It's Friday ... but Sunday's Coming!

Yesterday was my favorite day in the church's calendar year — Maundy Thursday. We set aside this day to remember what happened the day before Jesus died. We remember the humility and vulnerability of Jesus wrapping a towel around His waist and stooping down to wash His disciples' feet. We remember the command He gave us on the night He was betrayed — to love one another. 

I've often wondered ... did any of them get up and offer to wash His feet? Probably not. They were likely too stunned to think of that.

With clean, fresh feet, the disciples then enjoyed one last meal with their Rabbi, though they didn't comprehend the depth of what was taking place. In the Last Supper, Jesus shared with His disciples a heavenly secret they'd not grasp until later, after His resurrection. Jesus would leave behind a way to abide in each of them (and us!) in the mystery of the Eucharist.

After these moving acts of grace that were so packed with meaning, Jesus went to Gethsemane to engage the forces of evil in an unequaled spiritual battle. Through agonizing prayers, Jesus gave up His will entirely to His Father, reminding us that the victory against temptation begins in the mind and heart and is fueled by prayerful surrender to God. 

Yes, Jesus would go to the Cross for you and me. Why? Jesus deemed us worthy! 

The perfect, blameless One would give up His life for broken, imperfect, sinning you and me.

The spotless Lamb of God would fall so that this fallen race could rise.

Nothing in all of life reveals our exceeding worth as human beings like the fact that Jesus Christ, the Son of God and God Himself, would choose to give His life for each of us. 

This certainty fills me with the desire to give my life for Him, becoming a living sacrifice like Him.

This knowledge makes me want to live a life worthy of Christ's great sacrifice.

And, thankfully, the Spirit that comes to live within me as I receive Christ's sacrifice on my behalf enables me to live a life worthy of His sacrifice. As John 14:18 assures us, He did not leave us as orphans, but He left His Spirit to empower us to live for Him.

I can only imagine what it must have been like for Jesus' disciples to suddenly see Him hanging on the Cross He freely chose. This short video brings it home and points to the Hope of Easter. Before you go watch it, ponder this great truth with me:

Jesus thinks you're worthy of His death. 

How does this change you?

Worthy!
Dr Mari

For if, by the trespass of the one man (Adam), death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! 

Romans 5:16-18

 

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

2 Corinthians 5:20-21

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him.

Philippians 3:7-9 

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:9-14 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  

Romans 12:1-3

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house.

1 Peter 2:4-5

For more Lent reflections, read What's So Good About Good Friday?

Healing for Broken Hearts: Reflections on the Boston Marathon

I have the blessing of volunteering at Grace Medical Home, a beautiful clinic where we strive to "see to it that no one misses the grace of God" (Hebrews 12:15). The medical director, Dr. Marvin Hardy, is known for a genuine faith made complete through action. He often quotes Robert Pierce, founder of World Vision, whose heart was pierced by the widespread hunger he saw in China. "Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God," he later said. World Vision emerged from such compassionate longings, and thousands of children have been adopted and given new lives ... all because of one man's broken heart.

What breaks our hearts? What shakes us to the core? And what does it take for us to get out of ourselves and begin to live for others? 

These questions seem much more poignant this week since the devastating bombings at the Boston Marathon. The surreal events of that day and everything that followed have shaken many of us to the core. It breaks my heart to think of the families who lost loved ones and the people whose lives changed overnight through the physical and emotional injuries they sustained. I continue to pray for them without ceasing; their pain and loss broke my heart.

While sharing with a group of physicians at a conference some weeks ago, I cried. I had not planned on wearing my heart on my sleeve in front of all those people. But while reading a moving story about Mother Teresa's loving care of a man off the streets, my heart broke. And I'm glad. Several doctors in the audience later shared that my vulnerability somehow softened their hearts right then, bringing healing to their own broken hearts over some recent losses. The God of healing was clearly at work, the path for His healing touch cleared through the honest and raw sharing of real pain.

This week, upon hearing the stories of people affected by the Boston Marathon bombings, my heart broke. Somehow, hearing about the loss of an innocent eight year-old boy in Boston brought back the pain of losing my eight year-old cousin to a violent death three years ago. Quite unexpectedly, their pain became my own. Yet, the stories of the selfless deeds that followed the bombings have, slowly, begun a mending work in this wounded heart once more. 

I found the story of Carlos Arredondo particularly moving. Having lost his two sons in the past ten years (one in Iraq, another to suicide), he now lives to advocate for peace. The losses in his life now fuel loving actions toward others. His broken heart seems to heal a bit more with each new selfless act, as when he came to the aid of a man badly hurt in Boston, never leaving him until he'd done all he could do. All he could do.

Empathy made complete through action is a fountain of life, of healing, of hope.

Whether our empathy touches one life or thousands, our broken hearts can be fertile soil for a harvest of compassion that begets new life in someone else's garden. Wounded healers who have the grace to heal in this way become God's instruments of healing, redemption, and life. May we all receive such grace as we face the losses of life, that we may rise above each one, spared the dangers of a hardened heart, and becoming more whole and loving people. For each mended hurt can become a saving balm to heal someone else's wounds ... in time.

Broken to become whole,
Dr Mari

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31 

...by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

"Man is born broken. He lives by mending. The grace of God is glue." (Eugene O'Neill)

What's So Good About Good Friday?

