Greetings in the name of “Elohei Mikkarov”-God Who Is Near (Jeremiah 23:23) and in the name of Jesus Christ – THE Crucified and Risen Saviour! Another day, carefully selected for you to enjoy and find meaning in and to thank God for. I trust that you have had a good week and are getting a little excited about the weekend – and in particular, “Palm Sunday” celebrations with your church family. Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to make the ‘nearness of his presence’ known to you in visible realities.
And he said before everyone, Whoever is willing to come after me, let him deny himself, let him take up his cross everyday, and let him come after me.” Luke 9:23 Aramaic Bible in Plain English. Those are the words that began the journey of Lent in our faith community – “Deny self, Take up the cross, Follow.” When read from Matthew’s gospel or Mark’s gospel the word, “daily” or “everyday” is omitted but there it is in Luke – a daily decision to act out our faith. I am reminded of a chorus that says: Day by day, I’ll walk a little closer to my Lord – Day by day, day by day – Where he leads me I will follow – Where he sends me I will go – Day by day, I’ll walk a little closer to my Lord – Day by day, day by day. I believe Luke is pointing out that the life of trust is an everyday adventure. Everyday I am reminded that “God is for me. How can I fail?” Every day I can “fly on eagle’s wings…and run and not get weary…and walk and not faint.” Again Luke’s reminder, whether I do or not is my personal choice.
In the Talmud, we find we find these words: All is in the hands of Heaven except fear of Heaven. The Jewish sages explained that all that comes to a person is in the hands of God, determined by heaven, but whether a person is righteous or not is in the hands of the person. Two paths are placed before us, and we have to choose the fear of God ourselves. And in Jeremiah 9:23-24 we find these familiar words: “…but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me…” The only thing worth boasting about is the only thing we have control of–knowing God and choosing God every day in every situation that comes our way.
And when we choose, on a daily basis…God responds: “You did it, [God]: You changed wild lament into whirling dance.” Psalm 30:11 The Message . Choosing God on a daily basis, means entering into a lifestyle of freedom and wholeness and adventure and surprises — because we know the Author of life. Think about it…every day – a choice to accept the riches of grace and mercy, or not. Why would we want to waste one single day living any other way? Yes, I am willing to deny my ideas…die to them in fact, so that I can pick up the cross and follow…Wow!
Have a great weekend…be blessed!