Inspired by . . . the weight of grace

I'm still lingering in the upper room. Arrested by the weight of the love and grace that Jesus offers in these moments.

Love and grace that is fatally and tragically rejected.

Again, we have the benefit of viewing these passages from the other side of the events that were to take place. We know what Jesus knew and what the disciples did not.

Betrayed by a kiss.

From the moment Jesus fashioned him in the womb He knew His betrayer. Yet the fact that the disciples didn't suspect Judas suggests that Jesus showed him no less mercy, no less love and no less grace than any of the others.

This man walked with our Lord! Saw the depth of His compassion and mercy day after day. And yet was compelled to betray Him for 30 pieces of silver, the price of a slave.

How could this happen? 

I have my own theory about how dipping into the money bag hardened Judas' heart to spiritual things over time. [John 12:6] Scripture has many warnings that we should heed in this regard. 

The ultimate tragedy is that Judas could have turned to Jesus in his remorse, but he did not. [Matt 27:3-5] (Maryleigh posted a wonderful piece here on the difference between Judas and Peter)

"Judas Iscariot symbolizes wasted opportunity, rejected grace, and unaccepted love. Fatal choices all." Bill Crowder, The Path of His Passion [click to tweet]

Grace, wrapped in a piece of lamb, bitter herbs, and a radish.

We see John 13:26 as the unmasking of the traitor. But Jesus meant it quite differently. In the tradition of the Passover meal, the first piece of dipped "sop" was given to the guest of honor! 

Grace freely offered.

Beyond the shouts of "Hosanna!" we hear the echoes of, "Crucify Him!"

It was not Judas Iscariot who sent Jesus to the cross.

It was each one of us. But the darkness of that truth cannot overwhelm us.

And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on His right and one on His left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luk 23:33-34)

For we are forgiven. Washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. The unmerited favor of our Lord.

In the coming week, as we walk the final steps with Jesus to the cross, as we try to identify in the darkness and pain of His rejection, let us hold fast to the Light of His Grace. . .

. . . and grace will lead us home.

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments, Heart Encouragement,
#DancewithJesus

Inspired by . . . bitter herbs

As we walk with Jesus toward the cross we find ourselves in a large upper room, reclining at the Passover table. The sharp smell of bitter herbs and human sweat mixes with the pungent odor of the oil lamps.

Water laps against the side of a wooden bowl as Our Lord kneels to wash the feet of one who will abandon Him. One who will deny Him. One who will betray Him.

Don't rush over these familiar verses. The message and warnings of the discourse here are muli-layered and of great value. (Matt 26:18-49)

Lean in when the Lord speaks, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." 

"Is it I, Lord?"

We have all denied Him in some way. Failed to speak. Failed to act.

Sit with that for a moment. Let it hurt your heart.

But do not despair.

For we have something the terrified and disillusioned disciples did not have in between the kiss of betrayal and the empty tomb. [click to tweet]

But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." 

We have the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us. To comfort us when we fail. We have grace and forgiveness.

We have the cross and the resurrection.

We have Jesus, Himself.

Rest in these truths. Let them comfort you in times of failure. Let them embolden you to go forth and speak and act in His name.

May we always be willing to admit when we fail Him. To come to Him in humility and repentance and accept the bread of forgiveness He offers, which is His body, broken for us. [click to tweet]

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments, Heart Encouragement,
#DancewithJesus, Pink Saturday

Inspired by . . . Your Love is Loyal

Sadly, loyalty is not something you see a lot of these days. People are more likely to be loyal to a sports team, or their favorite beverage than they are to, say, their spouses or employers. In fact, a recent survey by MetLife found that employee loyalty is at a seven-year low.

My theory about loyalty is two-fold, and not at all based on anything scientific, but rather on life experience.

First, for some, loyalty is a character trait. They didn't learn to be loyal, they were born loyal. It's part of their personality and comes naturally to them. In these cases, the person tends to be fiercely loyal. Even willing to die or take the blame to protect another person.

Second, loyalty, when it is taught, has to be taught by example. You probably wouldn't tell your child to be loyal to this person, or that cause, but by being loyal yourself, to your spouse, your friend, employer, etc. you teach them the virtue of loyalty.

A lack of this virtue often results in betrayal. I'm sure many of you have faced a betrayal of some sort in your life. The hurt that comes from betrayal is complex and deep. It can be difficult to move past.

Jesus understood betrayal at the hands of men. He can relate to our pain. His love can heal us.

God's love is many things: faithful, sure, and steadfast. 

But most of all, His love is loyal.

God pledges Himself to us, 

And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be My people. Exo 6:7; Lev 26:12; Jer 7:23; Jer 11:4; Jer 30:22; Eze 36:28

and tells us repeatedly in His word that He will never forsake us.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Deut 31:6; 1Sa 12:22; 1Ki 6:13; Psa 94:14; Isa 42:16; Heb 13:5

He has made a vow of allegiance to us in the form of His covenant.

Therefore {Jesus} is the Mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. Heb 9:4

Have you been hurt, abandoned, betrayed?

Beloved, you can trust God with your pain. You can trust Him with your circumstance.

Flee to Him. Let Him be your refuge. 

So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, He guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. (Heb 6:17-18)

You can trust Him with your life.

Blessings,

Listen to the song that inspired this post:






Sharing inspiration here:
Small Wonders, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth, Let Us Walk Worthy,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends