John 12:12-13 (NIV)
The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem.They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
Excitement was in the air.
Word was spreading like wildfire.
Jesus was on His way.
The same Jesus who raised Lazarus from the dead!
The same Jesus who did many signs, miracles and wonders.
As their excitement grew, the crowd gathered palm branches (a sign of victory) to lay in His path.
Anticipation grew to a fever pitch as the minutes went by.
Suddenly, there He was!
Unable to contain their excitement for a moment longer, the crowd erupted in a shout of "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"
What a great ending this would have made if the account had simply ended there.
But it did not simply end there.
The Pharisees continued to grumble and, with the help of Judas, Jesus was arrested.
The same Jesus who arrived in triumph to the accolades of an excited crowd would now be treated worse than a criminal.
He would suffer both physical and verbal abuse at the hands of the authorities and then be presented to another crowd.
This time things were different.
This was not a jubilant crowd driven by wonder and anticipation.
This was a mob. A very angry mob. A mob stirred up by those who knew exactly what buttons to push in order to agitate them into a frenzy of blood lust.
This time, the shout that emerged was different.
It was a shout of anger, not joy.
It was a shout of vengeance, not victory.
The shout today would not be "Hosanna!"
The shout was instead, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"
I wonder...
How many people in that angry mob were also part of that jubilant crowd?
How many people shouted "Hosanna!" one day and "Crucify Him!" the next?
What went through His mind as He recognized those same faces?
At the cross, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing," so He likely felt compassion for them.
As should we.
There is another group who is need of His mercy and our compassion as well.
No, I'm not referring to those that were in the angry mob only.
I'm referring to those that heard He was coming and simply did not care.
God Bless You,
The Other Brother Jim
NEXT WEEK...
The Office
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
My Man Caleb
This devotional is dedicated in loving memory of Mrs. Lillian Hanna. As I gazed out from the podium at my audience on those early Sunday mornings when my turn rolled around, I always looked forward to seeing her face smiling warmly back at me. Mrs. Hanna was called home by the Lord on Valentine's Day, a day we set aside to celebrate Love. Mrs. Hanna, I celebrate your life and the abundant love you shared with us all.
Joshua 14:10-11 (NIV)
Now, as you can see, the Lord has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise - even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then.
I really cannot understand why Caleb is not the subject of more sermons and devotionals.
If I were a coach and my team was trailing at the half, I would likely begin my talk to the team with, "Boys, let me tell you about my man Caleb!"
We first meet Caleb in the Book of Numbers when Moses selected twelve men (one from each tribe) to explore the land of Canaan.
Forty days later, they returned and reported to Moses and the entire community.
The report began on a positive note. They told how the land truly flowed with milk and honey and then proceeded to display some of the magnificent fruit they collected.
Then, the report turned negative. Some of the party told of the large and fortified cities. They then told of the large and powerful inhabitants.
Well, the damage was done. The people became discouraged.
Caleb stepped up and silenced the people and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land. for we can certainly do it."
Some of his fellow explorers objected and undermined Caleb's efforts.
By this time, the people were thoroughly discouraged and began to complain.
Caleb and Joshua pleaded with the people to trust God to keep His promise.
Their attempt failed.
God determined that not one of the other ten men who explored the land would live to enter the Promised Land.
Only Caleb and Joshua would enter that land, though they would have to wander forty years in the wilderness with the others first.
Caleb is mentioned briefly in Deuteronmy 1:36 but he is not mentioned again until he gives that motivational speech to Joshua in Joshua Chapter 14.
Joshua, who was an old man too, did not try to talk Caleb out of this plan. He never suggested that this was a task best suited for younger men. Joshua gave Caleb his blessing and granted him the mountain region to take for his possession.
This was going to be an uphill battle for an eighty-five year old man against a strong enemy that held the high ground (a huge military advantage in and of itself).
But, this was no ordinary eighty-five year old man. This was an eighty-five year old man who trusted God to keep His promise.
