Category — Spiritual Discipline

I’m fascinated by Luke’s account of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem on Monday, just four days before His crucifixion. As the crowd worshiped Him as a Moses-like liberator who would end their slavery to Rome and lead them to the good life in their land flowing with milk and honey, Jesus burst into tears (Luke 19:28-44).

We know that the Lord’s grief had to do with the coming destruction of Jerusalem (43-44), but it also had to do with the shallow peace they clamored after.

Jesus could see through the festive atmosphere of the Passover that energized the mass hysteria. He could see into their hearts.

He knew every unkind and hurtful word and act that had wounded every heart.

He knew every unkind and hurtful word or act that they had uttered or committed that had wounded the hearts of others.

He knew their fears and doubts, their addictions and cover-ups, every personal and family secret, every strained relationship, every insecurity, every lie about themselves, every failure and every regret.

Because of that, He refused to give them what they wanted. He was going to give them what they needed—liberation from the penalty and power of sin.

It seemed so plain to me that if Jesus had given them everything they wanted—freedom from Rome, removed all the hurtful people from their lives, a booming economy, better houses, better crops, more leisure time, no more fear of invading troops, and absolute earthly happiness, they would still be the same old messed up people relating to the same old messed up people in the same old messed up world.

What didn’t seem so plain to me until I started journaling about this core message—Jesus gives us what we need, not what we want—was how much I resemble the fickle crowds.

I began to write down what I wanted Jesus to do. I filled up almost two pages in my journal. And guess what? If Jesus changed all the things that preoccupy my prayers, I’d still be the same old Ed!

Seems that what I need most is for the Lord to change me, not my circumstances.

But He already has. Romans 6 tells me that I have been set free from the power of sin.

Maybe I should concentrate my prayers on asking the Lord to show me how to live out of who I am in Him, rather than asking Him to improve my messed up world.

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are under law but under grace (Romans 6:14).

Mark’s account of the last day of Jesus of Nazareth’s earthly life stresses the irony of the Lord’s civil trial, crucifixion, and burial.

• Unwittingly, His enemies fulfill prophecy to the letter and even speak the correct interpretation of the events.
• Pilate, representing Roman might, cannot prevent His crucifixion. Mocking soldiers hail Him as King of the Jews.
• People who have never read Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 and wouldn’t have believed it if they did, make decisions and speak words that ensure that the prophet and the poet’s ancient words are literally fulfilled.

Not one small detail or one word was outside the sovereign power of our God.

I picture Mark collaborating with Peter twenty years after the events and rejoicing over the astonishing fact that a Roman centurion declared, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” Now that they have some perspective, they realize that the day they thought God had lost control and everything was falling apart was the day God was doing exactly what He always said He would do.

I wonder if they had as much trouble applying that wonderful truth to their daily lives as I do. Mark’s unique perspective on Jesus’ last day tells me this about my life: My God is always doing exactly what He wants to do and needs to do to love me well and display His glory through me, no matter how difficult or painful my life may be right now.

Then, why can’t I trust Him with my schedule? Why do I work 70 hours a week and never take a day off? This was my haunting question as I prepared to preach this passage and confess my sin of unbelief before Church of the Open Door. I happily trust Him with my finances, entrust my children and grandchildren to Him, even my health. But I seem unable to trust Him with this ministry.

My personal mythology to rationalize my sin is that I’m just overloaded, next week will be better, and people need me right now. But the truth is that I’m believing lies about my God. I’m saying that He needs me to work myself to death, that He can’t get it done without me.

If He could get it done on Good Friday without me, then why does He need me to get it done any other day?

I don’t know where your trust battle rages today, but I do pray that the ways the Lord has used this passage in my own life will encourage you to trust Him more today.

If you want to follow Jesus, you must view your circumstances as His will for you, and confidently hope in His redemptive purposes to be revealed!

Talk about bodacious!

On the night He was betrayed, Jesus told Peter and the disciples that Zechariah 13:7 referred to them personally, and that it was going to happen shortly:

“All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee” (Mark 14:27-28).

You’d think that should settle it, especially for Peter. The One he properly identified as “the Christ, the Son of the Living God” told them that God’s Word would be fulfilled in their lives. He even offered an assuring promise of His coming resurrection and their soon regathering after the crisis.

But not for Peter. No, Peter had something for Jesus. He would prove to Him that Peter, not God was in control of this night. Peter, not God, would determine if Messiah should die. Peter, not God, would decide who would scatter and who wouldn’t.

“Hold on there Jesus, that’s not going to happen. Not on my watch. I will never forsake you. These other weaklings might fold, but not me. I’m Peter, and I don’t need God!”

Really, Peter?

You have to give Peter credit. He tried to deliver on his boast. When the soldiers came into the garden to arrest Jesus, Peter pulled out his little ceremonial sword and cut off one of the soldier’s ears! That was a suicide mission if I ever read about one. A sure-fire way to either die in place or at least go to jail with Jesus!

I imagine Jesus looking at Peter with one of those, “You have got to be kidding me, Peter. Or should I say, ‘Simon,’ your before-you-met-me name. You stand there with your little sword trying to change the mind of God, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the most climactic and decisive event in history?”

But the Scriptures!

After Jesus told Peter to put up his little sword and quit throwing his little “I don’t like what God is doing here” fit, the Lord compassionately healed the poor soldier’s ear. Then he turned to the arresting contingent and says this:

“But the Scriptures must be fulfilled” (Mark 14:49).

