Category Archives: religion

Thoughts on Holy Week: Jesus Died

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jesus_crossI know, perhaps you’re thinking “Well duh.” But give it just a little more thought than that. This is God’s only son we’re talking about here. As a matter of fact, Jesus is God.

On Easter we will celebrate the resurrection. Jesus wasn’t just resurrected, he IS the resurrection. So we’re not simply celebrating the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. He was not the first to rise again. That miracle had happened more than once already. But when Jesus hung on the cross, it was the first time that God had ever died. Two of the gospels recorded Jesus’ birth; all four record the crucifixion. In Matthew’s Gospel, he records the sky going dark until the 9th hour (3 p.m.).  Only Matthew goes on to say that the veil was torn in the temple from top to bottom, and the graves of the saints opened up.  The Old Testament saints went through the street of Jerusalem prophesying (Matt. 27:45, 51-53).  The darkness, the earthquake, the veil, the saints, all highlight an extraordinary event taking place that day.  I’m thinking of a few other scriptures beyond the gospels: Continue reading →

Palm Sunday: Jesus’ Triumphal Entry

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palm_sunday_UPDATE: this entry is from 2009.  A newer post, with much more information, is this one from 2010.

Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week.  The triumphal entry of Jesus was to be the last time he went up to Jerusalem.  He and his desciples were coming into the city to celebrate Passover.  Thousands of Jews from around Aisa Minor, Africa and Europe were doing the same.  Throughout his ministry, some listeners (among them the Zealots) expected Jesus to claim his throne on earth.  Their idea of Messiah was a military leader, and Jesus was on the scene at the right time if he was going to throw the Romans out of Israel.  Many Jews could hear Messianic things in what Jesus said, and here he was riding into Jerusalem.  The crowd shouted “Hosanna,” and spread palm branches and even their coats along the highway.  Hosanna is sort of like our hallelujah, but literally means save now.   Jesus seemed poised to ride ahead into his greatest victory.

As we move into Holy Week, try to imagine the horror of these first century observers as Jesus was arrested and tried.  What many followers witnessed, including his own 12 apsoltles, was a dramatic turnaround from first to last place.  Some of the same Jews who shouted “Hosanna” would be shouting “Crucify him” by the end of the week.  This is that week.

The Gospel is Offensive

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communion-bread-and-cupThe Gospel is good news.  It is the power of God unto salvation.  It is the story of God with us.  As Christians, we believe all these wonderful things, and more, about the Good News of Jesus Christ.  But the vast majority of people will say “Thanks but no thanks,” and some will get defensive first and then angry.  For better or worse, hearing the good news offends people.

Jesus has a long conversation with some Jews that “had believed him” in John 8:31-59.   In verse 39, the Jews respond to Jesus that Abraham is their father.  In 41, they say that God is their only father.  Jesus’ final statement, “Before Abraham was I am,” is the Gospel.  Jesus is using language that only God would use (i.e. the burning bush), and seems to make a play on words with God’s name.  It was not only blasphemy to use God’s name this way, he is saying that in fact he is God; God with us.  That’s good news.  But on this occasion, it’s not good news for Jesus.  They were picking up stones with which to kill him as he escaped from their midst. Continue reading →

Seeker Sensitive

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willow-creekI’m debating whether I should explain what is meant by the Seeker Sensitive movement, or just assume my readers know what that is. In short, Seeker Sensitive churches take care not to offend with the gospel message, but make sure they are warm and inviting. In the name of being Seeker Sensitive, the pulpit has been done away with, the band plays for half the service, the preacher has been all but replaced by the “worship leader”, and the cross and anything resembling it are gone. Continue reading →

The God We Wouldn’t Make Up

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God made man in his own image.  And man, in his infinite wisdom, returned the favor.    -Mark Twain

In my last post, I argued that if Christianity were a lie, we would have told a better lie.  A similar line of thinking applies to God.  Many gods have been invented by people.  The God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, the Almighty God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, isn’t one of them.  Here’s why no one would make up such a god:

God requires perfection.  We would make up a god that settles for good enough.  Our imaginary god would be happy with 70%.  That’s good enough to pass.  The best you can do is the best you can do.  Who would ask for more than that?  The God we wouldn’t make up, that’s who. Continue reading →

Christianity, Truth or Fiction

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jesus_crossThere is an old saying that is Christianity were a lie, they would have made up a better lie.

Think about it. The basic tenants of the Christian faith are that a carpenter from a small town in Israel was crucified by the Roman Empire, buried, rose again from the dead, and that faith in these events is what gets one into heaven. These are just the basics. We could make a long list. To be a faithful Christian, one must believe: Continue reading →

Jesus in the Wilderness, a short film

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Thank you Noel Heikkinen for sharing this video.  Noel is doing a series on the Old Testament, and reminds us that each time Jesus resisted Satan he quoted from (what we call) the Old Testament scripture.

Ash Wednesday, Lent, (and p.s. Mardi Gras)

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ash-wednesday

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday occurs 46 days before Easter, 40 days if you don’t count Sundays.  This year it fell on February 25th.  This marks the beginning of Lent, a time of preparation for Holy Week.  At an Ash Wednesday service, part of the ceremony is placing ashes on the forehead as an outward symbol that you will be observing Lent.  During the 40 day period something is given up, anything typically important to the individual, and more time spent in prayer, worship and meditation.  Lent is about preparing ourselves spiritually to observe Holy Week, the days between Palm Sunday and Easter. Continue reading →

Tips for Creating MP3’s

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faith-by-hearingI have to thank Challies Dot Com for sharing this link, so that I can share it with my audience.

Faith By Hearing is the first 4 column blog I’ve ever seen.  Digital Etiquette for MP3 Creators gives some tips on how to do a better job of turning sermons and lectures in MP3’s that are both easy to find and of a manageable size.  I appreciate the advice, and perhaps many of us would do well to heed it.

Faith By Hearing has an extensive catalog of sermons and teachings by many well known speakers, some of whom may surprise you.  Their site will be added under the Useful Resources links, and I highly recommend spending some quality time there.

Upside Down

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Watch the video all the way through.  At the end the message is “reversed.”

Vodpod videos no longer available.