HIS EARTH WALK by Douglas Blair

HIS EARTH WALK Jesus, Ready and Resting

C. Doug Blair, 2011

THE YOKE

In the eleventh chapter of Matthew Jesus invites followers to take upon themselves his yoke. That they might learn of Him. That they might discover, surprisingly, the lightness of the burden. The burden referred to is the life ethic developed by Him in the Sermon on the Mount. It is one of service, generosity, patience, free from judgment or retaliation, strengthened in prayer, fasting and honest religious exercise. It is sincere and guileless. It attests to a heavenly citizenship, although civic duties are to honoured as a testimony. A Jewish audience had been trained to look for temporal well-being as a consequence of adherence to the Law. Jesus could not guarantee this. But He could guarantee the abiding attention, love and ultimate victory flowing from the Father. He spoke of God as Father. He spoke with authority. Unprecedented.

He described himself as meek and lowly. The perfect leader rubbing shoulders in the task with His followers. Let us remember that meekness suggests controlled strength and not some sort of frailty or timidity. This was also a man who could captivate the crowds in public address or berate the authorities for their inconsistency or calm the tempest with a word. He drew men to Him by His kindness, candour and sterling features. The connection seemed natural, not strained. The yoke-fellow so attracted would soon discover Who was bearing the lion’s share of the load. The job got done. I am reminded of a passage in Isaiah where God the Father also attributes meekness to Himself: Isaiah 57: 15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

HILLSIDE MESSAGE

Up on the hillside on that clear day Jesus told us secrets of life; Blessings in faith and right ways to pray, Ways into peace, ways out of strife. How my poor heart rejoiced when he spake, “Bless’d are the poor; Bless’d are the meek; Bless’d are the hungry for righteousness’ sake.” These blessings I wanted to seek. Worship he showed as intimate time, 2

Time for the Father to meet me. Prayer and fasting in secret were mine, Mine an appointment with Deity! Never would I have reason to fear How in the months yet ahead, How in the passing of year after year, I would be clothed or be fed. Father would manage all of my need Just as the wee birds are blessed. Better I strive my spirit to feed, And trust in him for the rest. Some of his words, though, have troubled me; How I must heed all the laws, How I must out-do the Pharisee In righteousness for God’s cause. Can it be true in my mortal state That I can dominate sin? That I can rise above lust and hate, Not just without, but within? Must I refrain from judging my peers Every time I see them err? Though their mistakes have brought me to tears, Meekly, their faults must I bear? Can I find special grace to forgive Even my worst enemy? Can I surpass mere “live and let live” To love the one who hurts me? Only the one who follows these ways Will build his house on the rock. Acting by faith in what Jesus says, Nothing is gained by mere talk. Give me the means to please you, oh Lord, 3

Power to walk in this light. Strength of your Spirit, and life of your Word; Then we will manage it right!

Church of the Beatitudes, Galilee

A MOTHERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CONCERN

The years and years we laboured To give our girl a start, Before the burly fisherman Arrived to steal her heart, Come to me now and will not give me rest. Capernaum is stirring, A prophet is in town; And one whose deeds and novel creeds Are gaining much renown; But this one may disturb my daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nest! 4

For, Simon he has beckoned To study at his feet, To bless the poor and hurting ones Found daily in the street; And Simon says he will rise to the test. So seemingly uncaring For comforts fought and won? With muscle, wit and honest grit, Dear fisherman, dear son? Will you abandon all? Why, you’re possessed! This feverish discomfort Which, sadly now I bear, Because I fear your future, dears; Because I truly care; Is more than just a mother sore depressed. “And would you bring the prophet To see me in this way? Whatever will I offer? Whatever will I say? Now really, Simon Peter, I’m half-dressed!” “Why…Jesus, you’re most welcome; The pleasure is all mine; But that you’d found me stronger, But that you’d come to dine. But come now, enter, sit down, take your rest.” And now his hand extended, His manly gaze serene, His gentle touch is helping much; His likes I’ve never seen. Oh Jesus, rabbi, healer, I’ve been blessed! There really must be something, Unworthy as I am, That I might do to bless him too, To thank this princely man. 5

No wonder that the others are impressed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lord, would you take my family To labour at your call, To render trade and house and heart, To volunteer their all? It must be such a future holds the best.â&#x20AC;?

