Musings from My Sun Porch

Author: The Sun Porch Lady

  • El ROI, the God Who Sees Us

    After Sarai gave her maidservant, Hagar, to her husband, Abraham, to help God fulfill His promise of an heir, Hagar became pregnant.  That pregnancy created tension between Sarai and Hagar, and even though Sarai was the instigator, she focused her anger and jealousy on Hagar.  Ultimately, Hagar ran from her mistress and ended up in the desert.  There she had a divine encounter.

    As Hagar sat by a spring in the desert, homeless and with little hope for the future, an angel of the Lord appeared to her.  He began the conversation by asking her where she came from and where she was going (Genesis 16:8).  As the messenger of God, who is all-knowing, the angel already knew the answers, so why ask? Perhaps it was to force her to confront her situation.  Very often, we like to ignore problems and hope they will go away.  By forcing Hagar to articulate her situation, God forced her to face the consequences of her decision to flee.

    Then, the angel instructed Hagar to return to Sarai and be submissive to her.  That would have been a hard pill to swallow, but the angel also added a promise.  “I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count” (Genesis 16:10 NIV84). He went on to name her child, Ishmael. and describe both his personality and his relationship with his brothers. 

    It was at that moment that Hagar gave God a new name, one that is used only once in all of Scripture.  El Roi—the God who sees me.  It was this slave girl at her lowest point in life who realized that the Mighty Creator God sees us as individuals.  That name encapsulates so much of our relationship with God.  He is present in our situations, both good and bad, just as He was with Hagar.  He may allow us to endure difficult times, but we can have the complete assurance that He is with us.  He saw Hagar in that desert just as He sees us in our families, our workplaces, and in our relationships.  Sometimes, He may force us to face our trials rather than ignore them, but He knows that we can’t run away from them.

    Surrendering control to God is not easy, but learning to trust Him in all situations is part of our growth as believers.  We may not always understand His instructions, but we can trust that His timing and His directions are perfect.  Knowing that He “sees” us and knows everything about us is a comfort even in the worst of times.  When times get hard, consider this: The Mighty Creator God “sees” you!  He knows everything about you, and He has your best interests at heart.  He is truly El Roi, the God who sees you!

    Genesis 16:1 – 16

  • The Faithfulness of God

    We often talk about our faith, the trust we have in our God and Savior.  We remember the faith of those who have gone before us and those who have instilled that same faith in us.  Faith and faithfulness are key attributes of our life in Christ.  However, we sometimes overlook our Father’s faithfulness.  We serve a faithful God!

    “Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22, 23 NIV84).

    “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago” (Isaiah 25:1 NIV84).

    “For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does” (Psalm 33:4 NIV84).

    “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one” (II Thessalonians 3:3 NIV84).

    “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9 NIV84).

    “If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself” (II Timothy 2:13 NIV84).

    “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23 NIV84).

    “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful (I Corinthians 1:9 NIV84).

    I can testify that my God is faithful.  He has walked with me through some of the most difficult challenges of my life.  Not only did He bring me through those trials, but He made me stronger in my faith and in my faithfulness to Him.  We can depend on His presence in our lives.  We can trust His promises.  We can be assured that the hope we have in Him is real.  He is faithful! The only question is: will we be faithful to Him?

  • Improving Our Prayer Life

    Last weekend, I attended a Prayer Conference, and today I would like to share some of the things that I learned.

    • Your prayer life will look different as you mature spiritually.  Just as we relate to people differently as we grow, we will also relate to God differently.
    • The foundation for a vibrant prayer life is understanding that God is our Father.  It is a love relationship, and answers to our prayers are our Father’s personal expression of His love for us.
    • Good Fathers both love and hold their children accountable.  Though God loves us, we must also “fear” Him, as our fear is an acknowledgment of God as the authority over our lives.  He is a good Father, and prayer is how we express our understanding of Him. 
    • Rejoice in the Lord! We should be so enthralled with our Father that we constantly look for reasons to give Him thanks.
    • Confession and repentance should be “God-focused.”  If our emphasis is on our guilt, we are “me-focused.”  Being sorry that we have grieved our Father moves us toward a “God-focused” repentance.
    • Remember that Jesus answered every crazy question the Disciples asked.  His answers were not always what they wanted, but He answered.  He will answer us also! His answers will be such that we can understand who He is and what His purpose is.
    • Our God, who hears our requests, is present, all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly good!
    • We need to pray for one another.  When we pray together and God answers our requests, it creates a community of gratitude.  You cannot see God move at the level you desire unless you are praying with and for others.
    • Working with God is essential to a relationship with Him.  God answers at any level of spiritual maturity, but power in prayer occurs when we work with our Father in the assignments He gives us.
    • Working with God can change the way we pray, as it changes our outlook as we consider what we can do for Him.  It also causes us to listen more, and we are more likely to hear what God is saying and accept His answer. 