Mark makes sure we get the point in the next verse: “Then they all forsook Him and fled.”

Mark rearranged the events of the night Jesus was betrayed to highlight the contrast between the way the disciples led by Peter dealt with the reality that Zechariah 13:7 was being fulfilled and the Lord Jesus’ reaction. The disciples responded by resisting, boasting, and living out of their strengths. Jesus dealt with that same reality by relying on His Father as He watched and prayed.

It was a tough lesson Peter learned that night: You can’t control God, and He doesn’t need you to fix the things you think are broken in your life. Put up your little sword, Simon. Jesus isn’t impressed. The Scriptures must be fulfilled.

Put Up Your Sword!

Maybe it’s time for you to put your little sword back in its sheath. Maybe you’ve been asking Jesus to look at your sword, and hoping He’ll do what you want. Maybe you’re facing your dark night of life in the same way Peter did—by protesting and relying on your own strength.

Before it ends badly for you like it did for Peter—in a heap of tears and repentance—try relying on Jesus, and watching, and praying.

The choice is yours; you can fix and fail or trust and triumph.

When I taught this from Mark 14:27-72 on Sunday at Church of the Open Door, I summed it up with this sentence: God does not need your strength to take care of you, but you need to trust His strength to care for you.

My beloved mentor and pastor from our Jesus Movement days, Ted Stone, is on his way to heaven. A deadly brain tumor diminishes him a little more each day. Sometimes he has the energy to talk on the phone when I call. I cherish his sentences. He pauses, gathers his strength, and says, “Eddie, I want to tell you something. I may never get the opportunity to say this to you….”

I hold my breath and wait for Ted to speak. It’s an awesome and holy moment as this man who loves me, and in so many ways has given his life for me, and others in the body of Christ, begins. I know I’ll remember every word until the day Jesus greets me in heaven with Ted at His side.

This was the atmosphere in the upper room. These were Jesus’ final words to His disciples. In just a few minutes dark and ominous events would leave them alone and afraid. Tomorrow at this time He would be dead, crucified by Rome and laid in a rich man’s tomb.

And what did He say to them? Remember Me!

If you want to start a religious argument, and get people talking about something that you soon discover they really know very little about, ask a group of Christians who come from different cultures, different traditions, and different generations this question: “What are the essential elements of corporate New Testament worship?”

Here are some of the “essentials” I’ve heard over the years: confession, music, benediction, Bible teaching, Bible reading, offering, altar call, pastoral prayer, and corporate prayer. The list goes on and on.

Our problem is that most of the evidence offered has to do with personal preference or personal experience rather than personal understanding of the Scriptures. Even when we turn to the Bible, most of the evidence we have is descriptive rather than prescriptive.

My understanding of the teachings of Christ and the Apostles, and the inspired history of the first century church in Acts and the Epistles is that there is only one essential element of corporate New Testament worship: The Lord’s Table.

When you worship Jesus, the only non-negotiable is the Lord’s Table. Not saying every week, or even every month, but it must be central to the worship experience of the believers in a local assembly of Christians.

What place does the Lord’s Supper play in your life? Is it central to your worship, or a meaningless religious ritual that gets in the way of your Sunday routine?

What are some ways you could make the Lord’s Supper more central to your worship of the Lord Jesus?

How does it make you feel when you consider that Jesus’ only simple request concerning His death on the Cross is that we wouldn’t forget what He has done for us? How about when you think about the next time He will share this cup with His people in His Kingdom?

Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7).

When you read those words, Extravagant Worship, what pictures come to mind?

Depending on your personal tastes in music and cultural background, you’re probably thinking about people who worship Christ “over the top” according to your evaluation, or the evaluation of your tradition.

That’s an immediate indicator that you have misunderstood the New Testament’s teaching on worship.

Worship isn’t about styles and traditions. “Good” worship isn’t the music you’re use to or whether or not people lift their hands, use icons and candles, or sit quietly listening to Gregorian chants.

The worship book of the New Testament is Romans, and the worship passage is Romans 12:1-2. After his eleven-chapter presentation of the mercies of God available to us in Christ, Paul says this:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Worship is a lifestyle, not an event. When you give your life to God in response to His mercies, you’re worshiping.

Good worship is any thought or action that comes from your redeemed heart’s response to His mercies.

• When you trust Him enough to do what He says, even the hard things—that’s good worship.

• When you’re so overwhelmed by His goodness on a Sunday morning you can’t control your tears—that’s good worship.

• When you’re driving down the freeway and singing your favorite hymn or rocking praise song because you can’t believe how good He is to you—that’s good worship.

• When you hear what He’ telling you to do and you do it, even when your friends tell you your faith is reckless—that’s good worship.

Your model for “good” worship? Mary of Bethany! She poured a year’s wages, her dowry of expensive perfume on Jesus when she considered what He was about to do for her—die for her sins (Mark 14:1-11).

Was it reckless? Was it over-the-top?

Not according to Jesus’ evaluation. He affirmed her greatly.

Really, when you define worship biblically—giving your life to God in response to His mercies—extravagant worship is an oxymoron.

What extravagant act of obedience, risky commitment, or reckless trust step is your redeemed heart telling you to do right now?

Do it. Jesus always affirms the sincere worship of His people!