The Refuge of Relationship

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Text:  Psalm 142

Psalm 142:5

I cry to you, O Lord;
    I say, “You are my refuge,
    my portion in the land of the living.”

(ESV)

Social distancing sadly can come with relational distancing as people lose physical connection with friends and family.  Fortunately, we live in the age of digital media and cell phones where we can maintain connection and even attend church services online but extended connection via a screen can result in screen fatigue.  It is therefore crucial for people to be able to return to physical connection with each other with precautionary measures taken to ensure these connections are safe.  The good news in many communities is that churches are planning to open during the Memorial Day Weekend in the United States, or Sunday, May 24, with certain restrictions like wearing masks and social distancing.  However, other communities remain hesitant to open up churches and we must pray for God’s intervention in these communities so that these community leaders realize churches, for the most part, will act responsibly to ensure the health and safety of their congregations. 

David finds himself in a cave to escape King Saul who wants to kill him.  While his enemy is visible unlike the invisible enemy of a virus, it is none the less an enemy presenting a threat to his life.  While the cave provides a physical place of refuge, David’s enemy continues to pursue David and keeps discovering the location of David’s hideout with God intervening twice to deliver David from almost certain death (1 Samuel 23:15-24:22).  It is most likely that David wrote Psalm 142 at some point during these events, expressing his emotions during this time of danger and isolation from physical connection with friends and family.  As we study the Psalm in this context, we see that, 

1)      David is in a place of physical refuge (1 Samuel 23:29) – At this point in David’s life his main concern is survival for the King of Israel, Saul, is in hot pursuit of him (1 Samuel 23:15-29).  After a miraculous escape from Saul through the providence of God, David has found rest in the strongholds of Engedi (1 Samuel 23:29).  However, even the remote caves of Engedi could not provide refuge for David as Saul discovers where David is hiding and sends three thousand chosen men to seek David (1 Samuel 24:1-2).  Once again, the providence of God allows David to remain stealth to detection by Saul, allowing David to show his respect for Saul as king (1 Samuel 24:3-22).  During this coronavirus crisis, using masks and gloves, social distancing, and sheltering in place are ways to provide physical refuge, but they have limits and still require the intervention of the providence of God to provide refuge. 

2)      David lacks the refuge of relationship of those empathetic with his situation (Psalm 142:4) – Even though David is moving to find places of physical refuge from Saul and finding safety with intervention from God, in Psalm 142:4 David bemoans a lack of relational refuge with no one taking notice of his plight or showing concern for his soul.  Physical places of safety from harm, regardless of whether it is from a king with a massive army as it was with David (1 Samuel 24:1-2) or an unseen virus as it is in the current coronavirus crisis, can become places of isolation from others.  This isolation can create feelings of no one caring about our plight when the reality is, they may still care for us we have physical separation from them losing communication with them.  Jonathan was David’s trusted and loyal friend promising to be next to him (1 Samuel 23:15-29) but without the benefit of digital media like people have today, Jonathan could not maintain communication with David as he moved from place to place seeking physical refuge.  However, even connection relegated to a digital connection on a screen can create feelings of loneliness for God made us to have physical connection with others (Genesis 2:18).  The greatest example of the need for people to have physical connection with others is the fact that God decided to come to fallen humanity as one of us in the person of Jesus Christ to relate to us and be the substitutionary sacrifice for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:8).  We all need relational interaction in crisis with connection to others and should do so using digital media with the hope and anticipation of when we can physically meet once again.  However, the greatest and most reliable connection we can have in crisis is a connection to God through Jesus Christ who has no need to social distance or shelter in place. 

3)      David finds a refuge of relationship in the Lord (Psalm 142:5) – Even though David is in hiding and separated from connection with his closest friends like Jonathan, he is connected to God (Psalm 142:5).  As a songwriter, David takes this opportunity to write many of the Psalms, including Psalm 142 that continue to bless people today.  Another example of someone forced into isolation is the Apostle Paul.  Paul had a desire to go into the known world of his day and spread the Gospel message in obedience to the Great Commission (Galatians 4:20; Mark 16:15: Matthew 28:19-20).  However, as often happens in the lives of those living in obedience to God, God has other plans for Paul with isolation in prison so he can write many of the books in the New Testament.  During this time of isolation, we have an opportunity to draw closer to God and prepare ourselves for revival. 

