Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Back and Forth

"They have their whole life ahead of them."

A newscaster used this phrase the other night when talking about some teens that had made some stupid mistake that would cost them either jail time or probation. He was lamenting the fact that they had wasted their life. I thought, "Wait a minute, they don't have their whole life ahead of them. Clearly they've lived a portion of it up to this point!" I know - I'm being petty picking apart a phrase that has other implications, but it did make me think. How much does the past matter?

The reason I ask this question is because I know some people who let their past define them, to the point that they can't move forward. To them, I counsel the word of God in Isaiah who said, "Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past - see, I am doing a new thing." I want them to move forward and not let the past be an anchor around them.

But at the same time I know some people who use this as a form of cheap grace and just step away from the rubble they've created from past decisions. This bothers me. The present does matter, but so, in a sense, does the past. Decisions I've made and people I've hurt are very real in my present life. I don't want to dismiss it completely, because that would mean I'm gaining my spiritual growth on the backs of a world of hurt. I don't want my progression to be at the expense of others.

In other words, I don't have my whole life ahead of me. I've lived a portion of it already, a portion that matters. People that have mattered. Consequences that still linger.

Why do I mention this? Because if I understand that the past does matter, then it will change how I live now. If I think the past is just washed away then I can justify things now, thinking that they'll just be washed away as well. I will lose my sense of urgency to do right - now. To treat people with respect and love. To be honest in everything I say and do. I need to know that decisions made may have eternal consequences.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Knowing and Kneeling

John 13:3 "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God, so . .. .

As I was reviewing for our recent Maundy Thursday service, I was again awestruck at the fact that Jesus knelt at the feet of Judas - and then proceeded to wash the grime from his betrayer. How can someone put every thing aside and do what goes against the nature of man? Every fiber in our body tells us to break from those who hurt us.

I believe that one of the keys is found in verse 3. He knew His place. He knew that all things were in Him, under Him, for Him. He knew the love of the Father in a way that was (is) deep and eternal. When you know your place, you are able to kneel before a betrayer and wash their feet. You are able to humble yourself, to place others, even enemies, above you.

Many aren't able to do this because they are always in fear of losing something. They think that if they kneel before a "Judas" in their life then they will be placing themselves in a position of defeat and loss. But if you know your true position in Christ, you can kneel. You can forgive. You can reconcile. You can offer your cloak, your hand, your money.

There are many who have broken relationships with their brothers and sisters in the Lord and they think it's okay, that they can still go on in power and victory. But Christ has shown us that this is not true. It reveals a lack of faith, a lack of trust, a lack of confidence in their place in Christ. If this matter remains unsettled, then they are stuck. We are told to reconcile before offering up our sacrifices. But we can't reconcile if we aren't willing to kneel, and we can't kneel if we don't have deep faith.

Christ washed the feet of Judas. Because He knew, He could kneel. Because He could kneel, He could offer up His body as a living sacrifice to His enemies and betrayers.