"Glorify"

"Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."

- John 12:28 (NKJV)

The season of Lent in the Christian tradition is a time of reflection, introspection, self examination, and repentance. Beginning with Ash Wednesday, Lent covers the 40 days leading up to Easter.  Through this 40 days, we are confronted with who we are in light of who God is.  As Easter dawn breaks, we are aware, more than ever, of what the death and resurrection of Christ means for us.

The Sunday before Lent, observed in 2011 on March 6th, turns our focus upon Jesus' transfiguration upon the mountain.  Matthew, Mark, and Luke all bring this story to light.  In the story, Jesus takes Peter, James and John upon a mountain.  In Matthew 17, we are told, "There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus."  The purpose of this story seems to hinge on Jesus' glorification.  It both reveales who Jesus is and foretells the events that will transpire in Jerusalem with the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Upon descending the mountain, Jesus will begin the journey to Jerusalem, where he will fulfill the will of the Father.

In all three Gospel accounts, God himself, in a heavenly voice affirms the character and mission of his Son.  It is interesting that John does not follow the lead of the other Gospel writers.  The transfiguration story is not part of John's narrative.  What John does emphasize, however is the glorification of Jesus.  G.M. Burge points out that the greek word group for "glory", doxa / doxazein, is used 41 times throughout John.  This is more than the other Gospels combined (37).  So, maybe John does not need to reinforce a theme that has already been prevalent through the narrative.

What John has in common with the other Gospel writers though, is the voice from heaven affirming the mission of the Son.  In John's account, his prayer is that the Name of the Father would be glorified (12:28).   "Doxazo"  means "action involving the recognition or the bestowal of that quality or property which is manifestly excellent and highly impressive (Zodhiates).  What a prayer!  As we embark on this Lenten journey, could we be so bold as to pray this prayer?  Could the meditations of our hearts and the outworking of our faith bring "doxa" to Him?  What would my world look like if my soul desire was to give "doxa" to the Name of the Father?

Rest assured, when we pray, God answers!  In the story of Jesus, "doxa" has not only been given to Jesus throughout his ministry up to this point in the narrative, but it is promised for what is to come.  "I have glorified it" brings to mind the evidence of God in the ministry of Jesus.  Water is turned to wine (John 2), the eyes of both religous leaders and "outsiders" are opened (John 3-4), invalids are healed (John 5), multitudes are fed with small lunches (John 6), sinners receive forgiveness (John 8), and the dead are raised to life (John 11).  Yes, one who has sold out to the Kingdom will find God "glorifying" his Name through them! 

Jesus' death and resurrection would bring further "doxa" to the Father.  In this single monumental event, God would forever settle the conflict between being all powerful and all loving.  This one event forever blends the two, never to be separated.  The crucifixion forever settles the love issue, while the resurrection forever settles the power issue.  The debate is over.  Through his ministry, death, and resurrection, God's Name is given "the recognition or the bestowal of that quality or property which is manifestly excellent and highly impressive."

Through Lent, we follow the footsteps of the Savior.  As we begin the journey, we pray that his Name will be glorified in us.  If we are sincere in our prayer, we can have confidence that He will continue to do what we have failed to see all along.  Our lives have been and will be a testimony to his grace.

Well, I say, "Glory!"

"Bold"

"Therefore, since we have such hope, we act very boldly."

- 2 Corinthians 3:12 (NAB)

I think I got my first "lack of caffeine" headache the other day.  I still want to believe it is just psychological, with no medical certainty.  I am not really sure what to make of it, but there it was.  The remedy?  A venti Gold Coast Blend from Starbucks.  Extra bold.  Not bold.  EXTRA BOLD.  Better than a pill, the coffee worked its medicinal purpose, sending my headache away.

I probably cannot blame anyone but myself.  Over the last twenty years, my coffee preferences have gravitated towards the extra bold.  Folgers and Maxwell house no longer offer the same satisfaction as the selections offered at my local Starbucks.  As I read this passage of Scripture the other day while drinking a nice travel mug of Starbucks Christmas Blend, I begin to wonder what my "spiritual blend" is.

Some like their Christianity as a nice little morning diversion to help them "get moving" for the day.  Maybe something a little light and gentle.  A relationship with the Creator is not something to get all worked up about.  God is there when He is needed.  The church has other people doing stuff.  The Bible is ok, I guess, but why read it everyday.  It is a nice easy blend of Christianity.  It is enjoyble, but ultimately, you really do not have to deal with the headaches.

Others like a little more "kick" to their Christianity.  A richer, more balnced blend, if you will.  They take their places at the church.  They love the great old stories of the Bible.  They can tell you about the life of Jesus, quote spiritual maxims, and tell you about the "good ol' days of the church", all while feeling really good about it.  It is a nice blend.  It showcases our spirituality without being too radical.  It is one that, for a moment, can give you a little satisfaction.

