Holy Week Devotions

Les Rust and I have just published our second e-book for Kindle. It’s called “Walking through Holy Week.” It’s a daily devotional book for each day of Holy Week from Palm Sunday to Easter Day.

A short devotion, point to ponder, as well as a prayer are assigned every day for morning and evening devotions. In total there are sixteen devotions to help the reader draw closer to Christ during this sacred week. Each of the events in Christ's life during the first Holy Week are contemplated each day, using the daily lectionary readings.

It can be read on any device, not just Kindles, – all you need is the free Kindle app which can be downloaded to your phone, PC, tablet, or Mac. It’s available in many places around the world and only costs 99 cents or the currency equivalent. The links for several countries are given below. Enjoy!

US edition: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWVWWLFQ

UK edition: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CWVWWLFQ

Canada edition: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CWVWWLFQ

Australia edition: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CWVWWLFQ

Holy Week - John 6:24

John 6:24 Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. (NIV)

Holy Week is a good time to seek and find Jesus. Many churches present special services throughout the next seven days to tell the story of Christ’s last week before He died on the cross. Some TV channels broadcast programs about the life and times of Jesus, enlisting the wisdom and knowledge of renowned Christian scholars and theologians. Then there are the movie channels which show classic Bible movies like ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told,’ ‘Ben Hur’, or even ‘Jesus Christ, Superstar,’ to cater to many viewers who like to watch and see them during this special season. It’s hard to ignore Jesus or to go through the week without having seen or heard something about Him. This makes Holy Week, much more than the sentimental season of Christmas, a good time for folks to draw closer to Christ and accept Him as their Lord.

But as well as going to worship services or watching special TV programs, folks need to see that Christians display Christ in their daily dealings. They want to see that Christ actually makes a difference in the lives of His followers, so they expect us to speak, behave, and act differently, compassionately, and faithfully. The last thing that our communities need to see is Christians acting smug, being elitist, demeaning others, or falsely claiming to be persecuted because they don’t get their own way. If we honestly call ourselves ‘Christians,’ then we need to recognize that this Holy Week places solemn responsibilities on us to witness effectively, truly, and lovingly for Jesus.

So, by all means, let us invite others to join us at some of the sacred services this week, but let’s not just rely on our words; let our works encourage and attract others to seek Christ for themselves.

Point to ponder

Who would I like to invite to church this week? How do they honestly regard me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we say we love You but sometimes our selfish deeds undo our faithful beliefs. Grant us opportunities to invite others to worship You this week and keep us from disabling our witness by a lack of sensitivity, care, or compassion. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Please come and join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called ‘Highland Dawn.’ If you would like to view  a larger version, please click this link: Highland.

Oct 26 devotion - Sword Fight - John 18:11

John 18:11     Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"

I used to fence with swords when I was a teenager. My friend Graeme and I somehow managed to purchase two foils in a second-hand shop. I think we originally bought them for a play we were doing, but we got so hooked on the swords that we started to fence outside in my backyard.

It was good fun, but we didn’t have any masks or protective clothing, so it was pretty painful at times. The foils were tipped, but if they scraped across our open skin, it left a scar for days. We even worked out a staged fight and used it to entertain the local kids.

And then one day, Graeme lunged at me and hit me in the face. He hit the corner of my right eye, which left a nasty red mark across my face. If he had hit me a quarter of an inch to the left, I would have lost the eye. It was a very painful and poignant moment. That night we put the swords away and decided to take up jujitsu instead.

In the Garden of Gethsemane when Christ was being arrested, Peter just wanted to protect Jesus when he lunged at Malchus with his sword. Out of all the disciples, he was the only one who defended Christ. It was an impetuous and impossible thing to do. The high priest’s posse had arrived with clubs and swords, so no matter what Peter did, Jesus would still be arrested.

Strangely enough, Jesus didn’t rebuke the posse. Instead, He rebuked Peter, which must have seemed harsh at the time. It’s only later that you realize Jesus was protecting Peter from being arrested, too. By insisting that Christ had to drink the cup of wrath from God alone, Jesus was giving Peter a way out. He was diverting the mob’s attention away from the big impulsive sword-wielding disciple and turning it back toward Himself. It was an act of grace. It was a gift of mercy from God.