    I hope this message will help each of us to have a more vibrant and powerful prayer life.

  • Promise Keeper

    As some people claimed that the Apostles were drunk, Peter stood up, representing the other eleven.  All thoughts of his denial and desertion were long gone.  He was now ready to assume a position of leadership.  The “old” Peter would probably have argued with the hecklers or even challenged them with a sword.  The “new” Peter had a different tactic.  He used the Word of God. 

    Peter told the crowd there was no reason to be surprised.  This anointing of the Holy Spirit was exactly what the prophet Joel had foretold hundreds of years before.  Joel had prophesied that God would pour out His Spirit and that the Holy Spirit would be for all people (Joel 2:28 – 29).  Peter informed the crowd that this prophecy had now come true, another reminder that God keeps His promises. 

    The promises of God are key to our faith and trust in Him.  As believers in His Son, Jesus Christ, here are just a few of the promises that we can be assured He will keep.

    • If we come to Him, He will give us rest (Matthew 11:28).
    • He has come to give us life to the fullest (John 10:10).
    • He is preparing a place for us and will return for us someday (John 14:2, 3).
    • He comforts us in our troubles (II Corinthians 1:3, 4).
    • We are new creations in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17).
    • He will complete the work that He began in us (Philippians 1:6).
    • His peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
    • He will meet our needs (Philippians 4:19).
    • He has given us new birth into an inheritance that will never perish, spoil, or fade (I Peter 1:3, 4).
    • If we ask anything, according to His will, He hears us and will provide what we ask (I John 5:14, 15).

    The promises of God are precious blessings for His people.  He is not fickle. He does not change like shifting sand. “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind” (Numbers 23:19 NIV84). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV84).

    We serve a God who keeps His promises.  Peter boldly proclaimed that to the people on the day of Pentecost, and we can stand on those promises today!  If He said it, believe it!  It will come to pass in His time.

    Read: Joel 2:28 – 29 & Acts 2:14 – 21

    Food for Thought:

    • Do you believe the promises of God?  If not, why not?  If so, do you live as though you believe them?

  • Responding to God’s Power

    After the Holy Spirit came upon the Disciples, they “began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:4b NIV84).  The people who heard them were Jews from various parts of the then-known world, and as they listened, they were both “bewildered” and “amazed”. They knew the Disciples were Galileans, largely uneducated, and what we might call “country bumpkins,” so to hear them speak in various languages seemed utterly preposterous. 

    Even so, they understood enough to recognize that the Disciples were praising God. Some of the people said, “…We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” (Acts 2:11b NIV84). However, they had no idea what it all meant. There were others in the crowd who were hecklers.  They weren’t about to believe, no matter what the Disciples said.  They even claimed that the Disciples must be drunk.

    We’ve all probably experienced similar reactions to the miracles of God in our own lives.  When God moves in mighty ways, some marvel at His power and praise Him for His goodness, while others scoff at His power and credit humans with His miracles.  The latter are the ones who not only doubt but attempt to humiliate those who believe in His power.  They may not call us drunk, but they won’t hesitate to call us Bible Thumpers, or Goody Two-Shoes, or Holier-than-Thou, or fanatics.  Unfortunately, some of us probably fall somewhere between these two groups.

    My questions for myself and for you are: Are you actively looking for the power of God in your life?  You may not see Him cause people to speak in other languages or cause a crippled man to walk, but be assured that He is working in power in mighty ways.  Do you purposely look for answers to your prayers, or do you credit His healings to the medical experts?  When hecklers challenge your faith, do you stand firm, as Peter did, or do you hang your head and slowly slip away, hoping you won’t be noticed? 