And then there are those apostle Paul types.  No watered down Christianity for them.  No cream or sugar, please.  In fact, a couple of shots of espresso will top off that extra bold, extra tall cup of power surge really nice, thank you.  What type of Christianity does this look like?  It is a radical abandonment to the Father for a divine purpose.  It is not for the faint of heart.  There is nothing safe or gentle about it.  In 2 Corinthians, Paul speaks of great pressure that called into question his own endurance (1:8 - 10), anguish of heart (2:4), carrying the death of Jesus, so his life might be revealed (4:10 - 12).  Notice Paul's words in chapter 6:

³ We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. ⁴ Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; ⁶ in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ⁷ in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; ⁹ known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything (NIV).

Now that's boldness!  Why could Paul be so bold?  He knew the hope he had.  A relationship with God gave him a hope, not only in the present, but in the life to come.  When Paul locked on to that, He could do nothing except to act with boldness.  The greek word "parrhesia" means "freedom and frankness in speech."  It also carries the meaning of "free and fearless confidence."  There is no way Paul would travel this road if it were not for the hope he had.  This was born out of his relationship with God.

So, what is your blend?  The easy way might bring minimal satisfaction, but true Christianity is about abandoning ourselves to the Father.  When we discover the hope that we have been given, and when we realize that we are messengers of that hope, watered down Christianity does not work anymore.  Yeah, there are some headaches when participating at this level.  Oh, but how good it is when we see God at work!

I could say more, but my mug is empty and I am going to visit some of the shut ins.  I think there is a Starbucks on the way.

"Endless"

3) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4) who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3 - 4 (NIV)


Last night was a fun night for two of my daughters and I.  We each made our first ever trip to Red Robin.  For those of you who have never been there, their specialty is gourmet burgers.  Not one of us was disappointed in our experience.


One of the features offered was something called "Endless (or bottomless) Fries."  No commentary is necessary.  You could eat steak fries until your belly button popped out.  Two thumbs way up!  In reality, while that made for a great marketing tool, and a definite reason to go back, I am not sure many health professionals would recommend eating steak fries until you passed out.


There are many things that offer an "endless" supply.  Some of those things are not good for us, either in the physical realm or the spiritual realm.  The old adage is still true:  just becuase you can, does not mean that you should.  But there is something that you or I could never get enough of.  And unlike steak fries, ice cream, or candy, this will never leave you with regrets.  I read the above passage from 1 Corinthians 1 yesterday.  As I read the Beattitudes from Matthew 5 as a companion to this passage, I was impreseed with the notion that the mercy and love of God are "endless".


As the "God of all comfort", I can believe that there is nothing that God cannot handle.  His love for me is so deep and rich, and His power is so infinite, I can never exhaust Him.  When the road is long, He is there.  When the journey is tiresome, He is there.  When companions along the way complicate things or even abandon us in our greatest time of need, He is there.  In Matthew 5, the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry and thirsty, and the persecuted, all find a grace sufficient for their every need.  Just when all hope seems to be gone, God continues to pour out His goodness.  He continually speaks into and acts upon our need.  Scott Wesley Brown penned these words to this great song entitled "He Will Carry You":


There is no problem too big God cannot solve it. There is no mountain too tall He cannot move it.
There is no storm too dark God cannot calm it. There is no sorrow too deep, God cannot soothe it.

If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders.
I know , my brother, that He will carry you.
If He carried the weight of the world upon His shoulders.
I know, my sister, that He will carry you.


Not only does He supply comfort and encouragement for each of us, but He pours out enough to reach others around us (1 Cor. 1:4).  The same comfort that has been lavished on us is used to touch those in our sphere of influence.  As we experience all that God is in the midst of our disappointments, failures, and trials, we are to spread that comort to others.  Enough for my neighbor and me?  Now that is "endless"!  AND, it is good for you!


So upon your next visit to Red Robin, enjoy the fries.  But know that it is God alone who can endlessly supply all we need and more.

"Achor"

Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, And the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down, For My people who have sought Me. - Isaiah 65:10 (NKJV).

In the Old Testamant book of Isaiah, the sixty-fifth chapter speaks on the themes of judgement, for those who reject God (v. 5), and restoration, for those who seek after God (v. 9).  Two groups, two choices, and two outcomes.  We are reminded that God is rich in mercy and has things under control... for those who seek after him.  No matter what we have faced, we find that the grace of God trumps it all.

One of the pictures of redemption and restoration painted by Isaiah tells of herds lying down in a valley called Achor.  In Hebrew, the word means "trouble".  The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia goes on to say, "serious or extreme trouble."  Do you have a happy place that you, at times, mentally travel to?  Chances are, that place is not like Achor.  The beach?  The mountains?  A golf course?  All of those are sure nice to think on.  But Achor?  No way.  I am sure the Israelites would just as soon forget such a place of trouble.

