pathoflifedevotions Uncategorized

Trials

Irony of ironies: Jesus the Good, Jesus the Righteous, Jesus the Just—standing in the judgment halls of bad men, sinful men, and unjust systems both political and religious. 

Has the world ever seen such restraint on the part of any defendant?  Not only was He innocent of the charges made against Him, He commanded an unseen corps of warrior angels, ten thousand in number, ready to spring to His rescue with the slightest signal from their Master.  But they were not given the order to rescue, to defend, or even to secure Jesus from further injustice.  I am sure angel-heads shook in dismay.  What was the Father’s plan? Why was such a thing happening before their eyes?  If angels have ever breathed hard, it must have been then; angel-muscles rippling with angel-weapons tightly gripped and at the ready.

There was to be no rescue.  Jesus was taken before the religious authorities, Anna and his son-in-law, Caiaphas, the High Priest.  The whole governing council of the Jews gathered for an illegal middle-of-the-night trial.  Their witnesses could not get their stories straight as Jesus stood before them as silent as a lamb before the sacrificial knife.  Finally He was asked to testify against Himself which he readily did: “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 

There followed sudden cries of official outrage and the requisite moans grief that could barely mask their inner delight at His words.  Tearing their robes in dramatic demonstration of their political advantage, they declared Him death-worthy, slapped Him around, taunted Him and sent Him to Pilate.

Pilate had several official duties he would rather start his day with than another Jewish rabble-rouser, but he had little choice to go along with these fanatics in their bloody, arrogant (one God!) religion.  His job was to keep them happy.

Weary from the abuse, the chains, and the lack of sleep, Jesus was dragged before Pilate.  He must not have looked like much of a threat to Rome.  Pilate tried to make sense of it, but it made no sense at all. When accused by the Jews, Jesus did not answer.  It was clear to Pilate the man was innocent of any crime against Rome.  Pilate took Jesus inside away from the crowd and asked Him directly, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus told Pilate about His Kingdom—it was of a different sort—a peaceable Kingdom of might and power and justice—not a Kingdom of this world—a Kingdom built not on lies or power but on truth.  For ages we have been intrigued by Pilate’s answer, “What is truth?”

The Governor tried to release Jesus, but the people would have none of it.  They wanted His blood, even if charged to their own accounts. In an ironic act of blasphemy the Children of Abraham confessed they had no King but Caesar.

Pilate gave in to their demands and turned Jesus over to the soldiers. He went by the book ordering Jesus to be whipped.  The soldiers were as creative as they were brutal.  They put a purple robe on Jesus and wove a crown of thrones and rammed it onto His head so recently bloodied by the sweat in the Garden of Prayer.

Angels wept.  The disciples hid.  Pilate washed his hands. The rabid crowd raged. The soldiers led Him away to be crucified.

Scriptures:           

Matthew 26:57-27:31

Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled… Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”  “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied… Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered.  Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?”…  Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death.  

John 18:28-19:18 NIV

Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor… Pilate … summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”  “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”  Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.”  “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.””What is truth?” Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?”  They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.  Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.  The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they struck him in the face.

…  When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”  As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”…When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. … “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”  From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free…But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked.” We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.  Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.

Semper Reformanda!

Stephen Phifer

pathoflifedevotions Uncategorized

Gethsemane

Like the full Passover moon overhead, an angel from heaven stood watch in Gethsemane. The sleeping disciples were scattered throughout the grove of ancient olive trees using cloaks and outer garments to keep warm and to soften the hard ground. 

Jesus was alone in a way that no one has ever been alone. Sensing the moment and the heaviness of the burden, the angel came near to Jesus as He agonized in prayer. He touched the Lord’s shoulder, imparting strength, a flow of energy as heaven touched earth and earth responded. The strength the moment required was quickly spent in prayer, prayer so deep the blood vessels in his scalp and forehead broke as sweat and blood mingled flowing down His face to drop heavily to the garden floor. 

His prayer was the same as before, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me!” His voice hoarse with the depth of His struggle. 

The angel stood by, this time unable to assist his Lord. 

