I’d like to be good soil. What?
THE SATURDAY BEFORE John 20: 11-18
The Saturday before Easter Sunday, a church member, who happens to be an actor on the television soap opera ‘As the World Turns’, meets with me to rehearse the main Bible reading for the next day’s 3 worship services. I’m the tenderfoot assistant minister who needs help. At Princeton Seminary, I take speech classes with Virginia Damon, who’s a former radio star and character actress with Jackie Gleason’s repertoire company. A top-notch teacher, yet I must still seem needy.
Hank Forsythe, who portrays Dr. David Stewart on the soap in addition to a variety of roles in movies and on Broadway, volunteers to coach me on reading John 20, the Easter Resurrection story of Jesus’s encounter with Mary Magdalene at the garden tomb.
How am I feeling? Nervous an understatement. Shaking more like it. After all, this is my first Easter Sunday in a church of 1600 members with probably many more attending this special day. Oy vey, already!
How’d I do? Fine really. Hank, a kind and humble man, how could I not love what he teaches me, adding passion and emotion to familiar words. But actually none of this falderal amounts to a hill of beans disconnected from the reason behind it all. That Jesus truly gives His life so that we’ll live forever. Death dies in the face of His resurrected life. And knowing Him personally as your Savior and Lord is incomparable. What could ever match up?
Lots of moolah stashed away? Maybe when interest rates were worth writing home about. But not even then. Being in control of everything? If so, you won’t be missed when off the scene. Not one bit. The center of attention? Sorry, vain big shot. Who cares anyway? Spend some time reading the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes to get a good whiff of life’s meaning. Oodles and caboodles of vanity and foolishness. Unless.
Unless you know the Lord. The more of Jesus, the less annoying life becomes. You can put up with a lot holding His hand, looking up into His face, walking right beside the One who knows exactly where He’s going. He makes a world of difference. I know. Has in my life. And He’s not done with me yet!
Tomorrow why not think about all that He’s done for you. How He’s changed your outlook on life. Added patience and kindness with lots more where that came from. All because of Jesus.
Let the children enjoy the decorated eggs and candy (probably I’ll have some, as well!). But primarily, let’s relish Jesus. Who lives…and lives forevermore!
Happy Easter!
Lord Jesus, you mean the world to me. I love you. Amen.
GOOD ADVICE Matthew 24: 36-51
Yesterday would have been my father’s birthday. Ellsworth (he preferred Bud!) Fischer was a house painter and interior decorator. He was good at what he did. Made fair money even in difficult times. Not ‘easy street’, but we were never forced to live on the street either. Thanks Dad, for providing so well for your family!
Growing up, I don’t remember him giving much advice. He wasn’t the type. But when it came to school, he always said to do your best. I did. I loved school. Doing my best is easy when you love what you’re doing.
Most weeks he and I would drive to his local bank where he’d make deposits into my folk’s savings and checking accounts. He would advise me to take any amount I could out of whatever paycheck I earned, and put it in the bank. $5 or $10 a week becomes seed money for later needs. Good counsel Dad, which I also heeded. I’m so glad I did.
Do your best. Save for later on. Be honest. And never work for family or friends!
In Matthew 24 Jesus tells His followers that the timing for His second coming is known only to God the Father. Oh, how disappointing. A little hint or two, Jesus? Forget it! Stop the guessing game. Admit we don’t have a clue. Any advice, Jesus? What should we do in the meantime?
It’s simple. Do your best. Whatever you can… for Jesus. A busy bee for the Kingdom. Get off your duff–‘Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes’ (Matt. 24:45-46). See?
What else. If it’s to call a friend, make contact. Give to a missionary couple? Donate. Offer a helping hand to a neighbor? Well, you get the point. Following through is like banking in God’s Kingdom.
Save for later on, investing in what Jesus has in store for you and me. Make whatever size deposit you can into your account with the First and Only Bank of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All fully insured. All forever.
