Preparing for Easter ~ The Crowd

Meister Eckhart (1260-1327): The temple God wants to be master of is the human soul, which he created and fashioned just like himself. We read that God said, “Let us make man in our own image.” . . . He made each soul so much like himself that nothing else in heaven or on earth resembles him as much. . . God wants the temple to be pure, so pure that nothing should dwell there except he himself. And that is the reason why he is so pleased when we really prepare our souls for him.

A growing crowd had followed Jesus these last weeks, watching and testifying to what they had witnessed ~ Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, His many miracles of healing, His parables and teachings. The religious rulers were threatened, fearing the crowd was beginning to follow Jesus, while struggling with the supernatural possibility of Jesus and their own personal pride.

Read John 12:17-19

The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him."
John 12:19 NKJV

The crowd, like the Pharisees, came with their own agendas. Some caught up in the excitement of the moment, some looking for something extraordinary and some skeptical but curious. The Pharisees thought the crowd was foolish, but wanted to find something to discredit Jesus' popularity. We are sometimes the crowd ~ watching, wondering, looking for more! We are sometimes like the Pharisees ~ cynical, doubting, expecting less!

Consider this!

• Picture yourself in the crowd. Who are you? What do you expect from Jesus?
• Consider yourself a Pharisee. What rules would you enforce? What questions do you ask?
• How are you preparing your soul for the living Christ?

Holy Father ~ Prepare my soul for the journey it must take. Help me step away from the crowd to be with You, to listen for You, to feel You near. Take my cynicism and make it compassion. Take my doubt and make it trust. Take my soul to Your high places of blessing. Amen. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2009 by Donna Oswalt                                             

Preparing for Easter ~ Palm Sunday

A life of complete faith propels one to live not by his own ideas, impulses, or abilities, but by the leadings of the Spirit that have much the same ebb and flow and unpredictability that wind and waves do."
John Haughey 

Those who watched for the Messiah, their King, anticipated much more pomp and circumstance, grandeur and power. They thought the Messiah would rule on earth. Instead, God's plan called for Jesus to enter Jerusalem on a donkey with His disciples following but not understanding. Often times God's plans for us come in unpredictable ways, like on a donkey, and we do not understand at the time.

Read John 12:12-16

"Fear not daughter of Zion;
Behold, your King is coming,
Sitting on a donkey's colt." John 12:15 NKJV

This prophesy was foretold by Zechariah, but those looking for the Messiah must have forgotten. They did not recognize the Messiah riding a donkey into Jerusalem while the crowds waved palm branches shouting Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! The King of Israel. Like the Passover pilgrims in Jerusalem, sometimes we don't recognize Jesus ~ when He wears the tattered clothes of a beggar or the tears of an abused child or the hunger of a distant land or the loneliness of an empty life. Like the disciples, we don't always understand in the disappointment or inside the crisis or during the parade. Only afterwards, do we recognize Jesus and the Providence and Grace of a loving God.

Consider this!

• The crowd was shouting words from a Psalm. Read Psalm 118 and find the words.
• When DID the disciples understand?
• As you read the verses, imagine yourself standing in the crowd. How might you react?

Faithful Father ~ Your Wisdom exceeds my best ideas. My heart's desire is that You find me faithful. Help me see You in all things. Amen. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2009 by Donna Oswalt                                                                                                                     

Preparing for Easter ~ Anointed and Prepared

For God himself works in our souls, in their deepest depths, taking increasing control as we are progressively willing to be prepared for His wonder.

Thomas Kelly from Devotional Classics by Foster/Smith (pg.177)

During these weeks of Lent, the intention is to be a time of reflection, a time for the soul to be prepared to once again to consider the sacrifice of the Perfect Lamb for sinners, imperfect in every way. This is not to suggest that the Easter Season is the only time for reflection or study; certainly it is not, rather it can be a time of spiritual renewal. As the last week approaches and the familiar story unfolds, be prepared to listen, be prepared for His wonder.