Sometimes, as Christians, we get all fired up and are full of zeal for the Lord. We want to protect Him from all of the discredit and damage that the world still wants to cause Jesus, but in the process, we act irrationally and put ourselves in danger. We seem to forget that Christ alone has the power to make all things right and that one glorious day, His justice will prevail.

Point to ponder

When have I acted impulsively in an effort to defend Christ? How would Jesus have responded?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we love You and we want to please You. Forgive us when our zeal blinds our reason and our strident ways diminish our faith. Grant us the godly gift of discernment, to know when and how to say and do the right things, as opposed to doing them at the wrong time, in an un-Christian way. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make a comment about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Holy Week Devotions for Kindle

For the past three years, I've written a special daily devotional book for Holy Week. Each book contains poems, prayers, and devotionals exclusively written by me. I wrote them for Christian folks who may be too busy at work, school, or other places to join in the traditional services and masses that take place during Holy Week.

The books can be read on a daily basis, which helps the reader cultivate a sense of the sacred in her or his life during Holy Week. The following books are all available for those interested in Holy Week devotions.

 

Holy Week Short devotional: Wednesday - John 13:21-32

Bible Reading: John 13:21-32

Today’s verses:                 John 13:26

Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon.

            We've all experienced someone close to us who hurts or disappoints us. We’ve also all been in that position where we've caused injury or distrust. Human beings are not perfect and so we constantly make mistakes or lose the trust of others.

            When Judas betrayed Jesus, both of them were aware of what was going on. The other disciples may have been clueless, but both Christ and Judas knew what was happening. Jesus, however, provided Judas with a way out by letting His disciple know that He was fully aware of the betrayal. In other words, Christ still provided Judas a moment of grace and truth which he could have received. Sadly, Judas defiantly chose to betray Jesus.

How often do I disappoint God and others? What can I do to remedy this?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, forgive us when we disappoint You or betray another’s trust. Enable us to embrace Your grace and heal any brokenness in others that we have caused. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Holy Week short devotional: Tuesday - John 12:20-36

Bible reading: John 12:20-36

Today’s verse:                      John 12:24 

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless an ear of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

            Jesus told His disciples on several occasions that He was destined to die. At that time, they did not comprehend what He was telling them. It was only after He rose again from the dead that they fully understood His prophecies.

            Jesus likened His death to that of a single seed planted underground which would produce many more seeds. His crucifixion would seem like the end of His ministry, but it truly seeded the beginning of the Christian Faith. Today, billions of people follow Him, seeded by His sacrifice and restored to God through His Resurrection.

Who planted the seed of faith in my life? Am I planting similar seeds in the lives of others?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for sacrificing Your precious life so that we can be forgiven and restored to God. May we become seeds of faith for You in the lives of others. In Your Holy Name, we sincerely pray. Amen.

Holy Week Short .devotional: Monday - John 12:1-11

Bible Reading: John 12:1-11

Today’s verse:                      John 12:3

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

            Mary did something beautiful for Jesus. She instinctively knew that He was tired and stressed out, so she rubbed His weary feet with a soothing balm and gently cleansed in between His toes with her hair. It was a very loving act of friendship and kindness.

            Sadly, within a couple of days, she would see those same feet covered in blood and nailed to a cross. Her heart would be broken and her dreams deeply shattered, but she would also remember that her last special moments with Jesus were spent serving Him.

How do I hope to experience Christ’s presence with me throughout this week? How can I faithfully and lovingly serve Him?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, help us to make this week holy by serving You sincerely. Give us opportunities to do something beautiful that will draw others to You. In Your Sacred Name, we pray. Amen.

Church Growth devotion - A Fearless Faith - Matthew 27:66

Matthew 27:66           So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

            Christianity is a fearless faith. No matter what constraints are placed upon it by government regulations or social pressure, Christianity cannot be contained in a one-size fits all t-shirt. It is as multi-faceted as a diamond and as varied as the different colors of a tapestry. It refuses to conform to the world and constantly challenges humanity. It is a risky business for all who embrace Christian beliefs, because it frequently challenges the believer, as well as those outside the faith.

