Posted in Lent devotions

Do you smell that?

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Scenes from the passion” Lent devotion for Friday, February 19, 2021. Photo by Richárd Ecsedi on Unsplash

While [Jesus] was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at supper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of ointment, a very costly spikenard. She broke the jar and poured the ointment on His head.

There were some with indignation within themselves, saying, “Why was this ointment wasted? It might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they grumbled against her.

Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. You always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish, you may do good to them. But you will not always have Me. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel will be preached throughout the whole world, what she has done will also be spoken of as a memorial to her” (Mark 14:3-9).

Yes, you can buy spikenard oil – from Amazon, of course. Depending on how much you want or need, it will only set you back thirty or forty dollars. In Jesus’ time, however, the jar was worth three hundred denarii, or three hundred days’ wages. Let’s do the math. If we allow for a $15 per hour minimum wage, and an eight hour day, times three hundred days, that totals $36,000! This was an extravagant moment! I would compare it to drinking an expensive bottle of old scotch you’ve saved for a special occasion. Or a once in a lifetime meal at a very exclusive and expensive restaurant. It seems to be that kind of special moment.

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Posted in Lent devotions

Stirring things up

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Scenes from the passion” Lent devotion for Thursday, February 18, 2021. Photo by Levi Meir Clancy on Unsplash

“It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest [Jesus] by stealth and kill him, for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people” (Mark 14:1-2).

The Jewish historian Josephus estimated that two million people were in Jerusalem for Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread at the time of Jesus, more than three times the usual population of the city. I picture something like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Times Square on New Year’s Eve, or Bike Week in Daytona Beach, FL.

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Posted in Lent devotions

Sounds like a plan

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Scenes from the passion” Lent devotion for Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

“It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest [Jesus] by stealth and kill him” (Mark 14:1).

In the recent ABC TV series “How to get away with Murder,” a criminal defense professor and some of her law students get mixed up in an elaborate murder plot. The classroom lectures and discussions are no longer theoretical, but real life drama.

The bible is littered with real life murder, too. Joseph’s brothers want to kill him and dispose of his body in a pit. Daniel’s coworkers carefully plan his death by lions, using his prayer life against him. In the book of Esther, Haman plans to kill Mordecai by exterminating every one of the Jews in exile.

So maybe you aren’t surprised to read about a plot to arrest and kill Jesus. But maybe you are. The chief priests and scribes aren’t bad guys are they? These descendants of Aaron offered up sacrifices at the temple, made atonement for those seeking to be clean, kept the incense and lamps burning in the temple, presided over the Day of Atonement, and taught God’s Word. They were an important part of the worship life of God’s people, the glue that had held this nation together.

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Posted in Stories

He had a story to tell

Posted on by William Douthwaite

We had no idea what to expect when Steve walked up to our truck at a gas station on our way to Texas.

We had exited I-10 somewhere around Marianna, FL to get some gas, hit the restrooms and eat some of the lunch we had packed for our drive to Dallas, TX. After filling up, I parked the truck far away from the convenience store. We dropped the tailgate and began to a little lunch before tackling the rest of that seemingly endless stretch if highway to Pensacola.

“Excuse me, sir,” he began. “I hate to bother you. I just need a little help.” I’ve had plenty of people begin a conversation with me in that way. He continued, “I just need a little more money for a place for the night.”

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Posted in advent, Advent devotions, Devotions

Bonus Christmas devotion: A heart full of treasures

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

A bonus “Live and in person” Advent devotion for December 25, 2020. Read Luke 2:1-20 and Psalm 148

“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

After the shepherds find Mary and Joseph the the baby lying the manger, they shared just why they were there. They had a quite the story to share about the angel’s announcement and the multitude of angels’ wonderful praises that night. Once they left, Mary had plenty of things to ponder. What a night!

We all have memories that we treasure. We store away special places we’ve been and people we’ve met. Photo albums and scrapbooks are filled with treasured moments from our lives. Certain songs or smells or sights bring those moments to mind as well. The music played at your wedding. The aroma of the cookies your mom always baked. The sight of an ornament that you’ve hung on your Christmas tree every year you’ve celebrated.

A ceramic nativity my wife made during her first pregnancy brings back the memories of our firstborn son. A set of nesting Santas we received as a gift in Des Moines brings back memories of playing “hide the baby Santa” with our children and grandchildren. Christmas poems I’ve written for my wife over the years remind us of what was going on at that time in our lives. And how we love to retell the stories – so many stories – of celebrations with our family in different places and in different ways.