Jesus was doing what no one else could ever do; He was drinking a cup no one else could drink and He must drain it dry. 

“Nevertheless, not my will but Your will, Father, is what I will do.”

In this garden with a watching angel and sleeping friends, the decision was made. Jesus who had emptied Himself of heavenly majesty and traded His jeweled crown for one to be made of thorns, was the only one who could drink from the cup containing the sins of the world, all of them, yours, mine, those of all history and of all the evil deeds yet to come. 

He had won the struggle and this was the prize. He had been tempted to sin in all points as we have all been tempted to sin yet not once had He yielded. Now, He had won the right to take all our sin upon Himself. 

The decision was made that night in the Garden and on the morrow the deeds would be done: trials, beatings, scourging, abuse, insults, and finally a cross and just the right number of nails to pin Him there.

As Jesus prayed, Judas led Temple guards with torches, swords, and binding ropes. The disciples stirred from sleep and tried to fight the intruders but they were a sorry lot of warriors. One blow, that’s all, and a severed ear fell to the ground. Jesus rebuked the disciples and Peter, the one with the sword. His Kingdom did not advance by the sword. While still speaking, Jesus found the severed ear and replaced it to its rightful place as whole as the untouched one. Even a miracle could not prevent the events unfolding in a steel-blue moonlight of Gethsemane. 

The disciples fled in terror as the guards led Jesus away. Soon the garden was quiet again with no one but the moon and the angel left to ponder these things.

Semper Reformanda!
Stephen Phifer

Scriptures:
Luke 22:39-48
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

pathoflifedevotions Uncategorized

Supper

Unable to speak, walls are mute witnesses to what happens within them. They merely hold up the ceiling, hold out the weather, and hold on to their secrets.

It was a large room, borrowed, of course, for the occasion of the last supper Jesus and his disciples would have together. Thirteen men, and perhaps the necessary servants for such a large gathering, filled the room, not at all sure of what to expect. After Jesus had quelled the selfish thoughts on the part of some about who might be the greatest among His followers by taking a towel and washing every foot they walked on, the mood became a serious one. The air was thick with the smells of food, with the oily scents of burning lamps and candles, and with—significance. 

Those who followed Him were never quite sure what He was doing at the moment or what He might do next. In the last few weeks a sense of sorrow emanated from Him. He told them strange things about being killed and rising again but they had no room in their hearts for such talk. He was the proven master of all things: storms, sickness, demons, and death itself. He never exhibited one bit of fear of the religious leaders or the Roman leaders or even their terrible army. Who would kill Him? It was easy to rid oneself of the questions such remarks left in their plans.

Just as He had called each of them to follow Him, Jesus had called them here to this meal. On this occasion He chose to reveal details of what was to come for them.
• He established the New Covenant meal ceremony—it would be a New Covenant in His own blood,
• He predicted His own betrayal, telling them He was going away but would soon return to them in a way so new they could not imagine it.
• He left them the legacy of His peace, the peace that prevailed in the face of every danger and dilemma.
• He told in great detail about the coming ministry of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, the Divine Helper who would soon reside within them.
• And He prayed for them to be in the world but not of it and above all things, to be ONE, even as He and the Father are ONE.

There was no way those sitting together in this large chamber with its smoke-stained walls standing silent watch could grasp the meaning of His words but they did not forget. Each Gospel writer is faithful to record the details for us.

So for centuries, believers have received the cup and the bread in honor of Jesus’ sacrifice. We have debated its meaning, its nature, its appropriateness for any or all of us. But we have obeyed His command to do this “in remembrance of me.” Though the ongoing discussion divides us, the meal itself unites us across all the lines we draw and the borders we guard.

Why? Because their Last Supper became our Lord’s Supper. As we enter into the past, our present is blessed with His presence.

