Race and Death in America. A Response

The names, are too many….  Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Dontre Hamilton…..

The emotions, run too deep….  Outrage.  Unbearable sadness.  Despair.  Shame.  Hope….

The Images, are too graphic….   Grieving parents.  A community in flames.  An unarmed man being choked to death…

The Left and Right Media covered these events in predictable fashion, further ingratiating themselves to their echo-chamber audiences.

I’ve learned that writing about Race is a fool’s errand.  We live in a hyper-political and racial atmosphere, where instant reactions rule the day. The Politicians, Pundits and Talking-Heads push their personal agendas, which only served to re-affirm our own stereotypes. 

Let me just ask this…. What type of country is it, where an armed white man can threaten federal officers and be turned into a Conservative folk hero -Cliven Bundy- while unarmed black men are killed and then blamed for their own deaths….?

I’ll leave it up to others to wrestle with the legal, moral and ethical implications of these events.  

The question I want to answer is this: How should Christians -of all political stripes- respond to these events?  As a pastor of a multi-ethnic, economically diverse congregation, let me offer a few suggestions…

Identify with the brokenhearted

The Bible commands us to do relate to those who are suffering.  We see this clearly in paces like Romans 12.15, ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.’  We do this because God identifies with those who struggle in life.  Psalm 34.18 tells us, ‘The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.’  Christ-followers need to identify with those who are suffering, grieved, and hurting.

When faced with a choice to side with the powerful or the oppressed - side with the oppressed

God draws near to people who are oppressed.  The commands to care for the poor, the widowed and orphaned are found throughout the Bible.  Jesus declared that he came to bring, ‘liberty to those who are oppressed,’ Luke 4.18-19.  The prophet Isaiah in Chapter 1.17 declared, ‘Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.’

Realize that we all have our own internal biases

White Privilege is the term used to describe the reality of those who are born into systems that deliver access to power and resources -to the neglect of others.  White Privilege doesn’t mean that someone is racist; rather it implicates the corrupt nature of our social systems.  Conservative Pastor Matt Chandler affirmed the reality of White Privilege by declaring that his, ‘Blond hair and blue eyed sons will never be seen as suspicious by the Police.’  Acknowledging that White Privilege exists is helpful in deeply divisive times like this.

Listen to other narratives

Take time to listen -not just hear but truly listen- to the stories of others from different racial backgrounds.  Invite a friend over for dinner and seek to understand their experiences and opinions is critical in bridging perceptions. Christianity affirms that all people are created in the image of God and therefore have equal worth and value.  Learning the life stories of fellow imager-bearers draws us closer to our Creator.

Christians are required to address reconciliation

We are commanded to love one another, with the same love that God has for us.  Jesus tells us in John 13.35 that, ‘All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.’  At one point Jesus is asked, ‘Who is my neighbor?’  He responds with a story that crosses racial and ethnic divisions -setting the Good Samaritan as the ultimate example of reconciliation.  

We can argue the merits of rioting, we can shake our head in anger at those grabbing the spotlight for self-promotion, we can debate the conflicting eye-witness accounts of each incident, and we can take sides in the predictable ‘us vs. them’ narrative that plays out in our Country…

Or

We can chart a new course, one where Christians join in the suffering, where Christians embrace the sorrow, side with the oppressed, assess our own personal biases, listen -sincerely listen- and take the lead on racial reconciliation.

12 Questions: Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

Southbrook Church's summer series is called '12 Questions.'  We are engaging 12 difficult questions about our faith and following Jesus.

One of the most challenging questions is this, 'Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People.' All of us have asked this at one point or another.  All of us have some pain in our lives, some tragedy that has caused us to wonder why this is happening to us.

I am not sure that there is one answer that totally satisfies our struggles.  But let me offer six truths that can help us as we deal with this heart wrenching question...

1. Evil is not from God -Genesis 1.31 reminds us that God created the world perfect.  God's perfection allowed us the freedom to chose to love him.  We took that freedom and turned our back on God, allowing chaos and sin to enter.  If God were to eliminate evil today, then there would be none of us left!