One of my most vivid childhood memories involves Good Friday. In the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, Good Friday was always a quiet, reflective day. Everything stopped. Stores were predictably closed--from gas stations to grocery stores. Even the malls closed their doors! Everyone stayed home out of reverence for Christ.

Why is such reverence due a man who lived two thousand years ago? And what is so good about Good Friday?

The Gospel according to John ends with these words, "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written" (John 21:25). This is how I feel as I ponder these questions. What I've learned about Christ over the years leaves me thirsty for more and, yet, fully satisfied. It is a precious paradox!

I have a few thoughts today about the One who's changed my life and heart and continues to transform my mind.

Born of a virgin in a lowly place, though a King. (He melts our pride with humility.)
Born into darkness yet called the Light of the world. (He can see right through the thick darkness of sin.)
Despised and rejected yet full of mercy, forgiveness, and grace. (He knows every human emotion and meets every need.)
His goodness and love were repaid on a lonely Cross--willingly chosen. (He knows all about sacrifice.)
Killed like a criminal yet called the Prince of Peace. (His sword is Truth and pierces every lie.)
Even from the Cross, He spoke forgiveness unto His accusers. (He is the definition of Grace.)
Also from the Cross, feeling forsaken, He trusted His Father and gave up His spirit. (His courage and faith can become ours.)
Risen on the third day, He lives on ... and spurs us on to higher living. (His plans for us are great.)
Not leaving us as orphans, He promises the Holy Spirit will fill us (if, having repented, we ask) and guide us into all truth. (His wisdom can become ours.)
Through the Spirit, He lives in us. (He supplies the power needed to live for Him.)
Because He lives, we can have eternal life. (We get to be with the author of life, love, and every good thing forever!)

The prophet Isaiah spoke about Jesus' sacrifice hundreds of years before Jesus walked the earth. About this awaited Messiah, the Christ, he said,

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, 

nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.

He was despised and rejected by mankind,

a man of suffering, and familiar with pain....

Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering....

But He was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on Him,
and by His wounds we are healed.
(Isaiah 53:2-5)

By His wounds, we are healed. This is exceedingly good news! It means there is hope for us. There is hope for sinful man. For you and me. 

If Jesus died for the forgiveness of our sins, the price has been paid in full. His death and resurrection have set us free. We've been given a second chance. This isn't just a good Friday. This day should be called Breathtaking Friday. Astonishing Friday. Life-changing, mountain-moving, evil-defeating, satan-squashing, death-conquering Friday!

Jesus has the last word. His death and resurrection opened the door to Life. Eternal life! 

As we get ready to celebrate Easter, let us thank the Lord for His sacrifice on the Cross. Let us recommit to give our all to the One who gave everything for us. And let us receive His love and grace with open hands and hearts, that we may love others as He loves us--with mercy, with forgiveness, with grace.

He lives!

Dr Mari

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)

And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way. (Ephesians 1:22-23)

For more on the joy of Easter, read He is Risen! So What Does that Mean to You and Me?

The Joy of the Lord

"But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; 

the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, 

and by His wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

We have now lit the third candle in our Advent wreath, the one signifying joy. To me, it's a reminder of the joy that comes from knowing, serving, and following our Lord. In times of deep sadness or difficulty, Nehemiah 8:10b exhorts us with these hopeful words,  

"This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, 

for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

The joy of the Lord is our strength.

As many of my readers know, I am married to a pastor who serves at a local church and also as a hospital chaplain. While working the night shift at the hospital this week, Russell became keenly aware of the presence of Jesus. He was called in to minister to a family whose premature infant was not doing well, and the parents asked for prayers.

As Russ baptized their 26-week old newborn, he laid his hands on the baby's forehead and proclaimed, "You have been sealed by the Holy Spirit in baptism and marked as Christ's own forever." And while making the sign of the cross on the child's forehead, Russell prayed over him, ending with these words from the prophet Isaiah,  

"By His wounds (you have been) healed."

That instant, at the sight of Russell and the awestruck parents, and for the first (and only) time since his birth, the tiny child opened his eyes. Time seemed to stand still as he looked around thoughtfully. He took in his surroundings, filled the room with innocence, hope, and wonder, and then he closed his eyes again, leaving the place transformed by a gaze that seemed to cry out, Yes! Yes! Yes!

Yes!

The above words from Isaiah gain some of their profound significance from the fact that they were written about the Messiah hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. The New Testament writers clearly speak of Jesus as the fulfillment of Isaiah's words. Indeed, by His wounds we are healed.

When Russ shared this powerful moment with our children and with me, he reminded us that even in great sorrow, there is joy because of Jesus, who transforms everything by His mere presence. Whether the infant lives or dies, Russell and the child's parents know that something remarkable happened in that room. Joy broke through the sadness, the fear, and the doubts, and healing followed. The joy spread by the One who was pierced for us broke through, changing everything.

During this third week of Advent, we welcome the joy that comes from knowing and staying close to our Lord - our Savior and Healer. May we rejoice as we know Him better and surrender more and more to God's perfect will for our lives.

Rejoice!
Dr Mari

For more Advent reflections, read Advent Word of the Day: Devotion. To learn more about the tradition of the Advent wreath, read The Light of the World: Advent Reflections.