This was on the wall at the restaurant tonight:
Training Journal – 2/29/12:
Not feeling too well today…I’m in Florida for a work conference and the allergies are kickin’ my be-hind! Whine completed…now on the with post.
I was prepping for Sunday School this evening (Francis Chan’s Crazy Love), and two things hit me smack dab between the eyes:
I listen to a variety of music & artists, but am kind of hooked on Phil Joel right now – especially his “The delibertatePeople. Album” (his other stuff is good also). It’s the lyrics. They draw me in – challenging and encouraging me each time I listen! Check out his site…his story is pretty cool.
Every time I hear the song Awe – it reminds me of what my posture should be when I pray, read, think about/to GOD – flat…out…AWE. To be completely honest, it isn’t always that way (forgive me Lord). I think sometimes it is easy to get too comfortable with Him being my friend or my “Abba, Father” that I forget He is at the same time Holy, Sovereign, and unlike any other person with whom I have a relationship. It is the challenge of balancing intimacy with reverence – something that, in most of our lives, is unique to God. We can respect, even fear people; but, when you boil it down, no man or woman is holy, sovereign, or worthy of awe when compared with God.
Remembering the Future…that seems like an odd and confusing statement. But it is exactly what those who have accepted Christ as their personal Savior can say about today.
Today is known by several names: Maundy Thursday, Holy Thursday, or Great and Holy Thursday. It is the day that four things took place in the final days of Christ’s life on earth: the washing of the Disciples’ feet by Jesus, the creation of Communion at the Last Supper, the agony of Jesus in the garden, and the betrayal of Jesus by Judas.
Focusing on the second:
In Matthew 26:26-29, we read:
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Christ initiated an aspect of worship for the Disciples (and for us) to remember His death – then promised that we would someday feast again with Him.
In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Paul writes:
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Paul reminded the Corinthian church that observing Communion was a remembrance that would someday end when Christ returns.
In Revelation 19:9, John writes:
Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
John writes in Revelation about the wedding feast to come with Christ and His bride (the church).
Communion. The Lord’s Table. Whatever you call this Christ-ordained act of worship – it is a time to remember the future to come.
Maranatha!
Last week, much was made about First Lady Michelle Obama’s “breach of protocol” when she touched Queen Elizabeth II. Without going in to the varying opinions of the actual event (there are those who say “eh, it’s no big deal” and some who are disparaging Mrs. Obama), it actually caused me to think about another Royal who is perfectly fine with being approached by anyone…without commanding genuflection:
Jesus Christ – the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
His Coronation:
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:9-11
Our Invitation:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. -Ephesians 3:12
Especially with this week being what is commonly called Holy Week (Palm Sunday through Holy Saturday) and Easter next Sunday, I am humbled and rejoice in the fact that through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, you and I (as followers of Christ) have free and unlimited access at anytime and any place of our choosing to the Sovereign, Almighty, and Glorious God of the universe!
He is the God who came close (John 3:16-17, Philippians 2:6-11)…and longs for closeness with us (through a personal relationship…not just empty, ritualistic religion). May we savor and cherish that approachability this week as we remember the events that purposely took place so long ago.
Hallelujah!
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