Easter

Interrupted by Love Lenten Reading

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A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. Luke 22:24 ESV

A funny thing happened on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Cross. Jesus had just finished giving them the bread and the wine as the holiest of sacraments and while supper was ending the disciples began arguing with each other about who was most important. Can you imagine with me Jesus striking his forehead and crying “Oy Vey? These disciples are making me crazy!”?

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We may chuckle at the absurdity of that scene but just as the supper in its various forms has been remembered for 2,000 years; so has the conflict among us as to who is the best. One way to honor this Easter season might be to do something daring in the service of others. Why not pray for a door of service outside our comfort zone? Whatever service God leads us to we need to remember the example that Jesus gave us when He interrupted their argument in order to wash the feet of His disciples!

Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:5 ESV

What the World Needs Now Is Love Sweet Love!

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 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  John 13:34 ESV

Some years ago I worked trimming trees on a large estate in Katonah, New York. Since the work we did was usually done in the winter, it was a special blessing that tucked into one of the wings of the house was a green house with a small semi-heated area where we could warm ourselves at lunch. Though we rarely saw the owner or even the caretaker we were able to get in because the spare key was kept under the edge of the fountain. That key opened a little door marked, “Service entrance”.

That entrance always reminded me that God also leaves the key to His door under the fountain. At that fountain we find, not a to His service entrance door.

When Jesus gave us His new commandment He required that we love one another in the same way that He had loved us. Then, “How did Jesus love me?” we should ask. Was it not most love of all loves when He gave His life on the cross for our sins? What a mighty Savior who gave Himself humbly for us. If today we will pause at His fountain we will discover there in a hidden place the key to the service entrance to heaven. That key He gives us with His command to love God’s children from every corner of the earth!

Ordinary Details

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They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?”  He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters.   Luke 22:9-10 ESV

In our extended family which includes two grown sons, two daughters in law and seven grandchildren – the location of our family Thanksgiving dinner is a big event. In some ways the Passover meal was the Jewish Thanksgiving of the first century. Lots of preparation went into planning where to hold it, who to invite and even how the table was to be set up. I confess that instead of just a season of Thankfulness and contentment I sometimes struggle to just get along with people. Many of my frustrations come from struggling with mundane details that I feel God could not possibly care about. So what did these disciples do?

After three and a half years of seeing bread multiplied, water changed to wine and storms calmed by a word they decided to just ask Jesus how to prepare for the feast. No matter what you and I face today, we should take a tip from these disciples and ask Jesus to become our event planner. The same God who formed the universe also counts every hair on our heads. It is not a problem to ask Him to take control of even the mundane details we struggle with. When we do we might be amazed at how delighted He will be to show you exactly what He has prepared for you!