Tag: Mirror of the Passion

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

“I’d like to kill you.”

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 25, 2022. Photo by Abhishek Singh on Unsplash

They kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” (Luke 23:21)

It is very hard to imagine myself joining in with a crowd demanding someone’s execution. Yet in the courts, prosecutors say, “The people are seeking the death penalty.” Protestors outside prisons hold up signs demanding the death of a convicted criminal. A dummy hung from a tree and set on fire expresses the intent of a mob. Old wanted posters promised rewards for an outlaw brought in “dead or alive.”

The Jewish leaders have brought Jesus to Pilate with charges of sedition and treason. They accuse Jesus of challenging the authority of Caesar and even calling himself a king. Neither Pilate nor Herod is impressed with Jesus. They’re ready to punish him and let him go.

But the crowd shouts over and over again, “Crucify him.” They will accept nothing less than Jesus’ execution.

Sometimes we casually toss around the idea of killing someone. When somebody spills something you and you exclaim, “I’m going to kill you!” Or you’re late, and you just know that your mom or dad is going to kill you. “If looks could kill…”

The word just kind of slips out. But it also reveals something about us. Something inside us fast forwards past hitting back or getting revenge right to the extreme – taking a life. When you think about it, it’s scary to think that we might be capable of that very thing. And of course, we are. The very first sin outside of the Garden of Eden is murder. Cain gets angry and kills his brother. It’s not tossing words or rolling on the ground fighting. It’s the big one.

When Jesus spoke of anger, he placed it under the fifth commandment, “You shall not murder.” Our anger condemns us. Our temper makes us liable to judgment. We very much want to wrest vengeance away from God and take care of people problems ourselves.

Just about every discussion about anger includes the mention that Jesus himself got angry. This is true. But that was an isolated occasion. And he didn’t kill anyone. And you aren’t Jesus. So I’m not sure the comparison is valid.

When a couple of toddlers get together, they may play well together for a while. But they may also grab a toy away from the other. Such behavior can lead to pushing, hitting, biting, and eventually crying. Young children are out for blood in their own way. When we grow up, we usually learn to control the pushing, hitting, and biting. But we lash out in other ways, ignoring, snubbing, insulting, and suing each other, in effect saying, “I’d like to kill you.”

Jesus comes to take all our anger and hatred on himself. He lets sinful nature take its course and not only demand his death, but actually carry it out. He helps us see that death really doesn’t get us what we want.

What we want is life. And that’s what his death will bring.

Lord, sometimes I’m so angry. And that’s why you died. I’m humbled. Amen.

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

We’ll take Barabbas

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 24, 2022.

But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. (Luke 23:18-19)

OK, this is crazy. Why would they want Barabbas, a murderer, back on the street? When we capture a murderer, we want them put away for life – or worse. When they are released on a legal technicality we are incensed. How could that be justice? How could that be right?

Can you think of any reason why you might choose Barabbas over Jesus? I can think of several. First, you want insurrection. You want a rebellion. You’ve been waiting for someone to stand up to the Romans. Jesus isn’t going to do that. But Barabbas will. He already has.

And maybe Barabbas didn’t do it. Someone lied and he ended up in jail. That’s not justice. He should go free.

It’s possible you personally know Barabbas. As far as you know, he’s not such a bad guy. OK, so maybe he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, made a few mistakes. Who hasn’t? He was a friend. He took care of his mom. He was there for you in the past. Now he needs your help, so you’re there for him.

And this Jesus? You’ve never seen him before in your life. You don’t know anything about him. But you can tell he’s not popular. So you go along with the crowd. “Take him away!”

It’s ironic that according to Luke, the only member of the pro-Jesus party in attendance is Pilate. Three times, Pilate said Jesus wasn’t guilty of any of their charges. Pilate is ready to let him go. Every other voice calls for Barabbas’ release. It’s a landslide.

The Philadelphia Flyers won the Stanley Cup in 1974 and 1975. Their unofficial nickname was the “Broad Street Bullies.” They were the bad guys we (I grew up there) all rooted for. The roster included players who deliberately committed penalties and started fights to intimidate their opponents. For a few seasons, it worked and they won.

In this moment, Barabbas wins. He gets to go free while Jesus is handed over to be crucified. But it’s just the first period. There’s a lot of time left in the game.

I can’t wait for overtime, Lord. Amen.

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

Miracles

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 23, 2022. Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. (Luke 23:8)

So where have you been for the last three and a half years, Herod? You’re the ruler of Galilee and you never got a chance to see Jesus? Entire towns showed up to see Jesus. Crowds followed him from place to place. You could have caught his show at any number of places.

