January 28, 2023

 

How Did Jesus Do It?

 

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” – Luke 6:27-28

 

Oh, Jesus! How did you do it? How did you love people intent on betraying you? How did you forgive people intent on destroying your temple for money and power and greed?

 

It’s not as though Jesus didn’t know. He did. He chosen the twelve. He broke bread with all of them, including Judas, knowing that he’d be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver.

 

Money. Why does it seem like all these years later it still controls the hearts of men and women who proclaim the name of Jesus and still seem intent on betraying him? Will we “sell” our church for the privilege of excluding people made in His image?

 

Disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church has nothing to do with Jesus and the Bible. It has everything to do with men and women who are afraid of anyone who might be different. It’s about power and control. And let’s not forget money. Because those with the most money have the power and control of the church. No female preachers. No homosexuals. No to anyone who might look different than them.

 

And, yet, Jesus loves them. He calls us to forgiveness. He tells us to pray for them. He commands us to do good to those who would harm us. I look around at all the false disciples and see heartache and betrayal. Jesus sees those created in the image of God.

 

 It’s not too late. I remind myself that God can make a way when no way seems possible. I search scripture for passages of His Glory showing up at the last minute. I know this battle isn’t about buildings and endowments. I know it’s about souls and eternal life. This battle isn’t mine to fight.

 

Still, I struggle to do my part. I don’t want to love people who seek to harm our family. That’s what it is. Family. Now it’s torn apart and, regardless of the disaffiliation vote, nothing will ever be the same. Maybe that’s the point. Maybe Jesus wants to make us broken bread so that He can remold us into something far better than we could ever have done ourselves.

October 24, 2018

Hold Tightly to Jesus

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. – Hebrews 13:8

Life is all about changes. The days may sometimes feel like they are covered in sameness but the reality is that change can send us reeling without a moment’s notice.

People can be so fickle. One day you’re surrounded by “friends,” secure in the knowledge that you have found your tribe. Then you find out that it was never about you but about what you could offer them. You’ve probably been there. People think the world of you until they no longer need you.

It hurts, doesn’t it? Even if you suspected all along, it still leaves a scar. You know in your mind that they’re the lesser for it, that they were never true friends, but for a moment in time you thought you might belong.

Have you ever thought you’d spend forever with someone only to see them walk away? It hurts, doesn’t it? There’s a deep core sadness, a lingering distrust. People make promises and break them all the time. You just never thought it would happen to you.

Maybe you poured your life into your career. You’ve worked hard. You thought you’d always have a job, always be secure. Until one day your company decided to downsize and you find out you’re one of the ones without a job. You devoted yourself to a company that didn’t care about you like you cared about it.

There are so many times in life when circumstances send us reeling. Sometimes it’s a catastrophic event, such as a death or a storm or a lingering illness. Other times it’s betrayal.

Betrayal comes in all forms. Sometimes it’s working hard on a project only to have your co-worker take all the credit. Sometimes it’s telling someone something in confidence only to have them tell everyone your secret. Sometimes it’s getting blamed for something you didn’t do and having people turn against you.

I am so thankful that Jesus never changes. He’s always the same. Honest. Trustworthy. Dependable. Jesus loves me with a love I can’t begin to comprehend. He loves you just the same.

Today there are people waking up to nothing but devastation. There are people walking around with broken hearts so shattered that no amount of glue can fix them. There are people who are sick and trying to forge ahead. There are people who have just buried a child, lost a parent, or gone through a divorce.

I saw a Facebook post that reminded people to be kind and show grace and mercy. Tempers can get short when our world has been destroyed. We lash out and that creates an avalanche of unintended consequences. Everyone is hurting in some way. Everyone has lost something or someone. Everyone faces things we can’t see.

Jesus sees. He knows. He offers us love and compassion with no limit. I don’t know what you’re going through today. But trust in Jesus. He is your rock when the world seems to be out of control. He is your everything when your world turns into rubble. Trust Him.

Jesus never changes. When you can’t hold on to anything else, when you can’t seem to find anyone you can trust, hold tightly to that. Hold tightly to Jesus.

