CLEANING THINGS UP FOR DAD...

Well happy Palm Sunday everyone.

Did you take your sabbath day walk?

I actually am preaching our "7 Days" sermon today. Our comments in blogdom will hit here later in the week.

Now that we have explored some of the cultural and contextual things about "Palm Saturday" I want to revisit the destination of that "Sabbath day's walk" that  Mark 11:11 told us they walked to the Temple.

And what did the Lord of the Sabbath do when He reached the temple? Mark tells us that

"Jesus entered into Jerusalem and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve." Mark 11:11.

It was the Sabbath. All was quiet.

Jesus took a look around the place!

There were no money-changers or merchants at work in the temple.

The Lord Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, simply inspected His house.

 "He looked round about on all things."

Herod's temple was a beautiful structure.

But despite the beauty of this magnificent edifice,

our Lord saw a great deal of ugliness, too.

The evidence of a sinful and disobedient people was all around.

But on this particular day, Nisan the tenth, the temple area was quiet, for it was a Sabbath.

Thus our Lord simply inspected His Father's house and then withdrew Himself to Bethany

Let's remember that the Sabbath has now past and what we call Sunday, was for Jesus and the disciples the first day of the week, like a Monday to us!

I am going to let Wayne Carver describe this scene to you as Jesus and the disciples have gone back to the Temple.

"This day was Sunday, Nisan the eleventh, the first day of the week.

On the first day of the week, Sunday, the temple area was a beehive of activity once again. Only two days remained until the fourteenth of Nisan which ushered in the eight-day celebration that the Jews referred to interchangeably as the "Feast of Passover" and the "Feast of Unleavened Bread."

To the temple merchants, Nisan fourteenth was a time of business--big business. There were many thousands of pilgrims present in Jerusalem. They had come from all over the Roman Empire. Many of then had only Roman money or money from their homeland, and this money had to be exchanged for the "shekels" of the temple in order to be useful for the buying of sacrifices and for giving in offerings. Those who had traveled far were unable to bring animals for sacrifice; so these had to be purchased.

This was like "Christmas" for the temple merchants. The business that they did during the Passover season often determined whether their fiscal years were successes or failures. In the same way, many businesses of our day have to depend on their volume of Christmas business for financial "success."

So on this first day of the week, the money-changers and merchants were in their booths early. No doubt they were calling out to the pilgrims who passed into the temple courts, hawking their merchandise and services.

 It is no wonder that the Lord Jesus Christ, in righteous anger, said to them,

"Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves." Mark 11:17.

And in this we see the fulfillment of the prophecy of Malachi 3:1.

"And the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts."


Today is the day that you have entered God's house of worship that you attend. 

You might attend a church that is pleasing to look at.

 You might feel comfortable there.

 Jesus saw all those things when he visited the Temple as well, but if we are on this Hike O Life to really understand what God wants the questions are going to get a bit harder.

Would God be pleased with the hearts of prayer in your place of worship?

Would God be pleased with YOUR HEART OF PRAYER?

Or should you be watching for overturned tables?

MY PRAYER - is for us to open our hearts and our worship and ask God to clean with us....and help us take down the false tables before He feels the need to come and do it with his righteous and powerful judgement....

Lord, the scene of our Saviour having to turn over tables seems so hard, but yet we have things in our ways, that are just as bad.  Lord - COME - SAVE US!  HOSANNA.  Help us submit to your ways, turn from our own selfishness, greed and pride and just admit how much we need YOUR HAND.  TAKE THOSE THINGS IN US - and turn them over, if they do not bear fruit for you.  AND LORD with a humble heart - we lift the name of _________________to you this day.....have YOUR WAY with us and with them....We praise your glorious NAME.... AMEN

A sincere prayer request for guidance in preparing and preaching at a funeral service on Monday - God is in this and will lead.  Many thanks!

A SIMPLE SABBATH WALK!

 

 ¹ As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, ² saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³ If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” 

 ^{4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,}

   ^{“Hosanna![a]”}

   ^{“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]}

 ^{10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”}

   ^{“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”}

 ^{11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.}

^{Mark 11: 1-11}

 

 

Yes, it's Saturday - but walk with me on this.  You have just read what we consider the Palm Sunday scriptures, but if you go back to the passage we read yesterday from John 12.  It says "six days before the passover (the following Thursday, so then on Friday, the eve of the Sabbath) they arrived at Bethany (12:1  ) and then the next day (12:1  ) they went into Jerusalem.