Perhaps you are reading this and in quarantine with no physical connection with the outside world.  Perhaps you are in a hospital room or nursing home with your only physical connection being the medical professionals treating you.  I thank God for these professionals, but their role is providing medical care and not serving as replacements for the emotional connections of friends and family.  If that is you, I urge you to do as David did and cry out to God, your refuge in the land of the living (Psalm 142:5).  For those reading this who have never prayed professing belief in God’s gift of His Son (John 3:16) asking God to forgive them of their sins, I urge you to do so now by praying with me.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

We will get through this crisis just as David got through his crisis and became King of Israel.  As we come through this crisis, relational distancing and the resulting screen fatigue will end as we will be able to connect physically even if it is six feet apart and with a mask.  However, like David may we never forget that God is our refuge and never distances himself from his children.  May God bless everyone reading this post. 

Celebration Day: He Is Risen

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Text:  Mark 16:1-13

Mark 16:6

And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him.

(ESV)

Although the crisis faced by the Disciples and followers of Jesus only lasted three days, the feelings of these people during this time were not much different than what many across the world are experiencing today.  Before the coronavirus pandemic, most people were experiencing economic prosperity unlike anything they had experienced in their lifetimes, something those following Jesus probably felt when following Jesus and why they praised him as he entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Mark 11:1-11).  However, their beliefs were based on the unrealistic expectation that Jesus would march into the palace of Herod and Pilate and overthrow their Roman oppressors, not realizing Jesus was going to suffer death by crucifixion for their sins and rise again in three days demonstrating victory over death.  Likewise, any belief there would never be another economic downturn were unrealistic as history demonstrates economic upturns followed by economic downturns.  This is precisely why Jesus taught us to put our treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).   There will be a recovery from this crisis as people recover physically, mentally, and spiritually and while waiting for the recovery, we must place our trust in God and treasure our personal relationship with Him because of the cross. 

Mark’s account of the resurrection occurs through the eyes of Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James.  These are the same two women that lurked in the background while Jesus was laid in the tomb (Mark 15:47).  The fact that they purchased spices to anoint Jesus leads us to believe they wanted to know where they buried Jesus so they could anoint Him for his burial.  However, Mark 16:3 records their conversation with each other about how they were going to roll the stone away, leading to the possibility they believed they would witness Jesus’ resurrection, something Jesus mentioned three times (Mark 8:31; 9:30-31; 10:32-34). 

Upon arriving at the tomb, and seeing the stone rolled away, we can only surmise what their thoughts might have been.  Did the Romans or Jewish religious leaders steal the body so they could produce it after Jesus’ followers claimed Jesus had risen after seeing the empty tomb?  However, the fact that almost two thousand years later nobody has produced the body or real tomb where they buried Jesus disproves this theory.  They may have thought some of the disciples stole the body to begin profiting from a new religious movement based upon Jesus as Messiah who died and rose from the dead.  However, the fact that all the Disciples suffered for their faith with all but one martyred and did not profit from spreading the Gospel message that Jesus had risen disproves this theory.  This leaves one credible theory, The words Jesus spoke in Mark 8:31; 9:30-31; 10:32-34 were true.  The fact that the women rushed into the empty tomb lends credence to the belief they thought there had been a resurrection. 

Their belief in resurrection would have been strengthened when they saw a man in a white robe, an angel, in the tomb bringing them the message Jesus had risen from the dead (Mark 16:5-6).  The angel then instructs the women to go tell the disciples Jesus had risen but fear and astonishment seized them and they rushed out of the tomb, telling no one (Mark 16:7-8).  However, after Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, she found the courage to tell those still mourning Jesus’ death but was not believed (Mark 16:9-11).  Jesus also appeared to two disciples as they were walking into the country but when they told the other disciples, they did not believe them. 

Mary Magdalene and the Disciples knew Jesus.  Mary Magdalene had experienced Jesus casting seven demons out of her with the two disciples possibly witnessing this event (Luke 8:1-3) and the many other miracles Jesus performed.  They were present when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38-44), demonstrating Jesus’ supremacy over death.  They had heard the teachings of Jesus through his messages and parables and were trying to adapt them in their lives.  However, before encountering the risen Lord, their knowledge of Jesus was academic.  It was not until they encountered the risen Lord that their knowledge of Jesus became personal, giving them the courage to tell others even though no one believed them.