God did indeed keep that promise and Caleb and his descendants took possession of that land.
Oh, one more thing...
Caleb was forced to wander in the wilderness for forty years with people of lesser faith. Never once in that time is it recorded that he complained.
May God Bless You,
The Other Brother Jim
NEXT WEEK...
From "HOSANNA!" to "Crucify Him!"
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Best Teacher I Ever Had
Scripture: Mark 10:13-16 (NIV)
People were bringing their children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this He was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.
Once, I asked myself the question, "Aside from my parents, who is the best teacher I ever had?"
I have been blessed by God in my lifetime with many excellent school teachers, Sunday school teachers and role models. So I began flipping through my mental Rolodex fondly remembering each one.
When it comes to the best teacher I ever had, my answer may surprise you as much as it surprised me.
You see, the best teacher I ever had was a little boy.
I first met this little fellow while having coffee with my friends at a local restaurant where we normally gather.
That's when I first saw him. A little small for his age followed by a man wheeling in an oxygen tank, just in case, and carrying a backpack containing medications and other supplies, again... just in case.
This little fellow was amazing. His first order of business was to visit every table and spend time with every patron. He was so charming, no one minded at all.
We enjoyed the time he spent at our table, although it did seem all too brief. Then, keeping to a schedule known only to him, he moved on to the next table
The next time he came in he had a portable DVD player with him. He had recently celebrated a birthday and he wanted to share some of the video of the party as he made his rounds.
Then, there was the time he brought his sister in tow. She was taller than he was and it was quite a sight to see him literally drag her from table to table. At each stop he would proudly declare, "This is my sister!" This delighted everyone with the exception of his sister who was embarrassed by all the attention.
Yes, he is the best teacher I ever had. In fact, he is a true blessing from God and has become my spiritual yardstick.
I am human, and like all humans sometimes I have problems and situations arise that are outside my control. Sometimes, I am tempted to feel down. Sometimes, I am even tempted to feel a little sorry for myself.
When that happens, I think of this little boy... his problems... and how he remains exactly what God made him to be... a happy little boy who wants nothing more than to share his happiness with everyone.
With that, an amazing thing happens. Suddenly my problems don't seem like problems anymore. I can relegate them new titles like "nuisances" and "inconveniences".
In the normal course of events, it is adults who teach children, but if God has a lesson He wants you to learn, He can use anyone He wants to teach it to you... even a child.
As we grow older, it is important for us to remain open to every possibility. Then we can rejoice when God surprises us.
God Bless You,
The Other Brother Jim
NEXT WEEK...
My Man Caleb
People were bringing their children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this He was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.
Once, I asked myself the question, "Aside from my parents, who is the best teacher I ever had?"
I have been blessed by God in my lifetime with many excellent school teachers, Sunday school teachers and role models. So I began flipping through my mental Rolodex fondly remembering each one.
When it comes to the best teacher I ever had, my answer may surprise you as much as it surprised me.
You see, the best teacher I ever had was a little boy.
I first met this little fellow while having coffee with my friends at a local restaurant where we normally gather.
That's when I first saw him. A little small for his age followed by a man wheeling in an oxygen tank, just in case, and carrying a backpack containing medications and other supplies, again... just in case.
This little fellow was amazing. His first order of business was to visit every table and spend time with every patron. He was so charming, no one minded at all.
We enjoyed the time he spent at our table, although it did seem all too brief. Then, keeping to a schedule known only to him, he moved on to the next table
The next time he came in he had a portable DVD player with him. He had recently celebrated a birthday and he wanted to share some of the video of the party as he made his rounds.
Then, there was the time he brought his sister in tow. She was taller than he was and it was quite a sight to see him literally drag her from table to table. At each stop he would proudly declare, "This is my sister!" This delighted everyone with the exception of his sister who was embarrassed by all the attention.
Yes, he is the best teacher I ever had. In fact, he is a true blessing from God and has become my spiritual yardstick.
