Pastor Jon Allen went to a county fair. He saw a display of odd-shaped fruits and vegetables. He saw a cube-shaped watermelon. He saw a pumpkin that was shaped like a two-gallon jug. The grower of the two-gallon-jug-shaped pumpkin said, “As soon as it started to grow, I stuck it inside a jug. When it stopped growing, I broke the jug, and here it is!”
Don’t walk away from the celebration of the Empty Tomb without a new realization of the freedom and victory of the Resurrection. You are not done growing!
Life has a way of trying to shove you into a two-gallon pumpkin jug. When Paul wrote Romans 12:2, he was saying, “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold” (J.B. Phillips). That is exactly what the world is trying to do to you every day. What does your two-gallon pumpkin jug look like? What shaping forces are molding your life?
Reflections
From my friend Doug Webster:
On the cross the Incarnate One hides his majesty in order to reveal his mercy. The will and purpose of the Son is one with the will and purpose of the Father. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45). The forgiveness of the Father is found in the obedience of the Son.
And who did Jesus pray for? He prayed for the soldiers who nailed his hands and feet and thrust the crown of thorns upon his head. He prayed for Pilate, who washed his hands of Jesus and declared, “I am innocent of this man’s blood!” He prayed for the crowds who shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Jesus prayed for the Sanhedrin, who sought to condemn him on false charges. He prayed for the chief high priest, who charged him with blasphemy. Jesus prayed for them all, even for his disciples who disowned him and fled. He prayed for you and me.
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing?” And what were they ignorant of? Did the soldiers know they were crucifying the King of kings and Lord of lords? Did Pilate know that the placard he had written for the cross was true? Did the crowds know who they were mocking and jeering? Did the disciples know who they were abandoning?
Forgiveness is received, not imposed. Turning to God in repentance is important for accepting the mercy of God.
This is an excerpt from a Good Friday message Doug Webster is giving today.
Reflections
Last night I met Peter in Des Moines and we looked at mice – computer mice! Nine years ago I received a gift of a wireless, optical mouse. I tried to calculate the hours I’ve used that mouse when answering email, updating blogs, working on messages, and surfing the web to read articles and news items. It must be more than 10,000 hours! Now the mouse is acting up. Sometimes it charges and other times I start to use it only to discover its dead. Lately I’ve been charging the batteries using a plug-in unit but I know it’s only a temporary fix.
I like this mouse. It fits my hand and the finish is worn off where my fingers rest. I would really like another one just like it but have searched without success. I like what’s comfortable and familiar.
This morning, as I read Isaiah 53:1-12 in preparation for Communion tonight, I was struck with the thought that Jesus probably preferred comfortable and familiar, too. But he willingly left the grandeur of Heaven and lived a pauper’s life; scorned, ridiculed, rejected. More than 2000 years ago he ate a final meal with his disciples knowing that in less than 24 hours he would suffer and die. Because the Father loves him, Jesus loves us – and dies for us.
Father, teach us to go beyond appreciating what Jesus did for us and learn how to live like Him. Give us wisdom to know how to let go of the comfortable and familiar so that we can be more like Jesus. Amen.
Reflections
