Jesus paid it all

Recently I was at a restaurant enjoying lunch with three new friends. We waved at a man from our Sunday School class who came in while we were eating. Later, our server told us that he had picked up the check for the whole table. His gift made us feel grateful and gifted by his kindness.

Tomorrow is Maundy Thursday which, for me, has always been the most holy and profound day of the Easter season. That is the day Jesus sat with his disciples for the last time, before he gave his life for theirs. Jesus was gifting their lives that day, only they couldn’t yet comprehend all that he was doing. 

Later, Judas would be devastated to the point of suicide for his betrayal of Jesus. 

Peter would be shamed and grieved when he heard the rooster crow the next morning. 

John would sit at the foot of the cross with Mary, and both were likely grieved with thoughts of “What could I have done to stop this?” 

Earlier in the upper room, Jesus had washed the feet of his disciples as yet another way to say, “I would do anything for you because I love you with God’s great and perfect love.” 

Jesus was born to die, and on Good Friday he “paid it all.” 

“Jesus Paid it All”

Churches would often sing the hymn “Jesus Paid it All” as an invitation for those worshiping in the congregation to come profess their faith in Christ. Others would join the church or simply use that time as a reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made. For some, the King James vocabulary or simplicity of the music might keep them from experiencing the profound truth of the lyrics. 

I have included a link to one of my favorite versions of the great hymn. I’ve been blessed to see Fernando Ortega lead worship many times. He sits at the piano and shares his gift of music with people. He isn’t there to perform. He is there to help those listening experience the Lord’s presence and power through worship. 

I hope you will pause, turn off all distractions, and spend some time immersed in this version of that great hymn.  

Jesus Paid it All answers the question, “Why Easter?” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5DyeCx8H4U

I wish you a happy and holy Easter 

I will enjoy all the moments of Easter Sunday. I love the crowds in church, the smiles, the spring flowers, and the new Easter clothes—especially the new clothes on the children that day. If ever there was a time for ruffles and patent leather shoes, it’s Easter Sunday.  

The music proclaims the joy of Jesus’ resurrection and the hope that is ours in Christ. The tomb was empty and proved Jesus has power over earthly death and the ability to provide eternal life. We all love the celebration of Easter, but it’s so important not to miss the holy purpose of the day. 

Jesus came to save souls and make disciples of all nations. Easter isn’t Easter unless we understand the entire purpose of Christ’s life.  

Who will come for an Easter service this year and meet Christ? 

There will be several in your church this Sunday

Some interesting facts from my husband Jim’s Lenten message this week: 

  • 63 percent of Americans say that they are Christians. 
  • 81 percent of Americans say they will celebrate Easter. 
  • 43 percent of our population is planning to attend an Easter service at church. 

Jim’s point: The difference between those who say they are Christians and the number who will celebrate the holiday means many millions of people are celebrating a holiday they don’t truly understand. 

The pews this Sunday 

Jesus was about to raise Lazarus from the dead. He told Lazarus’ sister Martha, “‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world’” (John 11:25–27). 

It is safe to say that several people will be in your church this Sunday who will come to celebrate Easter and who identify themselves as “Christian.” It is likely that many of them may not understand what is necessary to actually become a Christian. They have never said to Jesus, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, and I know I need you to forgive my sins, and, as the old hymn states, I trust you can ‘wash me white as snow.’” 

I like to look for those people on Easter Sunday. I like to pray specifically for the uneasy, unfamiliar, and sometimes uninvolved. Easter is an important Sunday. If we will pray, speak to, invite, and encourage people, we might get to enjoy seeing God change their lives before the next Easter Sunday.  

Easter is a powerful day of important truth. Jesus didn’t die so that one day we could enjoy our eternal life. Jesus died so that we would enjoy our eternal life from the moment of our salvation. Christians live each day knowing they will never die. We just stop breathing on earth one moment and start breathing in heaven’s air the next. That’s what it means to place our hope in Christ. 

 

Jesus paid it all—and we can live with eternal gratitude 

Maundy Thursday is my moment each Easter season. I like to dwell on those upper room words of Jesus and the garden moments spent in prayer for and with his disciples. You might want to spend some time reading about the Easter moments from John chapters 12–20. John was the beloved disciple, and his words reveal the heart of Easter through the disciple who loved Jesus, stood by him, and spent his entire life serving him. 

