LORD, LORD ...

Matthew 7:21-23 - Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

This can be a very troubling statement. We all think we are good. We might call ourselves Christians, but that doesn’t always mean we are good. There is only one way we can be sure. A narrow way; many Christians even believe that God wouldn’t turn anyone away, and that saying the road is narrow is absurd. But, obviously, the road is narrow because God says it is. These verses are for Christians and non-Christians alike. A sobering thought, to be sure.

I was watching a video as part of a Bible study I’m doing called Behold Your God. One of the speakers made this statement: Not everyone who says they are a Christian is a Christian. That statement is loaded!

I’ve known for many years that there is only one way to God, through His Son Jesus. No other way. No other person can be named. Some religions claim Jesus is not the only way. But there is no one else. Only one way, truth and life and that is Jesus Christ.  It’s not even about religion, but about relationship. Religion is man-centered; relationship is God-centered. Religion is works-centered; relationship is knowing that God did for us what we could not do for ourselves...redeem us. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (Ephesians 2:8)

It is only through the power of God are we made a believer and follower in Christ. We are changed, as the Bible says, made whole only by the power of God, not self, not anyone else. No prayer alone will do it; not knowing someone who is born again; not even attending church. We must give ourselves over to Him (that relationship) for this change to take place. I’m sorry for those who don’t like change or are afraid of it. These will never know the power of God in their lives until they shed the pride.

We are all sinners in need of salvation. All. We are either surface Christians. in-depth Christians or none at all. We either see God as just somewhere out there loving on people and allowing any lifestyle or within our own spirits and knowing He is of great magnificence and judgment, besides love. He is ALL power!

It is true that God will receive us just as we are; but he doesn’t want us to stay that way. We are called to repent and believe...and learn the truth...and turn away from our sinful lives...and we all are there before we receive Christ...enemies of God. Only God can do this work in us but we must be willing to set aside all we think we know, or our church teaches, to know what He alone says, through His Word.

The Bible from Genesis to Revelation speaks of Jesus. It does not speak of anyone else being able to save us. It is a very interesting study. I just started rereading a book on who Jesus is in each book of the Bible. And surprisingly, in Genesis the whole reason He came is clearly evident...because of the sin of man, which separated us from God...and He had to intervene to bring about the birth of One who would save, not by the intervention of man. Only through Jesus Christ. It’s the most narrow way possible, according to scripture. 

I won’t argue with scripture. God’s Word is truth. Not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom.  Through the writing and words of many different men empowered by the Holy Spirit, He has revealed His magnificence, His perfect plan for mankind, that plan fallen and the reshaping of man and that plan through His Son. Will you be onboard?

Matthew 7:13-14 - Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to 

destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Abraham and Isaac

Genesis 22:2 - Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."

There's a short and intense story in the Book of Genesis. It's about Abraham and his son Isaac. God has promised Abraham much...a covenant between He and Abraham, to make him the father of many nations, to bless him and his family (including all descendants) and Abraham had so much faith it was counted to him as righteousness.

God tested Abraham several times. Abraham didn't always past the test but he still held favor with God. He will do that with us too.

The biggest test was when God wanted Abraham to sacrifice his son. Let's look at the similarity between what God asked Abraham to do and what God did and what He asked Jesus to do. Sacrifice is big in God's eyes. It's not about us but about Him. It's sacrificing our ways for His. It's pressing on in faith and letting go of the past, which can be a sacrifice if we want to cling to what we are holding on to. 

Back to Abraham and Isaac. God had promised Abraham that through his son Isaac he would become the father of many nations. So why is it he is asked to sacrifice him? Had he done something wrong? Had God reneged on His promise? He was told to take Isaac into the mountains. He, Isaac and a couple servants, took wood for the sacrifice and proceeded on their trek. Isaac had no clue. Here's where it gets eerily familiar. On the third day they saw the spot God had pointed out. Abraham told his servants to wait while they went up the mountain to build an altar and worship. He told them, "We will come back to you." This takes a lot of faith to believe...we will come back.