    Those are questions that can only be answered between each individual and God.  The Psalmist, David, said it like this, “Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. …I wash my hand in innocence, and go about your altar, O Lord, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds” (Psalm 26:2 -3, 6 – 7 NIV84.  We can be amazed at the power of our mighty God, or we can sneak away when faced with the unbelief of hecklers.  It’s our choice!

    Read: Acts 2:4 – 13 & Psalm 26

    Food for Thought

    • When you pray for God to move in your life or the life of others, do you look for where He is working?  If not, what do you need to do differently?
    • How can you respond with the love of Jesus to those who “heckle” your belief?

  • A Violent Wind from Heaven

    Jesus’ followers remained in Jerusalem until the Day of Pentecost, ten days after His ascension.  On that day, “suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2 NIV84). Immediately, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus had promised.

    So, who is the Holy Spirit?  He is the third member of the Trinity, but for many of us, this anointing on the day of Pentecost is our first realization of Him and His power.  We don’t seem to catch the fact that He was there at the beginning when “the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:2b NIV84). He was there when Elizabeth proclaimed that Mary’s child was the Messiah (Luke 1:41).  He was there when Simeon declared “my eyes have seen … your salvation” (Luke 2:27, 30 NIV84) as baby Jesus was presented at the Temple.  He was there when Jesus was baptized (Luke 3:22), and He was the power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:19, 20). 

    He is also the gift we receive when we accept Christ as Lord and are baptized with Him (Acts 2:38).  Why then does He remain a mystery to us?  Perhaps it’s because His power and purpose remain a mystery.  Jesus prepared the Apostles and us for the Holy Spirit, and it is from His teaching that we gain a better understanding of who the Holy Spirit is.  During Jesus’ last message before His death, He promised to send the Holy Spirit who would be “a Counselor to be with you forever” (John 14:16b NIV84).  He explained that the Counselor or Helper would teach and remind us of Jesus’ teachings.  He also convicts the world of guilt and guides us in all truth.

    Life is not always easy, but it should be a comfort to know that we have a “Helper” who is constantly by our side.  He will help us understand the Truth of the Scriptures, and as we grow, He will reveal more and more Truth. We are not alone!  The power that raised Jesus from the dead now dwells in us.  What a blessing the Holy Spirit is to us!

    Read: Acts 2:1 – 4, John 14:15 – 21 & 25 – 27, and John 16:5 – 16

    Food for Thought:

    • What do you know about the Holy Spirit?  How can you get to know Him better?
    • How has the Holy Spirit been your Helper and Guide? Share your experiences with someone else.

  • A New Chapter Begins

    After Jesus ascended into heaven, the Disciples returned to Jerusalem.  Jesus had told them to wait there until they received the gift of the Holy Spirit, which He had promised to them.  They had no idea how long they would have to wait.  He had given them a mission to spread the Good News, but now they had to wait. 

    I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been good at waiting.  This year will mark the 50th year since I took the bar exam.  I endured those two days of torture in the middle of July, but it wasn’t until mid-October that I finally received the results.  Those were approximately three months of agony as I wondered if I had passed.  Thankfully, the results were good, and I was finally sworn in as an attorney on October 21, 1976.  Still, that was some of the most difficult “waiting” that I have ever experienced. 

    You’ve probably had similar waiting periods—waiting for your wedding date, or the birth of your first child, or some other milestone.  Sometimes we can tie ourselves in knots, just waiting.

    The Disciples had no way of knowing that they would only have to wait ten days until the day of Pentecost.  Jesus didn’t give them a schedule, so they just had to wait patiently.  Unlike many of us, who tend to waste our “wait time” by stewing and stressing, they put their “wait time” to good use.  The Disciples took two important steps while they waited.

    First, “They all joined together constantly in prayer” (Acts 1:14a NIV84).  They didn’t waste the time.  They put it to good use by praying to the Father.  They had no idea of what to expect, so talking with the One who did know was the logical step. The men were joined by other followers of Jesus, including His mother and His brothers.

