By Monday, the party was over. The upcoming Passover Feast would commemorate the deliverance of the Children of Israel from Egypt. That particular Passover  also marked the closing period of Christ’s earthly ministry.

            Jesus entered the very stronghold of His enemies when he came to Jerusalem. On Friday night and Saturday He stayed at Bethany, the home of Mary and Martha. On Saturday night a feast was given in His honor by Mary.  On Sunday morning Jesus sent two of His disciples to a village to bring Him a donkey colt tied there. The disciples placed their garments on it and seated Jesus thereon.

            Soon the multitude gathered.  They knew He was announcing Himself as King. Soon they were chanting Psalm 118, and shouting Hosanna.  “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matt. 21:9). The city was moved. Yesterday, we celebrated this welcome as Palm Sunday. 

                  And yet, because of the wickedness of the human heart and the frailty of the human soul, this same Jesus, in less than a week, was killed with no one to own His cause or protect His name.  They found fault because He ate with the lowly. They misquoted Him and made false reports about Him. These led to death-plotting, aggravated by every kindness He did, every good deed He performed, every soul He relieved of suffering.  At last, the suffering and the sin of the World was laid on Him and in the fullness of time the King humbled Himself to the death of the cross. In that majestic, yet terrifying hour, He paid the ransom price for sin in His own body.

            How strange for a nation to kill its King instead of acclaiming Him.  This king had done nothing worthy of death. Even Pilate protested repeatedly, “I find no crime in this man.”

            When Our Lord rode to Jerusalem, He knew the hour of His destiny had arrived. There would be no more throngs eager to hear the words of His teaching. No more tenderly anointed feet lovingly dried with the long hair of a grateful sinner. No more feeding 5,000 with the lunch of one small boy. No more walking on the water. That part of His life was ended. He steadfastly advanced toward the cross.

           Yesterday we celebrated Palm Sunday.  We remembered the crowds, and the acclamation.  We saw  Jesus, about to lay aside His servant-king robes and accept the role of the Lamb. He rode that colt of a donkey into Jerusalem and began the week-long journey through the horror and degradation of the Cross, to the final victory, the triumphant Resurrection. And, beloved, He did it all for us. As we go through this week, let's focus on that love - the love for us that took Him to the cross.

          Almighty God, Who sent His only Son to be our example, our teacher, and our Savior, give me the faithfulness not to follow the whim of the crowds around me. May my praise be genuine and unwavering, not dependent upon the opinions of those around me.  Help me to realize the magnitude of the sacrifice Jesus made for me and may I live my life accordingly. Amen  



Blessings,
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity

     Happy Valentine’s Day! You know, today as we are all busy showing those we love how much they mean to us, I want to tell you a story about the power of God’s love. Our Papa loved to tell this story – it was one of his favorite memories.

          Years and years ago, back in the 1920’s or 30’s, at a national denominational meeting, 200 Christian Native American Elders were attending as honored guests. I had been asked to lead the worship that year, and the Native American Elders were seated in a reserved section in the front rows, all in traditional dress for the occasion. Their section made a colorful and unmistakable swath across the convention floor. 
        After the singing and opening remarks were done, a Reverend Mr. Tyson, an aged pastor, got up to speak. Addressing those seated in the front rows, he began slowly, “I was once your enemy, for I was in Custer’s campaign in Wyoming and I fought you to the death.” He went on to describe the bloody battle and then he tried to express his remorse for all that had been done there. The hush in the convention center was uncomfortable. 
         Suddenly the crowd moved as one, turning in their seats. A large, aged Indian man had slowly risen to his feet, and lifted his hand. He was recognized. 
            “Mr. President,” said he, “I was in that battle, and we fought you like demons.” 
            A thrill like an electric shock brought that crowd to the edge of their seats. The Native American elder continued, “I was Mr. Tyson’s bitter enemy, but now I am happy to hear him preach the gospel and we are brothers in Jesus.”
        Tense with emotion, the Reverend Tyson eagerly asked, “I want you to come to the platform. Shake hands with your old-time enemy, now your Christian brother?”
          With great effort the broad-shouldered, brown-faced old man made his way down the aisles and up to the platform. As the two men approached each other, tears were in their eyes. They did not stop to shake hands. They could not speak, but they fell into each other’s arms and sobbed joyfully. As they stood in that embrace the great audience rose as one and spontaneously began to sing, with hearts throbbing, “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.”
           