Semper Reformanda!
Stephen Phifer

Scriptures:
Matt 26:20
When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve
Mark 14:16-17
The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve
Luke 22:13-14
They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table.
John 13:1-5
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 
1 Cor 11:23-26
The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

pathoflifedevotions Uncategorized

Bethany

Bethany

It was a large house, signifying wealth, but it was also a warm and welcoming house, signifying wealth of a more substantial kind. Martha served; she always served and it didn’t matter that Jesus traveled in such a large company. She was always up to the task because she kept her focus on Jesus. Those fishermen could make do the best they could; Jesus was the one who mattered. He must&n bsp;be made comfortable. He needed his rest from these daily forays into Jerusalem.

Mary, Martha’s sister, the quiet one, suddenly rose from her accustomed position at Jesus’ feet. No one paid her any mind as she left the room or when she returned.  

The aroma of the contents of a broken alabaster jar filled the room. Few of the men noticed as Mary produced this jar of ointment, a concoction ripe with pungent scent. The men were busy talking, eating. Only Jesus saw her steal away to her hiding place, find her most precious possession, break the container and lovingly anoint his feet with the spice. But the aroma gave her away, pulling back her curtain of privacy and thrusting her to the public stage.

The other men were not pleased. They rebuked her. This simply was not the best way to use this valuable commodity. It was worth a year’s wages to the common man. Once committed to this line of reasoning, an alternative use had to be proposed. Let’s see, ah yes, the poor, always a handy cause to plead to gain the Master’s favor. The air was heavy with the smell of the ointment and with anticipation of how Jesus would handle this foolish woman.

Around that table were men whose names would become known throughout the world for centuries to come. At this moment they were obscure little men with glimmers of greatness that only Jesus could see. Among them was John, so filled with fun and free with emotion; Peter, his opposite, so rough and full of pride; Thomas whose knife-like mind always sliced away the nonessentials in an issue; James, John’s mischievous brother, a “Son of Thunder” he was called; Matthew the former tax collector; the other Galileans, and…Judas, who kept the money. A diverse group, hand selected, not for what they were, but for what they could become, if they centered their lives on God. All were silent now, waiting for Jesus to answer their question. Mary had wasted a valuable resource, hadn’t she?

“Leave her alone,” Jesus said. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.” He went on to say that she had done what she could, that she had anointed His body for burial, and that wherever the Gospel is preached, her story would be told.

The men were ashamed. He had taken the woman’s side over theirs. But as they listened, something began to stir within them. It always did when He spoke. Soon, their embarrassment was forgotten and before long all but one was wishing that he had something valuable to pour over Jesus’ feet.

Semper Reformanda!
Stephen Phifer

Scriptures
John 12:1-8; Mark 14:3-9
Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. 

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

pathoflifedevotions Uncategorized

Temple

No one knows where Jesus found that whip, the one He used on the moneychangers that day, but He knew how to use it.

It was the third Temple to stand on In Jerusalem. The first Temple, built by King Solomon on the plans of His father, David, stood for many years before apostasy and the Babylonians brought it down. The second was built by Zerubbabel, a “Prince of Judah,” born in Babylon but also born in King David’s line. It stood until the reign of King Herod who began construction on a Temple of a size and beauty to rival Solomon’s structure. This political gesture was still under construction the day Jesus found that whip.

The gentle Jesus had fire in His eyes. His strong, carpenter’s hands were sure of grip and his powerful arms smooth in motion. He did not miss. Doves flew from broken cages. Coins scattered noisily on the stone pavement. Merchants scrambled down dangerous Temple steps facing injury if they fell forward and the lash if they stood still.

It wasn’t as if no one had seen Jesus angry before. His disciples had seen the fire in His eyes every time He and the religious leaders confronted each other in the city streets. Many times Jesus seemed almost amused at the stupidity of His attackers. As quickly as lightning can light up a stormy night, His eyes would flash with anger at their wickedness, their pride, and their uncaring malice toward the people of God. His ready powers of speech could produce impressive names as His anger erupted toward them: “Whited sepulchers,” –that meant they were cleaned up graves with only death and corruption inside, “brood of vipers,”–meaning they were just so many snakes. 

