Broken Together

"So they gave a dinner for Him there; Martha was serving them, and Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him."  John 12:2

I have always loved this scene from John's gospel.  Not only does this passage give us a beautiful picture of Christ with his friends but also a portrait of the church.  When we go through the roll of those present we realize that this is an interesting cast of characters that Jesus is hanging around with.  We see that Lazarus is there (a former corpse), they are believed to be at Simon's house (a former leper) and we also have Martha (the workaholic) and Mary (the humble worshipper).  And of course reading a little further there is Judas who is an example of hypocrisy and self-interest.  Not at all unlike those we encounter each and every Sunday morning.

First of all, there are what I call the "formers."  Truthfully, every person who has a relationship with Christ falls into this category.  The Bible tells us that we are new creations in Christ.  We are former liars, thieves and enemies of God (the list could go on and on).  I believe we forget that far too often.  I spoke at a rehab facility one time and was told that the guys I would be sharing with were former drug addicts and alcoholics.  So often guys in those situations are labeled for the rest of their lives.  I shared with them that they were looking at and hearing from a "former" as well and that when they went to church they would worship with a whole collection of folks who were as well.  God reminds the Israelites all throughout Scripture of where they came from and that HE was the one who delivered them.  When we forget where we came from we become prideful versions of ourselves.  This pride leads us to look down on others and forget the Gospel that changed us.  We should never glory in or wallow in our past, but instead be thankful to the One who set us free.  Can you imagine how Lazarus and Simon worshipped Christ that day?  One had been physically dead and the other socially dead.  Now both were reclining at a table with Jesus - together.

Second, think about Martha.  It should not surprise us that we read that she was "serving."  As we read in other passages this was in her DNA.  She was always busy, sometimes missing what was most important.  Jesus reminded her in Luke 10:38-42 that she worried about way too many things and in the process she neglected what mattered the most.  I wonder how many of us fall into this category?  Our lives are so busy and go at such a fast pace that I fear we miss simply sitting at the feet of Christ.  When this takes place we begin to view worship as a box to be "checked off" rather than a time to just bask in the greatness of Christ.  After all, we have a lot to do right?  Maybe we should stop for a moment and think about what matters most.  The truth is, when we stand before God one day we will never hear Him say, "I so wish you had worked more hours and gotten more stuff."

Then we see that Mary is here.  She represents the humble worshipper.  She is the one who knows who she is but most importantly recognizes the beauty and glory of Christ.  She knows that the very best she has should be given to the King.  Mary doesn't really care what others think - she just pours out her worship on Jesus.  In church, these are often the folks that you just see the Holy Spirit flowing out of.  These are the folks who have walked through valleys and struggles and emerged on the other side victorious.  They realize that the only way it could have happened was by and through His grace.  Those like Mary don't have to be seen or heard and they certainly never want recognition.

And finally, we have Judas.  Sadly, he is the one who makes the most noise here.  He complains about Mary's worship.  Judas tries to sound like he truly cares about things yet on the inside something far different is going on.  John even calls him a "thief."  Judas is all about himself and his purposes and clothes all of it in religious talk.  He could care less about anyone else there.  Judas is the type of person who can seem to be concerned but only so far as it benefits him.  This is the heartbreaking reality of many churches today.  Jesus spoke of those who worshipped with their lips but their hearts were "far from Him."

Four different types of people, all sitting around Jesus.  Like I said earlier, not unlike church every Sunday.  A group of "sinners at the supper table."  My question for you is which one do you identify with?  If you are a "former" (which we all are!) rejoice in the victory you have been given in Christ.  never forget where you have been delivered from.  Maybe you are a workaholic and you simply need to slow down and sit at the feet of Jesus.  Or you could be like Judas and need to ask yourself do I really have a relationship with Christ?  We read in verse 3 that the house was filled with the fragrance of Mary's worship.  Let's have that as our goal.  Jesus deserves the best we have to give.

   
 
   

Beginning Again...

"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise."
  Psalm 51:15

It has been a long time since I have written anything.  Over two years to be exact.  A lot has happened in that span of time.  My life has changed, my family has changed.  I have experienced some great things and seen God do amazing works.  I have lost people that I love.  I have walked with friends through dark times and celebrated great victories with others.  To be honest all of it is overwhelming when I just stop and think about it.  However, in the midst of those times I have missed doing what I am doing right now - sharing with you - whoever you may be and wherever you may come from.

I titled this blog "The Journey" because that is precisely what our lives are.  For the Christian it is Augustine said, we are on our way from the "city of man to the city of God."  The Journey is sometimes very difficult and at other times simply breathtaking.  There are days we struggle to take a single step while others we feel as if our feet hardly touch the ground.  Being in ministry I see it all.  I love getting the text messages or phone calls that say, "Guess what happened today??" and then it is followed with news of salvation or repentance or healing.  These are indeed great moments.  They are moments that it is easy to declare the praise of God.  Those are the moments that we, unashamedly, without reservation say, "God is good."

Then there are the tough days.  There are the phone calls, office visits and emails that have news that is not so good.  The messages that follow consist of heartache, pain and struggle.  Many of them result in tears.  One of the things I have noticed on my "journey" is the purity of praise during the hard moments.  Some of the most beautiful worship I have ever experienced has been at the bedside of a saint who knows that time is short and they will soon stand in the presence of their King.

Last fall I lost my grandfather.  Almost 90 years old, wounded in WWII, survivor of a total of 8 heart bypasses, prostate cancer and a diabetic - he was a warrior.  When we received the news that he didn't have long left I went up for a visit.  As the miles clicked by on the drive up, my mind was flooded with memories.  The realization that life was about to change again was tough.  However, about the time most of the tears began to flow a song was on the radio (Casting Crowns Jesus Friend of Sinners) and the bridge simply says, "You are good. You are good and Your love endures forever."  I sang that part with everything in me as the tears ran down my cheeks.  I just praised God.  And I must say, I will never listen to that song the same again.  It was some of the most wonderful worship I have ever experienced.  My heart felt free.  God opened my lips that day to declare his praise.

A good friend of mine is battling cancer and the prognosis is not good.  Her body is racked with sickness and pain from the chemo but just the other day she said in a text, I am "supernaturally strong."  She is struggling but still praising.  The shining reality in every situation, no matter how dark, is that God IS good and nothing ever changes his love for us.  Ask Him to open your lips as David did in Psalm 51.  He will and you will experience the freedom that true worship can bring - even when you don't feel like it.  The journey is not always fun, and sometimes it just plain hurts, but our God is ALWAYS good.