Everyone reading this must ask themselves the question, is my knowledge of Jesus academic or personal?  While it is necessary to know the Bible for it is truth and the Word of God, this knowledge alone cannot save us for if it was, Jesus didn't need to come and die on the cross for God had already given humanity the law.  Salvation comes as one encounters Jesus through repentance and accepting that Jesus died, was buried, and arose from the dead to forgive our sins (Romans 10:9-10).  This is how one comes to know God personally, giving them the courage to tell others about Jesus.  I want to invite anyone reading this who does not know God personally to pray with me now so they can have a personal relationship with God,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

Next Wednesday’s posting will be on the “Great Commission” or Jesus telling his believers to go out and spread the good news or Gospel that Jesus has died for the sins of humanity and resurrected from the dead in demonstration of his supremacy over death.  Mary Magdalene and the two Disciples were the first to begin the spreading of the Gospel message after encountering the risen Lord.  I encourage all who have a personal relationship with God through belief in Jesus as Savior to do the same and not let rejection stop them.  This is especially true during this coronavirus crisis when many are living sheltered in their homes in fear.  May God bless and encourage everyone reading this post. 

Expressing our Love for the Lord.

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Text:  Psalm 116

Psalm 116:1

I love the Lord, because he has heard
    my voice and my pleas for mercy.

(ESV)

Unfortunately, the English language only has one word for love.  This is unfortunate because modern culture, dominated by the pursuit of sexual pleasure, has relegated the meaning of the word love to the seeking of sexual pleasure.  Sexual pleasure is something God intends people to enjoy but He intends for it to occur in the boundaries of marriage so there is commitment and a stable home environment for raising children.  The elicit pursuit of sexual pleasure is also behind the acceptance of abortion as it provides a means to destroy the consequences of unwanted pregnancy, justifying it as a woman’s right to choose.  Unfortunately, this perverted worldly view of love tarnishes our biblical view of the love of God for humanity and how we should express love back to God.   

The words of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 have application during this global pandemic and even though they had not been written during the time of the writing of Psalm 116, they are present in the context of the psalm.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us to,

1)      Rejoice (1 Thessalonians 5:16) – Rejoicing is easy when things are going good in our lives but can be difficult when facing a crisis.  Psalm 116 begins with the psalmist expressing his love for the Lord because he hears his cries for mercy (Psalm 116:1).  In Psalm 116:3 the psalmist lets us know that this time in his life is not a time free from struggle but a time when he faces death and suffers distress and anguish.  The key to rejoicing during times of crisis is in remembering we are not rejoicing for the crisis but instead rejoice because we serve a God, bigger than any crisis (Luke 1:37; 18:27).  We also can rejoice in knowing we serve a God who loves us and has good plans for us that do not include our destruction (Jeremiah 29:11).  Let us, therefore, rejoice in God who is bigger than any crisis, including a global pandemic.

2)      Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) – Prayer is perhaps the greatest privilege of a child of God.  This is because prayer is the privilege to talk to God, the creator of the universe, even though each of us has sinned (Romans 3:23) and lives under a penalty of death (Romans 6:23).  Therefore this privilege is not something we should take lightly for if not for the love, mercy, and grace of God demonstrated by providing His Son as the sacrificial lamb for our sins, we would live in an eternity separated from God.  The psalmist states his intention to call upon the Lord in prayer as long as he lives out of love because the Lord hears him (Psalm 116:2).  The Lord also wants to hear from us for our prayers are like sweet incense to Him (Revelation 5:8).  However, prayer without ceasing does not mean one walks around mumbling to themselves but instead indicates having an attitude of prayer throughout the day, taking things to God with an attitude of rejoicing for what God has done and thanksgiving for answering our prayer. 

3)      Giving thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18) – The psalmist refers to this as the sacrifice of thanksgiving indicating it is the offering of thanksgiving when in anguish and distress (Psalm 116:17).  Like rejoicing, this is not giving thanks for any suffering or crisis we are experiencing but thanking God in advance of receiving an answer for hearing and answering our prayer.  It is an act of faith expressed to God indicating we believe He hears us and has our best interest in mind (Jeremiah 29:11).  This must be the underlying attitude of a believer in Christ for without faith, we cannot please God (Hebrews 11:6).  For the psalmist, this expression of thanksgiving involved lifting up the cup of salvation or a belief in the future lamb of God that would take away his sins and paying his vows of service to the Lord in the presence of God’s people. 