Abraham put the wood on Isaac's back and they walked to the place where they were to make their sacrifice. Normally a lamb would be used for the offering. There was none to be seen and Isaac questioned his father about it. Abraham told him God would provide. By faith he was making this statement. Maybe he knew the words "nothing is impossible with God." What happens when God asks us to do something so seemingly impossible? Do we  have that kind of faith?

When they had reached their spot, Abraham built the altar. He bound his son and put him upon the wood. He took out a knife and raised it to make the offering of his only son for God. Before I finish, note that Isaac did not say a word, did not cry out, did not object. What could have been going through his mind? What could he have been thinking about what his father was doing? He never said a word. He might also have realized the statement "nothing is impossible with God," and that there was a very good reason for all this even if he didn't know what that could be and if it meant his death, so be it. 

Does any of this sound familiar? What about Jesus? Didn't God sacrifice His only Son? Didn't Jesus silently carry the wooden cross up to the place of His crucifixion and placed upon that cross? Did Jesus trust His Father, not knowing what would transpire after His death, that it might be for a very good reason? You know, it was for a very good reason...it was for you and for me, that we might be reconciled to the Father through His Son, Jesus, and that we would put our trust and faith in Him. Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. 

As Abraham's hand was lifted, the Angel of the Lord called out to him: "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." (Genesis 22:12) With that a ram appeared, caught in a bush, which was then used to present the necessary sacrifice.

I'm seeing similarities I've not noticed before. They are meanings to some numbers. I see "third day" and think of the three years Jesus ministered before His death. And on the third day He arose from the dead. It was a three days' journey to the place of sacrifice and also the third day when the sacrifice of Abraham's son was aborted...and Jesus (as we are) was born, died and resurrected to a new life. The number three can also be seen in numerous other instances, like the Trinity or Peter denying Jesus three times. 

We are asked to sacrifice ourselves when we follow the Lord. We are to die daily that we might do the will of God. We are asked to take up our cross daily. We are told that if we lose our life (sacrifice) we will be saved. 

Abraham and Isaac, God and Jesus...they all were willing to sacrifice. But the greatest sacrifice was the true Sacrifice. He carried His cross and was placed upon it for all of us. It makes sense that we would want to sacrifice for the love of our God, who provided a Way for us to live. That's where God desires followers to be in their walk. Have I achieved this? I know I'm not there. We don't ever achieve perfection. Perfection is when we see Jesus face to face in heaven because we have run the race and never lost our faith in the Son. 

Nothing in this world is nearly as important as Jesus. No job, no spouse, no hobby, no home. If Jesus is in our hearts and He plays an important role in our lives, that's what's important. That's the first step toward sacrifice. Climbing to the altar to offer up your self, your life, in the name of Jesus.

2Corinthians 5:15 - and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. ‭

Just Like in Noah's Day

Genesis 7:1 - Then the LORD said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation." 

We are familiar with the story of Noah and the ark. We have known it since childhood. But how many believe it? Was it just a story? I believe it because the Bible "told me so." I also believe that history repeats itself...nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). 

If you remember the Noah story, you know that the reason for the ark was to save the lives of Noah, his family and anyone else who wished to be saved from a flood that was to occur. Of course, no flood had ever happened before, so Noah pretty much had to have faith in God alone and in that which was not seen. (Hebrews 11) So we are to believe also.

The world had turned corrupt (Genesis 6:11) Man had turned wicked and every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil. God was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart (Genesis 6:5-6). So He decided to destroy all living things, except those that would enter into the ark He asked Noah to build. He chose Noah because of his righteousness, his trust and devotion to God.

If history repeats itself, could it be this might happen again? I so totally believe this because I've read the Bible and I know how the end of the story will take place! God may not ask another earthly man to build yet another, greater ark, but I know a Man who became the ark. His name is Jesus.

After the flood, life began again...and again it became corrupt and evil, as evidenced throughout His Word. This time God sent His only Son to be born to become that ark in which all mankind would be allowed to enter into, into a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ. Enter into Christ and be saved. Repent, admit your sin and weaknesses and enter into a life of righteousness, like Noah, and no longer have fear of what the evil in this world dishes out. 

