The Old Rugged Cross

From Bethlehem to Calvary

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And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NKJV

I love singing Silent Night! To me it is both one of the sweetest and most worshipful of all the carols. Looking back over the years, I cannot count the times when I have sung this on Christmas Eve, often while holding a candle or during communion. But as sweet and awesome is the experience of that celebration of the birth of Jesus, we must never allow ourselves to forget that Jesus came with a purpose. He came to save us from our sins. It is built right into HIs name: Jesus, which means “Jehovah saves” And how did he save us? It was on a darkened cold hilltop, nailed to the beams of a cross. How amazing it is that Jesus began life gently laid in a crude wooden manger, closing His eyes to sleep and ended it nailed to a crude wooden cross when He closed His eyes in death. And all through that journey from Bethlehem to Calvary, every time Jesus heard His name spoken, He was reminded of why He came and where His journey would lead. And He did it all for you and me! What an amazing love. What a wonderful Savior. What a reason we have to bow in worship at the manger and kneel in repentance at the cross.

Martha and The Old Rugged Cross

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Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 NIV

We often hear this story told with the focus on Mary and how she chose the better part. But Martha was also loved by the Lord, and it is a good thing because a lot more of us are like her than like Mary! In fact, there would be no story at all if it were not for Martha inviting, not only Jesus, but twelve of his friends, who came in her house with dirty feet and the smell of fish about them. Of course, Martha did start rushing about, and got busy doing unimportant things. But Jesus begins His correction by tenderly calling her by name. Yes. Mary did choose the better part that day, but Martha was also precious to Him. If we follow the story of these sisters, we will discover that Martha learns to choose the better part.

After the death and resurrection of their brother Lazarus, Martha hosts another dinner in honor of Jesus, and again she alone serves at the table, but this time there is no more complaining. Her focus is on Jesus, and she quietly honors Him with delight in the best way she understands. Aren’t you glad that God is patient with us, just as Jesus was with Martha? He calls you by name. “Martha – Martha!” You are precious to Him in spite of your failings, weaknesses and choices. As we keep inviting Him to our house and we continue serving at His table, He will gently teach us to listen. As we quiet the anxiety that bangs the pots and pans of our everyday life, we will find that we can choose the better part. Just as Mary did, we will find that same blessing as we come to rest and listen at the feet of Jesus Christ.

This week I was so blessed to have Jim and Carolyn to serve the communion at Watermark. It is so important to have helpers who will be like Martha with a willingness to help. It is a precious thing for these brothers and sisters, in long term care to receive something we take for granted every time we are in church. If you would like to learn more about how you can be involved in nursing home ministry, here, is a link to a book I wrote a while back called, “Nursing Home Ministry, the Heart of Jesus Christ.

A Closer Look at Martha and the Old Rugged Cross

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 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. John 11:21

Most people have loved Mary because of her humility and worship, but the Bible tells us that Jesus also loved Martha. I think of Martha as the female version of Peter. She was always saying something! But aren’t you secretly glad that Martha said all those things and asked all the questions that the rest of us were too afraid to voice? Today’s video takes a deeper dive into Martha’s cry for help and how we need that in our lives. This also will give those who follow this blog a peek into our nursing home outreach. I am so thankful that other volunteers have come alongside to help so that we were able to serve communion this Friday. Also included is the classic hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross”. If you would like to know more about nursing home ministry, why not follow our YouTube channel? I hope that you have a blessed weekend!