Day 31: Ew, Barabbas

Luke 23:1-25; Genesis 41; Psalm 32

Herod is actually excited about getting to see Jesus—one of the few leaders in this time that was—but it was more out of interest in the miracles and wonders that Jesus worked, not his message.  It was like Jesus was a circus animal to Herod and he wanted to see him perform.  This is just one of the ways that people abuse God's true identity.  I may not be fully aware or able to understand who God is and what he is capable of, but I know that it is not just some exciting attraction to gape at.

I always disliked Barabbas.  And I'm sure I'm not alone.  He's the murdering crazy man who was set free so that Jesus could take his place and die on the cross.  I picture him as a dirty, stinky, toothless, buffoon, with an evil glint in his eyes, always watching for some vulnerable soul to hurt or steal from.

And yet—I am Barabbas.

I am the person who had been locked up for doing horrible things:  hurting others, prideful attitude, selfish behavior; Jesus set me free, he took my place.  I can’t hate Barabbas, because I am him.  Ugh, that hurts my heart and head.

Some lessons for Joseph’s life:  first, patience.  Things do not occur when I’m sure Joseph wanted or expected, however, Joseph, whether he is waiting patiently or not, learns a lot of respect and reverence while waiting.  Secondly, give credit where credit is due.  God answers our  prayers and provide for us in abundance.  We need to make sure that we praise him for it every day and every moment we think of it.  Third, don’t underestimate the power of God’s plan.  Joseph made a global impact, something he could not have done without living his life in God's hands.

From this psalm we learn of the power of unconfessed sin:  being swept away in a raging flood.  May The Lord reveal our sins so that we can be washed clean and not swept away by them.  Whatever is hiding in our hearts, may the Lord make it known so that we can begin to remove it and not be swept away.

Day 30: When We Are Asleep

Luke 22:39-71; Genesis 40; Psalm 31

The significance of Christ's words “Wake up and pray that you won’t be tested" are powerful. As followers of Jesus, are we sometimes caught asleep. We are not paying attention. Our hearts are uncaring.  And this leads to tests and trials and struggles.  We have got to WAKE UP and STAY AWAKE.  When we fall asleep in our faith, that is when sin enters in, we stop being effective for God's kingdom, and we lose the blessing of Jesus.

Even the people who have come to kill Jesus get an opportunity to see his power and feel his love.  Jesus heals the high priest’s servant’s ear in the midst of his arrest.  Helping, loving, healing, they are so a part of who Jesus is that it is like he cannot help but serve, no matter who the person or what they have done.  May the Lord teach us to love and serve like that—that we care even to people who don’t care about us or in situations where we would typically be more concerned about ourselves.

Jesus says that this is “your time and darkness is in control.” I suppose this means that when the world is turned over to human hands, when God’s presence and care leaves, when Satan is in control, that the most violent and evil things in the world happens?  Humans are capable of such terrible things, and Jesus points that out by this statement.  That this was our (human’s) time and look what was happening.  It's still happening today.  One of the arguments I see over and over, and I suppose it could be true, is that since we cannot pray in schools anymore, we have all these children and teachers being shot, or committing suicide, or pouring out hate on one another.  When we take God out of something, "darkness is in control." Sad, and very scary.

There are so many reasons to honor and love God.  He protects us, answers our prayers, lead us, saves us from sin, and is so trustworthy.  I pray that all the amazing qualities God has will shine through us and that we would get out of the way and not keep them for our own glory.  I pray that God would break us of selfishness and pride so that there is only room for the Lord's goodness and humility.

I pray that no matter what trials may come in our lives, that we would be faithful and joyful because of God's promises to love and save us.  May we put our whole life in his hands—for me that is my husband and marriage, my career, my future children, my friends and family—because God knows so much better how to bless us than we do ourselves and may we trust in him to care for them and lead them.  I pray that our lives would reflect Christ's values and his love, not our own pride.  May we give God all the glory.

Day 29: Faithful in the Little Things

Luke 22:1-38; Genesis 39; Psalm 30

Jesus always sent his disciples to do things without Him. He wanted to show them that with the power of God, they could accomplish things.  It also shows that believers should serve one another.  Just because Jesus isn’t here in the flesh, doesn’t mean he isn’t a part of something.  The man showed the disciples the upper room for them to use, he was generous and offered it for the service of the Lord, even though it was the disciples asking.

