Day 19 Jesus is our example of being under pressure

Friends, the following is the manuscript for day 19 of a weekday video devotional series I'm sharing. These can be viewed on the Chain of Lakes Facebook page and my own personal Facebook page.  Blessings to you on Holy Thursday!

Good morning, friends. This is day 19 of a weekday video devotional series called, “Facing fears without being afraid.” If you enjoy the content, share it on your own Facebook page, like it, make a comment yourself.

During Holy Week I’m looking at times in the last week of Jesus’ life when he experienced strong emotions. We might compare them to a COVID-19 moment that we’ve had.

Today is Holy Thursday, the day that the church world wide remembers what happened in the Upper Room. So many parts of this story are amazing.

It’s amazing that Jesus celebrated the Passover in a room that wasn’t his own. He told his followers to go into Jerusalem and find a certain man and say “the teacher needs a room in your house.” That’s what happened.  Amazing.

While Jesus was in that room with the 12 disciples, they all experienced the drama of human emotion.  Jesus declared that one of the 12 would betray him.  The twelve got greatly distressed and declared that none of them would do so.  Then his disciples got into an argument about who among them was the greatest.  Can you imagine. The next day Jesus was going to be killed and he had to watch his most closest followers have an argument about greatness.  Jesus also told Peter that Peter was going to deny Jesus three times.

And in the midst of all of this drama, what did Jesus do? Did he condemn then for their squabbles. Did he criticize Peter for his upcoming denial.  Did he question why all of this had to happen in a borrowed room.

No. Jesus didn’t complain.  He washed the feet of his disciples and gave them a new commandment to love one another.  Yes he washed their feet.  He washed 24 dirty, stinky, crusty feet.  Even though he had every reason to feel sorry for himself because of the suffering he would undergo, Jesus still got out of himself and washed their feet.

Wow!

That is the ultimate in servant leadership.

The next time you’re at the end of your rope, remember what Jesus did. Jesus was at the end of his rope—and he still served others.  He washed 24 stinky feet.  

His example has stood the test of time.  Today we remember him.

As we remember his example we can have confidence that he will help us.  He will help us face fears without being afraid.

Day 18 Does uncertainty turn us towards God or away from God?

Good morning, friends. This is day 18 of a weekday video devotional series called, “Facing fear without being afraid.” If you enjoy the content, share it on your own Facebook page, like it, make a comment yourself.

During Holy Week I’m looking at times in the last week of Jesus’ life when he experienced strong emotions. We might compare them to a COVID-19 moment that we’ve had.

Today I want to look at the story of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. It happened right after Jesus had been in the Upper Room celebrating the Passover with his disciples. He took Peter, James and John and went to pray. As he prayed he became grieved and agitated. He threw himself on the ground and said to his abba, father, “take this cup from me.” Jesus asked if the pain and suffering of the next day would be stopped.

Jesus was uncertain.

We can relate to him.  Who hasn’t felt uncertain during COVID-19. Just yesterday 83 new cases of COVID-19 were announced in Minnesota, the highest number ever. At some point these numbers are going to start to go down, but no doubt we still are in the height of this pandemic.

It’s natural to be uncertain.

How long is this going to last?

When can my kids go back to school?

When can I visit my favorite restaurant?

When can the churches open again.

We’re uncertain. Being uncertain is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign that we’re human. Just as Jesus was human as he prayed in the garden of Gethsemane.

The key question is “What do we do with our uncertainty?”

Is all of this uncertainty causing us to turn away from God? Or turning towards God.  We’re either going closer or farther away. I’m not sure there is a middle ground right now.

Jesus is our example. In the midst of his uncertainty Jesus prayed to his Abba, “yet not what I want, but what you want.” Jesus was still looking for the direction of his Abba and he was willing to follow it.

One of my favorite phrases is “God is the source of our healing and not the cause of our pain. In the midst of our suffering we turn ourselves to God—at even a deeper level than before. 

I’ve encouraged you to do breath prayers, and I’ll keep encouraging you. I set my alarm for five times a day. When the alarm goes off I pray, Lord let me choose hope.  Five breaths, thirty seconds. My mind is clear; I’m ready to face the next hour.

In some ways, this feels like what Jesus was doing in the Garden when he was experiencing anxiety—and ultimately seeking God’s way. When we commit ourselves even more deeply to God we can face our fear without being afraid.