I don’t know how often Mary talked about that night. After all, her pregnancy would have been a bit of a scandal. Her explanation a little fantastical for the average listener. At some point, she must have shared it with Luke, or someone Luke got to know. He wanted to be sure he got the story straight when he wrote his gospel about the Christ.

She would have a lot of time to reflect upon this night and what it really meant to be a servant of the Lord. She wouldn’t get much sleep until Jesus began sleeping through the night. She would have a lot of time to ponder while feeding him, rocking him and just simply watching him sleep. She had no idea what was coming. No parent does. Each day is a new page in the story of a baby’s life.

I hope you have a little time to ponder this Christmas. Hopefully, you’ve had some fun, joy and food with family and perhaps some good friends. But if you have a moment, just listen to your heart. What memories of the past are treasured up there? What questions about the future does it ask?

Chances are you’ve heard Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth within the past twenty-four hours. How did you feel as you heard those words? Tuck them away in your heart, think about them often, marvel at this good news of great joy that will be for all the people, and hum whatever carol comes to mind.

Thank you, Lord, for the many memories we store up in our hearts that always bring us back to the good news of Christmas. Amen.

Posted in advent, Advent devotions, Devotions

2020 Advent devotion: The shepherd’s report

Posted on by William Douthwaite
photo by falco on pixabay.com

“Live and in person” Advent devotion for December 24, 2020. Read Luke 2:8-20 and Psalm 23.

And when [the shepherds] saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2:17-18, 20)

Who doesn’t love to tell the Christmas story? With little nativity figures in hand we act out the story to our children. We teach them to act it out in Sunday School programs. We sing about it in choir cantatas. We make movies about it. We love to hear Linus recite the story in A Charlie Brown Christmas. It just never gets old.

After seeing and hearing the angel, and after seeing Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger, the shepherds had a story to tell. And everyone was in wonder when they talked about what happened that night in Bethlehem. I’ll bet it never got old for them, either!

Luke tells us that all who heard it wondered about the shepherd’s story. Did people believe them? Or were they amazed at such a contrived story? It does seem rather fantastical.

But on the other hand, as I mentioned in a previous devotion, Luke took great pains to compile his gospel. He wanted to get the facts straight, so that Theophilus could know for sure about the Christ (Luke 1:3-4). I wonder if he somehow he found and talked to those shepherds. Wouldn’t that have been a great interview? I’d have so many questions. What time of night was it? How bright were the angels? Exactly where did you find the manger and the baby? What were Mary and Joseph like? I could go on and on.

Families accumulate so many stories about Christmas. We love to talk about trips to celebrate Christmas with family. We love to talk about traditions that have been handed down from one generation to another. We fondly remember giving and receiving certain gifts (some good, some bad!) We talk about putting toys together late at night and children waking up way too early in the morning. We recall both blizzards and balmy Christmases.

On Christmas Eve, I get to stand in the center of the congregation and read about Christ’s birth, the appearance of the angels and the reports of the shepherds. I have the honor of reading the one account everyone has come to hear and no one ever gets tired of hearing. I believe there is just as much wonder in that moment as there was when the shepherds let everyone know about their night!

Thank you, Lord, for such a compelling account of your birth! Amen.

Posted in advent, Advent devotions, Devotions

2020 Advent devotion: A multitude of the heavenly host

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Gabriel on Unsplash

“Live and in person” Advent devotion for December 23, 2020. Read Luke 2:10-14 and Psalm 9.

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:12-14)

When Isaiah had his vision of the Lord in his throne room, there were angels flying around, praising him. When John has his visions in Revelation, there are myriads of angels around the throne, praising the Lamb (Rev. 5:11,12). After Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, angels were there to minister to him (Mark 1:12). When the mob came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, he told them he could easily summon twelve legions of angels to help him (Matthew 26:53). In fact, there was one there in the garden to strengthen him through his agonizing prayers (Luke 22:43). So it makes perfect sense for angels to show up when Mary gives birth to her firstborn in Bethlehem and laid him in a manger. Of course they were there. The angels are part of Jesus’ entourage or security detail. They might not always be in sight. But that night they were, and their praise was in high gear!

I wonder what these angels thought of this event. Suddenly, they’re assigned to an infant. Their praises are not heard in a sold-out concert hall, but by a few shepherds out in the Bethlehem hills. Even in this humble setting, he is still the Lord and worthy of their praise.

The angels next big assignment would be at the tomb where the stone has been rolled away and a few friends of Jesus discover that he has been raised from the dead. That’s right, they pretty much only show up for Christmas and Easter! But they always come with big news: the Savior has come and the Savior is back!