2. God is good -Matthew 7.9-11 tells us that God is like a parent who only wants the best for their children.  An inescapable fact of life is that God is good.  We are surrounded by God's goodness so much, that at times it is easy to overlook God's goodness.

3. God can redeem evil -Romans 8.28 speaks to the fact that God can make beauty out of chaos. Story after story in the Bible points to this truth; that out of darkness God can bring light. The Bible's central story: of Jesus defeating sin on the Cross, is the supreme example of God redeeming evil.

4. God wins in the end -Revelation 21.4 gives us great hope, as it points towards the truth that God will win in the end. Contrary to the song 'Circle of Life' from the Lion King movie, our life is not trapped in an unending circle.  Rather the world had a specific beginning and will end in a similar fashion. God does indeed win in the end!

5. How does rejecting God make life any easier? Time and time again, in the midst of tragedy I hear this sentiment.  Tragedy naturally shakes up our lives, makes us question what is important in life. Life is tough enough with God in our lives. I can't imagine going through life without the presence and relationship that Jesus offers!

6. What is your God doing about evil?  At times and in the right context I will ask this question.  It is a simple one, and one that can truly alter a conversation. To the skeptic who blasts Christianity, I will ask, 'What is your God doing about evil?' What is the Universe doing to personally comfort me?  What is your nature God doing to provide me with answers in life.  What are your crystals or your church doing to provide me peace?

The God of the Bible is moving heaven and earth to rescue us.  The God of the Bible sent his son into this world. He absorbed our pain, our sin, our suffering.  He took our brokenness and carried it to the cross. He rose from the dead, loved us enough to leave us, but did not leave us alone. He left us His Word and the Church to guide and love us.  He promised to return again to defeat sin and death once and for all.

70 years ago a young woman survived the horrors of a Nazi Prison Camp. After being set free Corrie Ten Boom wrote these words: 'No matter how deep our darkness, He is deeper still.'

Truly our only hope is to align ourselves with Jesus, to commit and trust in Him.  He is the only one who has done something and is still working to change our lives.

Holy Week 2014 -Confrontation Tuesday

Join us each day as we focus on the final week before Jesus' crucifixion.


The plot to arrest Jesus picks up steam as Judas agrees to betray Jesus. Luke 22.1-6 records Judas' trip to the Chief Priests and his agreement to betray his friend. For a while now, the religious leaders were looking for ways to trap and arrest Jesus. Judas' betrayal adds more fuel to the fire.

As Jesus was leaving the Temple on his way out of town he predicted that the Temple would be destroyed. He took this opportunity to also speak about the end times and that even he doesn't know the specifics of how it will all end.

The conspiracy against Jesus is well underway. From the perspective of the Pharisees, Jesus was just a young man: unschooled and uneducated. 'Who is the 33 year old kid, who makes these claims about being sent from God?'

Tuesday is marked by confrontation, as both sides are looking for ways to discredit the other. The tension is high, the city on edge, and the behind-the-scenes political maneuvering is in full force.

Holy Week 2014 -Fig Monday

Join us each day as we focus on the final week before Jesus' crucifixion.


Christians call the day after Palm Sunday, 'Fig Monday.'  On this day Jesus curses a fruitless fig tree and chases the corrupt people out of the Temple.

At first these two events seem unrelated and frankly, quite odd.  But viewed together, we see that they are what is known as, 'an acted parable.'

In Mark 11, these event appear in this order:
     Jesus curses the Fig Tree
     Jesus cleanses the Temple
     Jesus revisits the cursed Fig Tree

In this final week of Jesus' life, he comes to both the Fig Tree and the Temple -seeking fruit, seeking life, seeking nourishment.  His physical hunger drove him to the Fig Tree, but since it was barren he cursed it. His spiritual hunger drove him to the Temple, but when he arrived it had been transformed into a commercial enterprise -and so he blasted it as well.

