Opportunities and burdens

What's your outlook on life? I know how mine can get all too frequently. As I look around, wishing I had the life that was being displayed before me on the T.V. while I am watching a baseball game. Or maybe if I just had this thing or that, my life would be the way I 'envisioned' it. Or ______________________. (you fill in the blank)

What is our outlook on life? Is God the creator and sustainer of all things? Is he also the giver of all good things? If so, are we content with what he has chosen to give us (monetarily, giftedness, etc.)? If not, on what basis do we stand to confront our displeasure to the Creator of the universe?

I know that I can begin to feel as though life is burdensome to me. But when I take a moment to step back and see things as God sees them (I'll get to this later), I begin to see "life's little occurences" as opportunities instead of burdens. Think about it. That troubled student, who daily seems to push the lines in class, irritating you and the others (I used to be a jr. high and high school teacher), what is he looking for? Why is he "pushing"? Or that child that just won't "walk the line" at home, or even in public! Why won't he listen...can he even listen!? What is going on here? What opportunity is God placing before you? This student, this child, they are not just looking for attention, but love. We all know that love comes in many forms, for it is certainly not loving for me to let my 2 year old touch a hot stove out of curiousity. Love does not just affirm everything, but disciplines also.

Maybe you can relate:

A mother or father, tired, effected by the rigors of the day, struggling to energize for the day ahead, hears, at 1:30 a.m., tormented cries from the next room. What is the reaction? Is this a burden "we should not have to bear", or an opportunity, to once more, show our unconditional love to a hurting and confused soul?

A teenaged young man, struggling to find his place in life, is assisted home by the police early in the morning. Do the parents throw their hands up and "wash" their lives of him, or do they discipline, continue to strategize and show unconditional love to a confused and hurting soul?

A man, frustrated by the employees that just won't "see the light" on certain terms. Do we fire and cut loose, or continue to meet, understanding each other's position, and work out a strategic plan for wholeness to everyone in the company?

The "experienced" woman, after many years taking its toll on her body, looks around at all that she CANNOT do any longer. Does she despise life and all that it offers, or creatively seek out what God is now placing before her, the tasks she can complete and the wisdom she may pass on?

God, fortunately, sees opportunities in us. Why else would the all-powerful, all-knowing Creator of the universe have created so much pain for himself!? Think about it, from the beginning, God has given us everything, only to have us turn our back on him, not just once, but time after time after time again. And not only that, but then as we live, we continually wonder "why" and don't trust his ways. We forget the opportunity to learn, experience and grow, instead focusing on our wish to stay right where we are, in comfort and style!

But God sees opportunities! He searches us out and works (overtime) to redeem his lost creation, only to work some more when we turn from him again. He continually sees us as opportunities of his future delight, even in the midst of our painful struggle against him. What a testament to the unconditional love he has for his creation.

And this is how God works in all things, to redeem them and bring them to himself, scarred by life and all. He is working to redeem all people (and he will - see Rev. 7:9 - I think heaven will be quite eclectic, yet weave with perfection) in their various cultural differences and all (minus any moral contradictions), music, all genres, movies, sports...if you can think of it and people are involved in it, God is working to redeem it, as long as its premise does not directly contradict His Truth, the Word. (for more on redeeming, see Rom. 3:24; 1 Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1:7,14; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:12; Job 19:25; Exo. 21:30; Num. 18:15; the story of Ruth and Boaz; Psa. 44:26, 49:15, 119:134, 130:8; Luke 24:21; Gal. 4:5; Titus 2:14)

Oh, if we could only have eyes like our Heavenly Father, who sees opportunities to redeem and love people enough, taking time and building effort to bring them into his kingdom, the opportunities of his future delight. Or, simply put, as Boz (my children's new DVD friend) would say, "When life gives you a lemon...make lemonade!"

God bless your mind and heart, feet, hands and mouth, as you also see and act toward opportunities of God's future delight.

The importance of Right Teaching

Of course, all of us are teachers, at one time or another. Whether it is the profession at large, or the peer group at the lunch table, there is teaching and learning going on. Which way are you pointing?

Martin Luther had much to say about this role:

"Schoolmasters have learned to speak in school with their pupils; they know how the passages of Holy Scripture are properly to be handled and explained. I wish that no one would be elected preacher unless he had first been a schoolmaster. Now the young fellows want to become preachers instantly and flee schoolwork. But after a man has taught for about ten years, he may quit with a good conscience; for the work is too great and is little thought of. However, a schoolmaster is as important to a city as a preacher. We can dispense with burgomasters, princes, and noblemen; you cannot dispense with schools, for they must rule the world.