I am human, and like all humans sometimes I have problems and situations arise that are outside my control. Sometimes, I am tempted to feel down. Sometimes, I am even tempted to feel a little sorry for myself.
When that happens, I think of this little boy... his problems... and how he remains exactly what God made him to be... a happy little boy who wants nothing more than to share his happiness with everyone.
With that, an amazing thing happens. Suddenly my problems don't seem like problems anymore. I can relegate them new titles like "nuisances" and "inconveniences".
In the normal course of events, it is adults who teach children, but if God has a lesson He wants you to learn, He can use anyone He wants to teach it to you... even a child.
As we grow older, it is important for us to remain open to every possibility. Then we can rejoice when God surprises us.
God Bless You,
The Other Brother Jim
NEXT WEEK...
My Man Caleb
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Did Jesus Ever Laugh?
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4 (NLT)
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.
Someone once said, “If you want to know more about the Bible, just volunteer to be a Sunday School teacher.”
How true that is. I teach an adult Sunday School class and I love their questions especially the difficult ones. These questions often make me dig a little deeper into my own personal Bible study.
One Sunday, I was asked, “Did Jesus ever laugh?”
That is a great question, because the Bible never actually tells us that He did.
First of all, what is laughter? Laughter is automatic physical response to humor. When something strikes you funny, you laugh. You don’t have to analyze it first and decide if you are going to laugh or not.
Think about this… We are made in the image of God and we have been given the gift of laughter. Laughter, therefore, must be an aspect of His image that He graciously has given to us. Laughter is like a mini vacation from life’s difficulties. You cannot laugh and think about your problems at the same time.
When it comes to Jesus, I find it extremely interesting that the Bible never comes out and tells us that He actually did laugh.
It does tell us that He experienced emotion.
The shortest verse in the Bible tells us, “Jesus wept.”
He also experienced anger as evidenced when he overturned the tables of the money changers.
Scripturally speaking, I have to go back to the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes to support my answer, “Yes, Jesus laughed.”
In the Old Testament scripture I opened with, the Bible tells us that certain actions at certain times have been deemed appropriate by God.
That includes laughter.
I think we would all have to agree that Jesus always did what was appropriate in God‘s eyes. Therefore, when the time for laughter was appropriate… He laughed. It simply stands to reason.
I wish His blessings for you today, especially the blessing of laughter!
The Other Brother Jim
NEXT WEEK: The Best Teacher I Ever Had
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.
Someone once said, “If you want to know more about the Bible, just volunteer to be a Sunday School teacher.”
How true that is. I teach an adult Sunday School class and I love their questions especially the difficult ones. These questions often make me dig a little deeper into my own personal Bible study.
One Sunday, I was asked, “Did Jesus ever laugh?”
That is a great question, because the Bible never actually tells us that He did.
First of all, what is laughter? Laughter is automatic physical response to humor. When something strikes you funny, you laugh. You don’t have to analyze it first and decide if you are going to laugh or not.
Think about this… We are made in the image of God and we have been given the gift of laughter. Laughter, therefore, must be an aspect of His image that He graciously has given to us. Laughter is like a mini vacation from life’s difficulties. You cannot laugh and think about your problems at the same time.
When it comes to Jesus, I find it extremely interesting that the Bible never comes out and tells us that He actually did laugh.
It does tell us that He experienced emotion.
The shortest verse in the Bible tells us, “Jesus wept.”
He also experienced anger as evidenced when he overturned the tables of the money changers.
Scripturally speaking, I have to go back to the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes to support my answer, “Yes, Jesus laughed.”
In the Old Testament scripture I opened with, the Bible tells us that certain actions at certain times have been deemed appropriate by God.
That includes laughter.
I think we would all have to agree that Jesus always did what was appropriate in God‘s eyes. Therefore, when the time for laughter was appropriate… He laughed. It simply stands to reason.
I wish His blessings for you today, especially the blessing of laughter!
The Other Brother Jim
NEXT WEEK: The Best Teacher I Ever Had
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