Easter season

Easter Monday Blues

Posted on by Betsy

The day has finally arrived and gone. All the plastic eggs and colorful chocolate foil wrappers have been picked up and put away. For the church, this means that the long winter night know as Lent is finally over and we can get back to business as usual. But a well spent Lent leaves a mark on our soul. That is the purpose and intention of Lent. So now that our fasting and self-examination period is over, what’s next? What did we learn? How will we apply Lent’s healing salve on our hearts for the rest of our year? What do we need to do to keep this fire of discipline burning so that our faith won’t dissipate like a vapor?

I think we should start by asking the same question that Hosea did. What does God desire for his people?

Hosea 6:4-6

 Ephraim, what will I do with you?
            Judah, what will I do with you?
    Your love is like a morning cloud,
            like the dew that vanishes quickly.
5     Therefore, I have attacked them by the prophets,
            I have killed them by the words of my mouth,
                and my judgment goes forth like a light.


6     I desire faithful love and not sacrifice,
            the knowledge of God instead of entirely burned offerings.

Hosea was a prophet who served God during the period of the divided kingdom. Civil war had separated the people into the Northern Kingdom of Judah and the Southern Kingdom of Isreal. Political and economic prosperity had led the people to turn away from God and turn toward idolatry, corruption, and spiritual and moral decay. God called Hosea to speak to the people and kings of the Northern Kingdom. The name Hosea means “salvation” and comes from the same root as Joshua and Jesus. Thus he was tasked by speaking the truth of God in an attempt to save the people from themselves.

Hosea is very clear and direct regarding God’s desires, boiling it down to two things: Faithful love and knowledge of God. Truly, if we were to succeed in just these two things we would grow closer to God every day.

The people of that time we so far from God, their love evaporated as quickly as the morning dew and the sunrise clouds. Barely here, they are gone in an instant like the mercy and obedience of the wayward people. While they were consistently bringing animals to sacrifice at the altar, none of them could bring themselves as a living sacrifice to the Lord. They missed what God really wanted from them: A deep, close relationship. 

Jesus quoted Hosea twice in Matthew 9:13 and 12:7. “Go and learn what this means: I want mercy and not sacrifice. I didn’t come to call righteous people, but sinners” (Matthew 9:13). It seems that we never learn.

“What will I do with you?” God asks us today. I suggest that as we enter into Eastertide, we keep God’s desires in mind. Let us resolve to show acts of faithful love and mercy every day. Let us resolve to grow in our knowledge of God through faithful worship and Bible study attendance. How will you live up to God’s desires? Make a plan.

Morning Cloud by Michelle Robertson

Clothed

Posted on by Betsy

It is that time of year in the Outer Banks when you need every season of clothing accessible to you. You may wear all seasons in one day. A week ago we left the house with the heat turned on, wearing jackets and boots. A week later, we’re in sandals and short sleeves. Who knows what next week might hold?

If you’re like me, you give your clothing selections serious consideration. Things need to be appropriate, flattering, cost-effective. comfortable, and like Goldilocks’ porridge, not too hot and not too cold. Clothing is how we armor ourselves for the world. It says who we are before we say who we are. Clothing can make or break an interview, a first date, or your credibility. Mama was right to counsel us on the fact that clothes not only should fit, but they should also fit the occasion. If you’ve ever misjudged an outfit and wore something way too casual for what turned out to be a formal occasion, you know what I’m talking about.

In this beautiful passage from Luke, we continue the Easter story by exploring what happened during the 40 days after the resurrection. Jesus met with his eleven disciples to give them some last instructions and marching orders. Notice in verse 44, he almost says, “I told you so” without really saying “I told you so.” Good restraint, Jesus!

Luke 24 (New International Version)

44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you:Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

So, in this important moment, he reminds them of what he had already told them regarding the prophecies from the Pentateuch through the Psalms. He was the fulfillment of it all.

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Jesus gives them the startling news that they will be clothed with power from on high. I’m sure that just as they had no idea what his messiahship would entail, they had no idea what this would mean, either. But the gift that our Lord promised enabled them to take the Gospel and go into the world and form a new church. And here we are today, recipients of that gift as well.

The Ascension of Jesus

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

The clothing of the power of the Holy Spirit brought the world the good news of forgiveness of sins and the promise of the resurrection of the dead. This is a good reminder to us today as we sometimes get frustrated with the politics and policies of our churches. When we remember the main purpose of the church and by whom the church is powered, it helps us stay focused on our mission, and we can then continue to clothe ourselves in other things, as Paul suggests:

Colossians 3 (New Living Translation)

14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Above all, clothe yourselves in love.

What are you wearing today?

Clothed in Glory by Michelle Robertson