to as 'the inner being...' (Ephesians 3:16) 'a new creation...' (2 Corinthians 5:17) or 'a new heart' 'a new spirit'. And this new person, comes into being and supersedes and replaces the old person that we were. Jesus tells Nicodemus that it is this new person who sees and enters into the Kingdom of God.

No doubt Nicodemus was surprised to hear Jesus refer to it in these terms, but the experience sounds exactly like what King David sought when he prayed, "Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10). As a leader of Israel, Nicodemus would also be very familiar with the words God spoke through the prophet Ezekiel, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." and "I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes..." (Ezekiel 36:26, 27)

It's gratifying to witness Jesus as he explains 'spiritual truth in spiritual language' to a man who has had no experiences that correspond to these words.

It's gratifying because after we have been born of 'water and the spirit' we are all called and equipped and privileged to have very similar conversations with our friends and family and neighbors. Trying to speak to people about a dimension that they have no point of reference to comprehend. It's comforting to know that even Jesus isn't entirely successful in getting his point across. But wow! His words are so descriptive and powerful. Even if you can't understand them, you want to understand them.

Maybe that is where the problem lies. I said earlier that Nicodemus was trying to understand Jesus' words, but Jesus knew that Nicodemus wouldn't get a grip on his words with understanding alone.

There is one thing necessary for anyone to experience what Jesus is talking about, to experience conception at this point of intimacy with God. And that is to believe.

The thing that distinguishes someone who enters the kingdom of God is that they believe. In fact the early church didn't call themselves Christians, they called themselves believers.

It is only when we believe that we conceive, and when we conceive, that we see, and when we see, that we enter into the Kingdom of God.

He Never Prophesies Anything But Trouble For Me

1 Kings 22:7-8(NLT) ⁷But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not also a prophet of the LORD here? We should ask him the same question.”  
⁸The king of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat, “There is one more man who could consult the LORD for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.”  Jehoshaphat replied, “That’s not the way a king should talk! Let’s hear what he has to say.”  

     This drama from the book of 1 Kings depicts two kings with different values and governing styles. It is a very rare instance of cooperation between the kings of Israel and Judah. And the decision making process of these two men, Ahab, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, show why these two kingdoms had such a hard time getting along. Jehoshaphat wants to consult the Lord (by consulting a prophet) because he believes that knowing the will of God is vital to making a decision. Ahab, on the other hand seems to suspect that consulting this prophet will result in trouble and doesn't want to hear what he has to say, as if ignoring his counsel would result in a good outcome.

     One of the most difficult things for a leader to do, whether they are a father or mother, business owner, department head, pastor or congressman, is solicit opinions that are contrary to his own. It's not easy to lead people, even under the most ideal circumstances, but especially when they don't agree with you, when they know (or think they know) more than you, when they don't see things the way you do.

     Some leaders mistakenly believe that contrary opinions should be silenced or discredited, as if the "peace" that results is desirable. But often for a leader, silence isn't golden and it doesn't signify agreement, it is a sign of deafness.

     The more powerful a leader, the higher his profile, the more likely he is to trust his own judgment and less likely to value the opinions of those who are less powerful or influential. The more difficult the decisions, the more high level subordinates with opposing views can appear to be enemies instead of sources of good information and strategy. If a subordinate believes that disagreeing with a leader's viewpoint may be seen as insubordination, they are very likely to keep their opinions to themselves, even when their views are informed by solid evidence or experience.   

     To make good decisions, leaders nust have as much up to date, pertinent information as possible. Often that means intentionally seeking out opinions that are or may be opposed to his own opinions. He has to make the effort to get people to talk to him to say things he may not want to hear.

     God's will can sometimes seem difficult and troublesome, but ignoring it doesn't change anything. God can use anyone who is willing to hear the unvarnished truth and act on it. Many of the most well known characters in the Bible were powerless in themselves, but armed with the truth and a willingness to courageously act on it, they prevailed despite their lack of stature.

     Who has the right to speak the truth to you? If the people who have a right to speak into your life, to influence your decisions don't include some who seem to prophecy trouble, maybe they have been silenced or ignored, or worse, maybe you as a leader have become deaf to an opinion that might be your salvation.

     

In the wake of the killings of Christian relief workers in Afghanistan in August ResonateNews.com asked several spiritual leaders, including me, the question, "Given the climate of the times, should Christians evangelize or share the Gospel?

My response:

That’s a very good question and one that every believer and every Christian leader should ask themselves often.