            I love that old memory of my grandfather’s because it really gets at the root of what love is all about.  It’s about letting the love of God change us -change our hearts, change our lives, change the way we interact with each other. We are his hands and heart in this old world of ours. The amazing, agape love we have in overflowing measure from our Heavenly Father isn’t supposed to stop with us…it is meant to overflow through our lives to those around us as a witness of the God, who is love.

I John 4:7-8, “…let us love one another. For love is of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love. Beloved, let us love one another.”


With hearts full of love and thanksgiving for all of you,
Cara and Patti
Classic Christianity

This blog post is being rerun by request from its original posting of 2/2013. Thank you!

     Oh, how lovely that first Christmas service was! The angels filled the sky and praised God with their glorious announcement of Christ’s birth! Angels are God’s special messengers and oh, how special this message was! Tonight the angels brought the news the people had waited for since the dawn of time. This is the “good news” that Israel had longed for over the centuries!

     And the congregation? Who was in attendance at that first Christmas service in the Judean hills? Why – the shepherds who were out watching their flocks, now staring in fear and amazement as these glorious angels make the world’s most important announcement to them! Not to royalty, not to important businessmen, but to shepherds on the hillside.

    When the angels left, can you guess what the shepherds did?  Well, they BELIEVED the angels! So, they didn’t just go back to their sheep. They didn’t just sit around talking. No – they were excited to welcome this new baby King! So, into Bethlehem they went to search for the new baby, and worship Him there. 

     Praise God! He welcomes everyone. Not just royalty, not just important people or rich people. God wants all to come. God wants you and me!

Questions:  

• What did the angels say had happened? (Luke 2:10-12)
• What is an angel’s job? Who tells them what to do?

Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for Your Son, Jesus! Thank you for welcoming all of us to worship Him, to love Him, and to follow Him. Praise Your Name! Amen.

Blessings at Christmas,
Cara & Patti

Classic Christianity

      The Light of the World was about to be born. Do you know who the Light of the World is?  (Jesus!)

     One day, a young woman was going about her day when an angel came to visit her! That angel told the young woman, whose name was Mary, that she would soon give birth to the savior of the world – to Jesus. Do you know, the Bible says that Mary started singing when the angel came to tell her that she was going to give birth to Jesus? Mary praised God for His goodness, and told God she would do whatever He asked. Mary trusted God.

       After Jesus was born, Mary & Joseph took Him to the temple. While they were there, Simeon told everyone Jesus is “The Light and Glory to all people.”

     Jesus is the Light of the World. Since Jesus has gone back to heaven, those of us who trust in Him can allow Him to shine through us to light this world. We can let people get a little idea of what Jesus is like by watching Him work in us!

     When you drive around to see Christmas lights on people's homes, or see a beautiful Christmas tree with lovely lights all over it, each little light can remind you of Jesus! It’s like having a million lights on a birthday cake just for Him!

     Questions:  

• Was Mary willing to do what God asked? (Yes she was.)
• Who is the Light of the World? (Jesus)
• How can we show people the Light of the World? (When we trust Jesus as our Savior, and He lives in our lives, people can get a little glimpse of His love & His light through our lives.)

Prayer: Dear Father God, thank you for sending Jesus to be the Light of the World….lighting our way to You, and lighting our lives with joy. Help us to allow Jesus to shine through us to all of those around us. Thank you, in Jesus’ name, amen. 

Blessings,
Patti & Cara
​
Classic Christianity

      Oh, it is so much fun to hear how happy the wise men were when they saw the star! For so many years, they had studied the prophecy books, and watched the stars, waiting for this special star to appear. Now they knew that the new King – the special King sent by God – was born! Even though they would have to travel for many months across the desert, living in tents and riding on camels, they were thrilled to see the star.

     When sin first came into the world, God made a plan. He promised to send someone to take care of the serpent, to take care of sin. Even when God’s people didn’t remember the promise – God did. Even when God’s people weren’t faithful – He was! God never forgot the people of Israel. He guided, protected, and loved them no matter what. And now, that promise is fulfilled. The star is shining – the new King is born!

    And so the wise men set off to find the babe.  When they found him, they fell down and worshipped Him, giving Him costly gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh.  They were so thankful to have found Jesus! Isn’t it wonderful that we can find Him too, right where we are, by praying?
 
Questions:  

• What does the star mean to the wise men?
• Does God still love us? (Yes, He sent Jesus to save us from sin.)

 
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, the wise men waited so long to see the sign of the star and then follow that star to the baby Jesus! May we be patient and wonder-filled as we follow You, too! Amen!

Blessings as you celebrate Christmas,
Cara & Patti

Classic Christianity