A Deeply Personal Matter

 

In Isaiah 61, the prophet speaks good news of deliverance.

Isaiah 61:1-2 (NRSVue) - The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, 

This was good news for the many who had been oppressed.

As we recall Easter, we are reminded that Jesus is Good News for the many.

But He is also Good News for the individual.

At the time of His crucifixion, two criminals were executed in the same cruel way.

Like the crowd that taunted Jesus, one of the criminals joined in.

The other criminal was different.

In his darkest hour, he looked upon Jesus with a final request,

Luke 23:42 (NRSVue) – Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom.”

Jesus had Good News for this man.

Luke 23:43 (NRSVue) - He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The Good News is more than Good News for the masses.

The Good News is also Good News for the individual.

And the moment we accept the Good News, it becomes a deeply personal experience,

Some, like the criminal, may wait until the very end.

Others will postpone it assuming they have plenty of time to accept it.

But we do not have to wait until the end.

We do not have to put it off; deluding ourselves that we will get around to it “someday.”

Perhaps we are afraid that the Good News is a personal matter.

In truth, it is deeply personal.

Perhaps we are afraid that accepting it might forever alter our lives as we know it.

In truth, it changes our lives forever.

It also changes our lives for the better.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, May 2, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, May 9, 2025

The Power of Light

 

Psalm 34 is a Psalm of David.

In it, he describes the appearance of those who look to God.

Psalm 34:5 (NIV) - Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

In John 13, Jesus washes the feet of the disciples.

Jesus does this to teach them.

Just as Jesus served them, they are to serve one another.

In other words, Jesus demonstrated His love.

Now they are to follow His example.

John 13:15 (NRSVue) - For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.

As we approach Palm Sunday, let us be mindful of these things.

In looking to God, we will appear different.

But the radiance we reflect on the outside will serve as an invitation to others.

As we follow Christ’s example of love and service, the love of Christ adds to that radiance.

And that radiant reflection of His love can penetrate the darkness of those who have not come to know Him.

It does not matter whether their darkness is thrust upon them or if it is self-imposed.

The radiant love of Christ can penetrate either.

Christ gave us His word.

He also gave us His example.

And we are called upon to follow both.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com on Friday, April 18, 2025.

I will be back here on Friday, April 25, 2025