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TerryLema

Good Friday

by TerryLema

The Friday of Holy Week is the most intense day of all. On that Friday long ago, Jesus was tried before Pilate, tortured, crucified, died, and was buried. [You can read the events beginning in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 18]

It is tough for me to read through the Gospel accounts of that time between Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday. I know how it turns out … still reading about what my Savior and LORD endured is difficult.

Why do I find it so hard?  Because of two little words found in the letter Paul wrote to the Corinthians.

“He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” [2 Corinthians 5:21 HCSB]

Do you see those two little words right in the middle of that verse?  Jesus suffered all “for us.”

When I read that verse, I often substitute “for me” in the place of “for us.”

“For me” makes it personal. It reaches into the depths of my heart and pierces any arrogance or pride that resides there. It makes me stop and wonder why Jesus would do that, why He would suffer that way, for “such a worm as I.”

I may never be able to answer that question, but I embrace His sacrifice and find peace in my soul.

(947) Gaither Vocal Band - At the Cross (Live) - YouTube
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Maundy Thursday

by TerryLema

So many events in the life of Jesus on the Thursday of Holy Week.  They begin in Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 18. We see the Last Supper, the Agony in Gethsemane, the Betrayal and Arrest, and Jesus’ first trial before the Jewish Authorities.

For me, the significance is always Gethsemane. It was there Jesus saw and experienced in His Spirit the things that were about to unfold. They were so horrifying that He could have died right there in the garden.

He expressed His pain in Matthew 26:38:  He said to his disciples when He asked them to pray and watch with Him, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow—to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with Me.” [HCSB]

Luke confirms the agony Jesus endured. “Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. Being in anguish, He prayed more fervently, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.” [vs 43-44 HCSB]

It was at Gethsemane He asked the Father if there could be any other way. And, it was there that He fully surrendered His will to the Father’s.

From the moment Jesus surrendered His will to the Father’s, He never wavered. Through the betrayal, trials, torture, rejection, and crucifixion He was completely in control. He could have called angels to deliver Him from all of it, but He did not.

Jesus willingly fulfilled what the Father asked of Him. Because He did, we now have entry into the very Presence of God.

Thank you, sweet Jesus, for your obedience. Amen.

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Conspiracy

by TerryLema

Not much is known about Wednesday of Holy Week and the activities of the LORD and His disciples. Perhaps since Tuesday was so busy, and the Passover (betrayal, trials, crucifixion) was just ahead, it was a day of rest in Bethany for Jesus and His friends. The only people who seem to be busy are those conspiring to arrest and kill Jesus.

“Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, and they conspired to arrest Jesus in a treacherous way and kill Him. ‘Not during the festival,” they said, “so there won’t be rioting among the people.’” [Matthew 26:3-5 HCSB]

Where does the hatred come from that causes people to seek the harm of others? The chief priests and elders did not like what Jesus said. They did not like what he did. They did not like that the people were attracted to Jesus more than they regarded them. So, their solution was to destroy him.

Not that much has changed, has it? We still seek to silence those who do not think like us or speak like us or act like us. We still regard as an enemy anyone who is different or whose political, social, or religious beliefs differ.

We can look back on Silent Wednesday and see the evil resident in men’s hearts and think we have become too civilized to respond in like manner. We may think we are too enlightened to hang people on a cross, or too sophisticated to act like those in the past.

But are we?  We may not crucify literally, but how many people have we seen destroyed by the media, or public opinion (many of whom were later found to be innocent of what they were accused). How many times have we seen someone ruined because someone else put a target on their back simply out of spite? How many times have we seen the church “kill her wounded?”

No, the hearts of mankind are still deceitfully wicked … that is why Jesus came, that is why He willingly died on that cross, that is why He gave Himself for us … gave Himself even for those who conspired against Him that Silent Wednesday.

Something to think about this Silent Wednesday.

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Busy Tuesday

by TerryLema

In the events of Holy Week, today is often labeled “Busy Tuesday.” Jesus was out in public with His disciples. He gave the “Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree,” had His authority challenged by and debated with the Jewish leaders, gave some warning parables, and talked about last things. You can find those events beginning in Matthew 21, Mark 11, and Luke 20.

Perhaps the one that intrigues us most is His discourse on the things that will happen at the end of the age, found in Matthew 24-25, Mark 13 and Luke 21. I think those things intrigue us because we see so many of them at least partially fulfilling in our time.

As we read those chapters, especially the two in Matthew, we often focus on the wars, earthquakes, famines, and such. But Jesus did not just tell us about the things going on around us, He warned us of how we are to act amid those things.