Sometimes His anger was so great that it brought tears. On this day, as He approached the city, He had broken down in tears over their disregard of the visitation from God that was happening in front of them. He had wept before because the people were leaderless, like “sheep without a shepherd.” This was a city of intrigue instead of truth. This government was one of raw power instead of grace and these leaders of show and not substance broke His heart. Now this Temple was a house of greed instead of grace, a place of profit instead of prayer. 

Perhaps His eyes still stung with tears even as he overturned the tables, scattered the scavengers, and proclaimed their sin for all to hear!

“Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of thieves.”

Their corrupt political machine grinding to a halt before them, the religious leaders scrambled to restore order. Before they could do that, Jesus started healing sick people. The same strong hand that served out justice without mercy, not delivered mercy and justice. There was nothing the establishment could do to stop Him. 

Some of the people listened. Some of them felt His touch. They came to the temple that day with barely enough to buy a dove for a sin sacrifice and they went home healed. How can this be? How can one group of people have welts to dress from the whip and others have new life to relish from the same hand? 

The only answer is grace—the one thing a Temple must possess.

When the healing was done, Jesus returned to rest in Bethany. The next day brought another debate with the leaders and another loss for them. Jesus was just as sure a marksman with the comment or story as He was with the whip. They were sorely outmatched. 

Semper Reformanda!
Stephen Phifer

Mark 11:15-18; 13:1-2 NIV
On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 
And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: “‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.'” The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

pathoflifedevotions Uncategorized

March 20, 2016 Palm/Passion Sunday

Temple
The shouts of “Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” were still ringing in the streets of Jerusalem and in the hearts of those who found hope in Jesus of Nazareth when He came to the courts of the Temple. No one knows where Jesus found that whip, the one He used on the money-changers that day, but He knew how to use it.

It was the third Temple to stand In Jerusalem. The first Temple, built by King Solomon on the plans of His father, David, stood for many years before apostasy and the Babylonians brought it down. The second was built by Zerubbabel, a “Prince of Judah,” born in Babylon but also born in King David’s line. It stood until the reign of King Herod who began construction on a Temple of a size and beauty to rival Solomon’s structure. This political gesture was still under construction the day Jesus found that whip.

The gentle Jesus had fire in His eyes. His strong, carpenter’s hands were sure of grip and his powerful arms smooth in motion. He did not miss. Doves flew from broken cages. Coins scattered noisily on the stone pavement. Merchants scrambled down dangerous Temple steps facing injury if they fell forward and the lash if they stood still.

It wasn’t as if no one had seen Jesus angry before. His disciples had seen the fire in His eyes every time He and the religious leaders confronted each other in the city streets. Many times Jesus seemed almost amused at the stupidity of His attackers. As quickly as lightning can light up a stormy night, His eyes would flash with anger at their wickedness, their pride, and their uncaring malice toward the people of God. His ready powers of speech could produce impressive names as His anger erupted toward them: “Whited sepulchers,” –that meant they were cleaned up graves with only death and corruption inside, “brood of vipers,–meaning they were just so many snakes. 

Sometimes His anger was so great that it brought tears. On this day, as He approached the city, He had broken down in tears over their disregard of the visitation from God that was happening in front of them. He had wept before because the people were leaderless, like “sheep without a shepherd.” This was a city of intrigue instead of truth. This government was one of raw power instead of grace and these leaders of show and not substance broke His heart. Now this Temple was a house of greed instead of grace, a place of profit instead of prayer. 

Perhaps His eyes still stung with tears even as he overturned the tables, scattered the scavengers, and proclaimed their sin for all to hear!

“Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of thieves.”

Their corrupt political machine grinding to a halt before them, the religious leaders scrambled to restore order. Before they could do that, Jesus started healing sick people. The same strong hand that served out justice without mercy, now delivered mercy and justice. There was nothing the establishment could do to stop Him. 

Some of the people listened. Some of them felt His touch. They came to the temple that day with barely enough to buy a dove for a sin sacrifice and they went home healed. How can this be? How can one group of people have welts to dress from the whip and others have new life to relish from the same hand? 

The only answer is grace—the one thing a Temple must possess.

When the healing was done, Jesus returned to rest in Bethany. The next day brought another debate with the leaders and another loss for them. Jesus was just as sure a marksman with the comment or story as He was with the whip. They were sorely outmatched. 