Read John 12:1-8

But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial." 
John 12:7 NKJV

As you read this account of Mary's anointing Jesus feet with expensive perfume, consider the extravagance of her gesture. Commentaries tell us this expensive perfume equals a year's wages. Mary receives criticism from one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot. Jesus intercedes, once again reminding that He will not be with them much longer. Mary's soul somehow understood the gravity of the time at hand. She abandons the expected role, steps outside the boundaries. Mary sensed the wonder of Jesus and the house was filled with the fragrance of perfume.

Consider this!

• List everyone Scripture mentions as being present at this dinner.
• What is your reaction to Judas' comment?
• Now, consider the extravagance of Jesus love.

Lord ~ In Your presence I find unspoken joy, wordless praise, endless thanksgiving. You draw me to Perfect Love, and I long for more. Prepare my heart and mind and soul as I once again walk the dusty roads up to Jerusalem, stand in the crowds watching, listen to the mocking, see the Body broken for me, contemplate the cross, find the empty tomb. Amen. ~ dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2009 by Donna Oswalt      

                                                                                                                                                       

Preparing for Easter ~ Spiritual Sight

For the grateful man knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference. Thomas Merton from Thoughts in Solitude (pg.33)

Jesus hears about the Pharisees throwing the formerly-blind beggar out of the synagogue. He finds the man and asks, "Do You believe in the Son of Man?" The man does not recognize Jesus as he was blind when they previously met. Jesus invites this man to become part of the Kingdom. With a desire to know Jesus, He accepts. His roadside experience begins his change with a physical healing, but the real transformation ~ the spiritual sight ~ happens on the inside. 

Read John 9: 35-41

Then Jesus told him, "I have come to judge the world, I have come to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind. John 9:39 NLT

The Pharisees present are indignant that Jesus would suggest they are spiritually blind! And once again, we find ourselves dressed as a Pharisee. Yes, we believers can be spiritually blind ~ when we choose our desires instead of being obedient to God's will, when we justify our busyness inside the church instead of reaching outside the church walls into the community, when we rationalize our sins instead of acknowledging that the world has us in its grips. It is only through Jesus that we can overcome spiritual blindness!

Consider this!

• Read verse 35; what gives you comfort?
• Explain who these two groups of people are that Jesus refers to as "the blind" and "those who think they see."
• What experience with God makes you grateful?

God of Might and Mercy ~ You find us, care for us, love us. Your compassion exceeds our need, heals our wounds, offers us tenderness. Our response to You can be one of humility and gratitude or self-righteousness and self-assurance. Forgive my blindness, my egocentric bows to the world's applause. It is You, God, and You alone, I long to see clearly. Amen. ~dho 

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2009 by Donna Oswalt                                                                

Preparing for Easter ~ Holy Surprises!

When we are truly open, we will be surprised by something in the encounter. And that surprise - that unique presence of God - can be called . . . holiness.

Robert J. Wicks from Living Simply in an Anxious World (pg. 51) 

The Pharisees continue to question the beggar, "This man who opened your eyes - who do you say he is?" This miracle has caused much controversy and questioning, much examination and concern. Even the man's parents must face the inquisitors. We can identify with this man and his parents if we are willing to stand up and share our experience with Jesus. There will always be those who question and doubt.

Read John 9:17-34

[The beggar responds] "I don't know whether he is a sinner . . . but I do know this: I was blind, and now I can see!" John 9:25 NLT

When we encounter the Living Christ, we are changed from the inside; we are transformed. Christ puts a robe of righteousness around our shoulders and welcomes us into the family. Do we suddenly have all the answers? No, and we never will have all the answers. As followers of Christ our response must be to simply tell our faith-story.

Consider this!

• Why was it important that the Pharisees shed doubt on the beggar's healing?
• Remember a time when your faith was challenged. What did you say or do?
• Tell your faith-story ~ it is the most meaningful tool for sharing the Gospel you have.