Joshua 7 tells the story of Achan who, along with a few others, took plunder from Jericho.  The issue?  They were told by God not to.  After losing favor with God, the Israelites are routed when they attempt to take the next city, Ai.  Furthermore, when Achan's sin is found out, he and his family are put to death.  The Bible says the place was called Achor from that time on.  So, no.  Achor is not a happy place.

Perhaps you have been, or maybe still are, in your own Vallley of Achor.  Perhaps it by your own choices, or maybe you were swept up by the decisions of others.  Be thankful that God is a Redeeming God!  Your place of trouble in the hands of the Master, becomes a place of tranquility and peace.  Our world shows the scars of man's sinfulness.  Choices are made, life happens, and we are left to make sense of it all.  We set up tent in Achor, always reminded of something awful from our past or present.

The good news of the Gospel is a message of restoration.  In Christ, the hopeless have hope.  In Christ, the weak are made strong.  In Christ, what was once a place of scorn and contempt, becomes a place of abundance and peace.  Relationships are healed, sinners are forgiven, the wayward find their way home, broken hearts are mended, and hope rises out of despair.  Whatever your "Achor" is, allow God to transform it by His grace.  We may show scars, but they become testimonies to His grace.  We are a people of hope!

"Equip"

 ¹¹ Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. ¹² Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.   (Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT)




A couple of weeks ago, I proceeded to mount a kitchen radio to the underside of a cabinet.  After putting off this task for awhile, the time had come to finally get it behind me.  Unfortunately, the task proved to be more difficult, because I coud not find a screwdriver that fit into the cabinet.  So the task of tightening the screws was long and painful because I lacked the proper tools for the job.




It is easy to be frustrated in those types of situations.  Unfortuantely, we allow life in the Church to be equally frustrating.  Too often, the Church heads off into battle trusting our own strength, while being grossly unprepared. As frustration at our futility sets in, so does disappointment.  The Church, as seen through the lens of Ephesians 4:11-12, encourages us.  Christ has given to the Church everything needed to carry out his work. He has given us the right tools. 




I feel struck by the word "equip" in this passage of Scripture.  "Equip"  (katartismos) is a blend of "kata", which means "throughout", and "artios" which means "fitted."  The imagery is clear.  The responsiblity of the Church is to "thoroughly fit, or equip" the Body for what God has called us to do.  How does He do this?  By using others as well as myself.  When I realize that God is using me to "thoroughly equip" my brother and my sister, my wants and desires have a way of becoming insignificant. How I view my brother and sister radically changes. 




What would happen if all of those cool images you and I have of the Church would be seen through the filter of "thoroughly equipping" the Body?  Want to have a potluck?  How can this be used to thoroughly equip?  Want to have a  cool children's ministry?  How can that be used to thoroughly equip?  Love that worship music?  Am I allowing it to thoroughly equip?  How can my small group and friends be used to thoroughly equip one another?




God has given the Body, everything needed to be His ambassadors.  Apart from Him, I am not even in the right toolbox.

"Light"

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.'"   John 8:12 (NRSV)

On several occasions, my family and I have taken day trips to some of the popular caverns in Virginia.  It certainly is a joy to see the wonders of God's wonderful creation from a different  perspective.  The formations and glassy pools are a marvel to look at.  One of the highlights of the cavern tour, is when the guide will, with warning, turn out all of the lights, leaving the cavern visitors in complete darkness.  Unable to see anything, it is in the best interest of everyone to stay still.  I still remember clutching my children tightly so they would not trip or fall in the darkness.

Darkness can certainly play havoc on the senses.  At the least, one may become disoriented, lose sense of direction, and become lost.  At the most, the darkness can render one completely blind, resulting in injury or death.  This is true not only in the physical realm, but the spiritual realm as well.


In this passage, Jesus proclaims himself to be the "phos" (light) of the world.  "Phos" means to shine or make manifest.    Jesus has come to shine, expose, and illuminate.  It stands to reason that there must be some grand reason why Jesus makes this declaration.  Could it be it is because he is the light that illuminates my understanding of who I am and Whose I am?  Certainly I am capable of figuring things out on my own, right? 


Time and time again, Jesus shows himself to be for us what we cannot be in and of ourselves. It is important to note that Jesus does not merely give us light.  He is the light.  He does not shine a beam.  He is the beam.   As with most lighting, my way becomes clearer and safer when that light is applied to my path.    He is the "light of life".    In him I find "light" for traversing this rough terrain of life.  In his absence, I am left with darkness.  Without him, I may as well be trying to navigate this journey of life much like a cavern visitor would try to find his or her way out of the depths of the earth in pitch black.


Feeling in the dark?  Let him be your light!