We are going to chat just a bit about being Jewish and in town for the Holy Days.  Imagine all the obedient pilgrims making the journey.  If you were going today, where would you stay?  You would book a hotel.  There is no way that were would be enough room at the inn!  (oh wait - that's another chapter of Jesus' life on earth.)

While Christ and the disciples had a place to stay with Martha, Mary and Lazarus in Bethany, which is just outside of Jerusalem; many others literally could camp outside the gates of Jerusalem, they would set up booths (tents) and sleep with their family and then proceed to the Temple to purchase and have the priests prepare (butcher)  their passover lamb.

Now on the Sabbath you were to rest, so even the Temple was quiet, but the folks were resting in their booths and perhaps others were taking a "sabbath day's walk".  Remember Judaism had strict rules about what you could and could not do on the Sabbath and traveling was one of the restrictions but look to this traditional definition from Bible Gateway.com.

Sabbath day's journey definition :  supposed to be a distance of 2,000 cubits, or less than half-a-mile, the distance to which, according to Jewish tradition, it was allowable to travel on the Sabbath day without violating the law (Acts 1:12; comp. Ex. 16:29; Num. 35:5; Josh. 3:4).

Now, that definition being explained, while in the swelled city during Holy Days, they increased the allowed distance so you could journey from your lodging to the Temple.  Jesus and the Disciples were staying just in Bethany and would have to walk through the camping grounds to get to town and as verse 11 says, they walked to Jerusalem so He could enter the Temple's outer courts. 


As he and the disciples took their Sabbath Day walk the crowd gathered and swelled as they gathered palm branches to wave and even put their coats down.  The fame of this teacher and the buzz of all the miracles and thoughtful teacher let the crowd to cry out.  Hosanna! 


Hosanna has a very simple translation.


What do you think it means?


Hallelujah?


Messiah?


NOPE,

 actually

it is a cry for help,


A cry for salvation,


literally.


What they crowds chanted on that Saturday/Sabbath day long ago was from Psalm 118: 25-26


LORD, save us!  


we read - Hosanna!


What the crowd didn't realized is they were choosing their perfect PASSOVER LAMB. 

They were recognizing Him as Lord. 

They recited the rest of this Hallel (literally hallelujah) that was part of their hymns for Holy Days


    
LORD, save us!
   LORD, grant us success!
  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
   From the house of the LORD we bless you!  (Psalm 118:25-26)


Thank You Lord, for coming and we cry out!  Lord Save US!


And all this happened

on a simple Sabbath day walk

 on their hike to the resurrection!


PRAYING AND OBEYING AS WE PRAY FOR _______________________.

ROAD TRIP DONE! SETTLED IN FOR SABBATH!

 ¹ Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead,^[a] whom He had raised from the dead. ² There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. ³ Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
⁴ But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, ⁵ “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii^[b] and given to the poor?” ⁶ This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
⁷ But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept^[c] this for the day of My burial. ⁸ For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
   ⁹ Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. ¹⁰ But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, ¹¹ because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.  John 12: 1-11 NJKV


Ah - TGIF say the disciples, their two day journey from Jericho was complete and since Jesus had such great friends in Martha, Mary and Lazarus they had their housing "booked" in Bethany just on the outskirts of Jerusalem.  It is likely that the family had been preparing all day for at sundown the sabbath began.  So when their guests arrived, all could relax, enjoy and catch up.

Indeed much had happened since Lazarus rose from death, likely just a few weeks before.  Wouldn't you like to imagine the conversations that were going on at the dinner table.

But then, much to every ones surprise.  Mary breaks out the expensive anointing oil, two of the Gospels say she anointed his head, but John describes it as he did above.

What do they agree upon? 

It was not expected by anyone.

It was expensive.

It was puzzling to all pre crucifixion.

But as the commentaries I consulted say, it showed a gratefulness, a humility and a love that passes human understanding.

Bible Gateway commentary sums it up like this....

"Whether or not Mary fully knew what her actions meant, Jesus did. Mary was preparing him for burial. Jesus was telling his disciples (and us) that he was soon going to die. This is why this story is so important to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is going to lay down his life for his sheep. Jesus is going to soon die, and Mary was preparing his body for burial."