And let’s face it. That’s all it really was for Herod. A show. Herod wasn’t a believer. He was curious, but he was just part of that “wicked and adulterous generation” who always wanted a miraculous sign.

Do we ever come to see the “Jesus show?” Do we ever come to church simply to be entertained by musical talent or an inspirational speaker? Sure we do. And that’s just fine with the church, who will strive to provide entertainment and inspiration so that you’ll come to the “Jesus show.”

I know that’s harsh. But in our culture, we do expect to be entertained. We expect to be entertained all the time. And while there’s nothing wrong with entertainment, that’s not why Jesus came. He didn’t come to do card tricks or make balloon animals or make an elephant disappear. He came to save us from sin and death. He performed miracles to verify that he was the Savior. He performed miracles to help those who were suffering from so many different ailments. He performed miracles because of his great power and his great love. But he never played to the crowd.

There are plenty of folks who would like to see a miracle. I’m one of them. A wise friend commented, “There are miracles all around us, if you just take time to look for them.” How true. We can talk to just about anyone anywhere in the world at anytime during the day. That’s miraculous. A baby is born, breathes, cries, looks up at you, and smiles. What a miracle! The human eye can distinguish over 10 million different colors. Whoa. A really, really good cup of coffee smells and tastes so good. Same goes for bacon and freshly baked bread. Oh, yeah. You wake up fifteen seconds before your morning alarm goes off. How does that happen?

There are a lot of people who would like to see Jesus, too. I’m one of them. But not just for a miracle. Forever and forever.

Thanks for all the miracles, Lord. Amen.

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

Nothing to worry about

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 22, 2022. Photo by Altin Ferreira on Unsplash

Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” (Luke 23:3)

I always enjoy it when someone comes up to me at the store and starts talking to me like I worked there. Once in a while, in a shirt and tie, I suppose I might look like a manager or something. If I know where something is, I’ll point you in the right direction. If not, I’ll admit, “I’m just shopping. I don’t work here.”

Jesus must have been a sight. He was dressed just like any other disciple. His hands were bound from his arrest. He was soaked in sweat from his agonizing hour of prayer in the garden. They beat him, so he might have a few cuts and bruises, maybe even a swollen eye. You and I would want to know, “What happened to you?”

The elders, chief priests and scribes said, “He’s telling everyone not to give tribute to Caesar. He called himself Christ, the king.” I can picture Pilate looking Jesus over, raising an eyebrow and asking, “So you’re the king of the Jews, huh?” If he was, he wasn’t much of a threat to anyone. Look at him. And he’s not much of a leader. His own people roughed him up and turned him in. Where were his followers? Where was his army? Is this some kind of joke? If this is the extent of the revolt, we’ve got nothing to worry about.

Pharaoh looked at Moses and thought, “I’ve got nothing to worry about.” Goliath looked at David and thought, “I’ve got nothing to worry about.” A bald, blind Samson? Nothing to worry about. They were soon proved wrong.

However, you and I can look to Jesus and say the same thing. “I’ve nothing to worry about.” In a storm? He commands the wind and waves. Terminal illness? He wakes up the dead. Food and clothing? Just look at the birds and the flowers. Don’t know what to say? He’ll cue you. Run out of wine? He’s got the good stuff. Feeling overwhelmed? He says, “Here, take my yoke.”

It’s ironic that Jesus can bring out the same response from those of faith and those who doubt. He’s not a threat. But he is the Savior. He looks like us. But his words are filled with power.

Feeling good about yourself? You think you’ve got nothing to worry about. When all you can do is whisper, “Lord, have mercy,” he lets you know you have nothing to worry about.

So which is it? Is Jesus so insignificant that you have nothing to worry about? Or is he so significant that you have nothing to worry about?

Thanks for being a big deal, Lord. Amen.

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

They took Jesus to Pilate

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 21, 2022. Photo by Alina Rubo on Unsplash

Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. (Luke 23:1)

“The whole company” would include high priest, chief priests, scribes, and the elders of the people. They’ve heard Jesus incriminate himself, that is, he didn’t deny being the Christ and the Son of God. Such claims are capital offenses in their eyes. So they drag Jesus to Pilate the Roman governor.

Suddenly, Jesus’ fate is in the hands of the secular world. That might not be a bad thing, now that we’ve seen how ruthless the religious leaders can be. Maybe Jesus will finally get some justice!

We know that’s not going to happen. We know how this turns out. The religious elite will find a way to use Roman authority to get what they want: the death of Jesus.

