AN ILLUSION

A long time ago, the entertainment, at a Christmas party, was a magician.  I enjoy magicians because I want to know, “How did you do that?”  I was enjoying the show.  Then he pointed at me.

“I want you to catch this new deck of imaginary cards,” he said.  With that, he threw the deck straight at me.  Of course, I caught it.  “Please take the cards out of the box.”  I did as instructed.  Since it was a new deck, I first took the wrapping off.  Made a big deal about that.  I put the wrapper on the table and tried to open the box.  Had a bit of trouble with the protective tab, but I finally got that peeled back and the cards out of the box.

“Hold up the deck for everyone to see.”  I held it high.  “Now, pick one card.”  I did.  “Show the card to the audience.”  I held the card up and turned it so everyone could see it.  “Now put the card back in the deck and put the deck back in the box.”  I made a really big deal of putting the imaginary cards back into the imaginary box.  I even secured the box with the tab.  “Please toss the deck to me.”  I did.

The magician put the imaginary cards into his pocket and picked up a deck of real cards.  He then asked me some questions.  “Have you and I met?”  No.  “Have I even talked to you before the show?”  No.  “Did you throw back the same deck that I threw to you?”  Yes.

He then took the real cards out of the box and said, “You are the only person who knows what card you picked.  Would you tell us what that card is?”  As I was getting ready to tell him the card, he took a card out of the deck.  I answered, “2 of Diamonds.”  He then turned the card around: a 2 of diamonds.

HOW DID HE DO THAT?  I have no idea.  Maybe, when I showed the card for all to see, he had a way of seeing through the back of the invisible card.  Magic?  An illusion?

Ohhhhhh, Satan is the master of magic and illusion.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made.  He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

 

Genesis 3:1

Satan deceives today and still uses the question, “Did God really say ….” He will turn words around to make sin seem normal.  Acceptable.  And, just like Eve, we listen.  Then we sin.

And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

 

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

 

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Genesis 3:11-13

Also, like Eve, we try to blame others or make excuses:

• Everyone is doing it, so it must be okay.
• It is a small thing.  It didn’t hurt anyone.
• God will forgive me.  I might as well have fun.
• The minister had said, if I pray hard, everything I want will come to me.  Why did I not get the job?  Or win the Powerball?  Or be healed?

Satan will deceive you and he will use whatever illusion works.  Be prepared.  Stand on the Word.  Hold ministers and teachers accountable.  Practice saying, “NO!”

 

  

 OUR WALK

I have thought long and hard on how to end this series, which I hope helped you “see” the people in the Bible.  People who were real, who were searching for answers, and each had a walk to take.

Mary’s path was hard.  She knew her son was not hers alone.  She knew he would take a walk that she could not take with him.  She shed tears.

Jesus’ walk ….  How do you even begin to think about Jesus’ walk? He walked as a humble servant of his Heavenly Father.  He walked with determination and purpose.  He walked with love to tell the Good News.

And the crowds.  The crowds walked to find him.  To hear him.  To find eternal life.

When is something right also wrong?  There was no shame in the steps of those who followed the law.  What did they have to feel shameful for? They could have thrown the rock.  They can charge fees.  It is legal and there is nothing shameful about their work.  Or so they thought.

Some walks are not honest or even borderline honest.  Those walks are evil and taken in the dark, in the shadows, or on the edge of the crowds.  Satan sets the hook and reels in those that walk in the shadows.  He will help them justify their actions.

Once again, we saw Jesus walking.  Walking to a place of quiet.  A place to pray.

BUT what about our walk? Years from now, if someone is sitting at their desk, reading an article about a portion of your life or reading your whole life story, how would they describe you?

My life?  My story?  I am sure it would begin:  A baby was born, in a small town, with eyes that see beyond the words on a page, ears that hear the stories of others, a nose that could sneeze with abandon, hands that wrote a blog to help her understand life, and a mouth that never knew when to shut up.  I put that last in to see if you were still reading.

Now for the real description.  How would I be described?  I have no idea!  It is hard to look at yourself realistically.  My story would have times I was walking toward Jesus and times I was hanging around the edges.  Not because I wanted to do evil or because Satan had his hook in me, but because I wasn’t sure where I fit in.  There are times when I thought what I was doing was perfectly fine.  As my faith grew, I realized legal/perfectly fine might just not be the right answer on judgment day.

And my walk continues.  

And your walk continues.

JESUS WALKS TO A QUIET PLACE

Walking, preaching, healing, resting and starting all over again the next day.  I have often wondered if Jesus felt ….. Of course not. 

Take a sip of your coffee and picture the sun coming up.  It is a beautiful morning.  Very early.  Jesus left the house without waking his disciples.  And he walked toward the morning sun.  I picture him stopping, looking around, hearing the birds, feeling a gentle breeze, and then no sound at all.  Just quiet.  As if nature held its breath, waiting to hear Jesus pray. 

My Father …  What beautiful words must have followed his greeting.  Words from deep within his soul.  Praises.  Petitions.  A conversation that can only be held between God and His Son. 