TOUCHING JESUS

I have mentioned before how impressed I have been with the account of Jesus' tireless service to people in Luke chapters 7 and 8. If only people could get near and touch the Master in His travels. The old Gospel chorus by John Stallings told the following: A woman tried many physicians, Yet grew worse, so to Jesus she came. And when the crowd tried to restrain her, She whispered these words through her pain. Chorus: Touching Jesus is all that really matters, Then your life will never be the same. There is only one way to touch Him, Just believe when you call on His name. We read about the woman with the issue of blood touching the hem of His garment. She was considered accursed. Untouchable. Barred from worship. Denied normal relations with her husband. Having spent all her substance on physicians. Then there was the funeral procession in Nain with the unfortuate young man and the grieving widow mother. Jesus touched the funeral bier and the young man was restored to life. 6

Then there was the sinner woman who came to the pharisee's home to anoint Jesus' feet with ointmant and caresses of adoration. She got her reward of absolution. Then there was the little twelve year old girl dying in the household of Jairus, but called back to life by the compassionate bedroom visit of the Master, as He took her by the hand. But let me draw your attention to the incident at the beginning of chapter 7 concerning the Roman centurion with the critically ill servant. He stated that he was not worthy of personal attendance from Jesus. Simply state the word of healing as a person in authority and the servant would be healed. To the centurion it was as fundamental as words of command in the military. Speak it and it shall be done. Jesus marveled at such a grasp of faith. Was this not a touching of Jesus? Was the Master not going to wean His disciples off His physical presence and into the arena of petition and prayer in faith? We can see in the appearances of Christ after resurrection a coming and going as if by magic. This was moving the eleven out of the realm of tactile connection and into the realm of victorious faith as His ambassadors and servants through the Spirit. That too is our mandate.

ALSO UNDER AUTHORITY

The good leader has already proved that he too can be led with order, dignity and respect. In the story of the healing of the centurion's servant by Jesus (Luke 7 and Matthew 8) a very interesting principle is demonstrated. The centurion, a Gentile, is greatly troubled by the serious illness of his servant, and he decides to petition the One in the area who has proved His authority over illness and other troubles of the human condition... Jesus. Part way through the process the messengers of the Roman respectfully 7

suggest that Jesus need not trouble Himself to attend personally. Rather that He simply speak the word of authority over powers of darkness and the man no doubt would be healed. Jesus marvels at this kind of faith and gives exactly what is desired with a word. No visit. No laying on of hands. No application of herb, ointment or potion. No speaking within earshot of the infirm. The centurion had said the following: 7Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. 8For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. With the use of that one word "also" the Roman was affirming that Jesus was qualified to take charge here because He had shown Himself dedicated and obedient to the One above Him; not a Caesar in this case but a higher heavenly Lord who masters the elements and eventualities of earth. On this incident Charles Spurgeon has said: "He (the centurion) would not put the Lord Jesus to such trouble as to come to his house. He felt unworthy to be served at such a cost by such a Lord. He argues that a word will do it all. He was under authority himself, and hence his power to exercise authority over others. He believed that the Lord Jesus had a commission also from the supreme power, and that this would gird him with command over all the minor forces of the universe, a command which he could exercise from a distance with a single word." I am reminded of another piece of scripture along the same line in Hebrews 5: 8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 8

It was Jesus' obedience and meek submission to the will of the Father that fitted Him to be the Captain of our salvation. In His earth walk He demonstrated that He too was obligated to submit to the holy observances of His community (baptism, temple worship, alms to the poor, the Jewish feasts). In His public ministry He repeatedly affirmed that He did and said only that which was instructed by the Father. Such obedience was a sweet savour to God. It also assured the community (and ourselves) that He was and is a worthy priest and representative, identifying totally with our given lot in this world, persevering through it all, staying clear of sin and offering sympathetic petitions to God on our behalf. This was the "truly man" part of His commission. The "truly God" part was veiled for a time and would have to await the resurrection.