The attitude of those expressing a belief in Jesus Christ as Savior must be rejoicing in what Jesus has done, Prayer without ceasing with prayer being our first reaction when in crisis, and thanksgiving.  This does not mean Christians must rejoice or give thanks for a crisis but that they know God is bigger than any crisis and can rejoice and be thankful in faith knowing God has the crisis under control.  However, to enjoy this level of rejoicing and thanksgiving, one must establish a relationship with God by accepting God’s Son Jesus as their savior.  If you have not already done so, I invite you to pray with me now,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

The psalmist in Psalm 116 continued to love the Lord and continually call upon Him even when in distress and anguish, offering up the sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord.  The Apostle Paul instructed the Thessalonians to rejoice in what the Lord has done, pray without ceasing, and to give thanks to God in, and not for, all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).  By following the example of the psalmist and the instructions of the Apostle Paul, we can maintain our mental and spiritual health as we go through the coronavirus crisis.  May God bless everyone reading this post and may everyone stay safe, healthy, and strong knowing God is with us and will deliver us through this crisis. 

A Dark but Good Friday

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Text:  Mark 15:33-47

Mark 15:37-39

And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. ³⁸ And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. ³⁹ And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he^[c] breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son^[d] of God!”

(ESV)

For those of us still going to a job Monday through Friday, Friday is still something to look forward to because at the end of the day, there are two days off to do what we want to do.  However, the coronavirus crisis has tarnished this as people now work from home with the weekend being more time at home but with a different routine.  However, even this weekend routine has suffered and means staying at home with nowhere to go and nothing to do but even with this disruption in routine, Friday is still a good day. 

Mark 15:33-47 records the events of Jesus’ death and burial which occurred on a Friday.  Each year Christians remember the death and burial of Jesus, calling it Good Friday.  To outsiders, calling a day remembering the death and burial of someone good, may seem strange but this is due to a lack of understanding the significance of the events of Good Friday in providing salvation and forgiveness of sins for humanity.  The death and burial of Jesus had to occur for there to be a resurrection three days later.  If the events of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection were a Shakespearean play, it would have three acts,

1)      Tragedy – For the followers of Jesus living in the moment of Jesus’ crucifixion, the events occurring on that fateful Friday were anything but good.  Looking at it from their perspective, they have spent the last few years following someone they believed was their Messiah evidenced by the lavish praise they offered when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Mark 11:1-11).  The act one tragedy for this play may have started with this high point, perhaps providing flashbacks to some of Jesus’ greatest miracles such as the healing of a blind man (John 9), the calming of a storm (Matthew 8:23-27), the casting of a demon into a herd of swine (Matthew 8:28-34), and the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:38-44).  The feelings of despair and hopelessness at witnessing Jesus’ crucifixion and death may have been due to unrealistic expectations by Jesus’ followers, expecting Jesus to march into Jerusalem and immediately establish his kingdom.  When in a crisis in our lives, we tend to ask God to end the crisis and deliver us out of it but sometimes it is God’s intention for us to go through the crisis to test our faith, perfect us, and make us complete and lacking nothing (James 1:2-4).  Sinful humanity is not ready for citizenship in the Kingdom of God until there is forgiveness of sin requiring the death of the spotless Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. 

2)      Reflection – Christians often focus on the tragedy of Good Friday and the celebration of resurrection Sunday while ignoring act two of the play, the silence of Saturday.  The process of building strong faith means we may need to go through a crisis (James 1:2-4) but also involves waiting.  Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that waiting renews our strength because it is during this waiting period that we have time to reflect.  For the disciples now hiding out of fear, the waiting period was a time to reflect on what Jesus taught them.  This may have included reflection on the times Jesus foretold of his death burial and resurrection (Mark 8:31-37; 9:30-32; 10:32-34), creating anticipation about what may occur on Sunday.  This anticipation of a resurrection from the dead is possibly why Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses stayed at a distance to see where Jesus was buried (Mark 15:40, 47) so they could return on Sunday to see if a resurrection had occurred (Mark 16:1).  During a crisis as we wait and reflect on what is happening, we can react in fear looking at the circumstances like the disciples, or in faith, remembering what Jesus said like Mary and Mary.  As believers in Christ, I pray we react in faith. 

