Asides

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 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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April 16
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“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:47-48, NIV)

Accountability.

This passage is harsh (what with all the beatings — which are figurative, not literal, I believe), but it reminds we disciples of Jesus that we are (1) to know the Master’s will — in other words, “to study to show ourselves approved of God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed. . .”; (2) to maintain a state of readiness; and (3) to be obedient to our Master’s will. Being — or doing — otherwise always requires a painful reckoning.

This passage ought to remind us that we are going to be held accountable for what we know — and for what we ought to have known.  Be diligent in both the acquisition of the tools of discipleship — and in the use of those tools for the glory of God — so that when the Master returns, you may have reason for great joy when called to give an accounting of your stewardship of time, talent, and treasure.  – Luther 

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