If I were not a preacher, I do not know of any position on earth that I would rather have than that of schoolmaster. But one must not look at how the world rewards and regards it but at how God will consider and praise it on that Day."

"I would briefly say that a diligent and pious schoolteacher or master or whoever the person is who faithfully trains and teaches boys can never be sufficiently rewarded and repaid with any money, as even the heathen Aristotle says (This Greek philosopher said: "Those who educate children well are more to be honored than those who produce them. For the latter give them only life; the former give them the art of living well."). Yet this work is shamefully despised among us as if it were nothing whatever. Still we want to be Christians. If I myself could or should be obliged to leave the office of the ministry and other duties, I would rather have the office of schoolmaster or teacher of boys than any other office. For I know that next to the ministry this work is the most useful, the greatest, and the best. In fact, I do not know which of the two is better; for it is hard to tame old dogs and to make old rascals pious. Yet this is the task at which the preacher must labor and often labor in vain. But one can bend and train young trees more easily even though some of them break in the process. My friend, let it be considered one of the greatest virtues on earth faithfully to train the children of other people. Very few people - in fact, practically none - do this for their own children."

"No calling pleases me as well as that of schoolmaster; nor would I more gladly accept any other calling." (Luther arrives at this thought by reflecting on the precious Old Testament texts which the Great Teacher must have explained to His disciples on the way to Emmaus)

"It takes persons of exceptional ability to teach and train children aright."

"What work is greater and more splendid than imparting real and true instruction? If, then, you are a teacher or the head of a school, what are you to do? You are faithfully to instruct, teach, discipline, and admonish the youth entrusted to you. You should do so expecting that some will do their duty and others will not. For he who wants to do good must expect that it is done in vain and that his good deed is poorly used, because the number of those who spurn good advice is always greater than the number of those who follow it. And we should be satisfied when the good we do has not been entirely lost. It is enough if one of the ten lepers returns to acknowledge the benefit (Luke 17:17). So it is enough if one of ten pupils takes correction and studies diligently; for thus the benefit is not altogether lost. And in imitation of the example which God gives us we are enjoined to do good to both the grateful and the ungrateful (Matt. 5:45)."

Others knew if this powerful influence also.

Adolf Hitler said: "Let me control the textbooks, and I will control the state."

Vladimir Lenin said: "Give me your four year olds, and in a generation I will build a socialist state."

These men used this powerful influence for destruction.

Even Martin Luther saw this possibility when he said:

"I am much afraid that the schools will prove to be the great gates to Hell unless they diligently labor in explaining the Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the scriptures do not reign paramount. Every institution in which men are not increasingly occupied with the Word of God, must become corrupt."

May God raise up right minded teachers, which will form and fashion the next generations to come. Lord, help us.

The "Last" Ones

It's interesting how our minds work, isn't it? We can find a justification for almost anything we do (or don't do). There's always a good reason! In almost anything we might be involved in, there is ample reason and conjecture as to why we should or shouldn't do something.

Especially in the areas of religion, there is much thinking on this subject. Certainly, we have been told (as Jesus told his disciples) to be:

Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."

A definite element of highly trained reasoning is embedded in this verse(maybe that of a biblical worldview). Of course, he also praised those who showed "child-like" faith in their actions towards him and for him. Jesus himself encouraged us to have this type of faith when it came to our necessities in Matt. 6:30 ff. The (gentile) centurion of Matthew 8 had such faith (which, shortly after, his own disciples showed they did not have) as did the paralytic and the woman suffering from a hemorrhage of Matthew 9, and many others (see Matthew 15:28; Mark 10:52, 11:22ff; Luke 17:5ff, 17:19; John 14:12, 20:30).

So, what is child-like faith? God certainly does not tell us to "check our brains at the door" upon entering worship. But at the same time, everything seems to funnel right to Him, so that any worldly thought may be put in check through faith in what He has said (the Bible). For example, it may not seem to make any sense to begin conversation with an athiest or skeptic. "Surely, they have heard it all before" might be our thinking. Although this statement is inherently problematic, it also goes against what the Lord may be wishing to produce through our lives, real and active faith in another life! If we believe that God can do all things, as His Word states, why would we shy away from an opportunity to share the Good News?