He gave the Parable of the 10 Virgins … “Therefore, be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.” [Matthew 25:1-13 HCSB]

He gave the Parable of the Talents … “Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy!” [Matthew 25:14-30 HCSB]

He told about the Sheep and the Goats … “I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.” [Matthew 25:31-46 HCSB]

It is not enough to just be aware of the things that will happen at the End of the Age. In the midst of all the upheaval of the End Times, Jesus’ followers are to be alert, faithful, compassionate, and giving. 

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How could I forget?

by TerryLema

I woke up this morning and realized next Sunday is Resurrection Sunday (Easter) already. Then I realized something else, four days after Easter we are heading to California to celebrate our youngest grandson’s birthday and hopefully see his brother play football, one of his last games as a senior before he heads off to college in Arizona.

How could I forget Easter?  Usually, I spend weeks preparing for Easter Service.

 Perhaps I can blame my forgetfulness on having other urgent things on my mind. Or maybe, I just was not paying attention to the calendar.  Whatever reason, I now have one week to prepare for Easter Service.

As I thought about that this morning, I realized it is only the service for which I need to prepare.  My heart needs no preparation to celebrate the resurrection of Christ Jesus, my Savior and LORD, for the Risen Savior dwells there all the time.

Paul reminded Timothy in his final letter, “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead.”  [2 Timothy 2:8a NIV]

I like the way the Holman Christian Standard translates it: “Keep your attention on Jesus Christ as risen from the dead.”

Easter Sunday comes once a year … but keeping our attention on Christ Jesus raised from the dead is an everyday, sometimes every moment mission. It is a mission I love!

I may forget the date we celebrate each year; I never forget what we celebrate!  He is Risen, Risen Indeed.

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What a Wonderful Change

by TerryLema

The Sunday I was in Montana we attended service at the Harlowton Faith Chapel. The pastor spoke on joy in an unusual way. He did not use only Scriptures, but also songs, old ones as well as new ones. Since that Sunday morning one of those songs has taken up residence in my mind and it keeps replaying. It is one of the old ones, one I have not sung in church for probably decades until that Sunday in Harlowton.

The song’s title is “Since Jesus Came into My Heart,” and the part of the lyric that has been running on a loop in my mind is …

“What a wonderful change in my heart has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart!”

Oh, the truth found in those few words. My heart has been changed and that change is wonderful. I am no longer the angry, bitter, depressed, anxious person I once was. Gentleness has conquered. Kindness has invaded. Compassion has taken up residence. I am loved unconditionally by my Savior and that gives me freedom … glorious freedom … to chance loving others.

All this has taken place because Jesus, lovely Jesus, died on a cross for me nearly 2000 years ago. He took my shame, my blame, my guilt, my punishment. He took my death and gave me new life in Him. How could I not be changed when He came to me and in the power of His Spirit made me His own.  No longer an outcast, now a child of the Father.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” [Ezekiel 36:26 HCSB]

Yes, “What a wonderful change in my heart has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart!”

Collingsworth Family Since Jesus Came Into My Heart 2012 NQC - Bing video
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Old Friends, New Friends

by TerryLema

I guess I have done enough complaining about the air travel (although I may come back to it at some point!). Now I want to tell you about old friends and new ones.

The purpose of this trip was a difficult one, of course. I was going to visit old friends, not for a vacation, but for a Celebration of Life for a man who died far too young. I knew it would be a difficult journey but was honored to be asked to officiate.

It was good, even in the midst of sorrow, to see old friends and loved ones. It was wonderful to put my arms around people I have known and cared about for many decades now … to see their families, to meet their children. I spent time just asking questions about how they are doing and talking a bit about my favorite subject, our Savior and LORD, Christ Jesus.

I also got to meet “new friends,” people who shared the same love of God as I have. A lovely lady picked me up in Billings when I landed and drove the 100 or so miles to where we were staying. We had a wonderful conversation … of course, about our shared love of God.

On the day of the service, a loving couple took me and another friend who came from Arizona to their home for breakfast. This was the day of the service, and it started off in a very peaceful, gentle way because of their graciousness. During the day, this couple took us from church to lunch, back to church for the service, to the reception and back to our lodging … all the while providing a haven of peace for my spirit. I am so appreciative.

What I discovered, or perhaps simply remembered, is the amazing sense of family that exists between people who love the LORD Jesus.