Holy One ~ The world denies You, attempts to minimize Your power. Sometimes the task to tell my story seems daunting ~does MY story really matter, how should I tell God's story? what if they mock me? what if they do not listen? Make my faith bold enough to stand and share my own God-story with another. Make me humble in the telling of Your Faithfulness and Grace. Amen. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2009 by Donna Oswalt                                                                         

Preparing for Easter ~ Self-righteous Divisions

The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation. Charles Spurgeon

The Pharisees were an influential religious authority in Judaism. They enforced the Jewish laws. Knowledgeable and well-versed in the Scriptures, the Pharisees quoted the law and prided themselves on living the law. In some ways, we who attend church and Bible studies, teach Sunday School, serve on church committees and sing in the choir can act the same as the Pharisees. We, too, can be self-righteous in our actions to those we think are less religious than we are.

Read John 9:13-16

Some of the Pharisees said, "This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath." Others said, "But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?" So there was deep division of opinion among them. John 9:16 NLT

Churches and religious organizations and Christians struggle with the same issues as the Pharisees. In our desire to represent God to the world, we create a deep division between ordinary sinners and religious sinners. There is none. Our pride gets in the way and often can be a wedge instead of a lever; we hinder instead of encourage. In our disagreements, we plod on in our 'certainty' without love or compassion or gentleness. How like the Pharisees we can be!

Consider this!

• What was the Sabbath? To what law were the Pharisees referring?
• Give an example of a deep division in a religious group today.
• How do you know Jesus is from God? Give a Scripture to support your statement.

Lord ~ Forgive me when I find more delight in knowing about You than in 'knowing You’. Give me eyes to see my neighbors as You see me ~ a sinner in need of grace. Amen. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2009 by Donna Oswalt                                                                  

Preparing for Easter ~ Delightful Giving

God loves us; not because we are loveable but because He is love, not because He needs to receive but because He delights to give. C.S. Lewis

How like the blind beggar we are, sitting beside the road with life moving passed us every day. So often we are 'blind' to the opportunities to serve, the weariness of others, even the prayers offered for us! We miss God's goodness all around us, the gestures of love by strangers and friends; we miss the loneliness of those we know. 

Read John 9:8-12

"How then were your eyes opened?" they demanded.
[The beggar] replied, "The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see." John 9:10-11

When God finds us, He offers us love; He delights to give us unconditional love. If we listen to Him and follow His instructions, our eyes are opened to His goodness and grace, to the needs around us, to the Spirit's leading. As we respond in faith, we find our hearts grow more compassionate, more loving, more giving ~ more like Him. 

Consider this!

• What were the responses of those who knew the blind beggar?
• How is the beggar's life changed?
• Like the crowd, do you ever ask, "Where is [Jesus]?"

Immanuel ~ God with us ~ You are with us even when we do not notice. You embrace us even when we feel unworthy. You carry us when we cannot move. You open our eyes to new possibilities. Thank You for more! Amen. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2009 by Donna Oswalt                                                                   

Preparing for Easter ~ Questions

God by His providence brings you into circumstances that you can't understand at all, but the Spirit of God understands. God brings you to places, among people, and into certain conditions to accomplish a definite purpose through the intercession of the Spirit in you. Oswald Chambers from My Utmost for His Highest

Situations that we do not understand happen all the time. Disasters, poverty, crime and diseases are part of everyday life. We live in a fallen world; sin rules, and Satan is the prince of darkness. Yet, God can take each of these circumstances ~ especially the hardest ones that are beyond understanding ~ and show us how we can use them to give Him glory.

Read John 9:1-7

Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who send me here . . .I am the world's Light.

John 9:3-5 The Message

In a crisis, the one question that usually remains unanswered is "WHY". Scripture tells us not to waste time assigning blame; rather we are to see God in every circumstance, looking for a way to be the light of Jesus to the world. Will we understand everything then? No! The right questions are: How can I best praise God in this crisis? Will others see Jesus in my reactions? Am I turning to God for His vision in difficult times?

Consider this!

• In verse 2, what question did the disciples ask Jesus?
• Did the blind man approach Jesus and ask for healing?
• How is Jesus improving your vision?

Jesus ~ You are the Great Physician who heals the bruised and broken. How often I think that only means physical healing. You always offer spiritual healing through difficult circumstances. The world blames You when life becomes dark and complicated. But Jesus, You are Light and Love! Teach me how to praise God in all things, at all times. For His Goodness is everlasting. Amen. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ used with permission of the author

Copyright 2009 by Donna Oswalt