Sonshine!

“If anyone hears My words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” John 12:47 (John 12:37-50)

In His final hours of daylight Jesus reaches out to those who struggle spiritually. The disciples were sent to begin preparations for the Passover meal. They have no idea it is going to be The Last Supper. Along with those who outright detest Jesus are some who want to believe He is the Messiah, but remain quiet due to the reactions of those who passionately hate Him. Jesus says, “To reject Him is to reject God!” Yet, He came to bring light and life, not the darkness of judgement and death.

Soon those near Jesus will curse Him, yet here He is declaring love over judgement. His premier objective is salvation! Judgement will have its day, but only after everything possible has been done to rescue the lost and show them the way, lit brightly with love.

It is difficult to set aside judgement with so much pain and anguish all around, but we are commanded to choose strength and love, leading others to the Light. Don’t face the world through the darkness of condemnation and then slam the door shut when you are done. Jesus, the only One who has the right to judge, chooses to defer until all hope is exhausted. He is our example; do as He does. Love!

Happy Friday,

Gretchen

“As you know, the Passover is two days away-and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” Matthew 26:2 (Matthew 26:1-16, Mark 14:1, 2,10, 11, and Luke 22:1-6)

Maybe Judas was tired of waiting for Jesus to become an earthly king, or maybe he was so greedy his avarice made all his decisions, and then there is the possibility that he was jealous of the circumstances. He wasn’t the rock star, nor was he part of Jesus’ inner circle. Perhaps he didn’t think they would actually kill Jesus, just force Him to show His hand. Where the seed of sin began does not matter, that is found fertile soil to sprout and grown in Judas’ heart does. As a result he sold Jesus for the price of a slave.

The church leaders’ strongest motivation was to see Jesus dead, but as Passover approached and Jerusalem filled with celebration, they knew it would be risky to openly arrest Him. The approach of one of His disciples with a plan to secretly disclose Jesus’ location so He could be quietly taken into custody was a delightful turn of events. Their evil, in the face of such righteousness ,will never cease to astound the believers, who throughout the ages ponder, “How did Jesus restrain Himself in the situation He saw coming?” The answer is simple.  He saw beyond the pain to His future glory, and in that vision, He saw your glory too.

When life is at its very worst, look beyond the cross. It kept Mary, His mother, and Jesus going, because at this time, they are the only two that truly knew He was born to die.

Love,

Gretchen

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. Mark 13:31 (Matthew 24 & 25, Mark 13:1-37, Luke 21:5-36) 

As Jesus and the disciples leave the Temple for the last time, one of them comments on its magnificent, architectural beauty. Jesus cryptically mentions the destruction of Jerusalem and all that is within its fortified walls. As the disciples gathered in an olive grove, they asked what Jesus meant and when these things would occur. This begins Jesus’ discourse on the end of this age.

Death is only three days away, so Jesus openly speaks of things to come. Soon Jesus’ friends will face their darkest days, so He takes great pains to prepare them for their mission. While only God knows the time and date, Jesus reiterates over and over, Just Be Ready!!

The components of readiness are understanding your accountability for the gifts you have been given and time you spent in diligent preparedness. The manner in which you treat others is a big, big deal!  Consider every action toward another as if you are addressing, hosting or abusing Jesus Himself, because that is how He will judge your behavior. 

Our earthly selves have a shelf life, even Jesus’ did, but His words, the breath that set life in motion, will be forever. This is our hope, to believe and then live in readiness to do His will, whatever it is, whenever and wherever we are called.

Love,

Gretchen

“Now My heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour?’ No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from Heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” John 12:27-28 (Matthew 21:12-16, Mark 11:12:19, Luke 19:45-48 and John 12:20-36)

Jesus’ time on earth is closing swiftly. As children praise Him, He begins to freely speak of His crucifixion. He also curses a fig tree in illustration of a Temple that has become useless and produces nothing of value.