Trust in the one true God. Commit your ways to Him. Share the Gospel and do it without being ashamed. Let your light shine in the world. Listen for the prompting of His Holy Spirit. This is all available for anyone who is willing to submit to the Lord. Our religion can't save us. Our goodness can't save us. But Jesus can. He is the Way, Truth and Life (the Door...to the ark). No one goes to the Father but by Him (John 14:6).

I know this hard for some to believe. But read Genesis 6 and 7 for yourself. It's an easy read! See what happened to the people who did not choose to enter into the ark. Jesus saves! Enter in. If you've balked all your life, it's not too late. He will not reject a heart willing to seek Him now. Just as Noah walked with God, so can we all...through Jesus Christ.

Hallelujah! Do you trust God and believe with all your heart? This is for you:

Romans‬ ‭10:8-11‬ ‭- But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

It Is Well

Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬ ‭- Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

I posted awhile back one verse from the hymn It Is Well With My Soul. I was listening to this song in my car the other day. I want to post all the lyrics this time and a little background on how the song came about.

The writer, Horatio Spafford, was a successful businessman living in Chicago. He lost his only son at the age of two in the great Chicago fire. This was followed by an economic downturn. Both occurrences devastated him financially. He and his family already had a vacation overseas planned but he needed to attend to business matters so he sent his wife and four daughters on ahead of him. Their ship collided with another causing it to sink very quickly. His wife survived, but all four of his daughters perished. As he traveled to meet his wife he wrote the well known song. 

Spafford was a devoted Christian and it does certainly appear that his faith in God surfaced mightily. When we are faced with tragedy of any kind, there is only one place to go...on our knees, and pray to our Father in Heaven for His strength and comfort. Did Spafford question why? Did he get angry? We all grieve differently and perhaps he might have...but in the end, he relied on God and His Word to get him through. This is the amazing power of God, through Christ and His Word...if we know it and it is written upon our hearts and minds, we already know where our comfort lies. If we know Christ and He dwells within our hearts (and He is also the Word that dwells there), we are assured of peace. 

Now the lyrics:

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul

It is well
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul

It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul

It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul

It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul

It can be so well with all our souls. No matter, as Spafford said, what our lot might be, if we have God securely dwelling within our hearts, our souls will be well. Jesus paid the price for all of us if we so desire to acknowledge Him so that we can have forgiveness of sins, peace in trials and more...and have the blessed assurance, the hope that comes from being in 
Christ. There is nothing...nothing...more important than Christ. If you don't know Him today you may not handle a trial. You may not have the peace that passes all human understanding. It's good to know Him now. Then you will instantly know where to turn.

John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭- These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

‭‭

Who is the Lord?

Exodus 5:2 - And Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.” 

Who is the Lord is the question we all ask in some way before we truly know Him.

Moses was in the process of working out the freedom of the people of Israel who were in captivity in Egypt. But he was dealing with an unbeliever in their God. Later Pharaoh would cave after he saw the many plagues and torments brought about by this God of Israel he did not know.

There was a time when I asked, Why do I need to go to church? I know who Jesus is. I know He died for my sins. I heard this in children's Sunday school. Isn't that all I need? If God is good and I'm basically a good person--certainly not the best, but better than others--then I believe I will go to heaven.

These are pretty much standard suppositions...We aren't all that bad. And generally that statement is not always followed by are we? But God has a higher standard than that. Since the incident in the Garden of Eden mankind has been separated from God. We lost our relationship with Him because there was a purity in that relationship between Adam, Eve and God. There was holiness because of obedience. God never changes. He is still holy. It is we who have since  changed and are born with sinful, unholy natures. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭59‬:‭2‬) And we must be separated from God...until...

Pharaoh did not know the God Moses and Israel worshipped. He could not understand the plea to let Israel go to worship Him. I couldn't understand it either. Why do I need to follow this God? Why should I listen to Him? Why should I obey Him? Why do I need to?