            When I read the Holy Week stories, I constantly see the futility of humanity trying to put an end to Jesus, as well as the attempted destruction of His message. In today’s passage (Matthew 27:57-66), for instance, the religious and military authorities try to control the situation by sealing the tomb and posting guards. They are attempting to effectively seal off the burial area to stop Christ’s followers from stealing the body, and falsely proclaiming that He rose from the dead. The authorities take every precaution to keep Jesus buried and His followers restrained. But it doesn't work – within a short time, the tomb will burst open and Christ will rise from the dead.

            That’s what Christianity does and is still meant to do. In lands throughout the world, regimes and despots constantly try to eliminate the Church and Christians. In the short term, they have some success, but in the long term, Christianity prevails. Tyrants and dictators come and go, but Christ rises up again and again and again – and will do so until the very end of Time.

            When people write off the church as being irrelevant, unnecessary, and on its deathbed, I remind myself that I've heard it all before – in the sixties, seventies, eighties, nineties, and the new millennium. In every case, the church has reformed, rebounded, and been restored. The naysayers and prophets of doom have come and gone, utterly forgotten, while the name of Christ continues to be lifted up, worshiped, and adored. Society may try to seal up the message and diminish Christ’s claims; governments may attempt to gag the Gospel and silence the followers of Christ, but eventually revival occurs, faith resurrects, and the Kingdom of God through Christ re-enters the mainstream even stronger than before. All it takes is time – and Time, as well as History, belong to the Eternal Christ.

            So today, if you’re feeling down about your church, denomination, or faith then know this: when it comes to Death, we’re in the Resurrection business!

Questions for personal reflection

What makes me worry about my church and faith? How can I change my worries into prayers?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You turned the world upside down by defeating death and establishing Your Church across the world. For centuries, different leaders and civilizations have tried to destroy Your church and diminish Your influence. They have constantly failed and Your Church is now bigger and more widespread across the Earth than it ever has been. Thank You for continuing to enrich the world with Your presence, ministry, and mission. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully and thankfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s attached image is one of John’s latest winter drawings called ‘Winter Tree.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: Tree.

Good Friday devotion: Real Heroes - 1 Samuel 31:12

1 Samuel 31:12          All their valiant men journeyed through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them.

The last chapter of the book of 1 Samuel reveals to us the sad and ignoble end of Israel’s first King. Saul had been chosen by the reluctant prophet Samuel amidst the cheers and jubilation of the people. His reign, however, was cursed and eventually he killed himself after a fierce battle in which all of his sons were killed and his army totally defeated.

Saul’s body was taken by his enemies and cut into pieces, to be shamefully displayed by his victorious foes. It was a terrible dishonor to him and his own family. His enemies gloated over their bloody success as they gazed upon the broken and abused bodies of Saul and his unfortunate sons which were impaled on spears and tied to the city wall.

But then a wonderful and courageous thing happened. The valiant men of Saul’s own tribe went on a dangerous night mission to recover the bodies in order to give the king and his family a decent and honorable ending. This band of brave men went into the heart of their enemy’s territory and brought back the remains. It was a noble act that diminished some of the shame Saul’s people felt at this time. The fact that we have this daring deed recorded in the Bible shows how Saul’s tribe truly loved their king, even with all of his faults.

The whole incident reminds me of Christ’s crucifixion and how shamefully He was treated by His enemies. He was brutalized beyond recognition by the Roman guards. He was jeered at and taunted by the religious clergy. He was totally degraded by his public nakedness, hanging on a bloody cross for all to see. His death was not only one of the most torturous ever devised by the inhumanity of man, it was also meant to be completely shameful, ignoble, and detestable.

And then Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the clergy, valiantly steps forward to claim Christ’s body in order to put an end to His public shame. He didn't want to see Christ shamefully rot on the Cross, and even though it would have made Joseph ritually unclean during the holiest time of the Jewish year, he was still willing to bravely beg Pilate for Jesus’ corpse in order to place it in his own tomb.

There are heroes in the Bible, as well as heroes all around us. We just have to open our eyes and see those who stand against injustice, who speak for the powerless, and who seek to eradicate the shame that our society uses to subdue the weak, poor, and the voiceless in our communities and across the world. They are valiant people and deserve our praise and support.