Thank you, Lord, for what we can and will do for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
BARKIS IS WILLING! Matthew 23: 37-39
I love Dicken’s novels. In ‘David Copperfield’ young Davy is raised by an attendant named Peggotty. She’s a gentle, humble woman who loves Davy as her own. He feels the same toward her. Later a rough and tumble man, a good’s hauler, shows interest in Peggotty. His name is Barkis. He asks Davy to pass along the word that he’d like to marry her. Davy is to say ‘Barkis is willing!’ Peggotty gets the message loud and clear and is willing!
Willingness. That’s what’s missing in ancient Jerusalem as Jesus prays–‘O Jerusalem, O Jerusalem…How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!’ (Matt. 23:37). Barkis is willing but not God’s people. When Jesus wants to gather His own close to Him, to love and care for them, they put up both hands, barking a loud ‘NO!” Unwilling.
How about you and me? When Jesus makes promises do we go around unwilling and unbelieving? Not sure if He’s ready to help? His willingness heard in one ear and out the next? That’s me, sad to say, more often than not.
But Jesus knows we’re far from perfect. What He wants is an inclination, a simple nod, a genuine desire to be His own. A willingness. He’ll clean us up in time. Then completely in the sweet by-and-by.
In the meantime, cuddle up a little closer. Talk with Jesus. Hear from Him in your Bible. Put Him center frame in the Zoom picture of your daily life. As best you can, try to block out Satan’s nasty lies, put-downs and suspicious doubts.
So, are you willing? All in? Mostly? Well, that’s a good start. Let’s keep at it.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for being my best forever friend. Amen.
HAPPY? Psalm 84
What makes you happy? Think about it for a moment. In church circles we talk more about what fulfills us or gives us joy. We’re skeptical of happiness as being too dependent on fleeting, momentary things. Not for Psalm 84 where happiness unashamedly rules the roost.
Reading verses 5 and 12 we note (at least in my translation) the word ‘blessed’. In the original Hebrew one word for ‘blessed’ is often used. But here we have a different one, which means flat out happiness. Raucous cackling which explodes in cloud nine, rolling in the aisles, gut-busting laughter!
Really? Why? At the end of the day when we’re in heaven, at the foot of Jesus who’s at the right hand of the Father, surrounded by angels, the Holy Spirit and countless saints from all ages, who wouldn’t burst out in laughter? Not some quiet little unassuming tee-hee, but a bursting out roaring guffaw. We’re here! We’ve made it! Just take a gander!
Psalm 84: 1-2–‘How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.’ See? We crave and hunger to be right next to our Lord. Shoulder to shoulder intimacy. Privileged beyond our fondest dreams.
Here’s something to remember–that ‘dwelling place’ of the Lord in Psalm 84 is most likely Solomon’s Temple, which resides this side of heaven. Right here on planet earth is where we can be so close to God that happiness warms up the cockles of our hearts and souls. Happy? Why not? Party-poopers fizzle out. Naysayers say no more.
I’m happy in Jesus, hanging out with Psalm 84, refusing to drag my feet in the mud. Happy as a lark. Floating on air. Doing backflips and handstands! At age 73? Well, ‘staying on the sunny side, always on the sunny side’!
Just what the doctor ordered. Dr. Jesus, that is! Happy?
Thank you, Jesus, for best days ahead forever. Amen.
BARBS AND THORNS Numbers 33
Deep within the Law of Moses you’ll discover wise words for wisenheimers like me who imagine that we can get away with sin. Sneak through by the skin of our teeth. Feather our nests by whatever means. Supposedly when comedian W.C. Fields is in hospital for the last time, he’s caught reading a Bible. A friend asks him about this rather unexpected behavior. Field’s comment? ‘I’m looking for a loophole!’ Keep looking, W. C.–sorry, none will be found.
Numbers 33: 55–‘But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell.’ Sin does a number on us. Dings, mucks up, and pokes full of holes everything in its path. The whole kit and caboodle.
Like barbs in your eyes, giving excruciating pain to something super sensitive and tender. Or a thorn in your side, which easily gets infected, spreading toxic bugs.