Day 17 How can we grow in faith during COVID-19

Good morning, friends. This is day 17 of a weekday video devotional series called, “Facing fear without being afraid.” If you enjoy the content, share it on your own Facebook page, like it, make a comment yourself.

During Holy Week I’m following the last week of the life of Jesus.  In particular I’m looking at moments when Jesus expressed strong emotions.  We might compare them to a COVID-19 moment that we’ve had.

Today I want to look at the story of Jesus cursing a fig tree. I’m look at Matthew 21:18-22. You can also find the story in Mark. Jesus came into Jerusalem in the morning and was looking for breakfast.  He saw a fig tree.  It didn’t have any figs. He cursed the tree and it withered at once.

Why would Jesus do this? Was he having a bad start to his day? Did his hunger overwhelm him? Was his fear about what would happen later in the week get the best of him?

When we look at any Bible passage, I encourage us to ask four questions. What does the passage teach about God, about humanity, about the church, about ourselves.

In this story we learn about ourselves and faith. When the disciples saw what happened to the fig tree they were confused. How did this happen? Jesus taught them that with faith they could not nly do what he did to the fig tree. They could even throw a mountain into the sea.

Jesus was using a metaphor, or course. But the point is important. Faith gives us the possibility to believe what might seem impossible. For example it might seem impossible to think we could grow in faith during COVID-19. But perhaps lessons of the story of the fig tree can help. God can even use this situation to help us grow in faith.

So--how can this COVID-19 crisis prompt you to grow in your own faith? A simple question. How can this COVID-19 crisis prompt you to grow in your faith?

Pray about this question. Talk about it with the people closest t you? Share the question with people in your church.

We might not grow in faith in extraordinary ways. But Jesus said faith the size of a mustard seed can cause a mountain to be moved.  What’s your answer to this question.

Your answer to this question will help you face fear without being afraid. Blessing on your exploration. And blessing on your day.

Day 16 Facing Fears without Being Afraid

Each day I'll post the manuscript of a week-day video devotional I'm sharing called, "Facing fears without being afraid." The videos can be seen on the Chain of Lakes Facebook page.

Good morning, friends. This is day 16 of a weekday video devotional series called, “Facing fears without being afraid.” If you enjoy the content, share it on your own Facebook page, like it, make a comment yourself.

It’s Holy Week—the most important week of the year for our faith. In the devotions this week I’m going to follow Jesus during his last week. We can learn from him about facing fear without being afraid.

In the sermon I shared yesterday, I talked about having a COVID-19 moment. I’m guessing you know what I mean. It’s a moment when we feel overwhelmed; anger, frustration, bewilderment. Life seems out of control.

How many COVID-19 moments do you have during the day. I shared in my sermon that I have about two a day.

Incidentally the sermon can be watched on the worship video which is on the Chain of Lakes Vimeo page—vimeo.com/chainoflakes. It’s also on the Chain of Lakes Facebook page.

How do we look at ourselves after we have a COVID-19 moment? Do we think less of ourselves because we can’t keep our emotions in control; do we label these moments as bad?

I hope not. You and I are experiencing the greatest pandemic since the Spanish Flu Pandemic that started in 1918. We are experiencing the highest amounts of restrictions of our movement in anyone’s lifetime. Just in the church we won’t be able to be together to celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus.

My word of encouragement is not to label our COVID-19 moments. Instead accept them.  We’re human. Just like Jesus.

Jesus had moments. Read Matthew 21:12-17. It’s the story of Jesus overturning the tables at the Temple. Immediately after Jesus entered Jerusalem, he came to the Temple.  He didn’t like what he saw. He was angry about the system of sacrifices that people were required to purchase. You are making this temple, my house, a den of robbers and not a house of prayer.

Jesus was frustrated at what he saw. He expressed his frustration in anger. It doesn’t make him bad. He was sinless. . It means he’s human—just like you and I.

After Jesus expressed his anger, he did something remarkable. Matthew wrote that the blind and lame came to Jesus.  And Jesus healed them.  Jesus didn’t let his anger prevent him from helping.  He got out of himself and helped people who needed helping.          

The same lesson is meant for us. We are called to get out of ourselves and help someone else. 

I’ll remind you of 12 important words—we’re all in this together; this will end; let’s help each other.

When we have these moments today, let them go, and look for ways to help someone.  When we do that, we’re facing our fears without being afraid.