In this way we can see a link between these two events. What Jesus does to the Fig Tree he will do to the Temple. This story challenges us to ask the question, what would Jesus find if he came to our Churches, or into our homes? Would he find fruit? Would he find life? 

Palm Sunday

Join us each day as we focus on the final week before Jesus' crucifixion


Christians celebrate Palm Sunday one week before Easter. The crowds waved palm branches as Jesus and his followers enter the city of Jerusalem.

To fully understand Palm Sunday we need to view it through the lens of three themes: Passover, City vs. Country, and Triumph.

Jesus arrives in Jerusalem for the Passover festival -the annual celebration commemorating God rescuing His people from Egypt. During Jesus' time, Passover became a nationalistic holiday as well as a religious festival. The people were longing once again for a new Moses, a new leader who would bring them out from the oppression of the Romans.

Jesus and his followers primarily came from the country. They were viewed with disdain by the educated elite who mocked the uneducated country folk. The tension between the City religious leaders and the country followers of Jesus was at an all time high on Palm Sunday.

Jesus entered the city on a donkey to the cheers of his followers. By entering the city in this manner, Jesus is deliberately mocking and imitating the formal military processions of others who have come before him. 160 years earlier, Judah Maccabees led a revolt against the Greek rulers of Israel. He entered Jerusalem while riding a war horse, followed by his fellow Jewish rebels. At the time of Jesus, Roman generals and officials would enter a city riding a war horse, followed by their soldiers. Even Pilate, the Roman Governor entered the city before Jesus, with all of his soldiers. The name given to this specific method of entering a city- 'Triumph.' Jesus triggers Israel's cultural memory -by imitating Judah Maccabees' manner of entering the city.  Jesus also triggers Israel's anger towards their oppressors, by imitating Pilate's triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Jesus wants the world to know that he is a ruler unlike any that have come before him.
Instead of choosing Power, he chooses Humility. Instead of riding a war horse, he rides a donkey. Instead of carrying a sword, he carries the cross.

He will act in power and in glory and will do so in a way that no one ever saw coming....

Sunday Morning LeftOvers: Sunday March 9th, 2014

This is a modern day icon painted by Athanasios Clark. He depicts Jesus raising Lazarus from the grave and it serves as a great reminder of Jesus' love and his care for his followers.

Sunday at Southbrook Church we dealt with the challenging topic of death. Honestly I would rather talk about the Book of Revelation or even ancient Jewish circumcision rituals, than talk about this subject.

Death is woven into the fabric of our culture. I think of Pixar's 'Up' and that opening four minute scene which depicts the life and love of the main characters Carl and Ellie. It truly is a powerful montage of their life, culminating in Ellie's death.

The story of Jesus bringing Lazarus back to life is recounted in the book of John, chapter 11. This lengthy account is filled with intrigue, a plot to kill Jesus, and the overwhelming grief of Lazarus' sisters.  Lazarus' death not only brought the city to tears, but literally drove Jesus to his knees as he wept and sobbed.

Looking into the story we find great hope and compassion displayed by Jesus.  Twice in this story (in v33 and v38) we are told that Jesus was 'deeply moved in spirit and troubled.' In the original language this phrase is just one word: embrimaomai. This word is used to describe the snort of an angry animal. The image that comes to mind is of a Saturday morning Cartoon bull that is about to charge. Can you see the steam and rage that emanates out of the bulls' nose? That is the image used to describe Jesus in this chapter.

Jesus being filled with anger is an unusual perspective on someone who is assumed to be meek and mild. We know that Jesus is not mad at the crowd for their crying -as he too starts to weep.  We also know that Jesus is not angry that his friend Lazarus has died -as he knows that Lazarus will soon be alive.

Jesus anger flows from his love for us.  Jesus feels our pain, weeps along with us, and personally felt the same hurt that we too experience. If there is any comfort that we can find when facing death it is this: we have a God who understands our hurt and who understands our deepest pain. And Jesus goes beyond identifying with our pain.  His anger over death and his love for us drove Jesus to die for us.

The good news with Jesus is that he not only identifies with us in our suffering; but he has the ability to replace our sorrow with peace and comfort.  The good news with Jesus is that when we face death, we approach it with the God of the universe walking alongside of us...

Gay Weddings? Let Them Eat Cake - A different perspective

A recent post on Jonathan’s “Coffee Shop Pastor” blog asked the question, “Should Christians make Gay Wedding Cakes?” and kicked off an email discussion between the author and myself. The answer Jonathan gave was “yes” and his reasons can be found in his February 26th blog by clicking here.

To summarize- Jonathan believes as Christians we should serve others, including those we don’t agree with. I absolutely agree. He also questions whether as Christians we want to live in a society where we can refuse business transactions based on religious beliefs. Here’s where I must respectfully disagree. I believe any business owner should have the right to follow his conscience when deciding whom he will do business with if it violates a deeply held conviction.

Answering the question of whether we want to live in a society where we can refuse to do business with those with whom we disagree, I emphatically say, “It depends.” Do we wish to force those contractors who are morally opposed to abortion to bid on a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic? I think there is a discernible difference between refusing to do business with those we don’t like and refusing to engage in business that goes against our core beliefs.

I also believe we are to follow Christ’s example in standing up for what is right. Examples of this are the times he exposed the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of the day and his throwing the “moneychangers” out of the temple. When we stand up for righteousness in a loving way, we show the world our principles are something we really believe in. Turning down business (especially in today’s economy) is something most people would view as odd if not downright crazy and could illustrate there are things more important than profit- like principles.

Some may refer to the story of Jesus and the adulterous woman to show how he was unwilling to condemn her sinful behavior. While I agree, Jesus defended the woman the most important part of the story is at the end. John 8:11 (NIV)- “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (Italics mine) Jesus made sure to tell the woman she needed to change the direction of her sinful life. I believe making a cake for a Gay Wedding implicitly implies acceptance of the wedding and by extension the behavior.

In closing, I’d like to share a couple of thoughts:

First- I tried to stay away from the political arguments since I am uncomfortable with the way Arizona approached this issue. My belief is that government should stay out of the way unless compelled to act and Arizona wasn’t facing any imminent danger of religious persecution.

Second- I do believe there are certain factions in our society whose objective is to force their belief system down the throats of any and all who may not agree with them- and they’re not Christians. I think it’s more important for these factions to be “oppressed” than it is for them to celebrate a wedding. I know this- if I had someone tell me they didn’t want to bake a cake for my son or daughter’s baptism (because they felt Christianity was silly, oppressive to women, neanderthal or… well pick one) I would simply find a baker who would.

Now that’s a radical idea.

-DJ Haugh

Should Christians Make Gay Wedding Cakes?

Yes.






The debate rages across America. Religious Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are working overtime- rallying their sides to both defend and attack Arizona's SB 1062.

What the bill accomplishes depends on who you ask.

Proponents of the bill claim it would protect business owners from violating their personal religious beliefs. Supporters point to a Colorado baker named Jack Phillips, who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. Phillips refused to create the cake claiming it would infringe on his personal religious views towards homosexuality. This past December a Federal Judge ruled that Phillips broke Colorado's Anti-Discrimination law. Arizona SB 1062 is intended to protect those like Phillips who believe that their religious freedoms are being threatened by activists courts and laws.

Critics of Arizona's bill claim it will increase oppression and discrimination towards those who have long felt marginalized by society and the courts.  The ACLU of Arizona released a statement urging the Governor to veto the bill- fearing that the bill, "Allow[s] private individuals and businesses to use religion to discriminate, sending a message that Arizona is intolerant and unwelcoming." Many businesses like the NFL, Apple, American Airlines and AT&T have threatened to leave Arizona if Governor Brewer signs SB 1062 into law.

I think Christians should make gay wedding cakes.  Here's why....