Personally, my conscience becomes numb the longer I allow sin to fester unchecked. I grow cold to my Bible. Ignoring it. Becoming bitter and critical of God’s people. A downward, slippery slope. Why? I know why. So do you. It’s that three letter word. Nothing to be toyed with as sin’s barbs and thorns do their dismal, dirty work.
Be honest. Anything keeping you from closeness with Jesus? Fess up. Mean what you say. Ask for His help if you really want it. Then be forgiven and move on. Jesus gladly cleans us up. Clean as clean can be.
Refuse to look back, which I find easier said than done. Exercise faith’s forward-moving muscles. Get stronger in Jesus. Determined and single-minded. No ifs and or buts about trusting Him. All-in!
This takes effort. Doesn’t come easy. Barbs and thorns still hang around nearby.
Nevertheless, I’ll try if you will!
Thank you, Jesus, for cleaning up our lives. For your sake. Amen.
SALTY SEA Matthew 5
I’m the only one of our Holy Land tour group who can’t float on Israel’s super-salty, extra-buoyant Dead Sea. What an honor! But I couldn’t. Too scared? Maybe. After all, why do they call it the ‘Dead Sea’?
As a kid I love salty snacks. Can’t tell you how many cans of potato chips and pretzels I consume growing up, bursting the seams of my clothes. My parents would drive back to Jersey City to some bar that sells zesty, briny treats by the barrel full. My sister and I dive in. Good to the last crunch!
Jesus talks about salt. As in His followers having spicy and preservative qualities. Matthew 5:13–‘You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.’
I read somewhere that salt remains effective for about 15 years. After that forget it. No good except to be trashed or used to foul some good-for-nothing neighbor’s land.
Jesus warns about losing our tastiness, being an ineffective follower. How? Praying less while worrying more? Probably. Checking your net worth more than God’s Word? Most likely. Constantly talking about yourself rather than listening to or caring about others? No doubt. You can think of your own un-salty behaviors. For sure.
That business about the 15 years reminds me of how patient the Lord is. He doesn’t fly off the handle at the first sign of our wavering or weakening. No nailing us to the wall in a sudden fit of rage. Thank God, for I’d have been cast aside and booted out decades ago. But here I am! Still salty!
Jesus’ love is patient, consistent and dependable. When all else fails, He doesn’t. Ever. ‘…Jesus…having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end’ (John 13:1). Right to the finish line… and beyond. That’s the gospel truth!
Pass the salt, please!
Thank you, Jesus, for such great love. Amen.
FAR FROM SHORE John 10: 1-18
Listening to a Southern Gospel CD, my ears perk up at the singing of ‘Jesus Pilots My Ship’. The lyrics talk of wanting Jesus to take the lead as I follow close behind. Here’s one phrase in that song –‘…I won’t ever drift so far from shore that I can’t hear what He has to say…’
‘I won’t ever drift…’ Really? Not ever? Wish I could say that, but I can’t. I’ve floated far from shore with His voice muffled by laziness, stubbornness and pigheadedness.
An example? When at Chicago’s Moody Bible Institute, a few friends commit to read our Bibles every day, completing it by year’s end. Doesn’t seem like a big deal for Bible school students, does it? But after a couple of days, less than a week, I poop out. Such stick-to-itiveness!
Then something strange happens. I’m lying on my dorm bed, wide awake, unable to move. Paralyzed. White smoke fills the room. I hear an audible beastly, hellish laugh. In a few seconds, it all clears. I’ve never had anything like that happen before or after. As if Satan gets his jollies when I fizzle out. He wins the marbles as I wipe out. I’ve drifted far from shore. Can hardly hear Jesus.
Did anything get through my thick skull from that weird experience? In time (not immediately, sad to say) I commit to daily Bible reading. I’m still at it, more so than ever. These days, staying closer to shore, hearing Him much clearer.
And you? Drifting? His voice stifled? Jesus said, ‘…the sheep follow him, for they know his voice’ and ‘…they listen to my voice…’ (John 10: 4,16).