Scritpures:

Mark 11:15-18; 13:1-2NIV
On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 
And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: “‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.'” The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, to you we shout “Hosanna!” which means “save us now!” This a day for praise and praise You we do for You alone are worthy.  We need the beauty of Your Throne, the security of Your Crown, the peace of Your reign, and the healing glory of Your presence.  O Holy Spirit, cleanse our hearts from any misuse of the holy things of God—of praise, of preaching, of prayer, of service—save us from the disease of the moneychangers.  Banish in us any pride like that of the priests and Pharisees and leaders who forsook prayer in the house of prayer.  Kindle the fires of intercession in the hearts of Your church so that all who see and hear us will see the love of God and the Word of God.  May all our houses be Houses of Prayer.  Amen.

Semper Reformanda!
Stephen Phifer 3/29/15(Revised 3/19/16)

pathoflifedevotions Uncategorized

August 2 “Hosanna!”

Hosanna!

Where did the women get those tambourines?
Did they carry them hidden on their persons every day as they ventured into the streets leading to Jerusalem? Did the hope of Messiah lead them to a constant state of readiness? Somehow, as Jesus approached the city from the region of Bethany and the Mount of Olives, a spontaneous celebration broke out. It is difficult to imagine such a celebration without dancing women playing tambourines and singing happy psalms. This is not specifically mentioned in the text but the implication of it is irresistible.

Backstory, please.
As Jesus and the Twelve approached Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, He told two of the men to go ahead of Him into the city. He told them they would meet someone near the gates taking care of a colt of a donkey. He told them to procure the animal and if the keepers asked them why, they were to reply:

“Because the Lord has need of it.”

Such a strange set of circumstances! Not that a young donkey would be tethered there, but that the keepers would somehow release the valuable animal to strangers upon such a super-spiritual premise. Early that morning, the owner of the colt had to be prompted to tie it up at precisely that place without knowing why. Amazing! Perhaps the man had a sense of a special day about to unfold.

At any rate, the two disciples obeyed Jesus and found things just as He had foreseen them. They brought the animal to Jesus and covered it with items of clothing for a saddle and Jesus mounted up to ride the young beast into the city. This, too, is amazing. The donkey had never been ridden but it did not try to buck Jesus off. Somehow, it knew to follow the small but important role it had to play in the drama of redemption.

The parade begins.
All sorts of strange behaviors began to organize the crowds in the streets.

  • Some covered the roadway ahead of Jesus with their own outer garments.
  • I am sure that musicians, always looking for a chance to play, struck up a tune, evidently a song of praise from the Psalms.
  • People started singing important, Messianic psalms: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
  • From other sources we know they cut down tree branches to wave as they sang and the women and children danced.

Somehow the sight of Jesus riding a young donkey toward and through the gates of the ancient City of David excited the dormant hope for a Deliverer in the hearts of the people. Perhaps they remembered the ancient prophecy of Zechariah predicted just such an entrance for Messiah.

“Behold, your King is coming to you…
lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Without hesitation or thoughtful consideration they gave this hope full voice.

The Pharisees didn’t want to dance.
The last thing the leaders of the people needed was a “Messiah” riding through the streets. In their own careful machinations they had constructed a delicate balance between their tradition and the occupying Romans. This status quo was a fragile achievement. They told Jesus to stop the people. His answer was classic:

“I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”

Think a spontaneous parade is dangerous? Imagine singing and dancing rocks!

“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Scriptures:
Luke: 19:28-40 NKJV
When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.'” So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road. Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: “‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord !’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”
Zechariah 9:9 NKJV
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, at any moment I am ready to sing Your praises! Hosanna! (meaning, “Save us now, Lord!”) is always near my heart. You are the One who comes in the name of the Lord! You come to me in the volume of the Book of ancient prophecies and they are fulfilled in You! You are my hope and salvation. May my life today be a parade of praise, a wonderful procession of worship and witness so that all who see and hear me, will somehow see and hear You! For Your glory, Lord! Amen.