I believed that until...the good news. God has given us an opportunity to be reconciled to Him, that the veil of separation would be torn down. It's a word called the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He sent His Son Jesus. He stands between sinful man and a holy God. He is the Mediator and the Way. Only through Him do we get to heaven. Only through our heartfelt belief, trust and faith in Him. And only that way. It is Jesus' blood that was shed on the cross that is spiritually poured over us to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.

So, I go to church. I go to be in His presence, to worship Him and to hear Him speak through a pastor who loves Him. I now know that I know who Jesus is. I realize now the importance of His death for my sins. No, I am not basically a good person. No one is and if they claim otherwise they lie. In God's eyes we are all on the same level playing field...But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people. (‭Psalms‬ ‭22‬:‭6‬)  O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? (‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬)

Ah, but back to the good news...Jesus came that we would no longer be a reproach to God the Father. He will deliver us from this body of spiritual death. He will allow us to be able to say, It IS the Lord I will obey and be able to hear now His voice. I can know the Lord and be in right relationship with Him. Hallelujah!

Who is the Lord to you? Is He your Lord? Do you know Him? Receive Christ and see what He will do!

Exodus 6:6 - "Therefore say to the children of Israel: 'I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.'"

The Simplicity of it All

Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

In prayer this morning I ventured into thoughts of if God can love me so much, He also loves those who do not acknowledge Him.

I think of the people that can irritate, anger, frustrate and disappoint. Thoughts of how God loves them come to mind. He created each one of them just like He created me. Psalm 139 speaks of this...and it is meant for all people..believers or not.

He can love but in the end He is also able to exact judgment upon those who simply will not call on the name of the Lord or acknowledge Him in their lives. His righteous anger is not like ours. He knows what He must do and He does it. "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (‭Mark‬ ‭8‬:‭38‬)

We can all be in that place of righteousness if we humbly and sincerely go to Jesus repenting of our sin, asking for His forgiveness and acknowledging Him as Lord and Savior. And then living each day with His thoughts in mind. The pure and just things that He shows us in His Word. And heeding the warnings of the people who failed to follow Him. It's all that simple.

The world wants peace but so often they want something other than Christ as their peace. The Jews who cried out "Crucify Him!" wanted something other than Jesus to be their Messiah. They wanted, as the world wants, their own way. They believe that if government were thus and so things would be better. They fight for causes. Is any of this ultimately going to work?

Jesus is the only hope for everlasting peace. No one says it better than He Himself: Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭32-33‬)

We have brought on our own trials and tribulation...because we have left Jesus. We have come to a place in life, in this world, where we desire peace in ways other than through God. Politicians say they will bring this or that if they become president...maybe even promise hope and change! The only hope and change we can trust in is through Jesus Christ. For some their hope is in man, not a Man. Looking to a political candidate (and they are rare) who holds to godly values somehow seems archaic. No more of this God stuff, people proclaim in their hearts.

There will be a judgment some day for everyone. However, I know where true peace comes from. The simplicity of the day when I gave my heart to Christ is as fresh in my mind as what I had for supper last night, probably better! There you will find true peace.

God loves the sinner. He came to save the sinner. There's no doubt about it. In our human minds we can't comprehend how He can...and that love I am truly trying to understand. I may judge unrighteously at times. I should not. All judgment is for God alone. It will happen. However, I may judge righteously, with love for the sinner. Not always so easy, I admit. I still need some work!

Do not be deceived by what the world has to offer. It will not last. Jesus, the same today as yesterday and tomorrow, has all the answers. They are true and just. He's well worth seeking.

2Corinthians 11:3-4 - But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

In the Beginning, Wisdom...

Proverbs 8:22-23 - The LORD possessed me [wisdom] at the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning, before there was ever an earth.

Today my words will be few. Yesss, some of you might think! Continuing for one more session in Proverbs 8! Since all of Proverbs 8 is discussing wisdom, how interesting to read this. Wisdom was in the beginning, even before creation. And, according to other posts, who else was at the beginning? And who did I say exemplified wisdom last post? Who gives us wisdom?