3)      Celebration – What sets Christianity apart from other religions is the empty tomb.  Christians to not make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to worship at the tomb of their leader but can go to Jerusalem and see an empty tomb without a body.  Instead of worshipping a dead prophet or teacher and reflecting on his teachings, Christians reflect on the teachings of Jesus who sits at the right hand of God the Father making intercession for their needs (Romans 8:34).  Christians also have the hope of a glorious eternity with God made possible by a living Savior who promised to return (Revelation 21:1-8).  Even in the middle of a global pandemic, Christians can celebrate knowing that Jesus is alive and sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and a glorious future of eternity with God will occur when Jesus returns. 

The coronavirus is a global tragedy that has led to people dying or getting sick, people losing jobs, and potentially everything they worked for all their lives.  People with other health issues considered elective must suffer from their illnesses as Covid19 patients have a preference.  My prayer is that people will take this tragedy and reflect out of faith knowing that we worship a risen savior that sits at the right hand of God the Father interceding for us and will come back to live with us.  However, God does not force himself on people and gives them a choice, will they depend on God to save them in faith or cower in fear.  I invite those reading this who have not chosen to accept Jesus as their savior to do so now by praying with me,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

We will get through the tragedy of the coronavirus but not by cowering in fear over dying or getting sick, but by faith in God knowing that we have an advocate with God through Jesus (Romans 8:34) and a glorious future with God in a pristine world free of deadly viruses (Revelation 21:1-8).  We will survive this crisis by taking time to reflect and meditate on the promises of God contained in the Bible and our glorious future with Christ.  May God bless everyone reading this post. 

Wisdom’s Source

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Text:  Psalm 111

Psalm 111:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all those who practice it have a good understanding.
    His praise endures forever!

(ESV)

During this pandemic, fear is an abundant commodity.  Social distancing is causing isolation for many as we isolate ourselves from social contact with others, it could lead to a fear of connecting once it is safe to do so.  Back in February I was in the ER with a rapid heartbeat and remember the ER doctor telling me that I was now in a safe place and finding comfort in his words.  I wonder if people going into the ER today feel the same sense of safety during this pandemic.  Fear is also a powerful emotion used by marketing professionals and politicians to cause people to change their behaviors and either buy a product, vote, or support a political agenda.  However, the fear of the Lord is not like fear we see in the world, or as Psalm 111:10 reminds us, the beginning of wisdom.

The first nine verses of Psalm 111 praise the works of the Lord but then the psalmist changes direction by stating that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  This leads us to the question of how praise for the works of God connects with the fear of the Lord bringing wisdom.  To make the connection we must begin by studying what the psalmist says about the works of the Lord in Psalm 111:1-9. 

1)      God’s works are great (Psalm 111:2) – This psalm does not identify the author but it is someone who probably grew up hearing of the great works of God that delivered Israel from their Egyptian slavery, including the parting of the Red Sea.  This work was so great that it caused Rahab to fear the Israelites and risk her life hiding the spies sent to Jericho (Joshua 2:10).  In Psalm 136:13 the psalmist touts this wonderous work as an example of God’s steadfast and enduring love.   In Stephen’s speech before his martyrdom for his faith, he reminds his executioners of God’s wonders and signs including the parting of the Red Sea (Acts 7:36). 

2)      God’s works are full of splendor and majesty (Psalm 111:3) – World leaders and politicians often revel in the splendor and majesty of their accomplishments, especially when running for office.  However, their works pale in comparison to the splendor and majesty of God’s creation (Romans 1:19-20).  If we have doubts about the majesty and splendor of God’s works during this coronavirus crisis, pause and look at the majesty of the mountains or a sunset or sunrise.  Also, consider the intricacy of something as simple as our hand which can create something beautiful. 

3)      God’s works are gracious and merciful (Psalm 111:4) – God could have exercised justice and righteousness by destroying Adam and Eve for their rebellion but instead banished then from the Garden of Eden with the promise of a redeemer (Genesis 3:15).  The provision of a redeemer, Jesus Christ, and the work of salvation on the cross are an example of the gracious and merciful nature of God’s works. 