July 24, 2018

Be Careful What You Say

“There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.” -- Luke 12:2-3

A friend has decided to join Facebook. He’s unsure if it’s something he can do or if it’s something only for younger folks with far more technical skills than he has. It’s easy, I told him. Just remember one very important thing: Never post anything you wouldn’t want the world to read.

Some people would argue with me about privacy settings and such. I stand by my advice. If you say it, whether publicly or in “private”, those words could become public. So, watch your words.

Have you ever told someone something in private and then had them repeat it to others? We’ve probably all felt that sting of betrayal. Private conversations aren’t meant for everyone.

And you know what? We’ve probably all been guilty of doing the same thing to someone else. It might not have been intentional but we did it just the same.

That’s the thing about words, whether written or spoken. You can’t ever take them back. The same is true of things that we do. They can’t ever be undone. The consequences continue on and on. God will forgive us if we repent and change course, but the consequences of our actions remain.

The political arena is no different. Perhaps it’s even more so. Those backroom deals really do exist. People work hard to cover up misbehavior. And people sometimes skirt the law for financial or power gains.

The Democrats and Republicans are good at pointing fingers. The truth is that both sides are guilty. One party’s guilt doesn’t erase the other party’s guilt.

Certainly, we need compromise. We used to have that. We had statesmen who reached across to those with opposing views in an effort to find a middle ground that everyone could live with. We’re too polarized for that anymore.

I am tired of it. How about you? Is Donald Trump guilty of working with the Russians to influence the presidential election? I don’t know. But I believe that the truth will eventually come out. Is Hillary Clinton guilty of erasing emails? I don’t know. But I believe that the truth will eventually come out.

God has a way of exposing deceit that can shake us to our core. Denials don’t work. Lies piled on top of lies don’t work. Ugliness can only masquerade as righteousness for so long before it becomes a bitter expose on the life we really lead as opposed to the life we claim to lead.

There is freedom in truth and honesty. There is freedom in keeping your own counsel, in taking matters to God first. There is freedom in only saying what you wouldn’t mind anyone else hearing.

Truth comes out in the end. God makes sure of it. So watch your words, whether you think anyone else is listening or not.

July 8, 2018

What’s Your Price?

And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. – Luke 22:4-5

What would you do for the promise of money or power? Don’t deny that it would ever happen. Most people have a price, the amount of money or the level of prestige, that would cause them to betray those closest to them.

Judas had a price. It was 30 pieces of silver, roughly about $600. Looking back, we see that Judas betrayed the Messiah. We understand that it was planned from the beginning. God had made a way to reconcile us to Him. Judas’ actions fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.

But step back for a moment and consider this: Judas betrayed his friend. He handed Jesus over for money. He ignored the three years he had traveled with Jesus and sat at the table with Him. He shoved aside the miracles and the memories. He did it all for money.

So, let me ask you again: What’s your price? Who will you betray for a nice promotion at work? What will you take credit for to get a bonus? How many times will you tell yourself “it’s just business” as you do what you know you shouldn’t in order to elevate your worldly goods and status?

Maybe it’s more about money than position for you. Will you lie to bring in more money? Will you cheat someone? Will you take advantage of someone who trusts you? What’s your price? How much is your family worth? Your friends? Your coworkers?

Many years ago there was a big scandal involving the son of a famous actor. A “friend” sold her story to a television tabloid. She took advantage of his tragedy to put money in her own pocket and give her those 15 minutes of fame she craved. I wonder how much it cost her?

She and I had a mutual friend. He promptly ended the friendship. Who wants to be around someone you can’t trust? I don’t know if anyone else did the same but I suspect that they did. Yes, she got money and fleeting fame. But she lost a great deal too.

Do we ever count the cost? Did Judas understand what those 30 pieces of silver would cost him? He attempted to return the silver. He realized he had betrayed an innocent man and now that man, Jesus, would be crucified. Judas paid with his life, though we don’t know whether it was from hanging (Matthew 27:5) or from a fall (Luke says this in Acts 1:18). Shame for a betrayal that could never be undone.