"In many ways and on many occasions, we care for our loved ones as they prepare to die. We stroke their foreheads, rub their hands and feet, and touch their skin. Touching someone as he/she prepares to die is a sign of compassion and connectedness even today. If we would rub someone’s forehead and rub their hands and feet and touch their skin in other circumstances, such actions could be misinterpreted as erotic and being overly familiar. But as someone is preparing to die, loving compassion motivates us to gently touch our parent or grandparent or child or dearest friend. Mary, having been a devoted disciple, seemed to comprehend that Jesus was going to die in the near future, more so than his disciples."

Wow - what a dinner party!  And of course we know that these events were all part of God plans, but for now we allow Sabbath rest for our party.  From Sundown on Friday til Sundown on Saturday.

Have you prayed for ________________ today?  Have you made contact with ___________ since our journey began?  Ask God to show you have to love them and TAKE ACTION.  Prayer is our means of positioning ourselves to hear GOD and then say as He guides us YES LORD! 

Have a great day!

6 DAYS - ROAD TRIP!

 ⁵ You must not sacrifice the Passover in any town the LORD your God gives you ⁶ except in the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name. There you must sacrifice the Passover in the evening, when the sun goes down, on the anniversary^[a] of your departure from Egypt. ⁷ Roast it and eat it at the place the LORD your God will choose. Then in the morning return to your tents. ⁸ For six days eat unleavened bread and on the seventh day hold an assembly to the LORD your God and do no work. Deuteronomy 16: 5-8 (TNIV)


Well - none of you defriended me over my outside of tradition position that perhaps Jesus was on the cross on Wednesday instead of Friday!  Thanks all for hearing me at least!  Before I get into today's topic and I am going to keep it brief.  One more tidbit from my research.  Some of you might dispute the Wednesday Crucifixion because of the need to get Christ in the tomb before Sabbath (Saturday) fell.  The thought was that the High Holy Days of the Day of Atonement and Passover were also indeed Sabbath.  As you walk through these last days of Christ's time on earth as human these facts will play out.

MOST BIBLICAL SCHOLARS AGREE THAT JESUS  and the disciples were in Jericho in the weeks before this last Passover, when indeed Jesus became the perfect Passover sacrifice for all who will receive HIM.

If you have time to take today you can read over Luke 18-19 and see what the some of the events were that had just happened.  I find it amazing that the crowds were drawn in Jericho and this is where Zaccheus the cheif tax collector was up in the tree watching Jesus to get a better view.  The climate was one of wonder.

Jesus and the disciples had just wrapped up a lot of ministry and were obediently obeying the scriptures as commanded and noted above in Deuteromony to celebrate Passover, not in the town they were in, but in the place (Jerusalem) where God had allowed His Temple to be established.

And so they begin.  I would ask you to picture it like us wrapping up our jobs to take our Christmas vacation.  The disciples were likely anticpating all they would see as everybody was coming into town.  Jesus himself was probably looking forward to a good long chat with Lazarus, whom he had just raised from the dead in the last few months.  Indeed, the ministry team would be on the move on their two day trip, to the city, for the holidays. 

Making the trip - in the last 6 days



 I thank you all for your patience with my random time of posting each day.  God has me on some pretty intense road trips right now.  I arose early to post this blog before I started a planned day off and was going to have plenty of time to work on our seven day responses and my sermon for this Sunday.  However as soon as my alarm went off, I saw some calls overnight and immediately headed out to spend time with one of God's children who is spending his last days on earth before heaven.  I look at this friend and see how he has spent his last 7 days and now these last hours as his entire family is around him.  He has peace in his spirit and I believe is praying even as his body suffers for Jesus to comfort his family.

It is a journey - and if you are not allowing Christ to be a part of all your difficulties, I pray that you are able to do this on our WAY TO THE RESURRECTION! 

Let's pray....

Lord, I can't imagine how Jesus felt as He was leading his disciples for this last "road trip" of the many they took in three years of ministry all over Isreal, but I do know how I feel today.  I pray for my own understanding to deepen as we ponder your steps, I pray for ________________ and the journey they are on as you led us to the places we can meet you.  I pray comfort over my friend as he is ready to meet you in heaven and comfort on his family as they mourn.   Help us all to PRAISE YOU THIS DAY and sense the many things you are showing us on this hike ' o life.  amen......