Time to dive daily into your Bible? You’ll find yourself nearer shoreline, rarely out of range of His voice. Exactly where you want to be.
Thank you, Jesus, for keeping us close by you, hearing your Word. Amen.
BIG TROUBLE! Mark 3:20-35
The phone line sizzles red hot after the Good News Club that day. I’m dog tired after leading 50 kindergarteners in songs and Bible stories. That summer, after my first year at Princeton Seminary, I agree to lead a series of 8 weeklong Good News Clubs for the town’s children. Everything runs swimmingly until…
On the phone is the mother of one of the kindergarten girls. She’s incensed–the mother that is. Going through the roof. Off the charts. Ballistic. Well, you get the picture. That morning I taught a cute song with these lyrics–‘Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah! Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah!…Praise ye the Lord.’ Nice praise chorus. Kids like it and we sing it a couple of times that day.
When this precious darling gets home, that’s when something falls off the tracks. The little tyke bellows out these words–‘Crazy the Lord, Hallelujah, Crazy the Lord…’ What in the world am I teaching at this Good News Club? Blasphemy? Must admit I catastrophize, picturing the collapse of both seminary and ministry as both barely leave the starting gate!
I’m feeling misunderstood. Who hasn’t? Don’t call me a name-dropper, but Jesus experiences this all during His earthly ministry. The religious high mucky-muck damn Him as demon possessed (Mark 3:22). An ally of Satan? Nice bunch. His local religious friends snub their noses at Him for being merely the son of carpenter Joseph (Mark 6:1-6). His disciples rarely get the point (Mark 4: 41; 6:51-52; 8:15-21). His own family thinks He’s a nut case (Mark 3: 21). Misunderstood? At every turn.
But, unlike me, Jesus rises above it all. His eyes are fixed on His Father’s love and the mission He’s been given. That’s a hint. Keep your focus locked in on Jesus. And what He wants for you. That’s real hard work. Cutting out so many distractions in our over-crowded lives. But that’s it, like it or not.
‘Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim…’ Understood?
Lord Jesus, thank you for being understanding. Amen.
SO LITTLE FAITH Matthew 14: 28-33
When we sail on Israel’s Sea of Galilee, a sandstorm has been raging for countless days. We can hardly see the water below us, let alone the surrounding shoreline. At least no storms hit that day. Not so for Jesus’ disciples, plying those same waters two millennia ago. Ferocious winds batter their boat, leaving their emotions on pins and needles.
Who comes to their rescue? We know but they have no idea. Maybe a phantom or a ghost? No, it’s Jesus! And Peter calls out for help. As we should when life turns ugly. He’s their rescuer as He’ll be for us.
But it’s Peter who wants more, as in walking on water with Jesus. Unfortunately, Peter gets spooked, looks down and has that sinking feeling. Glub, glub, glub! ‘Lord, save me’ (Matt. 14:30). And Jesus does. That’s when our Lord utters those sad words–‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ (Matt. 14:31).
Jesus doesn’t say that they have no faith, but way too little of it. Looking in my honesty-mirror, when ‘storms’ lash out my way, without missing a beat, I begin to worry. More than that, I catastrophize, imagining the very worst is just around the corner or smack dab in my face. At some point I pray, trying to focus on Jesus as best I can, with all those blasted jitters and shakes weighing me down.
Why so hard to rely on my Lord? Well, I have little faith. Limp dishrag trust. Less than a gallon of gas in my belief-tank. Low-voltage hope. What to do? Any ideas?
Here’s a few. First, I try to remember that the Lord still loves me even when I falter and sink. Like He does for Peter and the others. He’s much more forgiving than I imagine. Then, I daily stay in His Word, the Bible. Also praying, telling Him all my fears. Everything really. Like He doesn’t already know?
That’s a good start. Our faith? Not quite so little. Signs of growth clock in and come to light, much like daffodils in earliest spring!
Lord Jesus, help my faith to grow. Amen.
Reflections out of time 