Reflection on the Passion of Our Lord

Oh Jesus,

You humbled yourself to the point of death, death upon the cross. Yet, even as the thorns were fashioned into a crown, so the cross became your throne, upon which you became the Savior and King of the world. The nails became your scepter, with which you destroyed the power of sin and death, casting down him who had made himself prince of this world.

This prince, that ancient dragon who even now seeks to devour those who would be your subjects and disciples – what power does he have before you? Could you not have vanquished all your foes with a single word? You who could have summoned legions of angels to do battle for you – why did you choose thorns, cross and nails as your weapons instead?

You possessed everything, but you poured yourself out to the point of becoming as nothing. Through you, the universe was created, but you put yourself into the hands of mortal man. You would not even boast of the brilliance of this plan, for in all things your only concern was to do the will of the Father. You did not insist on your own methods, your own way, but instead prayed, “Not my will but yours be done.”

What then do you mean when you say to us, “If anyone would be my disciple, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me”?

To rejoice in doing the will of the Father as though it were better than possessing all the treasures of the world? To become as a servant to all? To put aside the pursuits of pride and seek humility? To pour out my life as an offering of love?

Oh Jesus, this is too great a thing for me! I cannot carry my cross – I am too weak and afraid. If I were to try to carry it on my own and make my own path with it, as soon as put it on my shoulder I would drop it and run away. I need you to come alongside me, behind and before me, and lay upon my shoulders that cross that you have fashioned for me, so that my burden might be light and easy, that I might learn from you and find eternal rest for my soul.

Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" (John 21:19 NIV)

Sometimes, I am of the opinion that being fabulously successful under the world's definition is how God wants me to best glorify Him. But here, John states that it is Peter's death that would glorify God (this is not to say that nothing else that Peter would do would bring glory to God). Perhaps we should devote more thought to how our death can be an opportunity for God to be glorified. And of course, the days and months and years preceding that time, all the way to the present as well.

The Call of Wisdom

The Call of Wisdom

Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
beside the gates leading into the city,
at the entrances, she cries aloud:

“To you, O men, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.
You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, gain understanding.
Listen, for I have worthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.
All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
To the discerning all of them are right;
they are faultless to those who have knowledge.
Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.

“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have understanding and power.
By me kings reign
and rulers make laws that are just;
by me princes govern
and all nobles who rule the earth.
I love those who love me
and those who seek me find me.
With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.
I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
bestowing wealth on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.”
(Proverbs 8:1-21 NIV)

Blessed is the man,
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners,
or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
(Psalm 1:1-3 NIV)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
(Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

“He who as hears to hear, let him hear.
(Mark 4:9 NIV)

To what, to whom am I listening throughout the hours of the day? From whom do I receive instruction in the way that I should live? What thoughts and ideas form the internal dialog between my heart and mind? What do I contemplate as I dream about life?

To push those questions in the direction of the passages quoted above: Do I welcome, do I love the Wisdom of God, or do I instead love the wisdom of another? What do I delight in – every word that comes from the mouth of God, or do I delight more in hearing the voice of another? Do I take to heart the instruction of Jesus and learn from him, or do I resist his direction and follow the way of another?

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life. . . [emphasis mine]
(Deuteronomy 30:19-20a NIV)

Which life will I choose?
Which life will you choose?