• Serving our neighbors does not mean agreeing with their personal beliefs.  Just hours before Jesus was arrested, he was in the upper room where he washed his disciples feet. He served every disciple, not just those he liked.  Jesus even aided Judas who had already aligned himself with the corrupt religious leaders to betray Him. 
• Do Christians want a society where we can refuse a business interaction with another person on the sole basis of our personal religious beliefs.  What if an Atheist restaurant owner refused to serve a Christian family because she thought Christianity was foolish? How would Christians respond to a Muslim store owner denying Christians access to their goods because they were buying items for a Youth Group activity?  Would Christians tolerate being denied access to a doctor's office because the doctor disagreed with the patient's personal religious views on the sanctity of life?
• Christians support Anti-Discrimination laws because they reflect the Biblical truth that everyone has value by being created in God's Image. The Biblical view that every person is created in God's Image extends to everyone -even those who may be opposed to the cause of Christ.
• A democratic society protects the rights of minority from the oppression of the majority. Freedom of Religion exists as ways of ensuring that even non-traditional religions have equal protection. Our Bill of Rights must extend to everyone, even those whose lifestyle may exist outside of Biblical parameters.
• Serving those with whom we disagree seems to be a core message of the Cross.  Jesus willingly died for  everyone, even those who were in defiant opposition to Him.  Serving those outside of our religious and moral spheres is at the heart of Christianity.
• Jesus calls us to Love God and to Love Others.  It is rewarding to Love God, and its easy to Love Others (who think, look, act and believe like me in every way).  However, true Christian love is meant to extend to everyone, not just those who believe just like me.
• In January of 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court recognized a 'ministerial exception' from employment discrimination laws.  This ruling allows religious institutions to hire and fire employees without government interference. In a 9-0 unanimous vote, Chief Justice Roberts affirmed, “The Establishment Clause prevents the government from appointing ministers, and the Free Exercise Clause prevents it from interfering with the freedom of religious groups to select their own.”

Jesus parting words before his death are instructive for us today...

'A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.'

Jesus Walks on the Water

The story of Jesus walking on the water is as widely mocked as it is well loved.

Grab a bible or read it online at www.Biblegateway.com.  The story is found in Mark 6.45-52.

This story is mocked for representing an antiquated view of reality -people can't walk on water.  Scholars sneer at modern, intelligent people for believing something that is so clearly in opposition to reality.

Others have found great comfort in this story, as it demonstrates the personal love that Jesus shows for his followers.  The image of Jesus calming the storm has brought peace to so many caught up in the grip of suffering.


There is more to this story than the simple account of Jesus demonstrating his power over nature. Imbedded within this story are some powerful truths.  Here are a few:

-Obedience to Jesus can mean disaster
-Miracles can draw us away from God
-We can be face to face with Jesus and still miss him
-Jesus may send us into danger so that he can reveal himself to us

When you read this story, what stands out to you?

The Temptations -

Temptation seems to easily come my way. Pride, lust, control, even superiority -appear at my door, at my step, and in my life.  Sometimes I will commit myself to a new plan of overcoming them, other times I will confess to a friend and seek his help.  But more often than not, they continue to try and trap me.

Maybe you can identify, may be not.  It seems like each of us is tempted -but in different ways. One friend can't have a glass of wine, while another brews his own beer.

Is there a pattern that we can follow to help us overcome the temptations that we face?

We read in Matthew 4 that Jesus was tempted. But when we read the story it seems bizarre and with little relevance to us today...

We find the Spirit leading Jesus out to the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. Satan tempts Jesus to turn stones into bread, to jump from the Temple and finally to bow to Satan in exchange for authority over the world.

Two extremes should be avoided when studying this passage...

• We must be careful to blame God for causing temptation.  James 1.13 makes it clear that God is never directly responsible for temptation.

• We want to avoid ascribing to Satan the power to act independently of God.  Satan can only act within God's sovereign will.