WORKING HANDS

(Taken from J. R. Miller in Come Ye Apart) Only a Carpenter “Is not this the carpenter?” Mark 6:3 Certainly; yet that refutes nothing. It only helps to prove the claims of Jesus to be the Son of God. If he had been a learned rabbi or philosopher, it might have been said that he had received His wisdom from men; but as he was only a poor village carpenter, he must have been taught of God. There are other thoughts which this question suggests. It tells us how wisely Jesus spent his youth and early manhood — not in idleness, but in useful toil, no doubt helping thus to provide for His mother and her family. The example has its inspiring lesson for every young man growing up in the home of his childhood. He should make the years bright with earnest work 9

and the conscientious use of every moment of time. There really are no pictures of the Christ; yet there are on the pages of the evangelists pictures of the Christ in certain attitudes, which have their deep meaning for us. Once we see Him with a whip in his hand driving the temple-profaners from their unlawful work. Another time we see Him with a basin and towel. Again we see Him on the cross dying. All these pictures are richly suggestive. Here we see Him as a carpenter, with the saw and the chisel in his hands, and this picture is rich in meaning. It teaches us that there is no disgrace in working at the trade, since the Son of God wrought as a carpenter. No hands are so beautiful as working hands. Marks of toil are brighter insignia of honour than jewelled rings and delicate whiteness. The picture shows also the condescension of Christ. Though “he was rich, … he became poor,” and even toiled for His daily bread. It assures us, therefore, of His sympathy now with those who toil. It is a pleasant thought that the hands that now hold the sceptre once wielded the hammer and the saw.

MARK: SHORT ON WORDS

I love the economy of words in Mark's Gospel. Believed to be the earliest. Written by an associate of Peter with much of the Big Fisherman's first-hand observation and insight. Dealing largely with Jesus as a man of action. Quick with mercy for the hurting. Just as quickly receiving the contumely of the religious authorities and moving inevitably toward His Passion. I find only four instances of parabolic teaching, but they appear to be the most essential of all His messages: 1. Receive the Word of Life unto fruitfulness. (parable of the Seed and the Sower; Mark 4) 2. Realize that the growth of the Kingdom of Heaven to its fulness is inevitable. (parable of the mustard seed; Mark 4) 3. Reverence the Son, for your very life depends upon it. (parable of the wicked husbandmen; Mark 12) 10

4. Ready yourself for the return of the Master. (parable of the absentee householder; Mark 13) I would also caution that there are false prophets out there (the Jesus Seminar and others) suggesting that this Gospel gets closest to the "historic Jesus", a good man applauded but with little suggestion of His divinity. The later Gospels, they say, added aspects of a cult movement to establish the Man of Galilee as Son of God. Beware of this. I once took on this suggestion with a study of Mark, and found no less than 22 proofs of Christ's divinity in the account. Again, Mark has said it all, but succinctly.

WIDOW OF NAIN

She lived down the street from us. Trying to make ends meet with her baked goods and her simple stitchery. Six years the husband had been gone. That awful accident at the building site. The week of lingering and the night of the terrible storm when her childhood sweetheart breathed his last. Their son had been twelve years old when he lost his father and the much needed male influence. In the intervening years he had few friends, no known romance and a string of short-term jobs to help his mother. It had seemed to her that a new household and laughing grandchildren were dreams incapable of fruition. Then fever visited, and the youth with his irregular work schedules, poor diet and meager build proved a ready target. He came home wheezing and lasted only two days. The neighbours, my husband included, had arranged the funeral bier, the rabbi's attendance and the simple gathering of respect for one so little known. Oh, but he was still the hope and treasure of his mother. To the rest of us women her brave silence in the procession was almost more pathetic than an open flood of grief. 11

At the end of the street and before turning to the place of meeting, we noticed a tall fetching man in the company of several friends. He laid his hands on the shoulders of two of his comrades and turned to us. With eyes confident, clear and piercing he faced the bereaved woman whispering, "Weep not." Asking for no permission, he approached the body and touched the bier upon which it lay, "Young man, I say unto thee arise." Imagine our shock when we saw the head move and the eyes register recognition, the lips a smile and some words of reassurance to his mother. Alive again! What strange power? What divine sympathy had come to bless our village, a delicate lad and one poor lonely woman? This man, Jesus, so masterful and compassionate. The mother's dreams revived. (Taken with some liberties from Luke 7:11-17)

DEMONIAC UNBOUND

He wanted to come closer. The demons shouted, "No!" And he was still their prisoner (The townsfolk feared him so.) Long banished from the village He lived among the dead. In filth and naked horror, For years their constant dread. And part of him was dying And part yearned to be free. His baffled mental battle A tragic mystery. 12

Some noise down at the lakeshore Had stirred him from the cave. For stepping from a boat, was One With righteous power to save. The demons knew that instant Their host was on the mend. Their stay among the Gadarenes Their craft could not extend.