Tomorrow - 5 days - dinner with friends.....

7 DAYS - Packing for a big trip!

Heading NE from Jericho to Jerusalem

 ¹ The LORD said to Moses, ² “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the LORD, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.
   The Sabbath
 ³ “‘There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the LORD.
   The Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread
 ⁴ “‘These are the LORD’s appointed festivals, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times: ⁵ The LORD’s Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. ⁶ On the fifteenth day of that month the LORD’s Festival of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast. ⁷ On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. ⁸ For seven days present a food offering to the LORD. And on the seventh day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.’”   Leviticus 23: 1-8

Greetings all!

I am busy compiling all the results from all of you who have responded to the survey of 7 days.  For the next seven days, I am going to be examining some of the activities that scholars presume happened to Jesus on the last seven days of His earthly ministry before the cross.

I ask for your grace in this walk and pray also for each of us to have what one of my seminary professors call a "sanctified imagination".  In other words, let's try to picture the scene and enter in so that we may better understand what Jesus did for ALL OF US.

Some events scholars agree happened on specific days, while others of course disagree.  None of us know for sure.  The scholars whose research I am using are Dr. Paul Kaufman of Ashland Theological Seminary and Rev Wayne Carver who is very involved in the Christian Jew Association of America.  Both of these gentlemen have researched the Gospel accounts and other historical records of the time (primarily those of Flavious Josephus, a roman contemporary writer who recorded much that correlates with scriptures and adds additional cultural insights of these times.)  In our journey, we are going get back to understanding that Jesus was an observant and obedient Jew and also begin to understand how indeed Jesus FULFILLS all of the requirements of Messiah as set for by God in the Old Testament.

First off - have you ever wondered why Easter is sometimes in mid March and sometimes in late April, (as it is this year)?  It is because it follows the timing of Pesach or Passover as we call it on the Jewish Calendar. 

The Jewish calendar is based upon the a 24 four hour day just like we are now, but the months are based upon the moon's revolving around the earth.  Think about it from an ancient standpoint, you could tell when the moon was full or when the moon was slim.  We have to depend on scientists and depend on a calendar.  The problem with this system is instead of leap days, they have leap months.  Passover happens in the month of Nisan (Nissan).  Today you see this OT scripture that give us guidance for the Passover feast on the day of the month.

You might ask why are you starting at 7 days - well according to the Jewish tradition of when the Passover fell in the Jewish month - what we call Good Friday, was more than likely a Wednesday and Jesus indeed was in the earth for a full 3 days or 72 hours before raising on in between sundown on Sabbath (Saturday) and dawn of the next day, when the women made the discovery.  (this is based upon looking back at the days of the Jewish calendar to the correlating Roman year) but of course this detail is known only by God. 

Have I shocked you with all this information?  It is one of many occasions of where church tradition has kinda superseded what might have actually been.  BUT WHETHER JESUS was nailed to the cross on a Wednesday or a Friday the point is he took on our sins and we WE REMEMBER!

So anyway.....

I didn't want this to be so long, so lets go back to the scripture.

Jesus and the disciples where tying up loose ends where they where (we suppose it was Jericho) more on that tomorrow and preparing to make the dusty rugged trip to Jerusalem for the Passover observance.  Jesus knew that the climax of his earthly mission was about to happen.  The disciples, not so much!

This sacred assembly that Moses called for was to happen at the Temple in Jerusalem.  Thousands of other pilgrims were also packing for this trip of their Faith and their tradition. 

I ask as you pray today you imagine Jesus and the disciples preparing for this journey, that you ask for strength for the journey you are on and that we all would see God as we walk these last difficult days to the resurrection.

As we pray today for our lives and for_________________.  We praise God for what he endured for us and ask to consider the humanness of knowing there were only 7 days of this part of life.  Jesus knew heaven of course and He came to bring the Kingdom to earth so we could KNOW, TRUST and HAVE CERTAINLY about Heaven as well.

Have a great day - Thanks for traveling along
 
 



Soups, Soups, Soups and a funny thing happened as I tried to blog!

 Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in seas and in all deeps.
Psalm 135:6

I got the recipes ready last night, all set to post the last of the soup blogs early this morning.

I did get up on time, actually ahead of on time!  But took long with my Bible reading and had to answer some emails and ran out of time before I left the house on my day off routine of volunteering this am.

What a day!  Mostly good, but not really as planned.  Have you ever had one of those days?

Lots of unexpected curves and spontaneous events that sometimes I would tend brush off and say, NO I HAVE TO KEEP TO MY SCHEDULE, but today had the opportunity for some very meaningful discussions with others and got some important stuff done in my own emotional and physical self care,  I sense that I have accomplished the MOST IMPORTANT THINGS for today.

I haven't even taken a look at my To-DO list for the day yet and in a few minutes it's supper and Bible study after.

But, while I haven't tackled my to do list - I suspect that God is having His way with me today and as I look at it, that is what is most important!

So those of you who have been looking for the blog - here it is!  Thanks for you emails/and concern.  I AM GREAT! 

The recipes are not my own, but ones that have been shared with me by other readers.  I haven't tried them, although I have made one very similar to the tortellini soup, that is a bit pricey to make, BUT QUICK AND DELICIOUS!

PRAY FOR _________________!

and thanks all feedback you have given me on 7 days.  I am compiling it and will be using it in blog next week and in my sermon.

OK  DINNER CALLS ME!  JUST KEEP FOCUSED ON HIM in the crazy old hike o' life!

CREAMY CARROT SOUP

  Here is a Creamy Carrot Soup that is delicious. Combine & Cook till carrots are tender (about 15 min):
3 C peeled diced carrots
2 C chicken or veggie broth
1 med shallot
1 tsp dried tarragon, crumbled
1 bay leaf
pinch nutmeg
Bring all of the above to a boil, when carrots are soft, remove bay lear then put in blender till smooth. Return to original pot on low.

Melt 1 T butter in small saucepan and whisk in 1 T flour. Cook for 1 min. Then Whisk into above carrot mixture. Bring to boil THEN reduce heat to low and stir in 1 C whipping cream and salt & pepper to taste. Add more broth if needed.

 

Creamy Tortellini Soup

Ingredients

• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken or vegetabke broth
• 1 (9 ounce) package cheese tortellini
• 1/4 tablespoon dried basil
• 1/4 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1 -2 cups alfredo sauce (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste

 Directions

1. In a large pot over high heat, combine the spinach and chicken broth. Heat to boiling, then reduce heat to low. Stir in tortellini, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the tortellini is cooked to desired tenderness.  Season with basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.  Add carrots and alfredo sauce and serve when heated through.

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

Sharing a song today that speaks to me so much as we get ready to make the last two weeks of our Lenten journey.  This song "How Deep The Father's Love for Us" is less than 10 years old, yet it sounds to me like a hymn of old.  The writer, Stuart Townend is a British worship lead who has written other beautiful works.

How is your journey going?

My TV discipline isn't even a problem anymore not even tempted to go over.  However all the things I though I would do instead still aren't getting done!  I am however reading a lot more and doing so much research for blogs and sermons right now and all that is coming with ease.

How are the prayers for ___________?

I would challenge you to pray about what God wants you to do in their life to show His Love?

It may mean a frank conversation.

It may mean a card of hope for them about the deep of God's Love at Easter.

It may mean an invitation to church.

If they are in a financial need, it may mean providing assistance.

or

It may mean journaling for yourself about you heart towards them and how it has changed in the last weeks that we have been praying.

THERE IS NO CORRECT ANSWER TO HOW YOUR PRAYERS TO _____________ work out.

Except that you would be obedient to the Holy Spirit stirring within you.

**********************************

I ask for you help with a sermon project I am doing for next Sunday.

My Palm Sunday message as a pulpit supply is going to be called 7 days -

My question is this - If you knew you only had 7 days left in your earthly life,

what 3 things would be most important for you to do before you leave.....

I have had almost a dozen respondents so far - I am going to tally up some survey results and use them as part of my sermon...

So if you are stirred to answer, please email me or message me on face book with your answers.

Believe it or not - no one has mentioned getting all the laundry done!

Don't forget extra prayers for _________________ today.

And carry the worship in your heart all week long!

See you with some great soups tomorrow!

Darcy