Questions for personal reflection

Who speaks up for the poor and powerless in my community? How can I support them?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, help us to recognize the true heroes in our community, who give of their time, resources, and lives to speak up for the voiceless and speak out against injustice. Remove the prejudices against them and help us all to pray for and support them. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s recent drawings for Holy Week. It’s called “Passover Moon.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: Passover Moon.

Holy Week Devotions: Saving the World

Last year I wrote a Holy Week devotional book to enable busy Christians to keep every day sacred. The book was enjoyed by many people and so I’ve decided to write another one for 2014.

            

Each day is divided into three separate parts: - a short morning devotion, a mid-day prayer, and an evening poem of reflection. There is also a different art image for each day to help the readers meditate. By the end of the book, Holy Week should become more meaningful to everyone who undertakes and completes this journey.

            

God bless you all.

               

  John Stuart

           Pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church

            Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

            traqair@aol.com

Holy Week devotions: Eight Sacred Days

My new devotional e-book for Holy Week called 'Eight Sacred Days, has been published on Amazon.com. It contains artwork, morning devotions, mid-day prayers, and evening poems of reflection for each day of Holy Week.

I wrote the book for the many Christians that I know whose lives are very busy. because they are under a lot of pressure, they might forget about the purpose of Holy Week and miss out on the spiritual strength that it brings.

The e-book is not just available for Kindle users, but for everyone who has downloaded the Kindle app (free) for their Macs, PCs, phones, and any other mobile devices. At 99c for the book, this is a great investment in a relatively easy yet still meaningful daily journey of faith.

Check out the details of the book at the following link:

Internet Devotions: Choice Shaped - Luke 22:4

Luke 22:4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 

At one time, I used to feel sorry for Judas because I felt that he was given an unfair deal. However, the older I get the more that I realize that we are all shaped by the decisions we make. Sometimes there are circumstances out with our control, but for most of us living in the West, what we are is largely the result of our own choosing.

Looking at this passage (Luke 22:1-6), one quickly understands that Judas is under no pressure to betray Jesus. The clerics don’t even lobby or search for someone to help them; Judas turns up on his own because he has decided Christ needs to be halted. This is why I don’t feel sorry for him – he chooses to send an innocent man to his death and makes some money on the side. It’s a despicable act and one through which his infamous name still conveys obscene treachery.

I guess it’s also easy for all of us to point the finger at Judas and condemn him for his foul deed. Perhaps the true lesson to be learned from all of this is more of a self-reflection rather than an act of judgment. Judas’ act should make us all question the sinful and selfish decisions that we make in our own lives. Ultimately, as with Judas, those choices will also affect our salvation.

Questions for personal reflection

What decisions am I presently making that negatively affect my allegiance to Christ? Do I live to fill my own desires or do I honestly seek to serve Jesus?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we hope that we would never betray You with our choices, or separate ourselves from You with our deeds. Keep us from taking You for granted and help us to make better choices that will please You each and every day. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings. It’s called “Carousel Pony” and features a white hobby horse on a carousel. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8474/8114375541_4e793a998c_b.jpg

Stewardship devotion: The Lord Needs It - Luke 19:34

Luke 19:34 They replied, "The Lord needs it." 

I wonder how much our faith would affect our daily lives if we lived to serve Christ’s needs instead of our own? Is that even possible? Would our churches be filled with people on Sundays because the Lord needed them to be there? Would missions throughout the world be fully funded because the Lord needs affluent Christians in the West to ‘pony up’ and provide from their ample resources all that is needed by Christ to medicate, educate, feed and clothe people living in poverty across the globe?

If we are comfortable doing religious things without being challenged by the scandal of the Gospel, then we are going to go through life as spiritually shallow people. However, if we take time to really think about what Christ needs us to do with our lives and resources, then everything will change about how we ‘do’ church and how we share our faith. The owners of the colt in today’s Gospel passage (Luke 19:28-36) could have told the disciples to clear off, or that it was inconvenient, or that it would be okay the next day. They didn’t do that; when they heard the words “The Lord needs it,” they gave over the colt freely and perhaps gladly.

Questions for personal reflection

What does the Lord need of me? Am I willing to give my time, talents, and money to Him for His work?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, Your Gospel brings goodness and forgiveness, strength and love into our lives. It also presents us with challenges and causes us to reflect upon our daily choices. Help us to live according to Your needs and liberate us from our insecurities, as well as our desires. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.