If you remember, Jesus was in the beginning before time began. He was with God and was God (John 1:1). He was part of creation. Wisdom was His in the beginning because He was God. And if we really want true wisdom, it is through Christ who is wisdom (1Corinthians 1:30), that we receive it, through His Holy Spirit.

You cannot separate the words of wisdom from Jesus. He is the Word made flesh. To see it written like this just continues to amaze me. Jesus is so seen in every book of the Bible, Old to New. I so wish other to get it. It's not complicated. Yet so profound at the same time. Can you tell I don't lose my excitement? It's like I've never read this before.

God is so into the intricate details of everything. It's hard to believe He cares so much but He does. And to think some believe He is a God far removed from us, that He doesn't pay attention to all our needs, that He doesn't know everything about everything... HE is the one who created it all! Scripture says when a sparrow falls, is He not aware of it and doesn't He care? Believing these things, believing what His Word says is true wisdom.

We cannot receive true wisdom without Christ and that's all I can say. And to receive Christ we must receive Him, confess our sins, repent of them, follow Him and obey His commands. All the wisdom we need comes from one Man.

Lord, I pray You pierce hearts with this knowledge. Let it become understanding and wisdom to those who do not see. And it comes with the knowledge of Christ. I cannot do this on my own; only through You.

Proverbs 8:27-31 - When He prepared the heavens, I [wisdom] was there, when He drew a circle on the face of the deep, when He established the clouds above, when He strengthened the fountains of the deep, when He assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters would not transgress His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him, rejoicing in His inhabited world, and my delight was with the sons of men.

Let me finish with the last verses of this Proverb. Think about the words Jesus preached in the New Testament. Sound familiar? Jesus=wisdom.

Proverbs 8:34-36 - "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD; but he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death."

Apples and Oranges

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you...” "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you," says the Lord, "thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 1:5, Jeremiah 29:11)

We can sometimes feel because of words, situations or actions that we are less than what God thinks we are. This is just one ploy of the devil to minimize who we truly are in Christ. And all we need do is cast that negative thought out of our mind, in the name of Jesus!

I am in awe of how great my God is, how much He loves me. I'm reminded that there was a day when I found out His name is Jesus! He is my all in all. He is my Creator. He called my name. He showed me the Way to salvation. He gave me a perfect peace (that sometimes gets disturbed by words, situations or actions...but which He also restores!). He has given me a hope and a future and His Spirit. Most importantly, which is a difficult thing to understand, but I believe by faith alone, He is alive and lives IN me, in my heart and soul. The God of this huge universe desires to be as close as that!

I had such occasion recently where seeds of this dreadful and toxic doubt occurred. But I'm so thankful for this merciful God who longs to remind me who He has said I am in Him.

I received three very unexpected kind and encouraging words in church last Sunday. As I gave thought to them later I heard the still small voice, "This was to show you how much I love you." We should never consider ourselves losers in the Lord! But we are to consider ourselves, instead, loved by the Lord (who also disciplines). He has taken the time to call me to Himself and unless I absolutely disregard instruction or walk away from Him, I am His. And so are you.

Had I been able to do so at that very moment those words were "spoken," I would have fallen to my knees in worship but I was in my car...! All I could do, which seemed so small a thing, was to thank Him and praise Him as I drove.

I'll tell you, I wish I had more powerful words to vocalize instead of just writing. But for now I must stay content with prose, I guess. But it makes for a very difficult time when blogs run through my mind while I'm in my car! Even a recorder causes me to stammer and sputter, stutter! No fooling.

We do serve an awesome God. He does not expect each of us to fill the same shoes. He does not compare apples with oranges. While both might be sweet they have very different flavors...and so do we. HE has created us and although we will be in a process of sanctification our entire lives and might occasionally miss a mark, He does not throw the baby out with the bath water. We are none perfect. I'm thankful He does not get frustrated with our misplacements and determine to turn His back on us. No, He works stuff out in us. He perfects as we go along. Only He will always stand beside us.

He desires to change hearts, lives and desires, to become His workmanship...in order that all might be blessed and be in step with His heart for each person. His heart that sees who we truly are. In Him we can be an apple or an orange...for Him! He has a unique new person in store, one that He will cultivate, prune and grow into what WE are meant to be in His kingdom here on earth and again some day in heaven. Again, His name is Jesus. Praise the name of Jesus.