There were some important facts all Jews understood from the prophets of old. They knew that the Christ would never die and reign forever. The fact that Jesus was human and His life was in danger caused them great confusion. The everyday man wanted desperately to believe, but could not reconcile death and the person they strongly suspected was the long awaited Messiah. In the lesson of the seed of wheat, Jesus explains why He MUST die.

Near the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, He cleared the Temple of merchants and money changers. On Monday before His death, He repeats this act. The Temple is precious, the earthly representation of God’s dwelling among men. The Pharisees have become hypocrites and are allowing the Temple to be a common marketplace with inflated prices for the convenience of onsite purchase. It was not appropriate to pay tithe or give an offering with money baring the likeness of the emperor. One must exchange their Roman money for Jewish money before giving to God. This could be done in the market for a reasonable exchange rate, but to save a few steps, (the synagogue was between the residential area and the commercial center of town) you could exchange your coins for a higher cost. Rich Jews were exploiting the poor. They were also selling sacrificial animals in the same manner. This behavior was despicable to Jesus. He cleansed the Temple, but angered those in authority who were profiting from these practices.

In the words above we are privy to a conversation between Father and Son. Jesus dreads His coming horrors. He is still human, yet He draws strength by going to His Father. His Father responds in loving, “We’ve Got This” mode. The darker our days become, the more we draw ourselves inward, thus cutting off our source of power and strength. Jesus drew closer and closer to God, pouring out His legitimate concerns and questions. In this manner He became immune to Satan’s fury as the two went face to face in battle for your soul.

Jesus modeled a life, moment to moment, of petition and prayer. We are invited to the same relationship with Our Father.

Love,

Gretchen

“They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on.” Mark 12:44 (Matthew 21:20-46, 23:1-39, Mark 11:20-33, 12:13-44, Luke 2-:1-47)

Jesus had no patience for religious pretense. His rejection by the spiritual leaders of the day was not surprising nor an original theology. It had been going on since Israel was established. The Sadducees dismissed the idea of life after death, the Scribes were experts on Law, but totally deleted the love factor, and the Pharisees were determined that Jesus must ‘Messiah’ on their terms if He expected their cooperation! Exceptions to these wicked sects did occur and some very good and faithful men emerged during this time, but they were few.

In the parables of The Two Sons, The Tenants, The Vineyard and the Marriage Feast, Jesus speaks directly to the church leaders and the nation of Israel. The chosen people would be cast off because they ignored, rejected, and martyred God’s messengers.

The Temple had once again been cleansed by Jesus. He was ready to abandon it to its own destruction when a widow entered the area where offerings were placed. Among the proud wealthy, publicly giving their sizable tithes and offerings came a widow who put in two very small coins, the very least someone could give. Jesus recognized her gift as more than a required amount, but a total sacrifice of all she had in this world. This set the standard for true worship and service founded in love. After this, Jesus departed and ended His public ministry.

The state of your heart is the only state that matters. Love enough to give your life as a LIVING sacrifice and it will always be perfectly, exactly enough!

Love,

Gretchen

As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace-but now it is hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:41-42 ( Matthew 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:41-44, John 12:12-36)

There is no feast in all of Jewish history with more importance than Passover. It is the commemoration of the Exodus from Egypt, the final plague when every Jewish household covered their door with the blood of a pascal lamb and the angel of death spared their home by ‘passing by,’ because they were covered by the blood. What an appropriate time for Jesus to make His way to Jerusalem one last time. He knew His day was approaching, the culmination of His work on earth, but it was a season of dread and sorrow.

To fulfill Zechariah’s prophecy in 9:9, Jesus sent His disciples to get a young donkey, an unbroken colt. He would enter the City of David in peace, not as a warrior on a valiant steed. The cheering crowds gathered and laid their clothing and palm branches along the route to cut down on the dust. They, along with Jesus’ disciples praised Him to a deafening roar that made the Pharisees complain. Jesus responded that quiet lips would only make the rocks cry out. These people believed Jesus was finally going to build His Kingdom and free them from oppression for all time. It was their day and they were thrilled. In a few short hours their ideas of a victorious kingdom would conflict painfully with God’s plan and things would get ugly in a hurry.