4)      God’s works are provisional (Psalm 111:5) – God supplied manna from heaven (Exodus 16) and water from a rock (Exodus 17:1-7) to provide for Israel’s needs in the wilderness.  This provisional work of God is still available to believers today for God promises to supply our every need according to his riches in glory which is infinite (Philippians 4:19). 

5)      God’s works are powerful (Psalm 111:6) – The miracles performed by Jesus during his earthly ministry are a demonstration of the power of God’s works.  Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, calmed storms, and raised the dead.  However, the greatest demonstration of the power of God in the ministry of Jesus was when God raised him from the dead.  The good news for us is that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us in the person of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11). 

6)      God’s works are faithful and just (Psalm 111:7) – The faithful and just works of God are best demonstrated in the forgiveness of our sins and the cleansing of us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  Righteousness and justice are the foundation of the throne of God, but God administers his righteousness and justice in love and faithfulness (Psalm 89:14).  The beauty of the message of the Gospel is that a just and righteous God sent his sinless son to become sin and faithfully satisfied the justice of a just God by taking our penalty for sin upon himself (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

7)      God’s works are eternal (Psalm 111:8) – All of the works of the world have an expiration date, but God’s works are eternal.  The coronavirus crisis has cause us to come to grips with the reality that our hard work in building a prosperous economy, building retirement savings, and educating ourselves to land a secure job or career can quickly come to an end.  We have even seen a temporary end to the ability of the church to regularly gather in person.  However, the works of the Lord are eternal for God is not limited by social distancing and never leaves us (Hebrews 13:5).

8)      God’s works bring redemption (Psalm 111:9) – When Jesus said “it is finished” (John 19:30) he was saying paid in full meaning the debt of sin that created a separation between God and humanity was paid in full, making it possible for God and humanity to reunite.  This is the plan outlined in the Bible after the fall of humanity in Genesis 3 and God’s greatest work.  However, the redemption of God is not automatic and something we must claim.  If your gift of redemption remains unclaimed, I encourage you to claim it now by praying with me,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

However, how do these great works of God connect to the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom?  The answer is that we should fear what God could have done after Adam and Eve sinned by destroying them as a righteous and just God but also praise the merciful and gracious redemptive work of God in providing a savior to save us from our sin and redeem our relationship with our creator.  It is understanding the grace and mercy of God demonstrated by God’s provision of a substitute for our death penalty that opens the door for our understanding of the wisdom of God.  The source of wisdom is understanding the mercy and grace of God in the message of the Gospel. 

Mocked and Crucified

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Text:  Mark 15:16-32

Mark 15:20

And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to crucify him.

(ESV)

During this time of isolation and sheltering at home due to a microscopic virus, there are many things we will never take for granted again, like being able to regularly attend church and associate with other brothers and sisters in Christ.  One valuable lesson this crisis has taught is how quickly the things we take for granted in daily life can cause anxiety, despair, and even devastation when taken away from us.  Less than a week before the events recorded in Mark 15:16-32 where the Roman soldiers mock and crucify Jesus, we see Jesus triumphantly entering Jerusalem (Mark 11:1-11).  Jesus can relate to seeing good times become a time of suffering and isolation in only five days and yet willingly endured the suffering knowing it was God’s will for his life and that there would be a resurrection in three days.  This is why Jesus could confidently pray for God’s will to be done in His life (Mark 14:36).  God’s plans for our lives are also plans designed for our good and not our destruction (Jeremiah 29:11), even though it may not appear so at the time, making it possible for us to confidently surrender to God’s will for our lives.   

Jesus is our substitute and suffered God’s wrath and judgment so we never have to, but we can take God’s grace for granted just as we have many things removed from our lives during the coronavirus crisis.  Therefore, let us take a moment to imagine ourselves in Jesus’ place to gain a greater appreciation of His grace extended to us. 

1)      Mocking worship (Mark 15:17-18) – The charge against Jesus was “The King of the Jews.” (Mark 15:26).  These Roman soldiers were most likely not Jewish and soldiers that pledged their loyalty to Caesar as king.  Before coming to the governor’s headquarters, Jesus had been scourged (Mark 15:15) so their worship was mocking one professing to be a king appearing weak and beaten.  However, Jesus knew he was the Son of God and King of the Jews and that he would demonstrate his authority and the power of God by rising from the dead in three days.  We too can endure mockery by having confidence in the power of God within us (Romans 8:11) and the glorious hope of eternity with Christ (Revelation 21:1-8).  People may mock us for our faith during this time but we, like Jesus, have confidence knowing we have the resurrection power of the Spirit of the Lord within us and a glorious future with the Lord (Revelation 21:1-8; Romans 8:11). 