Take a few moments to listen again to the holy purpose of Easter through Fernando Ortega’s version of “Jesus Paid it All.”  

Easter is summed up in the words of that hymn: “Jesus paid it all. All to him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain; he washed it white as snow.” 

I pray you will have a happy and holy Easter Sunday because you have had a holy and profound Maundy Thursday. 

Let’s live as blessed Christians, enjoying our certain hope of heaven today. We serve Jesus because he has served all of us. He paid it all. Now, we owe him our all. 

May your Easter be filled with joy and purpose as you worship the One who paid it all. 

 

The GOATS in Scripture

On Sunday night, there was a lot of discussion about which quarterback was the GOAT, i.e., the greatest of all time. The contest was between Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Tom Brady, currently of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

You can probably tell who I like by the order I mentioned them! I’ve never been able to get past “Deflategate.”  

You might be asking, “Why is she starting her blog post with a football illustration?” 

The answer: Because the whole GOAT thing ought to be about more than stats. 

What makes a person the greatest?

I was able to attend the Masters golf tournament the first year Tiger Woods won his green jacket. Is he the greatest golfer? I thought so until his wife attacked his car with a golf club. The sportscasters were talking about her attempt to free him from his car. Meanwhile, I looked at my husband and said, “Nope. She is really angry at him!” They divorced shortly after because of his marital affair. 

I thought the Williams sisters were amazing tennis players. I stopped cheering for Serena after I watched her U.S. Open final against Naomi Osaka. Serena was hoping to get a record win that day, except Osaka played a better match. Let’s just say Serena didn’t handle the loss well and, as a result, Osaka was in tears after the match. It wasn’t a great day for Serena fans, on many levels. 

Tom Brady was suspended by the NFL after it was discovered the Patriots were playing with slightly deflated footballs. Brady denied it was his fault, and the controversy was never completely resolved. That said, one thing was made clear. Brady preferred throwing a softer football, and the footballs he was throwing did not meet the inflation regulations. Most people didn’t really blame the equipment guys for taking it upon themselves to let the air out of the balls.  

Who are the GOATS in sports? Why did I even write about sports in my blog post today? 

I watched the Sunday night football game and listened to the commentators discuss who they considered the “greatest” quarterback, Mahomes or Brady, and why. No one ever mentioned anything about their character or personal qualities, only their stats. 

Granted, it was game day, but should that be all we consider when assigning the title “GOAT” to a person?  

Our culture tends to elevate a person’s abilities as a more esteemed quality than their character. 

God, however, has higher standards.

What did Jesus say about the goats?

Jesus was on the Mount of Olives when he spoke about the sheep and the “goats.” He said, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’” (Matthew 25:31–34). 

Jesus then told his disciples that the reason some people were considered sheep while others were labeled goats is because of the kindness they had shown to others, an indication that they were acting in a righteous manner. Scripture makes it clear that our salvation doesn’t depend on our works. But that truth shouldn’t cause us to think our works are insignificant.  

Jesus makes it very clear that our salvation should cause change in our character. Our standard for the way we treat others is the same standard for the way we treat Christ. He said, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

Why is God’s standard the only one that matters?

God’s people are called to live with his standards because living with the world’s standards could cost someone their eternal life. Most people believe there is a heaven and trust they will get there. Very few believe they need to worry about going to hell. 

Jesus made certain his disciples understood that on the day of judgment the sheep will be separated from the goats. Jesus taught the reality of heaven but also the reality of hell. We like to spend time thinking about all that heaven will mean, but our thoughts of hell are usually rare and brief. 

If we thought about everyone as sheep and goats the way Jesus taught, how would that change our thoughts and, therefore, our actions? 

Jesus made it very clear to his disciples. Those who will be considered GOATS in heaven are his sheep.

God’s standards for “GOAT”

In our world, goats can be great and sheep can be lost. Most labels have limited truth. But there is one label that is profoundly important. Paul wrote, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). 