The First Temptation is for Jesus to turn the stones into bread.  This temptation is all about Jesus using his power for his personal gain versus using his power to advance God's mission.

The Second Temptation is for Jesus to throw himself off the temple and have God catch him.  Satan is wanting Jesus to test God, pushing Jesus to see if God will serve his personal needs.

The Third Temptation is for Jesus to bow to Satan in exchange for the kingdoms of this world.  This final temptation involves immediate success- instant gratification.  Satan tempts Jesus to skip his suffering and to become popular right now.

The temptation story reminds us that Jesus was unlike previous Kings, that he was unlike Israel. They succumbed to temptation, while he placed his obedience to God before his personal desires.

Now we can see the link to us today...
The triple-threat of Relevance, Popularity and Power are some of the greatest temptations we face. Jesus shows us the antidote, which is obedience to God.

Would You Buy Groceries for the Man Who Stole Your Wallet?

You are in the grocery store and feel a bump. Instantly you notice that your wallet is missing from your purse and a suspicious man is quickly walking away.  What do you do?

Jessica Eaves, mother of four from Guthrie Oklahoma knew what to do. Track the guy down and offer to buy his groceries.

She followed him through the store as he was trying to exit. While tracking him down she remembers thinking to herself, '...this scripture from Luke kind of jumped out at me that said if someone hits you on the cheek, turn the other cheek.  If someone steals your cloak, give them your shirt.  So I thought, 'Well I'll just be nice.'"

She corners the man and tell him that if he returns the wallet right now she will forgive him and even buy his groceries.  But if he refused, then she would turn him in to the police.

Eaves explains what happened next...

“He just kind of stared at me for a second and he reached into his hoodie pocket and handed it to me,” she explained.

Eaves then proceeded to pay for the man’s groceries, which consisted of items such as milk, bread, bologna, soup, crackers and cheese. He became emotional and was moved to tears as she covered his $27 bill.

“The last thing he said to me was, ‘I’m embarrassed, I have kids, I’m broke and I’m sorry,’” she told local television station KOCO.

However, the story didn’t end there. Eaves states that she never carries cash on her, but just happened to do so that day. Even more amazing to Eaves was the fact that she had just the right amount of money in her wallet to cover the man’s groceries.

“When I got to the check-out counter that day, his total was just a little over $27 and I had $28 in cash in my wallet,” she told the Christian Post. “And so I knew in that moment it wasn’t me. It was Christ that played in that moment.”

Imagine what the world would like if we could put into practice Jesus' command to love our enemies and our neighbors!

Jesus is not a Republican, what?

'Is Jesus a Republican or a Democrat? Well pastor, what is he?'  'Neither,' I replied, leaving the questioner rather disappointed in both me and my answer.

The desire to capture Jesus and twist him to fit our individual political personality is one that every age wrestles with.  After bringing Israelites out of Egypt, they formed a golden calf so they can worship a god that they could control, that would obey them.  God resisted this and punished His people.

During the time of Jesus, the Jewish people tried again to fashion a god that would do their bidding. Once while Jesus was healing people and feeding thousands, a political/military group tried to seize Jesus by force. 'Here is the perfect leader,' they thought, 'let's force him to be our King.'  Jesus resisted and fled from his people. The lesson learned is this: Jesus rebuffs any and all attempts to be made the poster child for anyone's political party.  

Celebrated author Marilynne Robinson, recently spoke about her perception of the Republican Party and Christianity.  She spoke to The American Conservative here.  Her main quote:

Well, what is a Christian, after all? Can we say that most of us are defined by the belief that Jesus Christ made the most gracious gift of his life and death for our redemption? Then what does he deserve from us? He said we are to love our enemies, to turn the other cheek. Granted, these are difficult teachings. But does our most gracious Lord deserve to have his name associated with concealed weapons and stand-your-ground laws, things that fly in the face of his teaching and example? Does he say anywhere that we exist primarily to drive an economy and flourish in it? He says precisely the opposite. Surely we all know this. I suspect that the association of Christianity with positions that would not survive a glance at the Gospels or the Epistles is opportunistic, and that if the actual Christians raised these questions those whose real commitments are to money and hostility and potential violence would drop the pretense and walk away.