Good Friday devotion: Forgive Them - Luke 23:34

Luke 23:34     Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Song – to the Irish tune of Cockles and Mussels

In God’s Holy City,

Where we were shown pity,

When Jesus the Christ died upon Calvary,

As He suffered and bled,

Our Savior He said,

“My Father, forgive them, and save them for Me.

O save them for Me, O save them for Me.

My Father, forgive them and save them for Me.”

I can remember almost 25 years ago when my first daughter was born. Both my wife Evelyn and I felt both the joy of bringing a new baby into the world, but also the deep anxiety of not knowing what to do next. There are no instructions or blueprints that come with a baby and if truth be told, most parents wing it on a day to day basis. Every child is different and each precious baby has their own unique personality. What works for one, will not work for another child. We learned this the hard way when our second daughter was born two years later. We soon realized that all that we had learned with the first child was not applicable to the second.

Not knowing what to do because of inexperience happens to us all. When we first learn to drive, we have to be taught what to do step by step, gear by gear, and street by street. We can’t suddenly take the car keys at the age of sixteen and expect to drive. We have to know what we’re doing, we have to know where we’re going; we have to think about where we’re driving and how fast we are moving. To get in a car and drive without knowing the basics is just asking for trouble.

Crucifying the Christ, the Holy Son of God, was the ultimate act of human ignorance. The people had seen and experienced Christ’s miracles. They had heard His teaching and wondered at His miracles. He had brought them closer to God than any other prophet or religious leader in their history, but they ignored the Truth He proclaimed, cast aside His way for their own understanding, and chose to take His life rather than accept His lifestyle choices. They thought that they were getting rid of another false messiah, a theological trouble maker, and religious rabble rouser, but what they were actually doing was killing the Son of God.

Jesus could have called down a thousand angels to protect Him. God could have stopped the crucifixion at any time and destroyed His holy city. Instead of judgment and wrath, Christ calls for gentleness and redemption. Instead punishment and destruction, Christ prays for peace and deliverance. In all of the history of humankind the most wicked of sins occurred at Calvary, but in the history of all Creation, the most gracious Savior of the world shows mercy.

“Father,” He prays, “forgive them for they don’t realize what they are actually doing.”

“O save them for Me, O save them for Me!

My Father, forgive them, and save them for me!”

Holy Week Devotions: First To Be Saved - Mark 15:15

Bible Passage: Mark 15:8-15

Key Verse:      Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.         Mark 15:15 

Did you realize that Barabbas was the first person that Jesus died for? Think about it. Barabbas is released by Pilate and Jesus takes his place. Barabbas is a terrorist who has probably killed his share of Romans. He led an unsuccessful revolt resulting in his capture. He was scheduled for crucifixion; instead Jesus takes his place.

I wonder if Barabbas stayed in Jerusalem and watched what happened to Jesus. The chances are that he didn’t. He probably left the region as quickly as possible, thanking his lucky stars and hiding somewhere safe. We never hear about him ever again, so he perhaps took his undeserved freedom and fled into obscurity.

Justice was denied that day in Jerusalem, but grace increased. Jesus, the peace loving, faithful prophet died in the place of a murderous religious fanatic. God’s Holy Son took the place of a wicked human being. Because we focus so much on the Cross and Resurrection, we miss this most poignant moment of the first Holy Week.

The point that I’m making is this: if Jesus could die for a person like Barabbas, then hasn’t He also died for people like us?

Question for personal reflection

Do you think that Barabbas was ever personally grateful to Christ for dying for him? Are you grateful for the same thing?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You died for each one of us, taking upon Yourself the unholiest of our sins and the vilest of our deeds. You died in place of us, so that we may be completely forgiven and eternally restored to God. How can we ever thank You? How can we show You our appreciation? We give our hearts to You, as well as our lives, to the glory of God. In Your Holy Name, we humbly and thankfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s drawing is one of John’s latest Holy Week images. It’s called “Cup of Salvation.” If you would like to view a larger version of the picture, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/6894799260_642eda84fe_b.jpg

Holy Week Devotions: Final Footnote - Psalm 22:1

Bible Passage: Psalm 22:1-5

Key Verse:      My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?                      Psalm 22:1

Every year our church has an actual sunrise service at a beautiful private school campus in our town. On a good morning, you can see for miles and the Great Smoky Mountains are perfectly silhouetted on the horizon. A couple of weeks before the service takes place, I go to the US Navy website to get the actual time of sunrise, so that I can let our people know when to gather at the school’s flagpole.