Every Christian started out as a goat and was born again as a sheep. None of us can live perfect lives, but all of us can try to live according to God’s word. 

Paul instructed Titus about God’s standards for “great.” He told Titus, “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us” (Titus 2:7–8). 

God’s standards for “GOAT” have a much different set of “stats” than those our culture values. 

The truth about great

The world usually labels “great” much differently than God does. One of the best ways to change someone’s life is to help them redefine greatness. Everyone wants to be a “GOAT” until they realize what it means to become a sheep.  

There is a reason I root for Patrick Mahomes. He has often used his ability as a football player to glorify his God. In one interview, Mahomes said, “If someone looks up to a person and they are a Christian and, say the person looking up to them is not a Christian, I think there’s great impact in that. Maybe it will lead them to find out who Christ is. . . . I understand that he’s given me a lot of blessings in my life, and I’m trying to maximize them and glorify him.” 

Which quarterback is the GOAT? 

We should allow God to provide our answer to that question, not a set of stats. Then, we should apply that standard to our own lives. GOATS in Scripture are actually God’s sheep. 

If I could say one thing to Patrick Mahomes (besides “GREAT game Sunday night!”), I would say, “Keep living as a sheep and you will be a GOAT. The most important trophy in life isn’t received during this life.”  

If the game Sunday night is a preview of this year’s Super Bowl, you KNOW which team I will be rooting for! 

I believe in cheering for the sheep. 

Do you smell like Jesus?

We had just dropped our oldest son, Ryan, at Baylor University so he could begin his freshman year. I thought I was handling the change well until I went upstairs to grab his bedding for the wash. I pulled the pillowcase off and instantly smelled my son. I missed him. 

Another time I was in the grocery store and a woman walked by wearing White Shoulders perfume. I had to wipe tears off of my face while standing in the frozen foods aisle. Jim’s mom wore White Shoulders, and she had recently passed away. The smell brought her back for just a moment. 

I’ve spoken to a lot of widows who have a difficult time cleaning out the other half of the closet because they can bury their face in those clothes and feel close to the one they just lost.  

The sense of smell is closely linked to the part of our brain that holds our memories. So, I found it interesting to learn that the Bible describes Christians as an aroma to God. 

All people—Two aromas 

It’s human nature to classify other people according to race, age, culture, wealth, education, politics, etc. God only puts people into two categories: those who are being saved and those who are perishing. According to the Apostle Paul, those who are being saved smell like God’s Son. 

There really are only two types of people. The Apostle Paul gives us those two distinct categories in 2 Corinthians. If Christians will learn to view people like God, it will change the way we see ourselves and all others.  

Paul wrote, “Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:14–15). 

To God, every person either smells like his Son or they don’t. Imagine a world where all people viewed others the way God sees them eternally. Those are the only distinctions that truly matter. 

The Christian parade 

When you placed your faith in Christ as Lord, you were invited to walk in a parade. There is a “triumphal procession” that ends when we reach the gates of heaven.  

But the parade itself has great value. Our earthly lives are the time we spend walking with Christ. Scripture describes that journey as the opportunity to “spread the fragrance of the knowledge of God—everywhere.” That is our lives’ great purpose. Wherever you go, the saved and the unsaved will sense the “aroma” of Christ through your life. 

A welcome aroma 

There are thousands of aromas in this world. I’ve often said that, if they could bottle the smell of a Barnes and Noble bookstore, I would buy it! The smell of coffee and new books, two of my favorite things on this planet, combine to provide a wonderful scent. It’s the smell of contentment to me. 

Your life, combined with the presence of Christ, provides a wonderful aroma in this world. Most of the time, our witness is that unintentional impression we can make on the people we meet. They may not even recognize that aroma as Christ, but they are impacted by its presence. 

A scent that lingers 

I have a friend who wears a distinctive cologne. He usually gives me a hug when I see him and almost always leaves a trace of cologne when he does.  

We have all stepped on an elevator and noticed that someone recently returned to the office with food. 

We can step outside in the summer and know that a neighbor has a newly mown lawn or is serving something off the grill for dinner. 

All of those scents indicate the presence of an activity. It is interesting to consider that our time spent with Jesus can cause a scent to linger long after our amen. Others will notice what Scripture describes as the lingering aroma of Christ. 