How about a civil discussion on Robinson's quote.... Are both political parties acting in ways that are contrary to the teachings of Jesus?  Does one party have a spiritual monopoly on Christianity?  Would Jesus resist today trying to be a poster-child for a wing of American politics?

Warrior Jesus Imagery -Revelation 19

Think of Jesus, go ahead think of Him right now.  More than likely the image is common and reassuring: like Jesus holding a lamb or a child.  While these images are accurate, they probably say more about how we want Jesus to be than about how Jesus actually is!

In Revelation Chapter 19 we meet Warrior Jesus.  No cute lambs or bushy haired children are present.  Instead Jesus comes with a sword and a bloodied robe.  He comes ready for battle and for destruction.

Revelation 19.11-13 depicts Jesus with powerful terms and images.  We find seven different themes in this sobering view of Jesus.  Let's take a deeper look at the story behind each image...

1. Jesus is called 'Faithful and True.'  This phrase builds off of Chapter 1.5 and Chapter 3.14.   Jesus is shown to be faithful in His actions and true in His justice.  As His followers are called to be faithful in a hostile world, Jesus exists as the purest example of faithfulness!

2. 'With justice he judges and makes war.' Since the Dragon and the Beast have made war against God, Jesus goes to war against them.... This is the law of retribution that is found so strongly throughout the book of Revelation.

3. 'Eyes are like blazing fire.' This phrase refers to Daniel 10 verse 6.  One commentary states that the fiery eyes, 'refers to the penetrating vision by which God discerns all and the fiery judgment that will result from his all-seeing discernment.'

4. 'On his head are many crowns.'  This phrase is a direct attack on the Roman Empire and Caesar's rule. Caesar wore an earthly crown, but here Jesus wears the true crown and is the only 'King of Kings!'

5. 'Name that no one knows except himself.'  We remember that Jesus promised the residents of Pergamum (2.17) a 'new name.' Various interpretations exist to what this name means.  It very well could be a name of Jesus that is revealed only in the End Times.

6. 'He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood.'  Is this Jesus' blood -a reference to his sacrifice on the cross, or the blood of the martyrs, or the blood of His enemies?  All are great possibilities, but the context is a battle, and so we assume that this refers to the blood of His enemies.  See Isaiah 63.1-3 for more insight on this possibility.

7. 'His name is the Word of God.'  This is the only place in the New Testament where Jesus is called 'The Word of God!'  This title shows that He is speaking for God and that His message comes from God.

These images are packed together to show the power and authority of the Warrior Jesus.  He comes to vindicate the saints, to right past wrongs and to exercise divine judgment upon the forces of evil.

Is Doubting Thomas a Hero?

I always loved the story of Thomas, probably because I wrestle with doubt.  Thomas was one of Jesus’ original 12 followers. While he makes few appearances, his most notable comes after Jesus rose from the dead. About a week after his resurrection, Jesus’ followers are all huddled together -hiding out in fear.  The political situation, the rumors of Jesus coming back to life, the Priest’s anger -are still conspiring against those closest to Jesus. While most of Jesus’ followers had seen him; Thomas had not yet.

Thomas must have watched lots of ‘CSI: Jerusalem,’ because he wanted to see the evidence before he believed the rumors of Jesus’ resurrection. Dead people just don’t come back to life.

Instantly Jesus appears in the room, right through the locked doors. Jesus knows the disciples are afraid and so he tells them, ‘Peace be with you.’ He turns, faces Thomas and says, ‘Put your finger here, see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ Thomas responds, ‘My Lord and my God!’

Thomas is a hero because he shows that there is hope for doubters. Jesus can and will meet our questions. He is not an elusive man of history nor is he a mythical legend. Jesus will move heaven and earth to answer our doubts.