    Secondly, they realized that Judas’ position as an Apostle needed to be filled.  This new Disciple had to meet certain criteria, including being a witness to all that Jesus had done and taught.  Two men were eligible but knowing that this choice was too important to leave to their own desires, they sought God’s guidance in making the final decision.  He chose Matthias to fill the vacancy.

    My point is that “waiting” is not a time to be idle.  There is still work to be done.  When you are not sure of the next step, then keep doing the last thing that God has led you to do.  Most importantly, make sure that you bathe your “wait time” in prayer.  The answer will come in God’s timing, which is always perfect.

    Read: Acts 1: 1 – 26

    Food for Thought:

    • What are you waiting for?  What should you do while you wait?

  • Passion Week – The Fortieth Day!

    Passion Week was a week of celebration, followed by turmoil, uncertainty, and profound grief for those who followed Jesus.  Thankfully, a celebration like none before or after began the new week, as the resurrected Christ made Himself known to the world. 

    During the forty days following His resurrection, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene and the other women, Peter, the two travelers on the road to Emmaus, ten disciples, then to the eleven, to seven disciples while they were fishing, to more than 500 people, to his half-brother, James, and finally to the group that was gathered with Him at the Mount of Olives on the fortieth day.  That is quite a group that gave testimony to Christ’s resurrection!  He is risen indeed!

    On that fortieth day, Jesus commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the gift of the Holy Spirit, which He had promised to them.  They needed the power that the Holy Spirit would provide to “…be [His] witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8b NIV84).

    Then another miracle occurred.  Jesus ascended into heaven right before them, and as they watched, two angels appeared, bringing a promise for them and for us.

    “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11 NIV84 emphasis added).

    The Resurrection of Jesus Christ gives us victory over sin and death, but the fact that Jesus is coming again is the ultimate climax to the greatest story ever told.  Sin created a great divide between God and man.  Jesus came to earth as a human being, lived a life free of sin, willingly gave His life on the cross to pay the debt that we could not pay, was resurrected, and then, God’s plan gets even better!  Jesus is coming again!

    The story is far from finished.  The mission continues, but one of these days, Jesus is going to return the same way that He left.  The question is: will we be ready?

    Read: Luke 24:50 – 52; Acts 1:1 – 11; & John 21:24, 25

    Food for Thought:

    • God’s plan to cross the great divide that sin created only requires us to accept His Son as our Lord and Savior.  If you haven’t taken that step yet, don’t hesitate.  Time keeps moving towards that great day of Jesus’ return.  Don’t get left behind.
    • Do you believe Jesus is coming again?  If so, what are you doing to be ready?

    For a fictional perspective on Jesus’ ascension into heaven, read Chapter 24 of The Shepherd’s Quest, by Elaine C. Duncan, available on Amazon.

  • Passion Week – The Next Forty Days

    After the Resurrected Christ revealed Himself to His disciples, His mission continued.  He had come to reconcile the world to Himself, but His death and resurrection were only the first steps.  The world still had to be told the Good News!  Jesus purposely extended His stay on this earth to prepare His disciples for their mission.

    He began by wiping away Peter’s guilt and shame.  He gently forgave and restored him by asking him three times to “feed my lambs”.  Many of the disciples were present, so Jesus’ message of forgiveness was probably not lost on them.  After all, they had also deserted Him. 

    With the restoration complete, the real teaching began.  Jesus had taught them much during His three years of ministry, but it was often beyond their understanding.  After the resurrection, Jesus “opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45a NIV84). Then, He gave them the mission that would change the world.

     “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19, 20 NIV84).

    That “Great Commission” was not just for the Disciples.  It is still the commission of every Christian today.  We have an obligation to take the Gospel to distant lands, but I submit that we also have an obligation to those around us.  There is someone in our family, our work, our school, or our neighborhood who needs Jesus.  It is our responsibility to take the Gospel message to them.  The Disciples boldly took the Good News to the farthest corners of the then-known world.  They did so, knowing the danger that every day brought.  They did so willingly because they knew that only Jesus offers hope, peace, and eternal salvation.  That message hasn’t changed.  Isn’t it time that we proclaimed the saving grace of Jesus Christ to a world that is lost?

