I See The Monstrous Cross

Beginning with Christians in Samoa and ending with believers in Hawaii (unless some live on Midway Island), Christians around the globe with observe Good Friday on April 14th.  It is the day when Christ-followers mark the crucifixion of Jesus.  It is "Good" because that tragic day turned magnificent as Jesus declared "It is finished," and thus defeated death by His death.  Over a decade ago I composed words as I reflected upon His gift to me and to all who will receive.  I invite you to read that reflection. 

I See The Monstrous Cross

by Mark T. Goodman

I see the monstrous cross waiting for Jesus, and I call out, “Jesus don’t go!  Not for me, save yourself.  I don’t deserve you.”

Then I remember that He already submitted to death.  He did choose to go for me.

As I recall His death, I hear the words of His Father,

                “This is my Son, whom I love…”

Here conviction falls.

Holding my sin up next to that monstrous cross, I see that the former is the more monstrous.  While the cross is mere timber, my sin is composed of far sicker things.

Hate lashes quicker than whips;

Pride beats harder than clubs;

Anger cuts sharper than thorns;

Greed pains deeper than nails.

The cross did not choose to hold Jesus, yet I through my sin, chose to burden the shoulders of the Son of God.

Dare I curse the nails and not the greed?

Dare I call anyone “the crucifier” other than me?

I, through my sin, killed the One whom the Father loves. 

                “This is my Son, whom I love…”

These words torment my soul.

I see the crucified Christ dying on the tree, and I call out, “Jesus don’t go!  Surely you are the Son of God.  Save yourself!”

As I see His death, I remember His words,

                “Forgive them Father, they know not what they do.”

Here amazement calls.

I, through His grace, receive pardon.  How could this be? 

                “Forgive them Father, they know not what they do.”

These words save my soul.

I see the risen Lord departing from me, and I call out, “Jesus don’t go!  Don’t leave me alone.”

As I see His face, I listen to His words,

                “I will be with you always, to the end.”

Here solace calls.

I, through His love, welcome my Guide.

                “I will be with you always, to the end.”

These words comfort my soul.

I see the exalted Christ sitting on His throne, and I call out, “Jesus come!  Take me home.”

As I stare into the heavens, I hear His voice,

                “Behold, I am coming soon!”

Here joy calls.

He, through His promise, is returning in His glory.

                “Behold, I am coming soon!”

These words lift my soul.

By The Sea

While I didn't walk on it, just over two weeks ago, I swam in the Sea of Galilee (really, a large lake).  It was, even for an Alaskan, much colder than I expected. 

The next morning my wife and I sat by that same body of water and watched the sun rise, fish jump, and birds fly.  We, on the west side of the lake, could see across the water to the opposite side, the location of Jesus' casting of the demons into the swine of Gergesa.  So, as we took in the sites in reverent awe, I thought about Jesus' power that He displayed just at the Sea.

• cast out demons
• spoke to wind and waves and calmed them
• walked on water
• provided professional empty-netted fishermen with a miraculous catch

I smiled.  I wept. 
We prayed.  We praised. 
We sang.

I sang along to the iTunes in my ears as the talented musicians of Bethel led me in "Be Enthroned."

We've come to join the song
Sung long before our lives
To raise our voice along
Heaven and earth alike

We've seen Your faithful hand
Your mercy without end
A King who bled and died
A God who sacrificed

Be enthroned upon the praises
Of a thousand generations
You are worthy. Lord of all
Unto You, the slain and risen King
We lift our voices with heaven singing
Worthy, Lord of all

All through this life we lead
And onto eternity
Our endless praise, we'll cry
Jesus be glorified

Be enthroned upon the praises
Of a thousand generations
You are worthy. Lord of all
Unto You, the slain and risen King
We lift our voices with heaven singing
Worthy, Lord of all

Highest praises
Lord of all

Be enthroned upon the praises
Of a thousand generations
You are worthy. Lord of all
Unto You, the slain and risen King
We lift our voices with heaven singing
Worthy, Lord of all

We sang to the King of kings, Lord of the Sea, as possible relatives of the disciple-caught fish leapt in the water.  I remain amazed at the majesty of the maker of heaven and earth.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
John 1:1-3 (NIV)

Jesus, be enthroned. 
Jesus, thank You for displaying Your power. 
Jesus, thank You for sunrises, calm water, and leaping fish.
To You, and You alone, belongs my praise. 
Be enthroned!

Love 101 - Part Two

“Truth is, you and I are in constant need of lots of help.” – so concluded my words in last week’s blog.   

We need help in our quest to love – to love as Jesus loves. 

In John’s first epistle he proclaims that, “God is Love.”  He continues with, Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

God is productive.  We see that from the beginning of the biblical record.  Therefore, He works to produce great things in the lives of those He indwells.  He dwells in you to produce LOVE.

I thank God that when I was a new believer in Christ, my family and my home church took the time to instill in me the understanding that God loves me too much to leave me alone in following Him. 

God loves you too much to leave you alone in following Him. 

Therefore, this week, and maybe even today, as you encounter those who strain your capacity, know that God, who is love, is with you - offering the strength for you to love the unlovely and to hug the prodigal who left home.

Several years ago, a homeless alcoholic man, for several weeks in a row, visited the church I pastored.  He was a commanding presence - taller than I (I’m over 6 feet) and about twice as wide (I haven’t measured myself in years).  He was dirty from head to toe and the stench of his clothing filled our wood-paneled building.  He came week after week; and to my delight, our members welcomed him with love.  

On one particular Sunday morning, Wendell (as I will call him) sat near the back and all indications revealed that Saturday had been a rough night.  He joined us in welcoming one another and singing praises to God.  Then everyone was seated and I began to preach. 

Ten to fifteen minutes into the message, “arose such a clatter,” as Wendell’s lack of sleep and reliance on the bottle caught up with him.  I was a young boy the last time I heard snoring like that; and that was from a cabin-full of whitetail deer, deep-fried eating, belly-scratching hunters named Bud and such.  Wendell put the whole deer lease gang to shame. 

Larry, one of our members went up to him to stir him awake.  His words and light shaking were of no use.  Instead of continuing the feeble exercise, Larry sat down right next to Wendell, picked up his head and placed it on his shoulder.  With Larry serving as his pillow, Wendell slept like a baby.  I did not need to finish my sermon.  Larry “preached” a profound message that day and he never said a word!

“Love is patient, love is kind . . .Love never fails.”