When I looked at the time this year, I got a terrible shock: Easter sunrise is at 6:10AM. I thought that this was a bit early, but the US Navy has never steered me wrong, so I accepted the time and let everyone know when to gather at the school. I pictured us all arriving with tired unwashed faces, unkempt hair, and yawning all the way through the singing, prayers, and gospel readings.

Fortunately, our church choir director re-checked the timetable and noticed the footnote at the bottom: Add one hour for daylight time, if and when in use.

The actual time of Easter sunrise is 7:10AM! As Bugs Bunny would say: what a maroon!

Because I didn’t read the footnote, I got the time wrong. Coincidentally, the same thing happens with Psalm 22. When we read those first words being spoken by Jesus from the Cross, we think that God has abandoned Him and that Jesus is painfully separated from God. To be forsaken by a parent is a great emotional loss to anyone, and so we interpret Christ’s use of this scripture as a way of expressing His complete despair and sadness of being isolated from God.

But we haven’t read the footnote, which comes in the last verse of this psalm: ‘They will proclaim His righteousness to a people yet unborn-- for He has done it.’ – Psalm 22:31

Jesus is not bewailing the fact that He has been abandoned by God; He is actually singing a song of salvation where God delivers His people for all time! It’s not about being forsaken and isolated; the Cross is about being saved and restored to God.

Question for personal reflection

How has Christ’s death become a blessing for me?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You won the battle of good versus evil, life versus death, and sin versus obedience when You died on the Cross. You sacrificed Yourself for us; You obeyed God perfectly and completely. You knew that His plan of salvation for humanity succeeded. We will be eternally grateful to You for this Supreme Sacrifice which eternally restores us to God. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving our souls and bringing us back into God’s gracious Kingdom. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. if you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s latest Good Friday drawing of Christ being crucified. It’s called “Outside a City Wall.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7100/7027482543_2af1a2c5f8_b.jpg

Easter devotion: Fact or Fantasy? - Matthew 27:64

Matthew 27:64            “So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”

 

This last deception will be worse than the first.

Do we realize that if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, then all of our faith is a tragic lie and inhumane deception? Millions of people will have lived and died for their faith in Christ, but if He was not resurrected, then their lives and deaths will have been in vain. In my opinion, to actually be a Christian is to put all of your belief eggs in that one basket of faith; to be a disciple of Christ means that you truly have to believe that He rose from the dead.

The relevance of our faith all comes down to that one fact in history. If the resurrection never occurred, then Christians could be called the most stupid people in the whole universe. However, if the resurrection did occur, then the converse is actually true - Christians are the smartest people who have ever existed because their faith in Jesus will prove to be the most successful and eternally rewarding belief that has ever been given to humanity.

So, the question of faith seems to be this: either Jesus was deluded and Christianity is the biggest deception in history, or Jesus rose again and our mission is to broadcast that Good News to our families, friends, acquaintances, colleagues, neighbors, and even strangers. The choice about what we do with the Resurrection is ours; the challenge of its truth comes solely from God.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, as Christians we believe that You are the Savior of the world because You died for our sins and rose from the dead. We thank You for Your mercy and forgiveness. We praise You for Your glorious resurrection and heavenly ascension. We eagerly anticipate Your Coming again. In Your Holy Name, we expectantly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment about today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Christ drawings. It’s called “The Baptism” and is a crayon drawing of Christ being baptized in the Jordan with the Holy Spirit descending upon Him. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7194/6924951609_4fc7a8a94e_b.jpg

Lent Devotions: Faith for Life

Matthew 27:1  Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. 

Today in Iran, Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani is awaiting execution. He was found guilty of apostasy by an Iranian Sharia Court because he converted to Christianity from Islam and preached the Gospel. His appeal was rejected and the rest of the world is waiting to see if the Iranian government will carry out the sentence. A good and godly man may die unjustly for believing in Christ and applying his faith.