Fear. The same fear that kept the disciples locked in a room for fear of the Jews that first Easter evening (John 20:19). We have the same fear of unacceptance or rejection, even persecution. But Jesus comes to his disciples and says, "Peace be with you!" And so, he says the same to us.
ESV Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Even when we don't fully know how its going to work out, we trust and step out in faith (like Peter, who, for a while at least, was walking on water).

This has all come to the forefront for me recently (the last year or so) when I have been praying for my children. As I pray for them to be and become active Jesus freaks in a culture blurred with complacent Christians, it has come to mind that this request may bring, from a worldly point of view, problems and suffering into their lives. The fact is that people are great at turning from God until they need something (I know). Certainly, God can do all things, and we are preparing our children, as best as we know how, to turn to Him in all things and all situations, before they "feel" they need him. In fact, to entrust that need for Him from the beginning. But, our human nature gets in the way, and I must realize that suffering may be the refining agent that draws them closer to Him (as a physical weakness did for myself).

Which brings me to the point.

I've been considering some others in the recent year. Some that don't always fit the usual pattern of thinking. Those who are sometimes marginalized in societies, like Hitler's...and ours! (Think about it...why do we really want the capability to detect birth defects so early? Very few can be reversed in the womb!) Our culture looks at these, and calls them the "last ones." But I'm not so sure they are the last. After much reflective thought, I tend to go along with Matthew West's view on these as he puts so well in his song entitled "The Last Ones".

The Last Ones
Listed under Matthew West & History
Words by Matthew West
Music by Matthew West & Jason Houser
Word Music, LLC / Westies Music Publishing, admin. by Word Music, LLC / Songs of Extreme / Cedar Sides, admin. by Cedar Music Publishing [ASCAP]
Matthew West (lead & background vocals, acoustic guitar); Kenny Greenberg (acoustic & electric guitar); Tim Lauer (piano)

My friend Taylor, she’s an angel. Ten years old and beautiful. She’s a living, breathing miracle. And she proves it everyday. ‘Cause the odds were stacked against her. From the day that she arrived here. And the doctors told her mom and dad. She’d always be that way.
And I confess when I first met her. I was thinking life’s not fair. But then she wrapped her arms around my neck. And it all became so clear.

God bless the last ones.

One day Taylor sent me a picture. From her Special Olympics race. And I could tell just by the looks of it. She was coming in last place. But she crossed that finish line. With a smile upon her face. As if to say

God bless the last ones.

Maybe the last ones are the lucky ones. The ones who got this whole thing figured out. ‘Cause when they go looking for something beautiful. They start looking from the inside out.

On our way into the restaurant. We passed a homeless man. He was half drunk and half asleep. With a paper cup in his hand. And I confess when I first saw him. I was thinking life’s not fair. But then Taylor reached out. And wrapped her arms around his neck. And it all became so clear.

God bless the last ones.

I wish we could all be the lucky ones. The ones who’ve got this whole thing figured out. Maybe the next time. We go looking for beautiful. We’ll try looking from the inside out.

God bless the last ones.

Maybe there is something they understand better than we do, for our minds get in the way. Martin Luther once said this: "Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has: it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but - more frequently than not - struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God." This is not to say that we shouldn't think and reason, but it is to say that we shouldn't allow this reason to trump God's Word of Truth!

But I look at some who are mentally impaired, and I see a love for life in their eyes which, I believe, comes from a trust of those around them, a trust of their situation, a trust of God, perhaps. Maybe they aren't "bogged down" by all the worries and cares of life (that cannot be changed by even a minute of our worrying, much less the days spent), but enjoy what comes their way, including the work they are given! We complain day after day of "all that we have to do", while they, with a smile on their face, repeatedly serve burger after burger at McDonalds, or retrieve cart after cart at the nearest grocery store...all with a smile and satisfaction of a job well done.

I realize that one can always find an example that doesn't fit, but I just wonder if, in general, this isn't something we bring on ourselves. As the "last ones" live the life they have been given to the fullest, we, who have many more gifts, squander them and waste countless hours abusing them while we think about "the other things we would rather be doing," rather than being thankful for what we have been given and what we can do.

What if we really did see the garbage man as important as he is in keeping our communities, not only clean, but safe and free of deadly diseases. Scripture says:

ESV 1 Corinthians 12:22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

What would society look like if this were to happen. Would there be that great "rat race" all over the business world? Ya know, the funny thing is that I can actually picture times when I've seen the "last ones" living this out. When a special olympic runner stopped running a race he was going to win (that's right, first place!) to help up the leader who had fallen over a hurdle and twisted his ankle. He could not finish...alone. But he didn't have to, the "last one" gave up his gold medal to help him finish the race.

So, as anti-normal as this may sound...maybe a little (or even a lot) of suffering is good for our lives. Maybe we would be better off with less...

OR

maybe we should more acutely think what life would be like without a God who loves unconditionally (see O.T. and Rom. 15:4), even when we are ungrateful for the gifts that he has given...or even when we don't recognize him as being there...or even when we don't want him there.

So...

May God help you see the vision he has for your life, the good works you have been created for (Eph. 5:10), as simple or as large as each one of them, at any given moment, may be.

Passion Week

Passion. An interesting word. This being passion week in the church, I thought it would be interesting to look at the definitions given. Interestingly enough, here is what I found in Merriam-Webster's dictionary (10th Edition):

pas•sion \ˈpa-shən\ noun

[Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin passion-, passio suffering, being acted upon, from Latin pati to suffer — more at patient]

(13th century)

1 often capitalized
a : the sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and his death
b : an oratorio based on a gospel narrative of the Passion

2 obsolete : suffering

3 : the state or capacity of being acted on by external agents or forces

4 a (1) : emotion [his ruling passion is greed]
(2) plural : the emotions as distinguished from reason
b : intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction
c : an outbreak of anger

5 a : ardent affection : love
b : a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept
c : sexual desire
d : an object of desire or deep interest

— pas•sion•less \-ləs\ adjective

synonymy passion, fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, zeal mean intense emotion compelling action. passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable [was a slave to his passions]. fervor implies a warm and steady emotion [read the poem aloud with great fervor]. ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived [the ardor of their honeymoon soon faded]. enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal, cause, or activity [never showed much enthusiasm for sports]. zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause [preaches with the zeal of the converted].
Merriam-Webster, I. 1996, c1993. Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary. Includes index. (10th ed.). Merriam-Webster: Springfield, Mass., U.S.A.

Our culture has 'all but lost' the original meaning of passion in "suffering". As you can see, this dictionary (true to other historical dictionaries) has placed Jesus suffering and death as the first definition of the word. However, this is the opposite of how our culture (and many recent dictionaries) place the order of definitions. Many put our desire as the more important meaning, as you probably readily defined it that way for yourself the at the heading of this article. What is written below may help "bring you back" to the original meaning.

May God, the One who loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die on the cross for our sinfulness, bless you this Passion Week.

The Agony Of Love
Medical Aspects of The Crucifixion:
The Agony of Love
by Dr. Mark Eastman

On the evening before His crucifixion Jesus was gathered with His disciples in the upper room, sharing with them some of the most intimate truths of His entire ministry. As He discussed the love of the Father and His love for His disciples he declared:

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
Though they did not realize it at the time, the disciples were only hours from the practical realization of this truth. One of the subtle evidences of the supernatural origin of the Biblical text is that astonishing events are often described in extremely brief narratives.

This is perhaps best illustrated in the matter-of-fact way in which the crucifixion of Jesus Christ-the most pivotal event in the history of the universe-is described in the Gospel accounts.
After Jesus was examined and declared to be without fault by the Roman Procurator Pontius Pilate, he delivered Him to be judged by the assembled crowd. When the opportunity arose to decide the destiny of Jesus, the crowd and the Jewish leadership cried out saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him."

The horrifying events of the next six hours were preceded by the simple words:
Then delivered he Him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. John 19:16

"Great Drops of Blood"

The physical suffering of Jesus began in the Garden of Gethsemane on the evening before His crucifixion. While the disciples slept, the Gospel of Luke records that the LORD "being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."

The notion that someone could actually sweat blood seems contrived. However, there is a rare but recognized condition called hematohydrosis, in which capillary blood vessels that feed the sweat glands rupture, causing them to express blood. This usually occurs under conditions of extreme physical or emotional stress. Jesus wasn't sweating blood because he was afraid of the physical pain of the cross. Indeed, the book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus looked forward to the cross:

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

The Trials

After Jesus' arrest they led Him away to the High Priest Caiaphas, where the Scribes and elders were assembled. During this inquisition we are told that "some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, 'Prophesy!' And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands."

