Charles Wesley

Resurrection Joy

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Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). John 20:15-16 ESV

When Charles Wesley penned these words back in 1739, he put into song, the joy that Mary Magdalene must have felt on that first resurrection morning. Remember that she had come to anoint the body of Jesus, not meet with Him. Her main concern had revolved around the question of who would roll back the stone, so she could get in to pay her last respects. Little did she realize that Jesus had chosen her to be the very first person to see Him after He had risen from the dead. Sometimes our biggest worries must seem awfully small to Jesus, and yet He takes time to come where we are, call us by name and is willing to show Himself to us as well. Will we only dare to believe?

God and Sinners Reconciled

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She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 
Matthew 1:21 ESV

Though it was released in 1946, the classic film, “It’s a Wonderful Life” continues to touch audiences, generation after generation. Though social mores, technology and politics have changed, the human heart remains the same. And of all the scenes in the film, perhaps none is more loved than the final minutes as an entire community comes together to help George Bailey. One by one, his friends, coworkers, neighbors (and even a few enemies), show up to donate the money needed to keep George out of jail on Christmas. Let’s listen to the words to the Christmas carol they sing: 

Hark the herald angels sing,  
Glory to the newborn King! 
Peace on earth and mercy mild, 
God and sinners reconciled!

Maybe we are moved, because deep within our hearts is a longing for reconciliation, and George Bailey is discovering the wonder of reconciliation for us all. He has learned to pray; He has learned to trust God and He has found that God has answered his prayers through the love of a community. Everything in George’s life suddenly looks different to him, because of reconciliation. Even the name “Jesus” means, “Jehovah saves” and part of that saving was His becoming the sacrifice for our sins so that when we put our faith in Jesus, then God and sinners just like you and me can be reconciled! Hark the Herald Angels Sing by Charles Wesley and George Whitfield. Music by Felix Mendelssohn 1739

Caligiuri, Peter. A Christmas Treasury: Large Print Edition (pp. 8-10). Kindle Edition.

Extraordinary – Amazing Love!

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Psalm 103:11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him – 17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,

Part of the mystery of God’s love is that His love stretches beyond our horizon. We celebrate, sing about how God loves us – no matter what we have done. But His love is also eternal -loving our children, our grandchildren our neighbors and even our enemies. God’s love is more than just passionate emotion, it is a dynamic power stirring everything and everyone it touches into action. God’s love forms planets and feeds the hungry. The love of Jesus transforms water into wine and murderers of Christians, like the Apostle Paul into messengers and martyrs for the faith. With Ash Wednesday, being this week often we consider what things we will give up for Lent. Maybe we should consider not what we will give up, but what we will give. What we will dare in order to express the amazing, unfathomable and powerful love of Jesus Christ?

I hope you will enjoy this recording of Amazing Love from the Keswick Convention 2019 as much as I did. – No special effects – just lots of pretty ordinary people singing their hearts out about the extraordinary and amazing love of Jesus! Have a wonderful week everyone and a blessed beginning of Lent!