And then Christ called them, named them And cast them into swine. Which, plunging headlong to their death, Were smothered in the brine. The demon-plagued no longer, But faithful, clothed and well. This rescue at the lakeside His special joy to tell. (A single word from Jesus Can touch such depths of soul. Eradicate the madness And make the broken whole.)

SIGHING AS HE SIGHS

Mark 7: 32There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. 33After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. 34He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!" ). 35At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Hear what is said by Alexander Maclaren in his exposition of Markâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gospel about this beautiful illustration of Christ's compassion, courtesy and power: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The root of all our efficiency in this great task to which we, unworthy, have been called, is in fellowship with Jesus Christ. "The branch cannot bear fruit of itself; without me ye can do nothing." Living near Him, and growing like Him by gazing upon Him, His beauty will pass into our faces, His tender pity into our hearts, His loving identification of Himself with men's pains and sins will fashion our lives; and the word which He spoke with authority and assured confidence will be strong when we speak it with like calm certainty of victory. If the Church of Christ will but draw close to her Lord till the fulness of His life and the gentleness of His pity flow into her heart and limbs, she will then be able to breathe the life which she has received into the prostrate bulk of the dead world. Only she must do as the meekest of the prophets did in a like miracle. She must not shrink from the touch of the cold clay nor the odor of incipient corruption, but lip to lip and heart to heart must lay herself upon the dead and he will live. The pattern for our work, dear brethren, is before us in the Lord's look, His sigh, His touch, His word. If we take Him for the example, and Him for the motive, Him for the strength, Him for the theme, Him for the reward of our service, we may venture to look to Him as the prophecy of our success, and to be sure that when our own faint hearts or an unbelieving world question the wisdom of our enterprise or the worth of our efforts, we may answer as He did, "Go and show again those things which ye do hear and see; the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf 14

hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached unto them." Note: Believers, can we enter into this compassion and boldness any other way than to be steeped in Jesus. Take long draughts from the Gospel. Set aside ethics and philosophy. Know for a certainty that closeness to Christ alone can impart eyes that see, ears that hear and a heart that weeps and understands. Christ alone can be entrusted with this sensitive mandate, and we His yoke-fellows. No room for pride in this.

WHO ARE THE PRIESTS NOW?

Christ gave up the ghost. The thick veil in the Temple at Jerusalem split from top to bottom. In real terms the Mosaic economy had finished its course. The succession of high priests was ended. The beasts for sacrifice, no longer required. One blood-letting would now have eternal focus. One High Priest, eternal office. And believers were enabled to approach holy functions and places standing in the righteousness of their Saviour. This is the New Covenant. We are told in the Letter to the Hebrews that we may now come boldly to the throne of grace that we might receive help. We are told in Peter's First Letter that we have been raised to "a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices" (chapter 2:5). But might any veils still stand in the way of our service? How might we caution ourselves? Beware of the following: 1. Persisting in known sin. (Psalm 66:18) 2. Unforgiveness. (Mark 11:24-26) 3. Prayerlessness. (Mark 14:38) 4. Condemnation unchecked from Satan. (1 John 1:8,9) 5. Idols of distraction. (1 John 2: 15-17) 6. Shyness and Fear of Man. 7. False humility. 15

8. Tempting praise. (Luke 17:10) 9. Lack of Bible foundation. (1 Timothy 4:16) 10. Making a "pope" out of any man. (Psalm 118:8,9) 11. Lack of rest. 12. Lack of meditation in quiet. 13. Church barricades to the five-fold. (Ephesians 4:11-13) 14. Backward looking sentimentality. (Luke 9:62) 15. Judgmental spirit. 16. Comfort seeking. I guess it just boils down to how much you desire to conform your will and ways to God's. How much you perceive yourself as the purchased possession of Jesus, and as His ambassador with dynamic delegated power. At any moment a large door may open. Look again to Psalm 37. If you resolve to "delight yourself in the Lord", seeking His agenda, you will discover that you receive increasingly "the desires of your heart" (the desires of your Lord's heart). The potential of such ready volunteers is awesome. They are the ones who have been given "the keys of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 16:19). In the Lord's name they may "loose" revelation, forgiveness, healing, fresh confidence, agendas of help, ministry commissions, praises and supplications which will move Heaven. They may also "bind" dark practices, temptations, strife, spiritual attack, sickness, thick-headedness, condemnation or despair. What a tremendous privilege we have as day-to-day priests of our God through Christ! Admittedly we still need pastors and mentors for clear direction, interpretation, confession, prayer agreement and a mature sounding-board. But we must not abdicate from evident openings for ministry. We must be bold when the Spirit urges (but not when our fleshly ambition prods). Christ uses believers (Mark 16:15-18). Not just men and women with certificates on the wall. When, oh when will our churches discover this? Unlocking the treasure of