    Read: Matthew 28:16 – 20, Luke 24:44 – 49, & John 21:15 – 25

    Food for Thought:

    • Who do you know who needs Jesus?  What can you do to introduce them to your Savior? Hint: Begin with prayer.
    • How do you perceive your role in fulfilling the Great Commission?  What do you need to change (i.e., thinking, use of resources, boldness) to be more persistent in spreading the Gospel message?

    For one fictional account of the days after the Resurrection, read Chapter 23 of The Shepherd’s Quest, by Elaine C. Duncan, available on Amazon.

  • Passion Week – Rescued!

    We woke up this Easter morning to learn that one of our brave servicemen had been rescued from behind enemy lines.  Some are calling it the greatest military rescue of all time.  Others referred to it as an Easter miracle.

    While I rejoice and give thanks that this serviceman has been rescued, I can’t let it obscure or diminish the greatest rescue the world has ever known.  Easter is the reminder that El Shaddai, the Mighty God, stepped out of the splendor of heaven, lived a sinless life, died a cruel death, and rose again, victorious over sin and death!

    Why?  Jesus’ sacrifice had one purpose: to save us from the eternal destiny we each deserve.  He didn’t have to leave Heaven.  He chose to.  He didn’t have to stay on that cross. He chose to.  He came on a mission to rescue us, and He didn’t stop until He had completed it.

    Our military has a slogan, “No man left behind!” God had that slogan first.

    “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV84).

    “This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:3, 4 NIV84).

    The only thing that can prevent our rescue is us.  God has set the rescue in motion.  We only must allow Him to rescue us by accepting His Son as our Rescuer.  If you do not yet know Christ as Lord of your life, don’t wait another day.  There will come a day when rescue is no longer possible.  Accept the lifeline that God has extended to you.

    Today and every day, give thanks that God did not abandon us in our sin.  He did not forget us.  He rescued us!  No one left behind because of the blood of Jesus!

  • Passion Week – The Messiah Lives!

    As the hours passed that Sunday in Jerusalem, doubts and anguish continued.  Most of the Apostles hovered together in a locked room because they feared further repercussions from the Jews (John 20:19).  Then, as evening closed in, everything changed!

    First, two of Jesus’ followers came to report an encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13 – 35).  While the disciples were still giving their two friends the “third-degree” about what they had seen and heard, suddenly, there was Jesus standing among them.  The door was still locked, but He was there!  His heart was beating, He was breathing, and then He said, “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36b NIV84).  He showed them His hands and feet and ate a piece of broiled fish.  He is alive!

    His miraculous appearance concluded with a reminder of what had been written in the Scriptures, “The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46, 47 NIV84).

    Unfortunately, some still doubt the truth of the resurrection.  I am not one of them.  The greatest proof for me, aside from the Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit, is the testimony of eleven men who were tortured and imprisoned, and except for John, martyred for their faith.  I doubt that you can find eleven men who can keep a secret for very long under any circumstances but knowing that the “secret” would cost them their lives reinforces the truth of their testimonies.  They lived and died teaching the certainty of Jesus’ resurrection.  It is true: The Messiah lives!

    “Death has been swallowed up in victory.

    Where, O death is your victory?

    Where, O death is your sting?

    …Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:54b, 55, & 57 NIV84)

    Read: Luke 24:13 – 47, John 20:19 – 31, and I Corinthians 15:50 – 58

    Food for Thought:

    • What does it mean to you personally that the Messiah is alive?
    • Do you live your life in a way that reflects your belief in the truth of the resurrection?

    For one fictional perspective on realizing that Jesus was alive, read Chapter 22 of The Shepherd’s Quest, by Elaine C. Duncan, available on Amazon.

  • Passion Week – He is Risen?

    As the sun rose that Sunday morning in Jerusalem, the ladies who had followed Jesus had one thing on their mind.  Their Lord deserved a proper burial, and so they set out for the tomb, carrying additional spices to anoint Jesus’ body. 

    They knew that moving the stone would not be easy, but when they arrived, they found the stone had been moved and a man, dressed in white, who said, “Don’t be alarmed, he said, “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.  He has risen! He is not here” (Mark 16:6 NIV84).  Those are some of the most powerful words in all of Scripture, but what did they mean to those women and to those who had loved and followed Jesus?

