The Missing Piece, Part 1

Have you ever picked up a book and read all the way to the end, only to find that the last page is missing?

Or maybe you’re been working on a jigsaw puzzle, and you have all the border pieces in, and you've separated the other pieces by color. The sky is put together, and the trees, and the windows in the house. Hours later, you’re almost done. But when you get to the end, there’s a piece missing! I hate that!

Sometimes life is like that. You work hard to achieve something, but when you get to the end, it doesn't seem worth it. Whether it’s getting an education, or getting married, buying a house, getting your dream car (or truck), starting a family, taking a trip to Europe, it’s not quite what you thought or hoped or expected. Something is missing.

That’s how Jesus’ followers must have felt on Good Friday. They had seen Him perform miracles, walk on the sea, multiply the loaves and fishes, calm the storm, heal the sick, even raise the dead.

They had laughed with Him, learned from Him, been amazed by Him, and followed Him for three years. Their lives would never be the same.

But then it all seemed to come crashing down. His enemies finally caught up to Him and He was taken into custody. The forces of darkness seemed to completely overwhelm the truth and beauty that was Jesus Christ. He was subjected to a series of clandestine, illegal trials. Lies were told about Him, and He wouldn't even defend Himself. He was condemned to death.

Even Your Faith is From Him!

Imagine you’re in heaven, standing happily in a long line of worshipers. You get acquainted with the Christian next to you, trading stories about your earthly life and your family. He asks, “Why did you believe in Jesus when others in your family did not?”

If you’re a Christian today, what would you say? Why have you come to follow Jesus, when many that you know, including friends and family, do not?

One answer is to say something like, “I guess I am just more spiritually sensitive than others in my family.” Or maybe, “I became so desperate that I turned to Christ.” Some might even say, “I started investigating the claims of Christ, and it finally made sense to me.”

For many years I would have said the same thing. I didn't realize the subtle pride inherent in my perspective. I was more sensitive than others…I became more desperate...I was investigating and I finally understood.

But over time I discovered that the Bible gives the credit for my salvation, even for my faith, to God. Here are some examples. (My highlights)

The Key to God's Heart

If God exists, if God is God, if He is Creator, Judge, and Lord of all, if He holds time and eternity in His hands, if He determines the destiny of His creation, His creatures would be wise to find the key to His heart.

We would be wise to ask not just “what does He require?” or “what will He permit?” but “what does He love? What delights His heart?”

Happily the truth about God’s heart, His delight and pleasure, is plainly stated in the New Testament. (In each of the verses I’ll quote below, the verb “to be well pleased” is used – eudokeo. I’m highlighting it in red. And notice that in each case, it is God who is “well pleased.”)

Freedom from Anxiety

Last week I spoke at our church on having victory over anxiety. (If you were so inclined, you could listen to it here).

Like most people, I have had my own battle with worry. And probably my list of concerns is similar to yours: health issues, finances, my family, marriage, children and grandchildren, friends, work, the future.  

What I have found over and over again is that the best thing I can do to “win over worry” is to come to my Savior. There is no one better, wiser, kinder, or more able to help than Jesus. He may not always respond in the way I want Him to. But trusting Him and laying my life before Him, giving my burdens to Him to do with as He sees fit, has always been the path to peace.

I love the invitation Jesus gives to take up His yoke in Matthew 11:28-30. Sunday I read a paraphrase with the topic of worry in mind.

Come to Me, all of you who are struggling with worry, and are heavy laden with anxiety and fear. Come to Me, and I will give you rest from the turmoil, and peace from the fear. Instead, take My yoke upon You and learn from Me. It will be My job to lead you and to provide, and your job to follow and to obey. And you will discover that I am gentle and lowly in heart. I know what you’re going through, I’ve walked through it Myself, and I am going to guide you through. You will find rest for your souls. This yoke of Mine, it’s easy, because it’s connecting you to Me. And this burden is light because I’m bearing all the weight.

By the way, I have written about this passage in Come Unto Me, Consolation Prize, From the Pain Clinic Waiting Room, and What I Love About Jesus: "You Have the Words of Eternal Life"

Young Coptic Christian Murdered by Egyptian Islamists

Screenshot from Egyptian TV, via CNS.

Today I read another horrifying story of persecution, and I wanted to let you know about it. CNS is reporting that on Friday, March 28 in Cairo, a young Coptic Christian woman named Mary Sameh George was dragged out of her car and murdered - beaten, stabbed, abused, and her throat slit by a Muslim mob. Then they torched her car.

Her “crime”? She had a Christian cross hanging from her rear-view mirror. Oh, and she was on her way to deliver medicine to a sick old woman.

CNS has the main story here, but I also found it on the Washington Times website (here), and on Breitbart (here).

What can we who love Jesus do, in the face of such terrible persecution? Here are four suggestions:

1. Don’t be surprised. Persecution has always been likely for those of us who follow Christ. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:12-13). Our Savior said, If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. (John 15:18-20a).

2. Pray not only for the family and friends of our sister in Christ, but pray for those who killed her. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:33).

3. Don’t be ignorant about Islam. Inform yourself. I just finished The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent, by Erwin Lutzer, and I recommend it. (Amazon link here)

4. Tell people about Jesus. Don’t be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). And the "everyone" includes people who murdered Christians. (Like Paul.)

May God bless all the Mary Georges who love Christ and are hated because of Him. 

The hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me (John 16:2-3)

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:11-12).

The Deaf Hear, the Blind See, and the Poor Have Good News Preached to Them

I recently saw the following video (from the UK's The Telegraph), which shows the moment when a British woman, apparently deaf from birth, is able to hear for the first time because of a cochlear implant.

It’s pretty thrilling, and especially to see how overwhelmed she is by it. You can't help but be so happy for her.

As I watched this video I thought to myself, My Jesus does this all the time. He takes people who are unable to hear the real truth, who are blinded to the light of the gospel, and He changes them. He gives them ears to hear, spiritual sight, and He forever changes them.

And there’s coming a day when we will be in His presence, and we’ll be able to hear and see and sing and think and rejoice because all the interference of this world will drop away.

No wonder there’s joy unspeakable and full of glory. No wonder we love Him so much.

Legacy

My friend Mike Cornish shared the following reflections at the last meeting of our elder board. It was both a challenge and a blessing to me, so I asked Mike's permission to post it. I particularly like Mike's opening series of questions.

What will be your legacy?

As Christians we must look no further than the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ as our legacy model.  Will people remember you as a man of God? Will they recall Christ-like characteristics in your words and your deeds?  How do you handle conflict in your life?  Are you thought of as quarrelsome or as a peacemaker?  Are you considered by others as prideful or humble?  Do your words build others up or tear them down?  Is your heart filled with the love of God and the desire to share that love with others or are you driven by selfish, hedonistic desires?

Being a man of God is a full time job.  You may be a reflection of Christ on Sundays, but if someone encounters you on another day and you are a quarrelsome, prideful, hedonistic jerk, which character trait will prevail?

Sadly, your legacy will be not only remembered as the jerk, but you can now add hypocrite to the list as well!