2)      Pain and weakness (Mark 15:15, 19, 21) -  After suffering a scourging at the hands of the Roman soldiers, the soldiers place a crown of thorns on the head of Jesus and to inflict maximum pain, strike Jesus’ head with a read.  Anyone who has hit their head can attest to the pain as our heads have many sensory nerves causing us to feel pain.  Increased blood flow to the brain also causes any cut to the head to bleed profusely such as a crown of thorns causing many cuts to one’s head.  The blood loss from the scourging and crown of thorns beaten into His head is why Jesus was weak and needed help carrying the cross (Mark 15:21).  This pain and weakness is the cup of wrath Jesus prayed God would take away from him in the garden but thankfully for us, Jesus agreed to endure the cup of wrath (Mark 14:36) so we do not have to.  This does not mean life will not come with trials but that we can face these trials with confidence knowing Jesus has overcome our penalty of death and separation from God on the cross (John 16:33).  Like Jesus, our current pain and weakness is temporary and will disappear when we are resurrected to newness of life at the return of Jesus (Romans 6:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). 

3)      Public humiliation (Mark 15:29-32) – Mocked by the soldiers, weakened and in pain from blood loss due to scourging and a crown of thorns, Jesus is now publicly humiliated.  Passersby mock Jesus, possibly some of the same people who just a few days earlier had praised Jesus as he entered the city (Mark 11:1-11).  Many of these individuals had unrealistic expectations, believing Jesus would walk into Jerusalem and overthrow their Roman oppressors.  However, instead of overthrowing their Roman oppressors, Jesus goes to the Temple and overthrows the tables of the moneychangers (Mark 11:15-19).  However, their unrealistic expectations were based on a lack of understanding from scripture that the Messiah must first suffer and die for the sins of humanity to fulfill the legal requirement of atonement for sins (Isaiah 53; Psalm 22).  This crisis started with officials telling people to be prepared for two weeks of sheltering in place to prevent the spread of the disease, only to have the date extended numerous times.  Continual delays have caused delays in the expectation of a return to a normal life with many losing jobs, retirement savings, and their businesses becoming restless and peacefully protesting their governors to begin reopening their states.  While some of these governors are abusing their newly discovered power, some may also be looking at data not available to the rest of us and making their decisions out of concern for the safety of the citizens of their states.  Please pray that the protests remain peaceful and safe and that governors do not abuse their power. 

These are unusual times not unlike the times in Jerusalem in the time of Christ.  Times over the previous three years were full of promise with a booming economy and a belief their dreams would come true with many over the last two months seeing these dreams disappear.  Many following Jesus believed their lives would restore a good life based upon seeing the many miracles Jesus performed.  However, God’s plan was for the forgiveness of their sins through the shed blood of Christ.  While this crisis surprised us, God knew it was coming and has a plan to get us through the crisis.  I encourage everyone reading this to remain safe and strong in their faith in the Lord through this crisis.    

A Pattern for Prayer in a Time of Struggle and Affliction

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Text:  Psalm 102

Psalm 102:2

Do not hide your face from me
    in the day of my distress!
Incline your ear to me;
    answer me speedily in the day when I call!

(ESV)

Technology has made our lives more convenient and in this time of isolation due to social distancing, has made it possible to connect with others.  While connecting through technology is beneficial during these challenging times, it will be great when we can connect face-to-face once again because we all need that physical connection to maintain our spiritual and mental health.  During the outbreak of the coronavirus, social distancing helped protect the physical health of people, especially those most vulnerable but the price of this physical distancing could be the mental and spiritual health of individuals.  To preserve the physical, mental, and spiritual health of individuals we must ensure social distancing and isolation do not become the new normal and instead something done to protect the physical health of individuals when threatened by some global virus and then returning to physical interaction when it is safe. 