    The Scripture tells us that the women were “trembling and bewildered” (Mark 16:8).  They fled from the scene, and “said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid” (Mark 16:8 NIV84).  Not all the women were terrified, and Luke tells us that “they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others” (Luke 24:9 NIV84).

    Still, they didn’t understand the significance of the empty tomb.  After Peter and John went to the tomb to see for themselves, Peter “went away, wondering to himself what had happened” (Luke 24:12b NIV84).  John’s account tells us that, “They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead” (John 20:9 NIV84).  When Mary Magdalene gave her personal account of her encounter with the risen Savior, Mark tells us that the Disciples did not believe her (Mark 16:11). 

    Meanwhile, an empty tomb created a whole new set of problems for the Religious Leaders, so they conspired with the Roman soldiers to say that the disciples had stolen the body (Matthew 28:11 – 15).  Some still believe that story today.

    That Sunday morning must have been one of mixed emotions among the followers of Jesus.  We can only imagine the grief mixed with joy, the hope coupled with apprehension, and the wonder tempered by caution.  The Victory had been won, but for many, that Sunday morning was filled with questions.

    Read: Matthew 28:1 – 15; Mark 16:1 – 11; Luke 24:1 – 12; and John 20:1 – 18

    Food for Thought:

    • If you had been one of the disciples that Sunday morning, how do you think you would have responded when you saw the empty tomb?
    • Many people still question that empty tomb.  How can we help them to see the truth that Jesus is alive?

    For a fictional perspective on the events of that Sunday, read Chapter 21 of The Shepherd’s Quest, by Elaine C. Duncan, available on Amazon.

  • Passion Week – A Shabbat Like No Other

    As Joseph and Nicodemus hurried to lay Jesus’ body to rest that Friday afternoon, sundown quickly approached, meaning that Shabbat—the Jewish Sabbath was about to begin.  The men wrapped His body in strips of linen and anointed it with spices, while the women looked on.  Then, the stone was rolled in place.

    The Sabbath Day was, and is, a sacred day of remembrance.  God had originally commanded the Jews to do no work on that day, and over the years, the religious leaders had taken that to such an extreme that very little activity was allowed.  As a result, the Sabbath had become a time of family gathering, relaxation, and joy as well as intentional worship. 

    On that Sabbath Day, we can only imagine the thoughts and emotions of Mary, the disciples, and all who loved and followed Jesus.  The Scripture is silent as to their actions, but we know that Mary’s son was dead. The disciples’ friend was dead. The Messiah was dead! 

    As they honored God by remembering His miraculous deliverances over centuries, did they also remember Christ’s words on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:37 NIV84).  Did they echo that same cry?  Or did they recall the words of David, “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer” (Psalm 61:1 NIV84)?

    Did they cower in fear, seeking the Lord’s protection from those who had just murdered their friend?  Did they collapse in grief, not just at the loss of a loved one but in the reality that most of them had abandoned Him in His hour of need? 

    Most importantly, did they ever recall His words of prophecy, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Luke 9:22 NIV84 emphasis added)? Was there any hope left or just grief and sorrow?  The only thing we know for certain is that it was a Shabbat like no other.

    Read: Exodus 20:8 -11; Psalm 61; Luke 9:22; Matthew 16:21; and Mark 8:31

    Food for Thought:

    • Have you ever felt forsaken by God?  If so, how did you respond?  How should you respond?
    • Have you experienced guilt at the death of a loved one?  If so, how can you find forgiveness through your faith in Christ?

    For one fictional perspective on that Sabbath Day, read Chapters 19 and 20 of The Shepherd’s Quest, by Elaine C. Duncan, available on Amazon.

  • Passion Week – What Good is a Dead Messiah?

    After Pilate handed down his sentence, the Messiah was turned over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified, the most painful death ever created by mankind. Many people were present to witness His final breath.  Some of them cheered and mocked His demise.  Others stood helpless as their friend took His last breath. 

    Simon, the father of Rufus and Alexander, was forced to carry Christ’s cross.  We know little about him, so we can’t say whether he knew Christ or if he was just caught up in the moment.  Two robbers, legitimately sentenced for their crimes, were on crosses to the right and left of Jesus.  One mocked Him. The other begged for mercy. 