the priesthood of believers. And it is for the community at large. Not just inhouse.

Mâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;CHEYNE SPEAKS OF IDOLS, 1840

Hosea 14: 8 a. O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? Last night I was reading from an old sermon given by Robert Murray M'Cheyne. It was intended as a closing sermon after celebration of communion. The parishioners were reminded of the public confession of the lordship of Jesus which had just been accomplished in the taking of the elements. No other issue was to capture their allegiance. No idol. Not money, or popularity, or unequal pairing in marriage, or public amusements, or inappropriate friends, or illicit pursuits, or fear of man, or business success, or higher education. Many items on the list were obvious. But then he mentioned one which came initially as a surprise - our own sanctification. Oh yes, we can be so impressed with our own change of lifestyle, our holy exercises, our seamless church attendance, our reformed tongues, our list of prohibited worldly activities, that we put our sanctified selves on the throne and see Jesus only as an accommodation party. Pride, is it not? The Lord finds this idol as disappointing as the rest. What happens to the fear of the Lord? Our own sense of shortcoming and need? Our realization that we are still unprofitable servants? Our persistent supplicants' posture for mercy. The change in us represents a step away from the possibility of revival. Oh I hear people in the Church everywhere calling for what they perceive to be revival. Perhaps they see it as a few more souls at the altar or a more populous prayer meeting or a few notorious sinners cleaned up moderately. 17

But this misses God's idea of revival by a long shot. He is looking for the breaking up of fallow ground in the Church, for heart rending judgment and correction in the Church, for quality decisions never to leave the place of the dependent child in the lap of the Lord Jesus. With such breaking comes power; power noticed by those outside church walls and feeling hints of conviction for the very first time. This will be a supernatural work defying all our holiness formulas and church growth strategies. Bring it on Lord, and soon!

EASY SUNDAYS

Are you caught in the snare Of the preacher? In the logical loop Of his art? In the comfort and ease Of the teaching? In the flow of his Overhead chart? Is the God you now serve Proving pliant? Are His ways now within Mortal span? Has the Bible become Less a mainstay. As you harvest the truth From one man? Will it prove your escape From the struggle? From the bleary nights 18

Given to prayer? From the battle with Concepts of scripture? And the sense you are Getting nowhere? Does the Cross now appear Isolated? And â&#x20AC;&#x153;reproachâ&#x20AC;? just a word From the past? As you perch on the Threshold of victory, Reassured current clear Skies will last? Such a joyful, new-found Revelation. And a quicker ascent To the height. And a confidence one Now is certain Both in grasp of the Good and the right. But I doubt such convenience Is Holy. Nor the path which, before, Saints have trod. For the trials which they bore In the night-time, Brought a richer sun- rise With their God.

THROUGH BRIER AND BUSH

Soft nature seeks a path of ease Secure from strange alarms; Borne through the troubled scenes of life In Christ's protecting arms; Yet nobler far our strength to draw From grace to call His will our law. For Christ who knows our feeble mould Ordains that here below Through brier and bush to heavenly ground His bairns wet-shod must go; Past hostile thorn His steps to trace And follow still with steadfast face. Our heav'n is in the bud and soon Must to a harvest grow; For time's brief span shall eat away And root out every woe. Then watch in hope till sorrows end, And Christ appear â&#x20AC;&#x201D; our living Friend. Faith Cook This poem appears in the beautiful collection entitled Grace in Winter. Various letters of Samuel Rutherford have been presented as poetry. I treasure this volume by Faith Cook (Banner of Truth Trust) and have referred to it since I first discovered the wealth of counsel and encouragement in Rutherford. Many a weekend I would resort to the Library at Waterloo University to re-visit Covenanter Scotland of the mid 1600's. A time when many faithful ones shared in the reproach of Christ "without the camp". A time when confession of Christ as King proved very costly.