C.S. Lewis once said, “I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.”  Our faith is not a cozy system of beliefs, it’s a costly one. Christians all over the world are losing everything – family, homes, churches, careers, and even their lives – for sharing the same beliefs that we possess. The difference is that our beliefs tend to be influenced by our life-style choices; for others like Youcef, their beliefs involve the choice between life and death.

When the decision was made by the chief priests and elders to have Jesus executed, did they ever regret what they chose to do? Christ’s death did not put an end to His ministry; it only expanded it beyond Jerusalem and out into the whole world. They thought that they were saving their own religion, but in historical reality, they were giving birth to a brand new faith which would eclipse their own.

As we focus upon Christ and His mission throughout Lent, let’s also remember that the persecution of His Church still takes place in other lands. May we never take our faith for granted or look for it to be comfortable.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we have open our hearts to You and call ourselves Christians. At times, we bear an uncomfortable cross and find that our faith confronts our most cherished choices. Help us to be aware of the cost of our beliefs and keep us from compromising Your sacred commands. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian church in Knoxville, Tennessee. if you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings based upon the PCUSA symbol. It’s entitled “A New Day.” If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/6857135507_2823395f41_b.jpg

Lent Devotions: 39 Steps to Go

Matthew 26:73  After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away."

The other day I went to my local bank to deposit a check. As usual, the young bank teller asked me to say a few words. “I just love listening to your accent,” she said. I smiled. If I had been given a dollar for every time that I’ve heard those words since coming to the United States, I might have owned the bank by now!

Accents are dead giveaways about where people originate. In the United States, there are many different accents and I like to try to guess which region, state, or city people come from whenever I meet them for the first time. If the Scottish accent is likeable to the American ear, it’s also true that most Scots like to hear American accents. I guess it all has to do with common genes and historical roots.

When the disciple Peter was confronted by a group outside the High Priest’s house where Jesus was being interrogated, his accent betrayed him to the crowd. He must have spoken with a rustic Galilean accent which was easily recognized by the city slickers of Jerusalem. He tried to hide in the courtyard, but each time he spoke, his accent revealed his origins. The fact that Jesus had begun His ministry in Galilee meant it was very likely that Peter had traveled with Him. No matter what the Big Fisherman tried to do to conceal his attachment to Christ, his accent gave him away. Sadly, the accusations all became too much for Peter and he eventually swore that he never knew Jesus. It was the lowest moment of his ministry with Christ.

As we journey throughout Lent, let’s ask ourselves this question: what things do I say or do that accentuates my faith to those around me?

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, speak to our hearts and open our lives to Your bidding. Guide our thoughts and grant us the right words to say that will encourage and attract others to Your Way. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s latest pop art version of ancient icon of Christ as teacher. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/6906688623_49b6a85555_b.jpg

Lent Devotions: Always Around - Matthew 26:11

Matthew 26:11   The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have Me.

Years ago, when I first became a Christian, I attended a Youth Fellowship program at a church where most of my friends worshipped. It was at the other side of town which meant that I had to get two buses to travel there.

Most of the young people there belonged to the same mid-week evangelical Gospel club that I attended in the heart of Glasgow. There were a few who didn’t and they remained skeptical about giving your life to Jesus. One young guy always used today’s verse as his spiritual barrier from accepting Christ as his Savior. He argued that Jesus was being insensitive and uncaring when He stated that the poor would always be around.

“Instead of just healing the sick,” he often argued, “why couldn’t Jesus get rid of poverty? Helping the poor would have made Him my Savior in my life.”

It was hard to argue against that statement. We really didn’t know then that the Church is truly engaged in the world trying to alleviate poverty every day. We also didn’t understand what Jesus was really saying: ‘help the poor as much as you can because they’ll always be there, but also make and take time to honor me.’

I think Mother Theresa of Calcutta said it best when she talked about helping the poor and serving Christ. “Do something beautiful for God,” she often declared when she addressed church conferences in other countries. In other words, we can help the poor as much as we are able and feel good about ourselves, but when we do it for Christ, we have the added bonus of pleasing God.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, each week You present us with opportunities to help people in need and to serve You. Enable us to do both of these together, as ministry and mission, as well as outreach and worship. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Psalm drawings. It depicts Psalm 115 and features the verse where God is described as the Maker of Heaven and Earth. If you would like to view a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6855709255_a7d20b81df_b.jpg