We like to get lofty when talking about what we will or won’t do. We pretend all is well until the day comes and we are faced with a choice: Do what is right or do what will benefit you financially. The world is littered with people who did all they could to benefit themselves only to have their evil plans derailed. And the world is littered with their victims.

Satan knows each person’s sweet spot. He knows just what it will take to lead you down a path you thought you were above. Never get so cocky as to think he doesn’t know your price. And never get so arrogant to think you won’t fall to temptation. Everyone has a price. What’s yours?

April 6, 2018

Betrayal Hurts

Then one of the Twelve – the one called Judas Iscariot – went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

– Matthew 26:14-16

Can you imagine how much it hurt Jesus to be betrayed by someone so close to Him? Jesus knew Judas would ultimately sell Him to be murdered. That was why Jesus came, after all. But, still, it had to break His heart.

Jesus was fully God and fully human. He felt the same pain we feel when someone we trusted turns on us. And for what? Thirty pieces of silver. Was it really worth the cost?

On this side, we understand that it had to be. Jesus died so we who believe won’t have to face death and eternal separation from God. Death couldn’t hold Him and, because of Him, it can’t hold us. What a wonderful gift! What an awesome God!

But have we ever considered His pain? It’s difficult to accept that a co-worker would go behind your back and plot to destroy you. It’s hard when it’s someone you know, someone who claims to share your faith, someone you believed liked you. But when it’s someone close to you, well, that’s a whole different level of heartache.

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” – John 13:21

He saw it coming. Jesus knew His friend, His disciple, a man who had spend three years by His side, was going to hand Him over to be crucified. He could have stopped it but He didn’t. Jesus loved us that much.

But do you think knowing the end result lessoned Jesus’ pain? John tells us Jesus was troubled. I would have wanted to stop it, to demand that my friend admit what he planned and change course. It sounds good but, honestly, someone who would plot against you, speak ill of you, isn’t likely to change course where there’s money and/or power involved.

There’s no way to completely guard against the evil that sometimes springs forth from hearts we thought we knew. To do so would leave us with hardened hearts, incapable of feeling anything. That’s surely not the answer. Maybe there is no answer.

The truth is that there will always be people masquerading as your friends who, in the end, will intentionally do you harm. There are people who call themselves family, either by blood or by law, that will turn on you, spreading lies and the ugliness that lives in their hearts.

Jesus gets it. He understands how deep the hurts goes. He feels your pain because He’s been there. And He knows that sometimes you don’t have any other choice but to continue on into the storm, seeing the betrayal that’s coming but being powerless to stop it.

I wish people would do different, don’t you? I wish everyone would end the games and just put on a cloak of honesty. But that’s not the real world. That’s not what some people are capable of doing.

We’re all flawed human beings, struggling to do the best we can while living in a fallen world. Those who intentionally seek to harm and destroy are inevitable. Keep your guard up and watch your heart. Don’t let the lies and deceit of others cause you to lose your way. Just cling tightly to Jesus and trust that He’ll be with you as you weather the inevitable storm.

February 14, 2018

Remember

Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. – Matthew 26:48-49

Today is both Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day. Fitting, don’t you think? The first is a day of repentance and sorrow and the second is a day to indulge in chocolate and flowers and perfume.

We get caught up in the commercial trappings, don’t we? It’s nice. Why not share a fancy dinner with someone you love? What’s wrong with a little indulgence to celebrate a relationship you cherish?

It’s all so wonderful – until it isn’t. Betrayal carries a high cost and becomes a burden that weighs us down, reminding us that the deadliest wounds come from those closest to our hearts.

Some churches conduct an Ash Wednesday service, placing ashes in the form of a cross on those who slowly make their way to the alter. A reminder of our sins, our sorrow and our repentance.

We struggle during the Lenten season, determined to make a sacrifice for Jesus. We give up candy or soda. We make vows and turn off Facebook or television. We remind ourselves daily – well, except for Sundays – of the sacrifice Jesus made for us.

But do we really get it? Really? Deep inside where our hearts at times feel broken by human betrayal, do we really understand what God did for us? Can we comprehend a love that deep? Do we really grasp the sacrifice of Jesus’ death for the sins you and I have committed?

We are so filled with self-interest. We do good so we will be praised by the multitudes. We sacrifice so that others might see how good we are. We shout loudly all our great attributes.

And we depend totally on ourselves. We work hard. We pave our own way forward. We do all we can as though it depends on us. In our minds, it does. God is for emergencies and miracles. Not to worry. We’ve got the rest.

Except He has called us to a life of daily sacrifice. He draws us toward a life directed by Him, for His glory and not our own. It’s not about us. It’s never been about us. And no matter how hard we try or how loudly we proclaim our goodness, we will never get past the sin and anguish of brokenness deep within.

As you go through this season leading to the cross, remember the cost. Look in the mirror and see your guilt. Close your eyes and feel the sting of betrayal, your betrayal of Jesus Christ. Feel the nails as they penetrate His skin. Swelter under the sun’s heat. Hear the insults that draped a man who was never anything but good.

On this day, remember what you have done for a kiss and 30 silver coins. Kneel down in genuine repentance. Rise. Feel the grace and mercy and love as it engulfs you. Go, and sin no more.  

May 17, 2016

God Is The Best Friend We Have

11 When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. 12 When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. 13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. -- Job 2:11-13

Goosie was really excited to meet her nine new friends today. She walked around and around the pen, talking loudly to them. They spoke back too.

I wanted to let Goosie into the pen with the others but I was worried about her. What if the nine turned on poor Goosie?

We made the decision to let her into the pen. I had no need to worry about Goosie. She was just fine -- as she attacked the other geese. She latched on to one poor goose and the two went round and round. I got quite firm with her. She ignored me. But she did eventually let go.

Things are calm now. They have made a peace of sorts. Eventually we’ll turn them all out and it will be Goosie who shows the new geese the pond and all the ins and outs of living here. It’s what friends do.

Job had lost everything but his life and his God. His friends hurried to comfort him. Those who have read the book of Job know that those same friends criticized him, admonishing Job to confess whatever he’d done to deserve all that had befallen him.

That had to be hard for Job to hear. When tough times come along, we expect support and comfort from those closest to us. Sometimes we are fortunate and they step up. Other times they let us down.

Not all criticism is intended to harm. Job’s friends thought they were helping. But sometimes the best intentions come for all the wrong reasons. And sometimes the “best intentions” are merely an opportunity to attack.

There’s no hurt that goes so deep as that hurt which comes from those closest to you. Sometimes it’s the betrayal of a spouse. Maybe it’s being abandoned by a parent. It might be rejection by the person you thought was your best friend.

Life has taught me how to empathize just a bit with Job. I have learned to rely on God and God alone for guidance and support and love. He is true and faithful. His love never wavers. That’s important in a world where betrayal sometimes comes from those who are closest to us.

March 25, 2016

Betrayal Hurts

47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” -- Luke 22:47-48

Have you ever been betrayed by someone close to you? It hurts, doesn’t it? Jesus certainly knows about that.

Jesus wasn’t betrayed by a stranger. He wasn’t betrayed by a religious leader threatened by His popularity. Jesus was betrayed by a man who was part of His inner circle. He was betrayed by a friend.

What’s even worse is that Jesus -- knowing everything -- knew it was coming. He knew that Judas would betray Him yet Jesus didn’t cast Judas aside. Instead, Jesus waited until Judas chose to turn on Jesus.

We think we would never do that to Jesus -- but we do. All the time. We deny Him when we choose a different path rather than the path that leads us closer to Him. We betray Jesus when we harden our hearts against the poor, the hurting, the outcast.

Do you still think you wouldn’t betray Jesus? Consider Peter. He loved Jesus. Really. Truly. Yet Peter denied Jesus three times -- just as Jesus predicted that Peter would do. It’s hard to stand firm for Jesus when the court of public opinion ridicules you or threatens your way of life.

It’s also hard to be kind to those who betray you. We must. But it isn’t easy. Have you ever worked with someone who played people off of one another? It seems like every workplace has someone like that. They enjoy stirring things up.

It’s also hard to get past someone who betrays a confidence. We’ve all been on both sides of that grief. The truth is only God is trustworthy when it comes to keeping secrets. Our circle of friends who are truly trustworthy is really quite small. We’d all do well to remember that.

