Monthly Archives: April 2014

April 19
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Uncategorized Aside

“The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.”  (Luke 23: 55-56, NIV)

“The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.  ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’  So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.’ “Take a guard,’ Pilate answered. ‘Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.’  So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.”  (Matthew 27: 62-66, NIV)

On the Saturday after Good Friday, life continued. 

The women who were disciples of Jesus prepared to do the next necessary thing as best they could before ceasing all work in obedience to God’s commandment.  Meanwhile, the opponents of Jesus were also making preparations to thwart any “deceptions” by the crucified Lord’s followers. Neither friend nor foe expected what was to occur in God’s plan, in God’s time, in God’s way on Sunday morning.

As current-day disciples of Jesus, we should aspire to be like the women: Doing all that we can, while we can, for the next necessary thing before us; but always giving God’s word and God’s will priority — even if God commands that we stop, rest, and wait in the midst of the darkest day of our lives; even as the enemies of God plot against us.

In hindsight, we see that God used the women’s faithfulness in ways that tied together all of Good Friday’s “loose ends,” while utterly frustrating the designs of His enemies. Looking ahead, we must also be diligent, faithful, and obedient if we are to be — as the women were on Resurrection Sunday: First witnesses to the incomparable faithfulness and power of God.

We can be like that!  – Luther

Reminder: Daily Encouragement will be on break tomorrow.  Have a great day in the celebration of our Lord’s resurrection, and the fact that as He is, so shall we — because He said it, and has the power to make it so!  Lord willing, see you on Monday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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April 18
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Good Friday

“And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.” (Luke 23:50-52, KJV)

The first word of advice to newly-elected Pope Francis came from a fellow bishop, Cardinal Claudio Hummes of Brazil: “Don’t forget the poor.” 

Joseph of Arimathaea, whom history kindly remembers for giving Jesus a decent burial in a tomb that had never before been used (yes, tombs were “recycled”), is to be emulated because he remembered a poor Jesus as he “waited for the kingdom of God.”

According to scripture, Joseph had at least one encounter with Jesus: He was a member of the religious council that had put Jesus on trial. However, Joseph did not agree with the council’s conclusions, nor with its decision to press the Romans for Jesus’ death. Whether this was Joseph’s only encounter with Jesus, or whether Joseph had also heard Him teach in the synagogue, or had heard Him preach in the villages, I do not know. But scripture is clear that Joseph was a good and just man, who “waited for the kingdom of God.”

We can surmise that Joseph was a man of money and influence, since poor people in those days didn’t own tombs; and inconsequential people weren’t given audiences with high government officials like Pilate. On the other hand, on that Good Friday, Jesus was the poorest of the poor: His clothing — taken; His disciples — absent; His dignity — surrendered; His good name — sullied; His body — broken; His life — gone. 

Most people are very uncomfortable with the poverty of others, as if poverty were contagious. Joseph of Arimathaea was not afraid.  As he waited for the kingdom of God, Joseph did good by not forgetting the poor. Whether a pope or a pedestrian on the highway of life, there is no higher office than “servant of the poor.” As we do to the least of these — the poor — we do to Jesus.   – Luther

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April 17
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Uncategorized Aside

“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11, NIV)

Humility.

Jesus tells us that we ought not to exalt ourselves — that is, seek a status that is higher, larger, or more powerful, for our own benefit and glorification (e. g., time in the spotlight).

Our ego seeks such elevations, but the reality is that someone else is always smarter, more prominent, or more powerful than we are.

In the context of today’s scripture, Jesus challenges us to resist the temptation of self-promotion and self-elevation so common in our society; and instead, take our place with the least and the last among us.  Truly humble individuals are always recognized, in God’s time, with a public promotion that no one can take-back or take-away.  – Luther

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