Beatings about the face received by a blindfolded individual cause even worse trauma because the victim cannot "roll with the punches." In the hours that followed Jesus received two additional beatings at the hands of Roman soldiers. Severe disfigurement of the face would certainly have resulted from the brutal treatment. It is likely that the eyelids were swollen shut as a result of such beatings. This was done in fulfillment of Isaiah 52:13-14:

Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. As many were astonished at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.

The Scourging

After His trial before Pontius Pilate, Jesus was scourged (flogged) by the Roman guards. This process typically involved a whip with numerous leather thongs, 18-24 inches long, with bits of metal, bone or glass embedded in the leather. At times they would use an iron rod to beat the prisoner. According to Jewish custom, a prisoner was usually flogged 39 times (Forty minus one was a sign of Jewish mercy!)

Scourging was an extreme form of punishment. The skin on the victim's back was usually shredded, thus exposing the underlying muscle and skeletal structures. Severe blood loss and dehydration were the rule. Many victims died from such scourging.

After the scourging of Jesus, the Roman soldiers beat Him a second time with their hands and with a reed. Then they put on him a "crown of thorns."

Jesus had not drunk since the night before, so the combination of the beatings, the crown of thorns, and the scourging would have set into motion an irreversible process of severe dehydration and cardiorespiratory failure. All of this was done so that the prophecy of Isaiah would be fulfilled:

I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. Isaiah 50:6

And:

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Crucifixion

Crucifixion was invented by the Persians between 300-400 b.c. It was "perfected" by the Romans in the first century b.c. It is arguably the most painful death ever invented by man and is where we get our term "excruciating." It was reserved primarily for the most vicious of criminals.

The most common device used for crucifixion was a wooden cross, which consisted of an upright pole permanently fixed in the ground with a removable crossbar, usually weighing between 75-100 lbs. Victims of crucifixion were typically stripped naked and their clothing divided by the Roman guards. In Jesus' case this was done in fulfillment of Psalm 22:18:

"They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots."

As a gesture of "Roman kindness" the prisoner was offered a mixture of vinegar (gall) and wine as a mild anesthetic. This anesthetic was refused by Jesus. Consequently, He bore it all! The Apostle Peter stated of Jesus:

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

The victim was then placed on his back, arms stretched out and nailed to the cross bar. The nails, which were generally about 7-9 inches long, were placed between the bones of the forearm (the radius and ulna) and the small bones of the hands (the carpal bones). (To see Figure 1, go to http://www.jaspella.com/ministry/articles/agony_of_love1.jpg)

The placement of the nail at this point had several effects. First it ensured that the victim would indeed hang there until dead. Secondly, a nail placed at this point would sever the largest nerve in the hand called the median nerve.

The severing of this nerve is a medical catastrophe. In addition to severe burning pain the destruction of this nerve causes permanent paralysis of the hand. Furthermore, by nailing the victim at this point in the wrist, there would be minimal bleeding and there would be no bones broken! Thus scriptures were fulfilled:

I can count all my bones: they look and stare upon me. Psalm 22:17

He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. Psalm 34:20

The positioning of the feet is probably the most critical part of the mechanics of crucifixion. First the knees were flexed about 45 degrees and the feet were flexed (bent downward) an additional 45 degrees until they were parallel the vertical pole. An iron nail about 7-9 inches long was driven through the feet between the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones. In this position the nail would sever the dorsal pedal artery of the foot, but the resultant bleeding would be insufficient to cause death.

The Catastrophic Result

The resulting position on the cross sets up a horrific sequence of events which results in a slow, painful death. Having been pinned to the cross, the victim now has an impossible position to maintain. (To see Figure 2, go to http://www.jaspella.com/ministry/articles/agony_of_love2.jpg)

With the knees flexed at about 45 degrees, the victim must bear his weight with the muscles of the thigh. However, this is an almost impossible task-try to stand with your knees flexed at 45 degrees for 5 minutes. As the strength of the legs gives out, the weight of the body must now be borne by the arms and shoulders. The result is that within a few minutes of being placed on the cross, the shoulders will become dislocated. Minutes later the elbows and wrists become dislocated. The result of these dislocations is that the arms are as much as 6-9 inches longer than normal.