Walk in the triumphal procession

Do you ever wonder what heaven will smell like? 

It’s probably filled with aromas not found on earth. 

Every person you encounter this week is either in that triumphal procession to heaven or not included in the parade. 

As Christians, if we saw everyone else in that way, how would that change the ways we view or engage with others? 

May all of us carry the lingering scent of our time spent with Jesus. It is an aroma our world will notice. Some will find it pleasant; others might not. Either way, it is what we should most want to smell like each day.  

You can smell like Jesus. The world needs his aroma. 

Live blessed: He is coming soon

Jesus is coming—soon.

Have you ever wondered why Jesus said he was coming soon?

It’s been more than two thousand years since Christ appeared to John on the island of Patmos and gave him the book of Revelation.

Toward the end of the revelation, Jesus said, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place. And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (Revelation 22:6–7).

I included these verses in my teaching last week, with a new thought. Most sermons about this passage are about the ultimate end of our world when Jesus returns for the final time. The book of Revelation teaches us that everything on earth is temporal, with a beginning and an end. We are supposed to live like Jesus could return tomorrow.

But, again, it’s been more than two thousand years.

What did Jesus mean by “soon”?

How should we define soon?

My mom and I spent the weekend driving to northern Arkansas and then back again. I took Mom to her brother’s funeral service. She is the youngest child in her family. She had ten brothers and three sisters. Now, Mom is the only one still living.

I watched the photo montage the funeral home put together and wondered how Grandma and Grandpa were able to raise fourteen children to be such fine human beings. But they did. Now, they are in heaven, except for my mom. She will join them one day, but today, she is without all of them, and my dad too.

The good news: Jesus is coming soon.

A wonderful woman from our church in Midland, Texas, was lying on her deathbed. Her family was gathered around quietly singing a hymn. She had not spoken in several days when she sat up and exclaimed, “Jesus!” and then she was gone.

Jesus had come to bring her home to heaven. It was sooner than the family expected it would be.

And that’s the point. We might not say that two thousand years is an accurate description of “soon,” but how many times have you lost someone you wished could have lived a few more years? Did their death feel like it came too soon?

Jesus is coming soon.

For all of us, it will be less than one hundred years from now, fifty years from now, twenty years from now—or sooner. If that makes you feel concerned, look at what Jesus said right after “Behold, I am coming soon.” He said, “Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (Revelation 22:7).

What does the Revelation promise to bless?

Are you living a blessed life now?

If you are, the return of Christ is something to anticipate, not fear. The book of Revelation promises blessings to all of us. When last did you find joy in those promised blessings?

Jesus said:

We are blessed by reading the Book.

Jesus said, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3).

The last book of the Bible is the only book of the Bible that promises blessing to the reader.

And again, Jesus said, “For the time is near.” The book of Revelation is not easy reading. In fact, it is a book to be studied with a good commentary in hand. (I suggest The Expositor’s Bible Commentary.)

When last did you read the book of Revelation?

Jesus promised a blessing to everyone who does.

We are blessed by dying in Christ.

Jesus said, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!’” (Revelation 14:13).

Jesus taught us to look at the death of a Christian, especially a Christian who has lived their life in great service to the Lord, as a wonderful reward, a blessing. My dad died with a smile of peace on his face. My uncle, who only recently gave his life to the Lord, died with a smile on his face. The woman in Midland, who sat up on her deathbed and called out to Jesus, was glad to see him.

If we are in Christ, we are blessed when we die!

We should live today, blessed by that assurance.

We are blessed by living “ready.”

Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!” (Revelation 16:15).

Simply put, we should be steadfastly faithful all of the time so that we are okay with Jesus returning any time.

Live today like it could be tomorrow.

Christians were blessed at the moment of their salvation.

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9).

When faithful Christians pass a mirror, they should see the reflection of a person who is already abundantly blessed! We have been invited to be the honored guest of Jesus at the eternal banquet of heaven. We are invited to the best meal of our entire lives, for every moment of our eternal lives. And with our eternal bodies, we can eat whatever we want! (That last sentence is more my thought than God’s. But, it seems likely.)