Song:
Hosanna, Loud Hosanna
Words: Jennette Threlfall; Music: Traditional Tune- “Ellacombe”

1. Hosanna, loud hosanna the little children sang;
through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang.
To Jesus, who had blessed them, close folded to his breast,
the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.

2. From Olivet they followed mid an exultant crowd,
the victory palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state,
nor scorned that little children should on his bidding wait.

3.”Hosanna in the highest!” That ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven, our King.
O may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice,
and in his blissful presence eternally rejoice.

Semper Reformanda!
Stephen Phifer

© 2018 Stephen R. Phifer All Rights Reserved

TheJesusStory devotions are also found at KingdomWinds.com.

pathoflifedevotions Uncategorized

August 1 “Loss”

Profit

Ledgers are known to have two sides, one column for profits and one for losses.
As our consideration of the Parable of the Talents continues, we must look to the losses column. Remember this key factor: in the parable, some of those trusted with considerable funds to invest hated their employer. Hate is a most unprofitable emotion. Seldom does it lead to benefits either for the individual or the company. Such was certainly the case with this nobleman-turned-king and those he entrusted with both work to do and the means to do that work. His last words of instruction were these:

“Do business till I come.”

Excuses, Excuses
The hate-driven servant put on his best false-face (as if his master could not tell the difference!) and bowed deeply before his boss. He justified his non-profit report with flattery, thinly veiled accusations of corruption.

“…I feared you, because you are an austere man.
You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.”

This hateful man had the nerve to plead his case for laziness based on the reputation of his master. His stupidity reached a whole new level of lame. The boss was neither flattered nor indicted—He was angry.  He knew the truth: this unprofitable servant hid the money he was supposed to invest in a cloth like discarded tableware. All he had to present to the nobleman was the original sum, nothing less but certainly nothing more.

Final Accounting
Fundamentally unimpressed by everything the servant said and did—attitude, excuses, laziness, stupidity—the nobleman took the man’s one talent, (perhaps 3000 shekels of silver!) and gave it to the servant who had ten times that much. His words were as devastating to the servant as was this divestment of funds.

“You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow.”

All the snark and snivel drained from the servant’s face. Perhaps he actually thought the safety of the funds was the master’s true goal. Amazing! He should have known the Master was more interested in the increase of his holdings than the safety of his funds. The question had to be put:

“Why then did you not put my money in the bank,
that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?

As further justice, the newly crowned king ordered the execution of all the rebels.

“Well done, good and faithful servant…”
The lesson of this parable should be more than clear. God has given each of us work to do and resources to use in the doing of it. There will be an accounting before the face of Jesus someday.

“…to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him…”

Imagine, after the judgement of our works, hearing Jesus say,

“Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter in…”

Our lives are not a parable; they are real. We have been entrusted with assets from which the Kingdom of God is built. The King is coming back! Today, we must hear his words to us—

“Do business till I come.”

Scriptures:
Luke: 19:20-27 NKJV
“Then another came, saying, ‘Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it withinterest?’ “And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ (But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) ‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.'”
Revelation 22:12-13 NKJV
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your investment in my life. I will serve You because I love You and not because I fear You as heathen folk fear their hostile little gods. I know You are good and merciful. If You have given me work to do, I know I can do it with Your help! I will serve You out of love, confidence, and faith in you. My highest goal and the dream of my heart is to hear You call me name and say, “Well done!” This will be the moment that births my eternity. Today I will do business for You. Amen.

Song:
I Will Serve Thee
Words and Music: Bill and Gloria Gaither

I will serve thee because I love thee
You have given life to me
I was nothing before you found me
You have given life to me

Heartaches, broken pieces
Ruined lives are why you died on Calvary
Your touch was what I longed for
You have given life to me.