When Jesus told his disciples that they were going to be bearers of good news, He didn’t limit this activity to any nation or language group or season (or climate). He also didn’t give them a detailed “how to” guide to reach different cultures or to operate in different environments. Instead he encouraged them with the words they needed desperately to hear: He said “I’ll be with you”. As difficult as it may be to share our faith today, it’s hard to imagine that Jesus didn’t anticipate the challenges we face. It’s also hard to imagine that He’s at a loss on how to draw people to his table of love and forgiveness and hope and peace when these essential elements of life are becoming so scarce today.

But I think there’s a word missing from the above question.

Too many believers know the answer to the question in its present form but I’m afraid we won’t get much heavenly credit for that. When you add the word “how” just before “should” you get a question that won’t leave us feeling self satisfied or comfortable.

“Given the climate of the times, how should Christians evangelize or share the Gospel?”

Sharing the Gospel in the world today presents some challenges that previous generations didn't face, but just because the climate is different doesn’t mean that seeds can’t be sown and produce an abundant harvest. It does mean that it is vitally important that we don’t just copy the techniques of those who have gone before us, even if they were successful. Instead, we should emulate the partnership they shared with Christ and his Spirit. After all, isn’t every successful sharing of the gospel more to the credit of Jesus’ compassion and wisdom and sacrifice and relevance than to the servants he used to make them known.

That’s especially true in the climate of these times.

Tag you're in!

A recent retreat for the men of our church included a paintball competition that was eye opening on several different points.

The safety equipment consisted solely of a plastic helmet with goggles.

Eye opener #1: I guess our mothers were right when they identified the salient danger in shooting activities as being the loss of an eye. (One of our guys discovered that other protective gear a little farther south on the anatomy might have been a good idea as well. Can’t believe nobody thought of THAT ahead of time.)

Our rules of engagement for the fast paced games of capture the flag on a relatively small course, were pretty simple: All participants had to start with a hand touching their home base. At a given signal competition began. The winning team was the first team to grab the white flag hanging from a stick in the middle of the course and return said flag to their home base. The only other rule stated that (obviously) if you’re hit by a paintball, you’re out, but if anyone from your team touches you after you’re hit, you’re back in the game.

At the opening signal my teammates and I sprinted for the makeshift barricades strewn randomly around the course, firing wildly in the general direction of the flock of enemy players flying headlong from their own home base. Paintballs zzzinnnnged from the barrel of my weapon, hooking and slicing with a randomness reminiscent of my few disastrous golf outings.

Eye-opener #2: The fear of stepping into the line of paint pellet fire made all of us appreciate the courage veterans in our group must possess to have faced live rounds from real enemies.

It only took about 30 seconds for me to get thwapped in the appendix by a lucky shot from one of my fellow men’s ministry “brothers” on the other team.

“I’m HIT!” I said, using the designated sign of holding a hand up. That’s when I realized that I was separated from my teammates by at least 10 yards. No one even looked my direction. They were all focused rather intently on the battle before them, firing their weapons and squeezing themselves as tightly as possible behind what little cover they had found.

Eye opener #3: (And this one is a life lesson) Your teammates have their own battles to fight and skin to save, so keeping a big distance between you and them means when you’re hit, you may be out of action for a while.

I knelt there, powerless to help, as the bad guys steadily gained ground over my outnumbered team. Suddenly one of the brothers on my team jumped from the safety of his wooden spool and dashed across the open ground toward me, slapping me rather rudely on the head and diving for a tree as bright balls of paint splattered all around.

I leapt forward to a spot alongside a teammate crouching behind a pallet and began firing anew. Almost immediately I was dinked on the head by another shot, but being so close to my teammate, he simply reached over, slapped my back (kinda hard), and I was instantly back in action.

Eye opener #4: (Another life lesson closely related to e.o. #3) The buddy system is the way to go if you want to stay in the game.

We “played” as long as we had paintballs to shoot. Afterwards we showed off our welts, laughed at each other’s war stories and headed back to the dorm. On the way back I couldn’t help wondering: if one of these men were shot down by a fiery dart from the enemy, is it possible that they might only require a simple compassionate touch from a brother willing to go out to them to get back in the battle?
Maybe that’s what Galatians 6:1 means, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.”

It's certainly worth a try.

Paint

Luke 19:1-10 Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho. There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way—he was a short man and couldn’t see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by.
When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home.”
Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good luck, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, “What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?”
Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, “Master, I give away half my income to the poor—and if I’m caught cheating, I pay four times the damages.”
Jesus said, “Today is salvation day in this home! Here he is: Zacchaeus, son of Abraham!
For the Son of Man came to find and restore the lost.”

