breathing room for my soul

Friday, March 18, 2016

Cup of Blessing - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Come on this journey and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

[Jesus to His disciples] Likewise He also took the cup after supper saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:20 NKJV

Four cups of wine celebrate Passover. Following the “Blessing After the Meal” comes the third cup, the cup of blessing, sometimes called the Cup of Redemption, which symbolizes the blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:13). When Jesus lifts the third cup, this Cup of Redemption, He says, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” With His crucifixion, Jesus becomes the true Passover Lamb, the blood sacrifice for eternal redemption. “This is My blood, shed for you.”

Establishing a New Covenant, Jesus calls the people to a new way of living. The body of Christ is a community of believers, all believing in one faith, one baptism, one Spirit. The cup symbolizes Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Prophesied by Jeremiah some 600 years before Christ travels up to Jerusalem, the Lord promises with this New Covenant, “I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts.” The cross tells a new story of redemption to the world, a story of everlasting hope, a story of grace.

Jehovah, El Shaddai, Adonai ~ ancient names, holy names… Your promises capture my needs, anticipate my fears, prepare my future. Broken bread and a cup of blessing call to me centuries after You blessed them, after You surrendered for me, after You settled my debts. “Lord, always give us this bread” and this cup of blessing to remind me of Perfect Love. – dho

Focus Point: The cross tells a new story of redemption to the world, a story of everlasting hope, a story of grace.

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Thursday, March 17, 2016

Broken Bread - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

[Jesus to His disciples] And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19 NKJV

Common to Passover tradition, a blessing comes after a meal, after eating bread, a grace spoken to express gratitude for God’s constant and unchanging care. Until this night, the Passover meal involves a thanksgiving blessing of remembrance such as, “This is the bread of affliction our ancestors ate when they came from Egypt.” This night, Jesus takes the bread, gives thanks and says something new. The unleavened bread takes on a new meaning as Jesus establishes a new way of remembering. “This is My body, broken for you”.

For now, the disciples do not fully grasp the underlying meaning of Jesus’ words, do not understand the implications of the symbol, and do not recognize the offering will come within hours. Soon, Jesus will be hastily arrested, falsely accused, and brutally afflicted. This celebrated bread of affliction will be remembered as the Bread of Life, as Jesus willing allows His body to be broken for the disciples in that room, for those who arrest and beat and crucify Him, for those who do not understand, for all people ~ then and now and to come,… for you… for me.

Holy One, You call me to follow You, to share the Gospel message, to live like You! Broken Bread, this suffering for me reveals a deep love that surpasses me, surrounds me, spares me. “Lord, always give us this bread” to remind me, “This is My body, broken for you!” – dho

Focus Point: “This is My body, broken for you”.

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Wednesday, March 16, 2016

The Betrayer - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me – one who is eating with Me.” Mark 14:18 NASB

On the night before Jesus’ crucifixion, the twelve disciples gather with Him for a meal. Most believe this to be a Passover meal, a time of remembrance of God’s provision and a time to fellowship together. Jesus knows who will betray him – one within His inner circle. While eating, Jesus mentions the upcoming betrayal, and the disciples begin to ask, “Is it I?” Jesus confirms that the one who will betray him is eating with Me!

One can imagine the looks around the table, glances and glares about whom it might it be, whispers and wonderings about what it could mean. Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, must have been surprised to hear Jesus say this, knowing the subversive plot a secret. Judas, likely sitting beside Jesus, even mockingly whispers, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” All four Gospels recount Jesus acknowledging His betrayer. In John 13:18, when identifying the betrayer Jesus says, “I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.’”** Jesus never calls the name of the betrayer but reveals this truth to come to acknowledge His sovereignty.

Lord, I listen to this story and realize I betray you every day ~ me, a Christian ~ when I choose not to mention You in a crowd where faith is risky and when I trade time with You for time with the world and when I am convinced my selfish plan is better than Yours and when the lure of acceptance turns my heart from You. “Lord, always give us this bread”. – dho

Focus Point: Jesus knows who will betray him – one within His inner circle.

references to the betrayer in the Gospels:

Matthew 26:17-19, Mark 14:12-25, Luke 22:7-30, John 13:8-30

** Psalm 41:9 - Scripture Jesus quotes

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Tuesday, March 15, 2016

The Last Meal - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

Jesus, reclining at the table with the apostles said, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Luke 22:15-16 NASB

This would be the last Passover Jesus would eat with His disciples. In fact, the blood sacrifice of Jesus the next day would transform the Passover celebration of redemption forever. Those who recline with Jesus do not understand that the suffering will come in the form of the cross. Those who rest beside him do not realize the implication of “never again”. Only one, the betrayer, keeps a secret, and even he does not understand God’s plan.