Maybe we should “look” at our invitation a little more often. It is printed in gold.

Christians are blessed by keeping our lives clean.

Jesus said, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates” (Revelation 22:14).

We are “washed” by the blood of the lamb. That is, the blood that was shed by Jesus on the cross for the forgiveness of sin. A Christian has forgiveness. We are blessed every time we confess our sins and receive his mercy and cleansing. Christians will live eternally clean, but we can receive his cleansing today as well.

It’s better to seek forgiveness now and arrive in heaven as “clean” as possible.

Are you blessed and ready?

Jesus is coming soon.

He said it, and for most of us, the day will come sooner than we think it should. That’s the point.

If you speak to an older person, they will almost always say, “Time is flying by!” They are genuinely surprised to look in their mirrors and see an older face looking back. I watched that photo montage and some of those pictures were taken decades ago. My mom and dad were sitting together at a picnic, smiling. She told me it seemed like yesterday.

Jesus is coming soon.

If you are living today with that hope, you are living a blessed life. If there are areas of life that could use some “washing,” then go to the fountain now and get cleaned up.

Heaven is real, and heaven is promised to those who have placed their faith in Jesus. My uncle wished he had made that decision earlier in his life. Who do you know that still needs to choose Christ?

Jesus promised you will be blessed by reading the book of Revelation. Let’s do that this week and obey the prophecy that inspires your soul. If we do, we will see the Lamb and the Spirit use us to give the hope of Christ to others.

Don’t wait.

He is coming soon!

The Mission of Christmas

The viral photo of Sully, a service dog, lying in front of the president’s casket, touched our hearts. The caption read, “Mission Complete. #Remembering41”.

Sometimes a picture does speak a thousand words.

The country will pause from the Christmas season to honor the life of our 41st president this week. I’m praying the service and the media broadcasts will cause people to think about their own lives, with a Christmas perspective. All of us are born with a mission to complete. The greatest satisfaction of life is knowing we have accomplished what the Lord intended us to do.

When Barbara Bush passed away, I remember thinking it wouldn’t be long before her husband joined her in heaven. My grandpa died eight months after my grandma passed. One of the great blessings of getting older is gaining a better perspective on the important things of this life. Heaven looks more like home when the people you love are living there.

The president told his best friend, Jim Baker, that he wanted to go to heaven. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

I think President Bush desired to spend Christmas in heaven and God said, “Okay. We can do that.”

The Mission of Christmas

I was considering the Christmas story with a “Mission Complete” mindset. God had a great purpose for everyone that first Christmas, and they accomplished their mission.

  • Mary was preparing to be a wife when God asked her to be a mother too. She gave birth to the Messiah that first Christmas. Mission complete.
  • Elizabeth told Mary what she needed to hear. Those words of encouragement brought Mary great joy, when she most needed a strong faith. Mission complete.
  • Joseph planned to quietly divorce Mary when he found she was with child. Instead, he obeyed the angel, took Mary as his wife, and kept her safe. Mission complete.
  • The shepherds planned to look after their sheep that night. Instead, they saw a great light and went to look for a baby lying in a manger. They completed their mission by telling others what they had seen.
  • The wise men spent months following a star, in search of the king. When they bowed before their Messiah and honored him with their gifts, their mission was complete.
  • The angel Gabriel made sure that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus escaped to Egypt. The Messiah would live to become a man. Mission complete.

I found myself asking the Lord, “What is my ‘mission’ this Christmas season?”

Your Mission

There are always a lot of things that need to get done. But, I think President Bush would tell us the “whats” aren’t as important as the “whos.”

Maybe the question should be, “Who is my mission this year?”

I want to be able to say, “Mission complete.”

An important life will be remembered and honored this Christmas season. The grave of President Bush will be next to his wife and daughter’s graves at his Presidential Library in College Station. But his life is with them in heaven. Imagine their unique joy this Christmas as they celebrate the holiday with Robin again, after so many years apart.

Who has been on your mind as you read these words?

Jesus told his disciples, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Let’s spend some time listening for that voice this Christmas season and working to obey his calling. It would be a blessing to pack up the Christmas decorations in a few weeks knowing our holiday is over and that mission is complete.