When it comes to saving people, Jesus was (is) truly the master. Zacchaeus is living proof that our natural reactions to “sinful” people, i.e. our attitudes of hostility and prejudice, don’t help change people. It only drives the bad behavior deeper.
If the townspeople had the authority to require Zacchaeus to change that would be one thing, but since they couldn’t make him change, their attitude toward him only made him more determined to look out for number one.
Jesus changes everything with just a word, a kind word. And suddenly, we see a different man in Zacchaeus after this brief conversation with Christ.
I like the look of natural wood. I like to see the grain of the wood. I think it is more beautiful than the most original tint or texture of paint.
Why do we paint things anyway? To make them match, to cover things up.
That’s what bad behavior is. It is an attempt to change the subject or cover something up or protect ourselves from something.
The problem is that when we try to remove the paint, if we’re not careful, we don’t just remove the paint,. We may scrape or cut or gouge the wood underneath.
The question we have to answer is “What is underneath the surface that we can't see?”
There is a person under that covering, under that paint if you will, that God dearly loves and wants to deal with in a loving way.
A lost child that he wants to restore.
Maybe they have applied a coat of paint to themselves as a cover up, to make themselves appear differently than they are, to protect themselves.
Jesus can remove this coat of paint, this façade of behavior with just a simple knock, a kind word. We should be careful let Him have his way.

How To Be Impressively Hair Aware

Darling, if you're reading this it's probably because someone else told you that I mentioned you in my blog so you're reading this to find out what I said and I just want to say up front that you are an awesome wife, I don't deserve you and the thing I love best about your lovely hair is the way it frames your beautiful face. The only reason I sometimes don't pay as much attention to your hair as I should is that I'm so captivated by your eyes, your smile, the way your nose crinkles when you laugh, the whole thing is just so captivating.
So here's what I said in my blog:
The other day I came in from work and after I kissed her, my lovely wife, Becky was giving me one of those subtle, stand-offish smiles that indicates she's wondering if I'm going to say something about something that I should be saying something about but have no clue of any kind as to what the subject might be that I better be addressing post-haste.
"So, how'd it go?" I asked, skillfully using a question to fulfill my obligation to say something until I could come up with what I was supposedto say.
"How'd what go?" Ah, she's good.
Suddenly, I remembered: She told me she was getting her hair done this afternoon. She seemed, as always, to be pretty stoked about it.
"Your haircut appointment. How'd it go? It looks great!"
Now a private sigh of relief should have been in order and mega good guy points awarded, but alas, her sphinx-like smile remained unchanged.
"Can you tell what's different about it?"
(Who do you think you're dealing with here, sister?) "Yeah, it's shorter. And your streaks are lighter, I really like the str--highlights." (Got the proper technical term at the last instant.)
"It's a LOT shorter." She said. Patronizingly.
"Yeah, I know, it's a lot shorter. I really like it." Always want to reiterate that I like it at the end. Not that that is the point of this discussion by any stretch.

So, gentlemen, anyone else ever played ant to just such a magnifying glass? Not fun, huh?
Well I'm here to say that I may have solved this age-old quandary once and for all.
Here's how it came about:
The lady who cuts my hair also does Becky's. (I know that doesn't sound manly, but she did my hair for years before Becky started going to her. And other guys go in there too, and she does great work, so nbd.)
Anyway, when I got my hair cut this past week, she asked me how Becky liked her hair after she did it last week. The way she asked the question indicated that a lot had happened to bring about such dramatic results at the last hair appointment.
I told her that Becky loved it and then--BRAINSTORM.
"Hey, you know what? I'd tip you 20 bucks if you'd just give me a call after Becky's hair appointments and give me a detailed description of all the radical clippage and streakery and whatever else has occurred so that I could intelligently, with proper technical jargon, critique her appearance without having to be prompted."
I think the other ladies in the shop may have been listening in on my brilliant plan because there were smiles all around.
And I'm sure these were the kind of smiles people smile with people and not at them.
I'll let you know how it goes after then next appointment. I'm going to dazzle and amaze. At least, hopefully, I can come up with something better than, "I really like it."

(And my darling, if you're still reading this, I was just kidding her about the $20 bucks. I would never waste any of our hard earned money just to make myself appear to be less of a buffoon than we both know that I really am. And I really do love what you've done to your hair.)