THAT THE BIRD MAY FLY OUT

Today, a sick day home from the factory, I found the following in a random opening of the Letters of Samuel Rutherford (to William Glendinning from Aberdeen, 1637). And for myself: I think if a poor, weak, dying sheep seek for an old dyke and the lee-side of an hill in a storm, I have cause to long for a covert from this storm, in heaven. I know none will take my room over my head there. But certainly sleepy bodies will be at rest and a well-made bed, and an old crazed bark at a shore, amd a wearied traveller at home, and a breathless

horse at the rink's end. I see nothing in this life but sin and the sour fruits of sin. And , oh, what a burden is sin! And what a slavery and miserable bondage is it , to be at the nod, and yeas and nays, of such a lord-master as a body of sin! Truly, when I think of it, it is a wonder that Christ maketh not fire and ashes of such a dry branch as I am. I would often lie down under Christ's feet and bid him trample upon me, when I consider my guiltiness. But seeing he hath sworn that sin shall not loose his unchangeable covenant, I keep house-room among the rest of the ill-learned bairns, and must cumber the Lord of the house with the rest, till my Lord take the fetters off legs and arms, and destroy this body of sin, and make a hole or breach in this cage of earth, that the bird may fly out and the imprisoned soul be at liberty. In the meantime, the least intimation of Christ's love is sweet, and the hope of marriage with the Bridegroom holdeth me in some joyful on-waiting, that, when Christ's summer -birds shall sing upon the branches of the Tree of Life, I shall be tuned by God himself to help them to sing the home-coming of our Well-beloved and his bride to their house together. When I think of this, I think winters and summers , and years and days, and time, do me a pleasure that they shorten this untwisted and weak thread of my life, and that they put sin and miseries by-hand, and that they shall carry me to my Bridegroom in a clap.

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

Loudly the children Sang praises at his coming, Lading the cobbles With branches of the palm. Paying him homage With blended hearts and voices, Gracing his entrance With echoes of the psalm: “Bless’ed is he that Cometh in the Lord’s name, 22

Jesus, Hosanna To David’s greater son!” “Daughter of Zion, Your King is at the threshold, Bringing salvation, This meek and lowly one.” No prancing charger To bear the Prince of Ages, Only a donkey, At peaceful, plodding pace. No blasting herald Announcing great deliverance, Only the simple With song, perfecting praise. Bless’ed these child-like Who see their King so plainly, Bringing their problems And needs to one so kind. Theirs is the conquest Which passes understanding. Theirs is the Kingdom The learn’ed cannot find. ZECHARIAH 9: 9 Rejoice greatly. O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES

Is it that he comes in royal fashion? Riding on an ass as kings of old? Dusty traveler of strange compassion, Confident, this Jesus, and so bold! Trouble brews! The young, the poor, the downcast Hail now that Messiah has appeared. Is the fight to come from him at long last? Is there power in him to be feared? Temple tills he spills, disrupting business. Money-changers flee from his attack. Paschal profits wasted there, and no less Trouble herding all the livestock back. Still, our spies have little to accuse him; That he might be silenced for some crime. Nightly, in the settling streets they lose him To some hidden garden quiet time. With the morning, in the temple, teaching, He is found by scores who seek the truth. Tirelessly, he ridicules our preaching, Giving tried traditions stern reproof! How we weary of this Galilean, Plaguing lordly powers with “cat-and-mouse”. Blasphemy! The unschooled Nazarene Calls our halls of prayer his Father’s House! First to seize him when the crowds are sleeping. Then to trouble Pilate with some threat. All the while our grand composure keeping; We will have this Jesus beaten yet!

Luke 16 10-13Jesus went on to make these comments: If you're honest in small things, you'll be honest in big things; If you're a crook in small things, you'll be a crook in big things. If you're not honest in small jobs, who will put you in charge of the store? No worker can serve two bosses: He'll either hate the first and love the second Or adore the first and despise the second. You can't serve both God and the Bank. 14-18When the Pharisees, a money-obsessed bunch, heard him say these things, they rolled their eyes, dismissing him as hopelessly out of touch. So Jesus spoke to them: "You are masters at making yourselves look good in front of others, but God knows what's behind the appearance. What society sees and calls monumental, God sees through and calls monstrous. (The Message)