The author of Psalm 102 is unknown with some believing it could be David and written after the rebellion of Absalom.  Others believe the author may be Daniel or Nehemiah and written during the time the Israelites were returning from exile.  Regardless of the author, the main theme of the Psalm is a prayer of one afflicted pouring out his complaint to the Lord.  Some of those reading this can relate to doing some complaining during this time.  However, we never imagined a time when the law forbids us from attending a sporting event, concert, or weekly church services.  Once again, we can thank the Lord for technology allowing us to still worship the Lord and hear teaching from the Bible via the internet and social media.  We never imagined not being able to go out to a restaurant with friends or family and enjoy a meal with eating out now relegated to a drive-thru or pick-up and limited to only those we live with.  Hospitals have canceled elective surgeries forcing individuals to live in pain and even placing some at risk who need procedures to restore a healthier life deemed non-life-threatening because they are still healthy, at least for the time being.  Okay enough complaining, let us take a moment to look at Psalm 102 for it contains a model of prayer for people afflicted as many are today

The Psalm 102 model parallels the model Jesus provided in the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) and worthy of a comparative study.   These two models of prayer remind us that when praying we must,

1)      Reach out to God (Matthew 6:9-10; Psalm 102:1-2) – Desperation can accompany affliction and cause us to cry out to God in a complaining manner without us realizing who we are talking with.  It is natural when afflicted and desperate to immediately begin complaining and presenting our case to God.  However, these models of prayer remind us of the need to reach out to God and more importantly remembering who it is we are reaching out to.  Jesus teaches us to begin with calling on the Father in Heaven holding His name in high esteem, remembering the coming kingdom of God, and desiring God’s will be done (Matthew 6:9-10).  Similarly, the psalmist begins by asking the Lord to hear his prayer and not hide his face from him in his day of distress (Psalm 102:1-2).  Similarly, the psalmist acknowledges the eternal kingdom of God (Psalm 102:12) and the day when all the nations of the earth will fear the name of the Lord and fear His glory (Psalm 102:15).  While launching into lodging our complaints are natural, it is better to take a moment to meditate on the glorious future each believer in Christ has (Revelation 21:1-8).  This resets our perspective from one of desperation at our affliction to a perspective of the temporary nature of our afflictions and a glorious, bright, and eternal future.

2)      Presenting our case to the Lord (Matthew 6:11-12; Psalm 102:3-11) – From this godly perspective, we are now ready to present our case to the Lord.  The psalmist goes into great detail about his affliction which leads to some believing this is either a psalm of David during the time of Absalom’s rebellion or a psalm of the affliction of one in exile desiring deliverance (Psalm 102:3-11).  Jesus teaches us to pray for God to provide for our daily needs encouraging an attitude of daily dependence on God to provide what we need (Matthew 6:11).  This reminder is especially important at this time for many of us are sheltered in our homes, wondering if we will have a job, be able to retire or even be able to gather with others in worship, leading to complaining.  Instead, the model of the Lord’s prayer reminds us to depend on God to meet our daily needs just as he did for Israel in the wilderness (Nehemiah 9:18-21).  Jesus also stressed the importance of forgiveness and a repentant heart when praying (Matthew 6:11-12) for sin and unforgiveness in our hearts hinders our prayers (Mark 11:24-25). 

3)      Acknowledging God’s power in our affliction (Matthew 6:13; Psalm 102:12-28) – Our despair in times of struggle stems from our coming to grips with our inability to solve whatever is causing the struggle.  Most of us have no idea how to solve the problem of the coronavirus unless we happen to be a healthcare professional or researcher working on the problem but even they have no idea how to specifically solve the problem of this new strain of virus.  As we continue social-distancing from others and shelter in our homes, we can become impatient mentally and lose our spirit while protecting our physical health.  However, the Spirit of the Lord does not need to social distance and has the power to get us through this crisis for it is the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead (2 Corinthians 3:17; Romans 8:11).  God has the power to get us through this crisis. 

By gaining a Godly perspective, presenting our case to the Lord with repentant and forgiving hearts, and faith in the power of God to deliver us from any crisis, we can avoid despair in a time of affliction and struggle.  However, to gain a Godly perspective, one must ask Jesus into their hearts through professing a belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  If you have not done this, please pray with me now,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

We will get through this but not without moments of frustration and even despair.  I urge everyone reading this to stay safe and strong.  May God bless everyone reading this.