I will serve thee because I love thee
You have given life to me
I was nothing before you found me
You have given life to me

Semper Reformanda!
Stephen Phifer

© 2018 Stephen R. Phifer All Rights Reserved

TheJesusStory devotions are also found at KingdomWinds.com.
pathoflifedevotions Uncategorized

July 31 “Profit”

Profit

As Zaccheus happily went to divest himself of his tainted wealth, the subject of profit and loss came into focus.
As Jesus neared Jerusalem, interest grew in the nature of His coming Kingdom. If money was earned only to be given away, what kind of economy would that be? To illustrate, Jesus told the parable of the talents, called “minas” in the version of scripture we are using—this was a sizable sum of money measured by weight in silver or gold.

The Parable (Part One—“Profit”)
A “certain nobleman” travelled to a distant county for a promotion to the throne of that land. The man was wealthy, holding many opportunities for profit as well as many dangers of loss. Certain servants were summoned before him and given significant sums of money to invest in his name and toward his purposes.

However, the nobleman was not loved by all his people. Something in his organization inspired hostility in some of his people. The rebellious sect actually sent a delegation to the nobleman making their intentions clear—they did not consider him their leader.

When the time came for the return of the nobleman, now the king of a distant land, it was a time of reckoning. The loyal servants reported profits and were promised reward. We will pause in the parable until tomorrow when we will deal with losses; today’s subject is profit.

“Talents?” a Flexible Term
The KJV used the word “talent” to refer to the sum of money given each servant. This has invited personal and even artistic interpretations.

  • The term, “hidden talents,” has become proverbial in warnings to individuals not to waste the abilities God has given them.
  • For creatives, the term is more specific: “Do not bury your skill!” If you can sing or act or write or paint or dance or whatever art God has given you the ability to learn to do, get busy!

These things are proper applications of the story even if based on a sort of a pun of the English language.

Profits in the Kingdom of God
Whether money, artistic ability, or personal giftedness, the point is well-taken—when God gives, He expects a return on His investment.

  • We must be careful not to confuse these profits with eternal salvation. This is always and only a free gift of grace granted the believer by repentance and confession of Christ. It is the gift of God and could never be earned by any works we could ever do.
  • However, once we are in this Kingdom of Grace, there is much work to be done.

The Bible is exceedingly clear on this! From the Sermon on the Mount to this parable to the letters of the Apostles to the church, the admonitions are many and explicit—we each have a calling, an anointing, a life’s work which the Lord Himself has given us to do.

If He has given us much, much will be required of us! Meanwhile, we do this work faithfully in the power of the Spirit—a mysterious and joyful combination of human effort and divine blessing. Paul called the Spirit a treasure and he called us the earthen vessel containing the treasure. Why? So that we would know that the power to do the work was of God and not of us. We are His handiwork, created to do good works which God has laid out for us to do since before time began!

Talents? To be sure! Treasure? To be even more sure! Profits? If we are faithful to “do the work!”

Scriptures:
Luke: 19:11-19 NKJV
Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’ “And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.’
Matthew 5:16 NKJV
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Luke 12:48 NKJV
For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, Your grace in my life is so powerful and so multi-faceted. I cannot count Your blessings but I want to see that You receive a profit on every one of them! You have shown me mercy so I will be merciful to others. You have showered me with grace so I will be gracious to others. You have blessed me with talents and the opportunity to develop those talents into skills. I will do the work! I will walk this pathway of blessing and opportunity You have laid out for me, taking all the steps this blessed day requires. All for Your glory, Lord!

Song:
Give of Your Best to the Master
Words: Howard B. Grose; Music: Charlotte Alington (Claribel)

1. Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor
Into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example,
Dauntless was He, young and brave;
Give Him your loyal devotion;
Give Him the best that you have.

Refrain:
Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Clad in salvation’s full armor,
Join in the battle for truth.

2. Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.

Refrain

3. Give of your best to the Master;
Naught else is worthy His love;
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above.
Laid down His life without murmur,
You from sin’s ruin to save;
Give Him your heart’s adoration;
Give Him the best that you have.