I’ve heard some stories about congregational meetings that took place before I was pastor of my current church. At one of those meetings, those on each side of an issue became to argumentative that someone called the sheriff’s department to break things up. I know, I also thought, “Really?” I don’t know what they were fighting about, but someone got their way. And the local authorities helped.

At one point, when we were going to put a new church sign out front, an option was a lit sign on which we could put messages. Someone who didn’t want that kind of sign poured over the zoning laws until they found a provision that said we couldn’t have one. We put up a different kind of sign. Meanwhile the church next door got a variance and put up a lit sign. Once again the local authorities were a great help.

Isn’t it interesting how we’re willing to overlook the separation of church and state when we can use the state to our advantage? By the same token, those running for office will seek the endorsement of religious organizations. Yep, there’s nothing new under the sun.

I’ll admit, it’s tempting to call code enforcement rather than walking across the street to talk to my neighbor about his lawn. It’s tempting to inflate my church contributions to reduce my income taxes. Wearing a clerical collar could get me out of a speeding ticket, right? If we let the city use our facility as a polling place, we might just get that building permit we need. I’ve volunteered for Good News Club (after school bible instruction) in our local elementary school. The Supreme Court of the United States said we could do that.

That’s all they were doing. Just getting it done.

Lord, have mercy on me, the government, and the church. We need it. Amen.

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

I don’t get no respect

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 19, 2022. Photo by Tumisu on Pixabay.

Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” (Luke 22:63-64)

We learn how to mock others at a very young age. We taunt the kids in preschool, “You can’t catch me!” We imitate others with a whiny voice. We slap labels on each other like “stupid,” “ugly,” “fat,” and “dummy.” We master all this before we even get to elementary school.

We spend a lot of time teaching our children to be respectful. We teach them to encourage others, speak well of them, and explain everything in the kindest way. We help them learn treat others as they would like to be treated.

And then we turn around and mock those who can’t get around very well, who stutter when they talk, who have certain political leanings, can’t control their children, creep along in the center lane of the highway, seem to wander aimlessly through the grocery store, etc., etc., etc.

So it should be no surprise that Jesus would be mocked. This is a king? This is your master? This is your Savior? You’ve got to be kidding. That’s the best you’ve got? An ordinary carpenter from Nazareth in Galilee with some kind of Messiah complex?

Well, just look in the mirror. We mock other faiths. You worship that fat statue of the Buddha? You really believe you could be reincarnated as a cow or a bug or something? You’re basing your faith on one man’s vision of some golden plates? You really believe we’re descended from ancient aliens?

It seems like everyone else’s faith is laughable. So is ours, I guess. Wait, you say Jesus came back from the dead? That same guy who walked on water? And turned water into wine? Don’t you think that’s kind of out there? I completely understand why someone might make fun of the things I believe.

Oh, and they beat Jesus while they were mocking him. Like the bully who pushes you down on the playground and then laughs when you skin your knees. Or trips you in the lunchroom, sending your food flying while everyone laughs.

That’s what our world is like. That’s the world that Jesus stepped into.

It is humbling to realize that we are among the ones who make it that kind of a world. We do plenty of mocking. We’re in on it. We’re in on the shame and humiliation Jesus endured. That’s me in the mirror.

It’s a cruel world, Lord. And I help make it that way. Lord, have mercy.

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

One of them

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 18, 2022. Photo by Jehyun Sung on Unsplash

Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.  (Luke 22:55-62)

He did it. He did it just the way Jesus said he would. He denied knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crowed before the dawn.

Peter didn’t have a gun to his head or a sword at his throat. He wasn’t being interrogated under intense light. He wasn’t threatened in any way. Two simply made the comment, “You were with him.” Another said, “You are one of them.” These people had no authority. The mob already had the one they wanted. But Peter is quick to respond, “I don’t know him, I wasn’t with him, and I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Peter was confident. He had a sword and wasn’t afraid to use it in the garden when the mob came for Jesus (John 18:10). But he wasn’t prepared for this. He wasn’t prepared to be one of them. Those who came with Jesus from Galilee. Those who ran alongside Jesus when he rode into Jerusalem like a king. Those who called him Christ.

Later, Peter would encourage believers to not only honor Jesus as Christ the Lord but also be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15).

We’ve been conditioned to think that we are going to encounter resistance at every turn. That’s not always true. Just because someone asks, “You’re a Christian, right?” doesn’t mean they’re your enemy. They might be interested in hearing what you believe. Or they might want someone to pray with them. Or they might be looking for a friend themselves.

What if Peter had simply been silent? What if after the servant girl said, “This man was also with him,” someone else said, “Really? What was he like? Did he really heal people?” He could have shared some amazing memories from the past three years. It would have been about Jesus, not about him.