SHOW US THE FATHER

Have I been so long time with you, Yet you still misunderstand? In the simple walks When I listened And you went on so. In gazing reverently Together at sunset. In the common meal 25

Which went down so well 'Midst laughter and poking. In the common cup. The washings of hand And conscience. Have you not seen me Bless the wayfaring man, The ailing child, The fretful mother With her last farthing? Chastise the hypocrite? Warn the self-assured? Heard me glean wisdom From the fields, the flocks, The fishnets, the pearl merchant? In all, I have heard from my Father; Seen my Father's pointing hand; Represented my Father. It is just that simple, That fresh, daily. I can be, I can say None other. Come unto me. Come unto Him. Brothers.

MY GOD, MY GOD!

The cry comes from the darkness of an execution. The accused has called himself a King. He has said that he is truth incarnate. He has said that he could easily summon a host of angels to the scene if that would further his peculiar plan. But instead he hangs there listening to the groans of his two colleagues and the jeers of a mob out of control. 26

His mother is front and centre, trying to restrain the tears and deliver a gaze of courage and compassion to the jewel of her heart. His dear friend wraps arms of protection around her, shielding her from the jostling and the raised arms. The friend thinks to himself, "Master why cry, My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me? Better to cry, Peace be still. Or give the people to eat. Or take up your bed and walk. Or come out of him you foul spirit. Or fools, hypocrites you make a mockery of religion. Or come unto me and I will give you rest. Or look for me from the clouds of heaven with the angels." (Note: But "My God, my God!" That is the cry of vulnerability and trapped desperation, of human doubt and wincing pain, of bewilderment in a man beside himself with anguish. Yes, a man who had come this low from the majestic corridors of heaven. Now each breath gets harder and harder. The shoulders and the extremities scream. See Philippians 2: 5-8Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. 9-11Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father. - The Message by Eugene Peterson He "gets" our pain.)

I PUT THEM ON YOUR ALTAR (JOHN 17)

Father, I have watched Over these men. Have taken them your images Of community free From retaliation. Of joy in the Rendering of mercy. Of good report On those who struggle, With only the half known. Of fulness of days Free from fear of supply, From fear of man. I have set them To wandering. Ambassadors of a realm Not yet seen. Sporadically meeting the test. Boiling often in self-hurt. Turning, of times, To look back from the plough. Vying for place. Vying for glory. Missing often the real gems Delivered with No special fanfare. And now I leave, So much so seemingly Ill-prepared. But You have given them me. Persevering to their Appointed destiny. All but the one with the purse. I trust You 28

For their well-being. I trust You for the prophecies Which speak of me. Quickly now... To my offering. Amen.

PSALM 16

7I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. 8I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

RETURN TO GLORY

He is coming, Hear the chorus: “Jesus, Saviour Of men’s race.” Now the victor Over evil; Routed, Satan, Face to face. Clear the pathway Here in Glory, That Messiah May pass by. Note the emblems Of his suff’ring Now are dazzling To the eye: In his pierced hands 30

See the vessel With the blood of Matchless worth. Precious offâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ring Of his passion, With the power To ransom earth. And the cruel crown Of a mock king, Left those thorny Tracks of shame. Now agleam with Regal splendour. What a Saviour! Praise his name! Angels singing Hallelujahs To their God Who left such bliss. Never dreaming That a conquest Could be half As grand as this. Father waiting To receive him, And to bless himGlorified! Thrilled by total True submission Which descended, lived And died. Spirit Beings 31

Stand in wonder At the zenith Of God’s Plan. That the Son Called Ageless Wisdom Should return To them, God-Man. With assurance That a family Would be coming In his train. Singing, praising God their Father And the Lamb For sinners slain! JOHN 17: 4, 5 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

INHERITANCE

It’s the joy of our sins all forgiven. It’s the peace of the Lord’s resumed smile. It’s the hope of new tasks in the Kingdom. It’s the hush of His presence a while. It’s the promise of kin never parting. It’s the safety of homes filled with grace. It’s the dignity love gives the lowly. It’s the Body where each has his place. It’s the troop of a marvelous Captain.

It’s the news of a battle well won. It’s the end of all fretful endeavour. It’s a right-standing now in God’s Son. It’s the certainty His Word is faithful. It’s the relish in simplest of prayer. It’s the blazing of light at life’s passing. It’s the knowing our Christ will be there.