Again, Jesus goes to pray.  The disciples were crossing the lake and all the people had been sent home.  Jesus walks into the hills.  I wonder if he took his time.  I wonder if he sang or whistled.  Did he start praying as he walked?  Did he tell His Father about the children who gave him hugs?  Did he smile as he wondered if the disciples would ever totally understand?  “Yes, Father.  I will have patience with them.”  Did he even notice when the day ended and the night began? 

The disciples listened as Jesus prayed to be glorified.  As he prayed for them.  As he prayed for all believers.  Then they followed Jesus.  Jesus walked, knowing this would be his final prayer on the Mount of Olives.  “Father, if you are willing….”  “Not my will, but yours be done.”

Jesus walked to preach, to heal, to teach, and to pray.  We each have a walk to take.

SCRIPTURES REFERENCED:  Mark 1:35, Matthew 14:23, Luke 22:39-45

Four Gospels.  Each written to guide us.  Each writer considered Jesus praying after the Last Supper and in the garden important.  Jesus prayed that final time:  Matthew 26:36-45, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46 and John 17

THEY ARE WALKING IN THE SHADOWS

As Jesus walked in the light, others were walking in the shadows.  Their lifestyle was threatened.  The very words they said were being called deceitful.  The positions they held, in the community and the temple, were being questioned.  Their traditions were being tossed aside.  HOW DARE HE!!!

The Pharisees, teachers of the law, and Sadducees watched and waited for an occasion to accuse Jesus of any small infraction.  Sometimes they were out in the open, but many times, they stood in the shadows waiting to trap Jesus.  Their hate was rooted in self-preservation and their anger was evil.

Can you see them?  Don’t just read the words.  Picture their eyes, hard and cold.  See how they clinch their fists and hold tightly to a section of their robe, as if that would control their anger.  Look at how they straighten their back to try and stand taller than Jesus, so he has to look up to them.  Watch as they plot and look for an excuse to kill Jesus.

“How dare he?  Did you hear this Jesus say we don’t practice what we preach?  Wear fancy robes.  He has no respect for the law.  HE MUST BE STOPPED!”

“We need more than the time the disciples did not wash their hands before eating,” said a Pharisee.  Can you hear the frustration in his voice?

The teacher of the law reminded them, “He talked to the Samaritan woman and he ate with sinners.  Do the people not see this?”

The Sadducees added, “He refused to show us a sign from heaven.  He is not blessed by G-D.”

The Pharisees met to plot a trap for Jesus by asking a question about a coin.  They were sure they would succeed, but they had to report back that Jesus had answered in such a way that they were even amazed.

The leading priests were jumping with joy.  “We finally have him.  30 pieces of silver.  Why didn’t we try to find a disgruntled disciple before?  That was almost too easy.  And it will be finished by Passover.”

And under the shadow of darkness, Jesus was arrested

They walked in the dark, on the edge, and in the shadows, but, over and over, Jesus ignored them and found quiet places to talk to His Father.

SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: Matthew 23:11-7, Mark 7:4-8, John 4:9-11, Matthew 16:1, John 10:22-39, Matthew 12:14, 38, Mark 11:18, Matthew 22:15-22, Matthew 26:14-16, John 18:1-7

 

 

WALKING AND FEELING NO  SHAME

Do you see the man picking up a rock?  He juggled it, as if to see how it felt in his hand.  Does he collect rocks?  No.  He wanted to be ready.  A woman caught in adultery was brought before Jesus and the law says to stone her.  The teachers of the law and the Pharisees were waiting to see what Jesus would say.  The man juggled the rock again. 

The teacher of the law was full of himself.  He had an honored seat at last night’s banquet and was wearing his newest robe.  No one would miss him, as he walked down the streets.  “I might just feel a prayer coming on.  I will offer a most wonderful prayer outside the marketplace,” he thought.  His morning was going as planned.  He even hoped his prayer would be a comfort to the homeless widow. 

There he sat.  Over by the door.  A change box all ready and a hidden bag for his profit.  A religious holiday always made for a heavy pouch of money.  Of course, those foreign coins could not be used to pay the temple tax.  Those coins had the images of evil spirits.  Or foreign gods.  Was he cheating people?  Taking advantage of them?  He shook the idea out of his head.  This is strictly business and, if they don’t like the fee he charges for exchanging their coins, they can go somewhere else.  Giggling, oh right.  There is no other place for exchanging coins. 

Three examples of people walking with no shame.  They are not breaking the law.  The law says to stone the woman.  The law says it is perfectly legal to assist the widow and charge exorbitant fees, until she has nothing left except her home.  Even that can legally be taken from her.  So many people are coming into town to attend Passover.  They are coming from other areas, and the money changer is providing a service.  He is not doing anything illegal. 

Three examples of people walking with no shame. 

… and he dropped his rock.  There would be no stoning today.

… and a widow is homeless.  But, the teacher of the law feels no guilt.

… and coin after coin is exchanged, with the profit going into that hidden bag.  After all, business is business.

Some people walk through life and do not consider their actions shameful.  Others try to hide and walk in the shadows, as they plot against Jesus.