Perhaps that’s the secret. It’s not about us. It’s always about him.

Lord, I guess I’m one of “them.” What story do you think I should tell?

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

Spotted

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 17, 2022. Photo by Mulyadi on Unsplash

Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.”  (Luke 22:54-56)

Since I’ve lived in my community for nearly twenty-six years, I get recognized a lot.

At the Chick-fil-A drive up window, a young lady hands me a drink and asks, “Are you Pastor Bill? I went to your preschool when I was little!” Or at the bank where some of the church members work. At a restaurant, where a kind friend paid for my drink refill. A barista at Starbucks was once in my confirmation class. I knew the trainer at Marineland who helped us swim with the dolphins. I run into folks I know at the doctor’s office, the grocery store, the pharmacy, the veterinarian, and movie theaters.

Of course, there are places where you hope no one will see or recognize you. Like when you are wheeling a grocery cart out of the liquor store. Or when you’re all bandaged up after a long day at the dermatologist. Or when you’ve grabbed your rebellious child by the hand and dragged them out of the store kicking and screaming. Sneaking into the library to return some very overdue books.

Or like Peter, when you’ve quietly followed Jesus, who has been arrested and taken to the high priest’s house at night. It’s dark and he’s keeping his distance. He’s from Galilee and the city is full of people from all over Israel. No one is going to recognize him, even if he can be seen in the light of the fire.

Until someone does. Where had the servant girl seen Peter with Jesus? In the garden where Jesus prayed? When Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem? In the temple when Jesus was teaching? He didn’t know her. But she recognized him.

This is an awkward moment. They’ve arrested Jesus. Would they come after his followers? Was it safe for the twelve to be in Jerusalem? Even after the resurrection, they would hide behind locked doors.

Have you ever pretended not to see someone at the store so you wouldn’t have to stop and talk with them? Once you’ve seen them, avoiding eye contact, you quickly turn down an aisle and disappear into the crowd.

Poor Peter doesn’t get a chance to do that. He’s been spotted. For him it feels like a “I know what you did last summer” moment. And there’s nowhere to hide. Her comment was probably harmless. But I’ll be Peter felt conspicuous.

We love our faith and we love our Lord, but that means we’ll find ourselves in places and situations where we just don’t fit in. Most of the time, no one really cares, but we still feel conspicuous. Yes, we know how Peter felt.

Lord, I just don’t fit in. Why does that feel so good and so bad at the same time?

Posted in 2022 Lent Devotions

Jesus’ classroom

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“Mirror of the Passion” Lent devotion for March 16, 2022. Photo by Dom Fou on Unsplash

“When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me.” (Luke 22:53)

I like to imagine what it would have been like to be there in the temple day after day listening to Jesus teach. I’ve read his words on the printed page and heard them read aloud many times. But just imagine being there, hearing his voice as he tells a parable, answers questions, and teaches about the end times.

A lot of Jesus’ temple teaching towards the end of his life was prompted by questions. “Who gave you the authority to teach?” “Do we have to pay taxes?” “What do you think of divorce?” “What are the signs of the temple’s destruction?”

Jesus’ answers to those questions stepped on a lot of toes. His stories pointed out the unbelief and hypocrisy of the audience. It got real quiet real quick. They stopped asking questions.

What questions would you like to ask Jesus? A lot of folks tell me they have a whole list ready to go for that day when they get to see him face to face. You know, there might be a line. But we’ll have time. Lots of it. Eternity.

Those who got a glimpse of heaven in the bible didn’t ask a lot of questions. Jacob was awed and afraid (Genesis 28:16,17). Isaiah was overwhelmed (Isaiah 6). At the transfiguration, Peter babbled about putting up tents (Luke 9:33). Stephen wanted forgiveness for his murderers (Acts 7:60). John passed out at the sight of Jesus (Revelation 1:17). When that day comes, I think I’ll have other things on my mind besides, “Why did you create mosquitos?” or “Why weren’t you there when I needed you?”

The apostle Paul wrote, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1 Cor. 13:12). Right now we have a lot of questions. But it sounds like one day, we’ll understand.

Over the years, I’ve had teachers who were interesting. I’ve had professors who were brilliant. Some were inspiring. Rarely was an instructor all three. I went out of my way to enroll in their classes.

Jesus taught in the temple every. People came back day after day. They hung on his words. Those who sent to arrest Jesus came back empty-handed, because, “No one ever spoke like this man!” (John 7:46). They forgot what they were supposed to do!

What do you think? Would you come to the temple day after day to hear Jesus teach? (You can sit next to me.)

I can’t wait to be in your class, Lord. Amen.