Refrain

Semper Reformanda!
Stephen Phifer

© 2018 Stephen R. Phifer All Rights Reserved

TheJesusStory devotions are also found at KingdomWinds.com.
pathoflifedevotions Uncategorized

July 30 “Zaccheus”

Zaccheus

A chief tax collector and wealthy, Zaccheus wanted to see Jesus but he was a man of “short stature.”
This was nothing new. He had been a boy of short stature, pushed around by the bigger boys. This made him want to be BIG. Money could do that, so he took the most lucrative profession—collecting taxes for Rome. He did well at it and became a leader of tax collectors building both a large house and a large contingent of enemies.

Jesus was coming.
His hometown of Jericho buzzed with excitement at the prospect of Jesus coming their way. Everyone had heard about the Prophet from Galilee, the miracle worker from the north. Everyone had either opinions of or expectations of what an encounter with Jesus might mean. Zaccheus knew there was no cure for being short, so why did he want to see Jesus?

  • Perhaps wealth was a disappointment and he knew there must be more to life than money.
  • It may be that power over a regiment of tax collectors—not the most pleasant of men, crooks every one—did not make him feel big. Something was missing.

His BIG childhood dreams had come true, but Zaccheus still felt small.

One more tree
Zaccheus had been climbing trees all his life. As a boy, it was an escape from his tormentors. Perched high in a tree, he could watch the bigger boys play cruel games and hate them from a safe distance. As a young man, there was the tree of wealth. He started at the bottom but made it to the top. Methods did not matter; wealth was the prize. A leader of crooks, Zaccheus was a crook, too. When the crowd blocked his line of sight, he found a handy sycamore tree and put his boyhood skill to work. It was just one more tree to climb.

Zaccheus met Jesus.
Jesus saw him in the sycamore and invited himself to his house for dinner. When Jesus came to dinner, two things happened:

  1. Jesus’ critics (those guys who thought they were BIG) got upset, and
  2. Zaccheus saw true greatness for the first time.

What did he see?

  • Jesus was more powerful than the Romans, but He was gentle.
  • He had more authority than the Jewish leaders, but He was humble.
  • He exercised more wisdom than the teachers, but He was easy to talk to.
  • Jesus had more true wealth, measured in peace, than any rich man he had known, but He was honest.

Zaccheus re-assessed his holdings. In a flash, he saw that there would never be enough money to make him BIG. He wanted the greatness he saw in Jesus and his money was in the way.

  • He gave half of it away. One by one the dirty deals, the weighted scales, and the faulty assessments came to his mind.
  • The other half of his money would make things right to four times over.

He devised a plan that would plunge him back into poverty, but he would never be a small man again.

Zaccheus, the Climber
“Successful” people are climbers. They climb organizational ladders, mountains of opposition, and trees of opportunity to get what they want. When they get it, if it is not God’s plan for them, all they can see from those heights is despair. If, through the witness and worship of believers, Jesus passes their way, they can climb one last hill—the hill of faith in Christ—and  find life’s true meaning.

Scriptures:
Luke: 19:1-10 NKJV
Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, life is full of obstacles that I must overcome. Some of them are hindrances like the multitude of tall people between Zaccheus and You. Sometimes the obstacles are opportunities, trees of promise, beckoning me to take the challenge of the climb. I want to live by faith today, making the most of every obstacle and opportunity. I will keep my eyes on You and position myself to see You more clearly so I can hear Your words and know Your healing touch. Thank You for this day! Amen.

Song:
Jesus Is Passing this Way
Words: Fanny J. Crosby; Music: W. H. Doane

1. Is there a heart that is waiting, Longing for pardon today?
Hear the glad message proclaiming, Jesus is passing this way.

Refrain
Jesus is passing this way, This way, today;
Jesus is passing this way, Is passing this way today.

2. Is there a heart that has wandered? Come with thy burden today;
Mercy is tenderly pleading, Jesus is passing this way.

Refrain

3. Is there a heart that is broken? Weary and sighing for rest?
Come to the arms of the Savior, Pillow thy head on His breast.

Refrain

4. Come to thy only Redeemer, Come to His infinite love;
Come to the gate that is leading Homeward to mansions above.

Refrain

Semper Reformanda!
Stephen Phifer

© 2018 Stephen R. Phifer All Rights Reserved

TheJesusStory devotions are also found at KingdomWinds.com.