SCRIPTURES REFERENCED:  John 8:3-11, Mark 12:40, Matthew 21:12-13

A CROWD WALKS TO THE MOUNTAINSIDE

Can you see Jesus?  For a change, he is not walking.  He is sitting on the mountainside, waiting for the disciples.  He is looking at the growing crowd.  He sees the people as they look at him.  Each person has come to hear him, in the hopes that a hole in their soul can be filled.  Many have brought a loved one or a friend to be healed.

Can you see the people?  There are so many.  So many of God's children are searching.  They know there is more to life, but nothing has helped.  The teachers of the law.  False prophets.  False teachers.  The people have listened to them.  They thought each brought hope.  But each had made promises they could not fulfill.  They have, once again, come to hear a man.  Once again, they prayed, “God, send us a savior.  Send us the truth.”  Would this Jesus be the one they are waiting for?  Is he the one?

Can you see the disciples? They are making their way to sit with Jesus.  The crowds are large, but Jesus seems so calm.  As the disciples sit down, so do the people.  It is as if they know something special is going to happen.  The sound of no one moving, no one talking, no one even whispering, fills the air.  Jesus begins speaking to the disciples.

Picture Jesus again.  Was he wondering if the disciples would understand?  He knew his words could confuse them.  As he looked at the crowd, were all eyes focused on him?  Did he see hope growing as they heard: Blessed are … our Father will reward you …forgive others … do not worry … do not judge others … recognize false prophets by their deeds … build on a strong foundation.

“… and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Jesus finished.  Can you picture the time between when Jesus spoke these last words and when he stood up?  The disciples would not stand before Jesus, but they did not know if he was done or just taking a breath.  The crowd would be waiting for him to continue.  They were not going to stand up and then have to sit down again.  There was a gap, like when you go to a concert and wonder if they are really done or if they went off the stage to build the expectation of another song.

Finally, Jesus stood up and walked down the mountainside.

As Jesus walked, he encountered those who feel no shame for their actions.

—————————————-

When you look at someone, you see if their hair is combed, what clothes they are wearing, and what color their eyes are.  When Jesus looks at people, he sees the real person.

One more time, use your imagination.  Put yourself in Jesus' place.  Now look at the people.  Look past the haircuts and $1,000 sneakers.  Look behind the fake smile and see the pain.  Ignore a woman’s tattered dress and hear the prayers for her children.  Hear the worry when the man says “everything is good” and see the man who is afraid he will lose his job.  Have compassion for the child whose legs will not hold them up.  What would that be like?  What if you could see the real person and know their story?  Would it be overwhelming to realize so many are lost, hurting, seeking, needing your help?  Would that be a burden?  Or would it be an opportunity to lift that person up, as you told them about the way to eternal life?

SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: Matthew 5:1-2, Matthew 5:3-7:27, Luke 6:17-49, Matthew 7:28-29, Luke 7:1, and John 14:6

 

JESUS CONTINUES WALKING

In 1966 through 1969, a radio crime fighter, Chickenman, was “everywhere, He’s everywhere.”  The two-minute episodes started on a Chicago radio station and spread to over 1,500 stations.  “He’s everywhere.  He’s everywhere.”  The same could be said about Jesus.  “He’s everywhere.  He’s everywhere.”  Maybe not everywhere yet, but he was walking through Galilee and teaching in the synagogues.

If you were a radio news reporter, what questions would you ask Jesus?  You had heard about him going throughout Galilee and the station manager is demanding something for the evening news.  Imagination time …

“Jesus, may I ask you some questions?”

Peter stepped in front of me, trying to block me from talking to Jesus.  Jesus looked at Peter and shook his head.  “It is alright, Peter.  I will talk to the reporter.”

“Oh, thank you so much.  It seems you appeared out of nowhere.  There was one reference to you being in the temple when you were 12, but nothing between then and now.”

“I guess you could say I was growing up.  Getting a bit wiser in understanding God and man.  I worked as a carpenter, but knew it was time to deliver the message that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  So, here I am.”

It was hard to ask questions, because the people found out Jesus was in town and we were now surrounded.  “When you spoke in the first synagogue, did anyone know you?  I understand you also healed every disease and sickness among the people.”

“I can answer that,” shouted a man in the crowd.  I turned toward the man, as he continued, “We had never heard of this man, but his words were spreading fast.  We heard about the healings and brought our son, who had seizures.  Jesus healed him!  You better believe we told anyone in Jerusalem who would listen.”

Another voice called loudly, “We have come a long way to hear this Jesus speak.  Everyone in Syria has heard of him.  We want to know about the good news he is proclaiming.”

Turning toward Jesus, with a final question, I realized he was no longer there.  I had plenty for my new segment, but I sure wanted a final quote from the man himself.  I looked over to the right and saw him.  Jesus had walked up the mountainside and was sitting down.  There would be no more questions today.

There is a big difference between Chickenman and Jesus.  Today, no one knows who Chickenman was and his popularity only lasted a few years.  Jesus, on the other hand, became known around the world.  His message is as true today as it was the first time he stopped walking and spoke to a few people in Galilee.

Sometimes Jesus sat down and allowed the crowds to walk to him.

Scriptures referenced:   Matthew 4:23-25 and Luke 2:41-50, 52