Thomas is a hero because he rose to the challenge, and allowed his doubts to succumb to the truth.  Some revel in doubt because dealing with the truth is too demanding. Some enjoy sewing the seeds of doubt because they enjoy seeing others squirm. Thomas’ doubt led him to a moment of personal integrity and belief in Jesus.

Do you have doubts about Jesus?  Great, send them in and let’s continue the conversation.

'Which Jesus Should Die?'

For those who have seen ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ -imagine Jesus standing before Pilate- beaten, bloodied, wearing the crown of thorns.  It's early on Friday morning and Jesus has just endured three different religious trials.  Pilate now sits on the judgment seat, conflicted and disturbed.  He knows that Jesus is innocent and perceptively assess the situation before him as an internal Jewish argument.  He senses he is in an intractable political situation and knows he can’t win.

Pilate devises a plan to appeal to the masses asking them if they would like a prisoner released.  He’s willing to do anything to curry favor and to keep Caesar off his back.  The crowds cry out, ‘Crucify Jesus!’ -but which one?

Matthew’s account of the crucifixion identifies Barabbas’ first name as ‘Jesus.’  While most of the earliest Greek manuscripts omit this name; by the third century it was reintroduced.  The early Church Father Origen explained that the name ‘Jesus’ wasn’t seen fit to be given to such a sinner as Barabbas, and out of respect, it was temporarily stricken from the record.

So imagine Barabbas sitting in jail.  His execution is near.  He hears the shouts, ‘Crucify Jesus.’  He undoubtedly realized his death was imminent.  The guard comes to his cell, turns the key and says to him, ‘You are now free to go. Someone else took your place on the cross. Now get out of here.’

Didn't Jesus do this for each of us?

Washing Judas' Feet

Powerful scenes fill Jesus’ final week: riding into Jerusalem on a colt, cleansing the Temple, cursing the fig tree, the Last Supper, etc...  The event that stands out to me the most is found in John 13; where Jesus washes His disciple’s feet.

Many paintings and images portray this as a sublime and picturesque event.  But look at the text and notice clues to the degradation of this act.  John 13.4 tells us that Jesus took off His outer robe, leaving only His loin cloth.  The image of Jesus in His underwear offends our sensibilities (offending at least our preconceived image of Jesus).

He washes His disciples feet and proceeds to also wash Judas’ feet.  Judas is still present though he will soon leave to betray Jesus.  This is a profound act of love!  Jesus washes the feet of the one who is actively working against Him!  Think about that for a moment.  As humbling as it is to wash another’s feet, I can at least see myself doing it to my family, to those I love.  But when I think about those who I hate, or who hate me and to think about washing their feet, never!  

Jesus does this act of love as both a model of service for us and as a way of showing us what the Cross is all about.  The Cross is God’s humbling and humiliating act of love on behalf of those who could care less.

Who are those in your life who are fighting against you?  Maybe instead of fighting back, we should look for ways to wash their feet....

The NFL, Johnny Cash and Jesus

On March 21, 2012 the National Football League distributed some of the harshest penalties in its history.  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell blasted the New Orleans Saints organization, Head Coach Sean Payton and former Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams for both propagating a system of paying out bounties for knocking out opponents and for also repeated lying to the NFL about this illegal plan.  This ruling darkens the Saints 2009 Super Bowl win and casts a pall upon the entire Saints organization.

In making this ruling Commissioner Goodell affirms the direction that Jesus taught in Matthew 23.25-26.  In this passage Jesus blasts the Pharisees for their lack of personal integrity.  Jesus clearly teaches that the what goes on in the heart is as important as your actions.  The Saints won the Super Bowl, but according to the NFL they did so while violating the rules.  Johnny Cash, a man well acquainted with breaking the law, wrote in his song 'God's Gonna Cut You Down' that 'What is done in the dark will be brought to the light.'  Jesus and Johnny -meet the Saints and the NFL.