Another type of betrayal is when we expect support from those closest to us and instead they turn on us. A sweet friend just went through this and her heart is broken. She needed support from her sisters and instead they unfairly -- and wrongly -- judged her. Now she has the trauma of all that happened heaped on the betrayal that came with her sisters’ disapproval.

This is Good Friday. Jesus is betrayed and crucified. Betrayed in the most horrible of ways. The resurrection hasn’t yet arrived. Hope seems lost. And, yet, it is not. There is life after the betrayal. Thank you, Jesus.

October 12, 2014

Let Go of Betrayal's Sting

 

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” -- John 13:21

^{We're all familiar with this passage of Scripture. It is the Last Supper. The time right before Judas betrays Jesus. It amazes me that Jesus could be kind, friendly even, with the one He knew would betray Him.
 
I know. I know. It's why Jesus came. And I realize that all of us have betrayed Jesus with our sins. But I look at Jesus as an example. I want to be that way and yet the sting of the knife in my back, the horror of dishonesty and lies, is like a heavy weight on my heart. How do I protect myself and still be kind, loving even, to those who have repeatedly show themselves to be my enemies?}

There is no such thing as protection from betrayal. Not unless we're willing to live an isolated life, free of love and laughter. We are meant for community. We could never truly be happy alone. And yet how do we deal with people who aren't safe for us? How do we show both kindness and distance from those who seek to harm us just because they can?

This is one of those juggling acts that I just don't have down yet. Sometimes I think I've got it under control, I'm prepared, and then it happens again. I am blindsided. I don't know who I'm angriest with: the betrayer or myself for letting down my guard.

At least Jesus knew what was coming. He could prepare Himself. Or could He? Can anyone ever really be prepared for betrayal, especially when it comes from someone close to us?

Maybe the key is that Jesus didn't do it alone. He didn't even attempt to walk the path alone. God the Father was right there, providing strength and wisdom and courage. I can't forgive and move on by myself. The hurt is too deep, the betrayal too fresh. But through God I can let it go and trust that He will handle it as He sees fit. He reminds me of all the times I've let others down, all the times I've betrayed Him. I take a deep breath and let it go. Forgiveness. God's way of releasing the venom from inside of us so that we can carry on down the path He has set before us.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Close Friends Are Priceless

He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be filled with horror and deep distress. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me.” -- Mark 14:33-34

One of the most wonderful things about close, trusted friends is their willingness to walk with us during the difficult, trying times in our lives. Everyone truly needs someone, or a group of someones, who are there for them no matter what.

Even Jesus. As He neared the time when He would die, Jesus turned to His Father in prayer. Jesus had twelve Disciples but He chose three to go with Him as He prayed during the final moments before His arrest. The three closest to Him, no doubt.

Someone dear to me is struggling right now with her son’s health issues. It is mostly a silent struggle. Some folks judge what they do not understand. Those of us who know her pain, stand solid beside her. She is strong and when she is not, well, we will be strong for her. It’s what friends do.

We all have secrets. We do. There are things we just don’t share with everyone. Some of them are so personal that we dare not allow the masses to see. Other things are embarrassing or just awful. We don’t want the world to know what we’ve done, what we’ve endured, what we’ve faced.

But that doesn’t apply to those closest to us. In fact, we feel better in the sharing. There’s just something wonderful about being truly accepted for who you are, warts and all.

Of course, friends sometimes let us down. We are all human and no matter how much we love and care for one another, we fail each other. Just like Peter, James and John failed Jesus that night in Gethsemane. While Jesus was pleading with God to spare Him from what He was about to endure, the three Disciples closest to Him were sleeping.

Jesus understands. He knows the pain and hurt. And yet Jesus didn’t give up on those closest to Him. Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him three times. He also knew that Peter would be the rock on which the church was planted. Jesus told Peter and, of course, it came to pass.

Forgiving and moving on. Seeing the best and embracing it. Laughing and crying, sharing your lives to the fullest. Everyone deserves to have close friends beside them on this journey through life.

Reach out today to those whom you love. Thank them for their companionship, their support, their love. Close friends, true friends, are priceless.