Jesus is Lord

A Better Country

Frank

I pick up my Chai Tea and take in my surroundings. At one table is a Filipino couple drinking coffee and working on their computers. A young Persian girl is talking on the phone over in the corner. And I am just about to sit down with two of my best friends- a refugee from El Salvador and an African American from North Carolina. All of us in a Starbucks at the corner of a shopping center with a Mexican supermarket as its anchor.

I turn on the news and see a democratically-elected president toppled only one year after his election by a military coup while his allies are being thrown in prison and dozens are killed. Meanwhile at home our elected representatives have the lowest approval rating of any organization ever polled by Gallup yet no blood is spilled.

Our country has been called a “melting pot” and our government the “grand experiment”. Depending on your political leanings and who is in office you might have a few more colorful adjectives to describe your temporary home. Maybe a “melting experiment” might fit. You might not like the current administration or you may be celebrating the recent decisions by the Supreme Court. Either way, you and I can sit down and have coffee together without risk of physical harm, imprisonment, or political retaliation.

And Sunday, in an environment when many political decisions appear to be counter to the Bible I read and follow, we can still come together and worship in freedom.


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We live in a pretty neat place.

But this place is not my home.

I love Hebrews 11, often called the “Hall of Fame of Faith”. While the stories of Biblical heroes are inspiring, it is their motivation that always moves me. Describing Abraham the author of Hebrews writes, “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (v 10). Of Moses he writes, “He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.” (v 25)

Their motivation was not in the here and now. They were looking forward to something more, something better. “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own… [T]hey were longing for a better country – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” (v 13-14, 15-16)

As you celebrate our country today (assuming you’re reading this in the US) I urge you to long for a better country- a heavenly one. I pray that together we long and strive for a Kingdom with Jesus himself as priest and king, independent of any political party or movement. And I ask that you remember that this is not our home.

Triumphal Entry

Frank

They huddle around one another, listening to some final words of wisdom and last-minute instructions. They may take a knee in prayer. Then together, unified, they make their triumphal entry.

It is a sports tradition as players leave the locker room to slap a sticker, logo, or saying above the door. “Pride” “Bear Down” “War Eagle” The Clemson Tigers rub “Howard’s Rock” before taking the field. A simple reminder before game time.

For those in Jerusalem, they laid down palm branches for their coming King.

Epic Choke

We are in the midst of March Madness with its Cinderella stories and upsets galore. But fans’ expectations are sometimes too high. Although the unpredictability is what makes the NCAA basketball tournament so exciting, we are quick to judge the losers- the team was over-rated, the coach wasn’t prepared (both Minnesota and UCLA fired their coaches in the last couple of days despite having relatively successful seasons), the players were soft; or sometimes the worst insult in all of sports- they simply choked on the big stage.

Can you imagine the crowd’s surprise as they heard that the Messiah was coming? People rushed out into the streets thinking, “here he comes! He’s going to restore God’s Kingdom! Time to show those Romans who’s boss!” And as they peered over one anothers’ shoulders, they saw a humble man riding a donkey.

Sure, for the educated they recalled the prophesy in Zechariah, but he still didn’t look like a king ready for battle. I’m sure many doubted upon seeing him. Of course the Bible records that others responded with cheers of Hosanna in the Highest.

Can you imagine their surprise when only a few days later this king-to-be would be killed in a public spectacle?

If Facebook was around at the time I’m sure someone would have posted a picture of the crucifixion with the caption “Epic Fail” Epic would definitely be the right word to describe it; fail, not so much. What the people did not understand was that God’s Kingdom involved more than Jerusalem. In fact, it involved more than the living. The Christ died only to overcome death three days later, establishing His Reign over both life and death.

We call Palm Sunday Jesus’ “Triumphal Entry” but the real triumph came when Jesus died and entered the grave.

But that wasn’t good enough for many fans at the time. And it’s not good enough for many still today.

The Day After

Frank

I looked outside my window and I saw something that surprised me. The sun was peeking over the horizon. It might actually rise today. I opened by Bible and found that the words haven’t changed and that Jesus is still Lord. So with that comfort I can sit back and enjoy my coffee.

I don’t want to mock those whom are justifiably upset about the election results last night nor do I want to minimize their legitimate concerns. There are those whose jobs are at risk because of last night’s outcome. There are lifestyles that will be threatened. I am sympathetic, but at the same time I think that would have been true regardless- just for a different set of people.

In this month’s Coffee Break from the ministry of Living on the Edge, Chip Ingram asks us to imagine sitting around a table with some of the Bible’s greatest heroes and to picture laying our concerns out on that table. What would they say? What advice would they give? Regardless of who won last night, half of us were destined to be upset about the results, so this exercise applies to all of us.

  • Abraham would say: “Trust God” Focus on God’s promises, not the world’s problems (Romans 4:20-21)
  • Joseph would say: “Forgive the Opposition” God’s Will will prevail. (Genesis 50:20)
  • Moses would say: “Confront the Culture” The truth sets people free. (John 8:32)
  • Esther would say: “Risk Rejection” You are where you are for just a time as this. (Esther 4:14)
  • David would say: “Fight the Giants” God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. (1 Samuel 17)
  • Daniel would say: “Pray Fervently” God can move rulers and authorities through prayer. (Proverbs 21:1)
  • Paul would say: “Preach the Word” The Gospel is the only thing that can change people, cultures, and countries. (Romans 1:16)

And last but not least,

  • Jesus would say: “Go Make Disciples” Our work here is not done. (Matthew 28:18-20)

What do you think these heroes of the faith would say to you right now?