When Jesus came out of the grove of olives, He saw the vista, the panorama of Jerusalem and wept. His heart ached for the hope of what could have been. It wasn’t one hour, one choice, to give His life for ours, it was days and days and days. Still, He spoke and acted in love, preparing those whose faith would be bent to breaking, knowing many of the voices singing praises on this day would turn to brutal hatred, spitting and cursing. It didn’t matter……IT DIDN’T MATTER!  His hope for what could have been, became our hope of what can be! Salvation and freedom from sin!

Happy Thursday,

Gretchen

But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such a these.” Luke 18:16 (Matthew 19:3-30, 20:17-23, Mark 10:2-40, Luke 18:15-19:27, John 12:9-11)

In January before Pentecost that spring, Jesus begins His final journey to Jerusalem. There is a new urgency in His actions. Everything He has done so far is done once again, for His disciples have become caught up in personal glory. They do not understand the difference between a Spiritual Kingdom and one of this earth. Jesus’ lessons on humility and service intensify. In the midst of all this, Mary, Lazarus’ sister seems to get it! She comes with valuable perfume and anoints Jesus’ feet.

As Jesus traveled from town to town on His way to the cross, He heals the blind, cuddles babies, and reminds His followers of the burdens they must bear on His behalf. In His last parable to the public He teaches of final accountability with rewards and punishments that can’t be undone. Then there were three men, a rich young ruler, a Pharisee and a publican. The Pharisee attempted to corner Jesus with a subtle conflict between Jesus’ words and Moses’ law regarding divorce. There was no clash of truth. God’s plan is one woman and one man for a lifetime. When man’s heart hardens as he declares free-will, all is not lost because Grace and Mercy abound. The rich young ruler spent his lifetime willing to keep God’s law. He clearly knew who Jesus was and Jesus was pleased, but when told to sacrifice the things of this world for all that is eternal, the young man turned and walked away, longing for a Savior on his own terms rather than Heaven’s. Finally, a little man planned to arrive early and climb a tree, just for a glimpse of the One who set the captive free.  As Jesus passed by He called for Zachaeus to come down and dine.  Zachaeus, a despised collaborator with the Romans, was moved so profoundly he voluntarily submitted to give half of his wealth to the poor and repay everyone he had cheated four times over.

Heaven will be populated by those with a childlike faith and humility. There will be no pomposity in God’s presence. Only the teachable, trustful, unsophisticated, loving and free from pride believers will be welcomed to Jesus’ side. The state of man’s heart and priorities, not money, was the issue in the examples these scripture give. A divided heart is a distracted heart, which is a vulnerable and impossible way to live. God must come first in all things so we are available to receive the very best Heaven has to give.

Love,

Gretchen

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 (John 11)

There was a family of three, a brother and two sisters, Lazarus, Mary and Martha, who were very dear friends of Jesus. Mary once poured valuable oil on Jesus’ feet and dried it with her hair. Jesus and His disciples received word Lazarus was ill, but they delayed going to Bethany. There were multiple death threats against Jesus, but two days later He decided it was time to go, although the twelve reminded Him of the dangers of traveling, He went anyway. Thomas led the disciples by commenting, “If He dies, I’ll die too.” (What a great testimony of love and commitment.)

Lazarus died, leaving his sisters grief stricken. Just like today, friends gathered to comfort and help in anyway they could. When Jesus arrived Martha goes to meet Him and declares her faith. Jesus tells her death did not have the last word. She misunderstands, thinking He speaks of the Resurrection of souls. Jesus tenderly tells her, “I am the Resurrection and THE Life.” Wait no longer! She then returns to tell Mary, who runs to His side and bows at His feet again. She is distraught and Jesus weeps. Then! He goes to the tomb and rescues His friend from the grip of death.