With the arms dislocated, considerable body weight is transferred to the chest, causing the rib cage to be elevated in a state of perpetual inhalation. Consequently, in order to exhale the victim must push down on his feet to allow the rib muscles to relax. The problem is that the victim cannot push very long because the legs are extremely fatigued. As time goes on, the victim is less and less able to bear weight on the legs, causing further dislocation of the arms and further raising of the chest wall, making breathing more and more difficult.

The result of this process is a series of catastrophic physiological effects. Because the victim cannot maintain adequate ventilation of the lungs, the blood oxygen level begins to diminish and the blood carbon dioxide (CO2) level begins to rise. This rising CO2 level stimulates the heart to beat faster in order to increase the delivery of oxygen and the removal of CO2.

However, due to the pinning of the victim and the limitations of oxygen delivery, the victim cannot deliver more oxygen and the rising heart rate only increases oxygen demand. So this process sets up a vicious cycle of increasing oxygen demand-which cannot be met-followed by an ever increasing heart rate. After several hours the heart begins to fail, the lungs collapse and fill up with fluid, which further decreases oxygen delivery to the tissues. The blood loss and hyperventilation combines to cause severe dehydration. That's why Jesus said, "I thirst."

Over a period of several hours the combination of collapsing lungs, a failing heart, dehydration, and the inability to get adequate oxygen supplies to the tissues cause the eventual death of the victim. The victim, in effect, cannot breath properly and slowly suffocates to death. In cases of severe cardiac stress, such as crucifixion, a victim's heart can even burst. This process is called "Cardiac Rupture." Therefore it could be said that Jesus died of a "broken heart!"

To slow the process of death the executioners put a small wooden seat on the cross, which would allow the victim the privilege of bearing his weight on his buttocks. The effect of this was that it could take up to nine days to die on a cross.

When the Romans wanted to expedite death they would simply break the legs of the victim, causing him to suffocate in a matter of minutes. At three o'clock in the afternoon Jesus said, "Tetelastai," meaning "it is finished." Then He gave up the ghost. When the soldiers came to Jesus to break His legs, He was already dead. Not a bone of Him was broken!

How Should We Then Live?

I realize that it is difficult to read of the details of Jesus' physical sufferings. And yet, when we realize that He looked forward, on our behalf, to the cross, we are overwhelmed with His practical demonstration of love and, hopefully, a personal realization of our unworthiness. How should we then live? I believe that the Apostle Paul said it best:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

Not everyone is weakening

It certainly seems that everyone is undercutting the authority of Scripture these days. As I have previously stated before, the three pastors I visited around here were willing to quickly abandon a true, real reading of Genesis 1-11 for the "current thinking of the day" (with the exception of the person I spoke with at the Evangelical Free church, however, he quickly stated that I would "find almost anything in his walls" and considered most to be adiophora).

I guess you hear about pastors like that, but you don't expect to actually run into them. I expect them to be smarter, more equipped, and faithful to Scripture's intent and message, but it isn't always the case.

I have also heard of a recent poll done for LCMS pastors in which was found that only 80% of pastors serving believe in the inerrancy and inspiration of Scripture! This is unbelievable to me! Of course, it seems that the pastors 40 and older are over 95% sure, but those 40 and under are only 60% or so sure! We sure have our work cut out for us. I am only 30, and if I can't even count on "my brothers" in my denomination to hold to the truths of Scripture, who can I count on!?

I guess we see a glimmer of hope in places all over. Here is an example of a pastor named Dr. John MacArthur. Here is the video that proves his stance for truth http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2006/0403macarthur.asp . I don't know about everything he speaks on, but I'm glad to see him standing on the Scriptural view of Genesis!

I guess, we take our cue from the churches found in Revelation, especially Ephesus (who hated the wrong teachings of the Nicoliatans, who worked out a compromise with the pagan teachings of the day) and Christ's words to the church in Pergamum (who were holding to the wrong teachings of Balaam and also the Nicoliatans). No, we should also head the words of Christ to the church in Laodicea, who tells us to be true and overcome the lukewarm attitude and teachings surrounding them.

We, too, have more responsibility today, to take everything to the cross of Christ as we discern it:

NIV 2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

NIV 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

NIV 2 Corinthians 4:2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

And we try to hold our ministry at the level of Paul himself, who was a faithful and true witness:

ESV 2 Corinthians 6:1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open.