Every once in a while, people catch a glimpse of an angel or hear their voice. Their stories are always powerful. They are ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). The angels are never that far away. But that reminds us that our Lord is never far away, either!

We hear the Christmas angels,
The great glad tidings tell.
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel.

Thank you, Lord, for the angels, who lead us in praising you for your birth, your resurrection and your return. Amen.

Posted in advent, Advent devotions, Devotions

2020 Advent devotion: Not your average Joe

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Annie Gray on Unsplash

“Live and in person” Advent devotion for December 22, 2020. Read Matthew 1:18-25 and Psalm 116.

“When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:24-25)

I’m sure Joseph never imagined his life would take a turn in this direction. An angel in a dream? A pregnant fiancee (and it’s not your baby!)? Marry that woman and trust that God has a hand in this? Raise a child spoken of in prophecy? Suddenly, you have a part to play in God’s plan of salvation for the world. I imagine it would be a bit overwhelming.

The part of Joseph isn’t much in a typical Christmas play. He’s not much compared to angels, shepherds, or even the innkeeper (who isn’t even in the biblical account of Jesus’ birth!). He’s an innocent bystander. Collateral damage. A descendant of David, and therefore the connection with Bethlehem.

But Joseph is the one who has the dreams. He’s the one who hears from the Lord. He’s the one who shuttles the Christ around in accordance with the prophecies. He’s the “carpenter” associated with Jesus. He’s the one who will fade into the sunset by the time Jesus begins his public ministry. After he and Mary find Jesus in the temple at age twelve, we never hear from him again.

But he makes into the pages of scripture. Luke tells us that he carefully compiled his account of Jesus’ life. Do you think he talked to Joseph?

I think that would have been a great conversation. “You heard from God in a dream? What was that like?” “How did you feel when you learned that Mary was pregnant?” “What was it like being the dad of the Messiah?” It would be amazing to spend a day with Joseph!

No one plays a minor part in God’s plan. Each of us is an important brick in the temple built upon the prophets and apostles, with Christ as the cornerstone, where God dwells in His spirit (Eph. 2:19-22).

Joseph got to teach Jesus how to work with wood. I loved learning a craft from my father. I loved teaching my children, too. I’ll bet he loved every minute he got to spend with his son! And I’ll bet his son loved every minute he got to spend with his dad. Parents: never forget how much your kids love spending time with you!

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your son to spend time with me. Amen.

Posted in advent, Advent devotions, Devotions

2020 Advent devotion: Simeon sees the Christ!

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

“Live and in person” Advent devotion for December 21, 2020. Read Luke 2:22-33 and Psalm 24.

“And [Simeon] came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God.” (Luke 2:27-28)

Simeon is one of those fascinating people in the bible that we know little about. We never hear of him before this and never hear about him again. But he was definitely an Advent kind of guy, watching and waiting for the Christ. Simeon had the unique promise from God that he wouldn’t die until he had seen his Savior. So this day must have been bittersweet. Imagine the joy of seeing the Christ, live and in person! And imagine how it felt to know you can now plan your funeral.

Each year on All Saints Day, I talk about all the members of our church who have died over the last year. That’s a bittersweet moment. Each one had been sitting in the congregation, worshiping with us just months before. I had officiated at their funerals. And now they see their Lord face to face, live and in person. So we both mourn and rejoice, comforted by the truth that our Lord always takes his lambs in his arms and brings them home.

Whenever we gather for worship, there is always the possibility that someone there will get to know Jesus for the very first time. That’s why we never fail to proclaim the gospel which brings us face to face with Jesus the Christ. There is also the possibility that it will be someone’s last time in church, for it will be their time to encounter Jesus face to face. That’s why we never fail to proclaim the gospel, because it affirms that amazing truth.

I guess we all come to church because we want to catch a glimpse of Jesus. We want to see him through the eyewitness accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. We want to see him in the sacrament. We long to see his body, the church. And yes, we even long for that day when he takes us from this valley of sorrows to himself in heaven.

Jesus’ death had been planned a long time ago, before the creation of the world. He would breathe his last on the cross and others would take him in their arms, eyes filled with tears. In just a few days, though, they would see him again, live and in person, the resurrected Christ. From that moment on, the reality of their death would not be something to fear, but something to look forward to. That day when they would see him again, face to face, live and in person.

Thank you, Lord, for holding my life in your hands. What a day that will be, when I get to see you face to face! Amen.