Upon on hearing of Jesus’ latest miracle, the Sanhedrin decided Jesus had to go! Jesus knew His time was drawing near, (less than a month now) so He returned to the village of Ephraim and cloistered Himself with His closest followers.

The story of Jesus sharing emotionally in Mary and Martha’s heartache is one of the most beautiful in the Bible, but all who witnessed it play out misunderstood or misinterpreted Jesus’ actions, until a decaying corpse walked whole and hardy from the grave. Soon it would be Jesus lying lifeless in a cold, dark cave, but death, the final enemy, was already defeated.

While Jesus walked on earth He encounter people time and time again, looking for the very thing that stood before them. He explained, stop seeking, you have found Me, I am here. Like faithful Mary, we too let worry, fear, sorrow and anxiety hide the presence of Jesus. Our eternal life is today and we are called to LIVE, “On earth as it is in Heaven!”

Love,

Gretchen

Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is, or There it is’  because the Kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20 (Luke 15, 16.17:20-37, 18:1-14, 20:1-20)

Following Jesus’ harsh lessons on arrogance, self-interest, and absence of compassion and love, He turns to parables, the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son, to illustrate how much He loves to forgive. In another story he commends a dishonest manager for his shrewd business dealings. While this seems to conflict with integrity it is a word picture that recognizes we need money to exist, but it must not be our god and we should always praise the One who provides everything. Jesus tells of the crippled servant that went to Heaven and his rich master begged him to dip his finger in water and touch his tongue because hell was agonizing. Jesus states, there will come a time when all choices are final. Finally, pray with bold persistence for God hears and will answer, just as He did for the widow.

If Jesus had a hobby, it would be forgiveness. No matter how much we fail, His Mercy and Grace are boundless and more than sufficient to cover our sin, heal our soul and meet our needs. There is room enough for a sermon in every verse listed above, but I will spare you. However! I encourage you, when you feel worthless, defeated or lost in an overwhelming world, read any of the above parables and find just how valuable you really are.  Jesus told these stories for us to hear and place in our hearts, where His scripture says, The Kingdom of God already is.

Happy Week,

Gretchen

He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ Luke 13:32 (Luke 13:23-14:35

Jesus went into a Perean province ruled by the debauched ruler Herod Anitpas, who earlier ordered the beheading of John the Baptist. Herod was presently concerned about a public uprising as Jesus came healing and performing all manner of miracles, but Jesus had no fear of Herod as His time would come in Jerusalem.

While dining at the home of a Pharisee on the Sabbath, Jesus made several observations and used the event to teach truths. A man with a painful disease asked for healing. Jesus first asked those who were sitting before an opulent feast, if it was lawful to heal this ailing man. They remained silent so Jesus continued. He inquired of their action if it was their child or their valuable ox stuck in a ditch. Would they act according to their law, or respond in love, compassion and meet the need? Jesus restored the man’s health and sent him on his way.

As the meal progressed Jesus used the typical behavior of the religious rulers to make several points. As each person sat according to their social status, Jesus reminded them there is no gain in self-seeking assertiveness. Humility and meekness bring Glory to God. There is no honor in giving generously to those who can reciprocate, but in ministering to those who have no hope of ever repaying, you please God and blessings await in eternity.

Across the Jordan River Jesus went to spread the good news. There was a hostile government wishing Him dead, but a lost world was crying out. There were many who sought to enter the Kingdom by means other than Jesus. There will be a day of judgement when they will know they were sadly mistaken. The Pharisees ached for Jesus to come to their way of thinking and see the Law as they did, from their perspective, with their agenda. Actually, Jesus did see these things…..and knew they were wrong. Through instruction and action He showed them a better way. They just didn’t want it, so they stewed and brewed and plotted His death. They unknowingly signed their own death sentence.

There is only one way through the narrow door to Heaven and the first step is confessing that Jesus is the Christ and He died for you. Don’t let a wide load of stubborn assumptions and personal agendas keep you from entering through this door, because there is no other.

Love,

Gretchen