    The crowd was filled with onlookers who hurled insults at Jesus, challenging Him to save Himself.  I wonder if some of them were there six days earlier, cheering His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  The chief priests, teachers of the law, and elders wouldn’t have missed this event for anything.  It was the moment they had been dreaming of for three years.  They added their insults and protested when Pilate placed a sign that read, “King of the Jews”. Not all the crowd was negative.  Even one of the soldiers who had earlier beaten and mocked Him, ultimately proclaimed, “Surely, he was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54b NIV84).

    There were also mourners, people who had loved and followed Jesus, and who believed that He was the Son of God.  Jesus’ mother, Mary, was present.  Did she recall the words of Simeon, “and a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:35b NIV84) as she watched her son in pain and agony?  John was the only apostle present, and as he watched in horror, Jesus entrusted His mother’s care to His friend.  Many women who had traveled with Jesus and the disciples were also present: Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James and Joses, the mother of James and John, Salome, and others   

    All these people, except for the soldiers, had spent their entire lives looking for the Messiah.  Some of them had come to believe that Jesus was the Christ; others did everything they could to disprove that possibility.  Now, as He hung on that cross with the life draining out of Him, the utmost thought in most of their minds may have been, “What good is a dead Messiah?”

    Read: Matthew 27:32 – 61; Mark 15:21 – 47; Luke 23:26 – 56; & John 19:17 – 42

    Food for Thought:

    • As you read the accounts of the crucifixion, what are your thoughts about Jesus’ sacrifice for us?
    • Jesus’ followers had no hope that day, only grief.  Give thanks that we know that “Sunday’s coming” and have the hope that Jesus’ resurrection brings.

    For one fictional perspective of an onlooker to the crucifixion, read Chapter 18 of The Shepherd’s Quest by Elaine C. Duncan, available on Amazon.

  • Passion Week – Who is Barabbas?

    As that Thursday evening came to a close, Judas, representatives of the Chief Priests, and a detachment of Roman soldiers found Jesus and the disciples near the Mount of Olives.  After His arrest, Jesus endured an illegal trial by the Sanhedrin, which resulted in the inevitable verdict of “guilty.” Knowing that they could not legally put a man to death, the Religious Leaders, in the early morning hours of Friday, brought Him to Pilate to pronounce the death sentence. 

    That brief hearing bore no resemblance to a trial, because the charges against Jesus were frivolous.  When Pilate asked about the charges, the response was simply, “If He weren’t a criminal, we wouldn’t be here” (John 18:30).  Pilate briefly interviewed Jesus, but ultimately concluded, “I find no basis for a charge against him” (John 18:38b NIV84).

    Pilate offered to punish Jesus and let Him go, but that did not appease the crowd.  In one last effort to spare Jesus’ life, Pilate reminded them of his custom of releasing a prisoner in celebration of the Passover Feast.  Pilate gave them a choice between Jesus and a man named Barabbas, who had committed murder during an insurrectionist uprising (Mark 15:7).  To Pilate, it seemed like an obvious choice, but the people were adamant that he release Barabbas and crucify Christ. So, on that day, Barabbas, the one who was guilty of the charges against him, was released, and Jesus was sentenced to death. Jesus paid the price that Barabbas owed.

    We are “Barabbas”.  We, too, are guilty.  Paul makes it clear that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NIV84). The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23).  Barabbas didn’t deserve to be freed that day.  He deserved to be punished for his crimes.  We do not deserve eternal life; our sins have condemned us.  Yet, in His great mercy and grace, Jesus took our place, just as He did for Barabbas.  It wasn’t those Jewish leaders or those Roman officials who hung Him on that tree.  It was us!  It was our sins that drove the nails!  Thankfully, it was His love that held Him there!

    Read: Mark 14:43 – 15:15 & John 18

    Food for Thought:

    • Have you ever considered who is to blame for Christ’s crucifixion?  Did you make the connection that we are ultimately responsible?
    • Have you ever been unjustly accused of something?  Jesus remained silent.  How would you respond?

    For one fictional perspective on Jesus’ appearance before Pilate, read Chapter 17 of The Shepherd’s Quest by Elaine C. Duncan, available on Amazon.