In this room, Jesus celebrates tradition and, at the same time, creates a new way. While the apostles relax in this time together, Jesus contemplates the emotional betrayal, the physical suffering, the mental agony he must endure. Jesus knows the cost of grace; yet, He expresses great joy in sharing this intimate time together. God’s sovereign purpose to rescue humanity offers Christ as the Passover Lamb, once and for all.

Jesus, I try to see myself in this room, reclining at the table, listening to Your words. Forgive my preoccupation with my personal agenda because I completely miss the big picture. Forgive my careless ways of not noticing the suffering of another. Forgive my failure to recognize the Passover Lamb before me. As I ask, “Lord, always give us this bread”, open my eyes! – dho

Focus Point: God’s sovereign purpose to rescue humanity offers Christ as the Passover Lamb, once and for all.

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Monday, March 14, 2016

Passover Meal or Not - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it,” Luke 22:8 NASB

Scholars debate whether what Christians refer to as “The Last Supper” is actually a Passover meal. From the writings of historian Josephus and other ancient texts, various commentaries suggest that the confusion can be as simple as geography. The Jews living in Galilee, Jesus’ home town, count time from sunrise to sunrise, while the Judean Jews in the southern regions which include Jerusalem count time from sunset to sunset. Christians agree that God’s sovereign purposes always prevail.

Considering tradition and time, Jesus and His disciples likely celebrate the beginning of Passover with a meal together on Thursday night. In God’s divine plan, the Jewish traditions of Jerusalem and those religious leaders arresting Jesus would celebrate Passover beginning at sunset on Friday. With this timeline, Jesus is sacrificed on the cross and dies at the same time the High Priest in the Temple sacrifices an unblemished lamb in preparation for that evening’s Passover meal. Timing always remains in the God’s control.

Holy God ~ Your ways amaze and astonish me! Providing for Your people in all ways, leaves me in awe! My lips can barely ask, “Lord, always give us this bread”. – dho

Focus Point: Christians agree that God’s sovereign purposes always prevail.

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Sunday, March 13, 2016

5th Sunday of Lent - Mystery of Christ

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

He set His face to go to Jerusalem, the Gospel says, and it was a journey from which [Jesus] seems to have known that He would both never return and return always, even unto the end of time and beyond. Frederick Buechner

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1: 1-5 NASB

Scripture describes the divine nature, the Deity of Christ in many places with one of the most familiar found in John. Christ has always been, even before the beginning of the universe. Paul preaching to the Colossians describes Christ like this, “For in [Christ] all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete.” (Colossians 9:9-10) Taking human form but never ceasing to be divine, Christ becomes a tangible and visible expression of God. There can be no substitute. Christ’s authority defeats Satan and overcomes sin, and His righteousness gives us new life, completes us. While one cannot fully understand the eternity and divinity of Christ, His willingness to physically come for humanity overwhelms the soul.

I AM ~ by Crowder (click here for video)

Lord, Your name is above all names: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace; You are King of kings and Lord of lords, Lamb of God and Light of the World. From carpenter to Chosen One, my heart beats for such divine goodness. Christ, Faithful and True, calls me, holds me, loves me! This is my resurrection song, this is my Hallelujah come! “Lord, always give us this bread”. – dho

Focus Point: “There is no end to amazing grace – I AM holding on to you…I AM HOLDING ON TO YOU – I AM!” ~ Crowder

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A New Beginning

"This is my [new] life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details . . . God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities.

And so here I am . . . writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ. My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along."
Ephesians 3:7-10, The Message

Pages

Friday, March 18, 2016

Cup of Blessing - Lent 2016

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Broken Bread - Lent 2016

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

The Betrayer - Lent 2016

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

The Last Meal - Lent 2016

Monday, March 14, 2016

Passover Meal or Not - Lent 2016

Sunday, March 13, 2016

5th Sunday of Lent - Mystery of Christ