1 John 1:7: “If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.” [HCSB]

This past weekend was an expression of the fellowship we have with one another because we walk with our Savior and LORD in the light!

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Not for the faint of heart …

by TerryLema

I do not imagine air travel is much fun for anyone. A gentleman in front of me on my Billings to Denver flight was a frequent flyer for business. He was commenting on the “delay” we were experiencing when Denver air traffic held our plane on the ground since they had a deluge of planes already trying to land at Denver. They were trying to clear some air space for us … that was a comforting thought!

He remarked that this was becoming all too common, and he just wanted to get off and go home!

I found that this trip was an especially humbling one.  Two other trips, combined with this one, show my decline. The first trip I was healthy and fit, and even spent time waiting between flights to stride around the terminals to get my “steps” in. The next time I used my cane, but still was able to manage in the terminals and getting on the planes without assistance. This last trip was different, I needed the wheelchair assistance.

It is sobering to see my reflection in those air trips. It was apparent that I was now classified as “old and feeble.” Please do not get me wrong, I am greatly appreciative of all the help I received, not only during the fights, but while visiting in Montana.

It is just moving from “healthy and fit even for my age” to “needing a lot of assistance” is a humbling experience. It is moving from “having the grace to give” to “having the grace to receive.”

Yet, at various times in our lives, we must “have the grace to receive.” Those times may be temporary, or they may become permanent for the rest of our lives.  Only God knows that.

I Peter 4:10: “Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.”

 Sometimes we serve others as a good manager of the varied grace of God. Sometimes we are served by others. Either way, God’s grace is flowing as it should.

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As unto the LORD

by TerryLema

Travel by air today is difficult, more so when you cannot walk long distances. I had six wheelchair assistants. One young man was from Ethiopia, only in the country for about a year. He studied concert piano for years, but COVID hit shortly after his arrival and now he was pushing people around the Denver airport in a wheelchair.  He was fast though and needed to be for the long distance we needed to do in about 20 minutes (including a train from one concourse to another).

Another was a pastor’s daughter and while we waited for luggage we talked about the LORD.  She liked my “Amazing Grace” mask and told me she met a lot of Christians in her job and was so pleased to know there were so many of “us” out there.

Two others were also immigrants to this country, a young man in Boise, and a middle-aged woman in Portland, both of them delightful. They were happy with their work. I know, I asked.

Then there were two airline employees filling in at an airport without wheelchair assistants. They were both pleasant and helpful, but both complained just a little bit about the airport dismissing the wheelchair attendants about a year ago and how this now was part of their job description. They did it, but you could tell, they did not enjoy it.

I was reminded by each one of these attendants about how much our attitude and thankfulness affect our everyday lives.

Colossians 3:17 commands us that, “whatever [we] do, in word or in deed,” we are to “do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

I do not know what motivated the young man from Ethiopia to be happy pushing wheelchairs after studying concert piano most of his life. I think I know what motivated the young Christian woman, you could see the love of the Savior all over her face when she talked (she was wearing a face shield, not a mask), her smile was frequent and lovely.

I do know that our attitude about what life has handed us will affect not only our own wellbeing, but also those for whom we work, and those whom we see each day—whatever we do!

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I’ll fly away … Oh Glory!

by TerryLema

Well, I am home after going to Montana to officiate the Celebration of Life for a wonderful young man, whose marriage to my friend’s daughter I also officiated nearly 23 years ago. It was one of those bittersweet occasions. There was the sadness following the death, and the sweetness seeing old friends and making new ones in the LORD.

Everyone in the small towns where I stayed and visited were so kind and loving. I have many thoughts about the service and about the wonderful people I met.

But this morning I am thinking about the air travel. Boy, am I thinking about the air travel! Four flights. Five times embarking or disembarking the planes from the tarmac via steps or small ramps. Three times using a jetway. One 45-minute delay. One race through Denver Airport. One flight with nothing, not even water, three with drinks only.

Thankfully, I ordered wheelchair assistance.  My connection in Portland was from one end of the C-Concourse to the other. My connection in Denver, after the 45-minute delay was from the far end of Concourse B to the far end of Concourse A, via a train! I would never have made that one without an amazingly fast wheelchair attendant!

It was sometime during that last connection and flight that I started singing to myself that old song, “I’ll Fly Away!”

Then I started to laugh. I told God I hoped my flight on “Rapture Air” was better than our current airlines!

“Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” [1 Thessalonians 4:17 NKJV]

“I’ll fly away, oh glory, I’ll fly away. When I die, Hallelujah, by and by, I’ll fly away”

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