Ephesians 2:10 - For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 

Highly Exalted One

1Chronicles 29:11 - Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all. 

I was saddened in my spirit one day as I was lunching with a couple of newfound friends I had delightfully golfed with. I have no idea how we got on the subject of religion but we did. Seems to be a subject in Phoenix that is not, surprisingly, avoided. I'm all for it...

We discussed where each of us attended church in the area. Somehow Easter was brought up and one woman said she could not watch the movie the Passion of the Christ because it was just too hard to view. I attempted to explain it was to show the torment Christ went through for all our sins and how we need to understand this.

The subject did a quick turn that was totally unexpected for me when she said, "And the torment of His mother, Mary." I agreed it would have been difficult for her...for any mother...to see their son go through something as horrific as what Jesus went through.  Then she quickly said, "You know I still have my statue of Mary decorated in honor of her."

How sad I was to hear this. She had/has missed the whole point of Easter. It was not about Mary; it was all about Him. Surely she bore Him, raised Him as an earthly mother, considered Him for a time as her earthly Son, taught Him, but it was His Heavenly Father who Jesus ultimately listened to. As with other conversations we were having, they became disjointed or interrupted, yielding to unfinished discussions, which was frustrating for me. So my thoughts ended up only in this blog.

More on Jesus and Mary: I recall Jesus' words to her at the wedding in Cana when she approached Him to bring about the miracle of the wine: Dear Woman, it is not yet my time. Woman! Sounds harsh, but it really was a term used then, one spoken with the utmost tenderness and affection. He would never have spoken disrespectfully to His mother. He needed her to realize that He was no longer of an age where He was still under her authority. He listened and obeyed His Father in Heaven. Her response to the servants at the wedding was "Do whatever He tells you." An understanding, humble answer.

We're called to do that ourselves today. Whatever He tells us. We are to seek Him out for His gift of salvation, a gift only He can give us. No one else is worthy to give this gift. His work on the cross is what counts, nothing anyone else, including Mary, has done.

Yes, Mary grieved. We should grieve too...that we are all sinners in this world and that Jesus had to...and willingly chose to...die for us...even for His mother.

There was another time Mary was expecting more than she got. She and her other sons (who did not believe Jesus was the Son of God) were seeking Him out. Here is what ensued: Mark 3:31-35 - Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers  are outside seeking You." But He answered them, saying, "Who is My mother, or My brothers?" And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother."

Here is Jesus pointing out that those who followed Him, were His true spiritual family. It was not all about His earthly family, as hard as that sounds. It's about what He came to earth to do. He had to come as a person who came from heaven to earth and lived and went through the pain like our everyday life's pain. He had to be a real person, yet set apart, to everyone, including His mother. He was showing everyone that He is the ONLY way, truth and life and ONLY by Him was anyone to get to the Father. Even His dear, sweet mother, Mary, needed ONLY what He could give. She, too, had to give her life to the Lord, even if He was her Son.

We are born into this world naturally, but it is our spiritual nature that is important. The only way that spiritual nature is satisfied is our turning to Jesus as our Savior. Mary cannot do that, nor can anyone else. ONLY by the name of Jesus.

Mary was an excellent example of purity in a woman, strength, sacrifice...and of letting her Son be who He needed to be. She followed Him but did not excel Him. She was the very willing vessel God used to bring about this miracle birth. She was God's earthly servant (Luke 1:38). She was her Son's earthly servant...just as we who have received Christ are to be.

Yes, she was called blessed. The Proverbs 31 woman is called blessed. I can say I'm blessed too. We both have known and know the Son. She would have felt the same pain any other mother would losing a child. She learned from Him, in time, to allow Jesus to do what she by now she saw He had to do. But she is not a saint to be worshiped over her Son. ONLY the name above all names is to be worshiped. All praise, honor and glory be to Him ONLY who sits on the Heavenly Throne at the right hand of God, His Father. 

Philippians 2:9-11 - Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.