Peter was ready to die for you Jesus, but it was a little thing in which he was tempted and failed.  Lord, help me to be faithful in the little things, because if I can do that, then I will learn how to be faithful in the big things.  Help me to be a servant, not expect to be served.

Even in places where we do not expect to be successful or useful, God will put us to use.  Joseph was a servant and then a prisoner and in both unexpected places, he was blessed and God helped him.  The same is true today.  Wherever We are, God will help us and bless us if we are willing to be obedient.

Lord, you have indeed saved me.  You have rescued me from darkness and brought me into the beautiful light.  Lord, I pray that my praise and my prayers are pleasing to you and I ask that you would watch over me and my family.  Show your love in ways that are best for us, as I know you will.  I pray that in my darkest moments, and when those I love are experiencing fear or uncertainty, that we would turn to you and be strengthened by your promises.  Lord, you will never let us down.

Day 28: Give It Up and Just Move

Luke 21; Genesis 38; Psalm 29

The widow gave all she had to God, and I hope that we can have that same kind of abandon with our attitude, wallet, possessions, time, and life.  Jesus talks about how the beautiful stones that were used to build the temple will be destroyed.  Life is not about the material wealth or accumulation that we can gain here on earth because it will not last.  The beauty of a house and its’ niceties are not important.  That was really hard for me to believe a few months ago and I know it was a stumbling block.  I prayed a few months ago that God would help me to not focus on the house size, fanciness, or amenities, but the space in which people can come and enjoy their time.  As I look back on my blogs, I realize that the very situation that Austin and I find ourselves in is EXACTLY what we prayed for.  I was obsessing over the details of our house, being able to afford stuff, online shopping like it was going out of style.  We are moving.  Downsizing.  Reducing the square-footage.  I prayed that God would help my heart to have its priorities right--so God put it on our heart to m-o-o-o-v-e.  I realized that the size of the house or how fancy it was does not make it a home or a place where people can be loved on and hear the message of Jesus.  People can do that in a shack.  So, Austin and I are following God's direction and have sold our nice big house and are moving to one almost half the size.  Why?  Because I want God first--first in my life, my marriage, my finances, my friendships.  That's all there is to it.

Jesus says, “You will soon be set free.” We are all trapped by something and Jesus wants to come and  release us from our sin and pain and human limitations. 

The Lord gives hope to believers that even in times of great suffering and trials, betrayal and pain, he is here with us.  Believers in Christ need not worry, but have hope because Jesus is with us (HE IS WITH US) and we will someday live with him in eternity.  That's the best thing we get from our Savior, but we don’t even deserve that.  May our hearts and lives be transformed so that we do not covet material things, so that we do not worry about status or popularity here on earth, or seek recognition for ourselves.  I thank God for revealing this to me and I pray that He would do the same for you.

Day 27: Issues?

Luke 20:27-47; Genesis 37; Psalm 27

God is Lord of the living, not the dead.  That means that this life and the next one are connected, that people’s eternity starts now, and that there is much to be looked forward to after we die.  That is so cool and so weird and so hard to imagine.  I'm not going to pretend I get it.

Jesus turned the tables on religion and what was/is expected.  The religious leaders who were proud of their religion and status are the ones who Jesus said would be punished, those who judge others and think highly of themselves will be brought low by God's hand.  Humility is such an important characteristic—something I struggle with.  I always thought I was humble, but then I sort of think that I'm "so humble" and try to use it as a crutch or like the Pharisees would, to show how they are better.  That's definitely not what I want to do.  But at the same time, my husband believes that I actually am a humble person and that it has sometimes morphed into a self-confidence issue.

Either way, I know I have issues.

 I need real humility, authenticity, transparency.  I cannot be all about myself and I need to want to make a difference, not to lift myself up.  Instead, my goal is to lift God up.  If I continue to be racked with selfishness or pride or whatever issue is in my heart, then God is not the center of my existence like I had hoped or thought and I am still at the center.  Maybe I'm the only one that feels this way, but somehow, I doubt that.

May the Lord teach us how to humble ourselves while still praising him for how he has created us.  I’m not sure how that happens or what that looks like, but I know that God will reveal that in time.  Joseph learns the hard way not to elevate oneself, but to thank God for the gifts he gives.