Jesus Speaks to Women: Timing!

It was about noon. John 4: 6b

Noon...the middle of the day.  The moment when it isn't morning or afternoon...an in-between. The spot where you are infinitely removed from the safety of your warm bed, but still light years away from returning to it.  The time of the day when the sun is usually at its highest point.  That was the moment when Jesus stopped to rest by the well.  

Why is this an important detail in this story? Well, apparently, this small piece of information is key to the events that proceeds.  According to Jon Courson's Commentary, "women typically drew water in the morning or in the evening.  But this woman, for reasons we shall see, wanted to avoid the other women of the community.  Consequently, she would wait until the hot, noontime hour, when everyone else would be resting or eating, to make her journey to the well."

Sigh...

Don't you just want to hit the pause button right here and ponder the wonders of God's perfect timing?

How many times do I fret and panic about things not executed in MY timing?  How many times have I questioned why things unfold when they do and not earlier or later?  How many times I believe I know when the appropriate time for something is or isn't?  How many times have I been at odds with God's punctuality? Only to witness the meticulous exactitud with which every second rolls away...sigh...

Jesus was fully on cue!  Of course He was.  That's how His plans always work out.  That's how He always operates...since the moment He came onto this earth...at the fullness of time,

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son. Galatians 4: 4

Dear Lord Jesus, may we appreciate the magnificent perfection of your timing, regardless of our own self-constructed idea of what the right time should be.  May we rest in the comfort of your perfect plan, regardless of our own understanding.  Amen!

Jesus Speaks to Women: Relax

... and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. John 4: 6a

Do you know that moment?  The moment when you are so, so, so tired that you just have to sit down.  No matter what, you just hit a wall, and have to collapse somewhere in the shade.  That's how I feel every Monday or Wednesday when I put in 12 hours at work.  I climb the stairs from the garage and by the last step, I feel the weight of a heavy day just land on my weak shoulders.  I'm hungry.  I'm thirsty.  I'm exhausted.  I cannot deal with anything else.  I just need to rest.

The journey of life is not an easy one.  Regardless of what it might seem from our vantage point, nobody has a smooth ride all the way through.  And sometimes, there isn't anything else we can do, but to drop it all and sit down.

Aren't you comforted by knowing that Jesus knows what that feels like?

I know, I am.  He is fully God and fully Man.  Therefore, his human body felt every bit of the hardships of humanity as our own do.  The journey was long.  And He was on foot.  It was hot.  And He was nowhere near home.  He had to sit down.  Jesus had to sit down because He was tired!  Did you read that?  The Lord of Lords and King of Kings, Creator of the Universe had to sit down because He. Was. Tired!

So...why do we ever think we can go on forever like the energizer bunny?  I know, I know, Jesus had a divine appointment to meet at that well.  But that is not more true than the fact that He was tired and needed to rest.  And. So. Do. We!  That's what I gather Jesus is trying to tell us here. And that's why this detail was included.

That is the reality of our humanity: we need rest.  

God Himself rested at the end of creation.  He instituted the Sabbath so we could rest.  Why do we dismiss it as if resting were illegal? Why do we think resting is irresponsible?  

We live rushed lives, and we miss live in the mad race.  We miss what is all about: encountering the Living Jesus!

May the Holy Spirit guide us as we search for moments of rest and incorporate intentional pauses into our days before we wear ourselves out so much, that we don't even remember why we are here for.  Amen!

Jesus Speaks to Women: The New Samaritans

3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.

4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph.6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) John 4: 4-8

Moving on through the Gospel according to John, after the wedding in Cana, we see another famous and very significant encounter between Jesus and a woman:  The Samaritan woman at the well.  There is such richness in this text, that I don't even know where to start.  I guess, I will just start at the beginning, right?

3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. 4 Now he had to go through Samaria.  It seems like a simple statement about Jesus' travels' itinerary.  No big deal, or is it?  Apparently, at the time, the quickest and simplest way to go from Judea to Galilee was, indeed, through Samaria, the region in the middle.  However, things were way more complicated than that.  As we see in every reference book, including the one I'm using:  Jon Courson's Application Commentary, when a good Jew wanted to go from Judea to Galilee, he would never go through Samaria.  Good Jews would detour and go around, through a region called Perea on the other side of the jordan River instead.  Why? Because there was such tension between the Samaritans and the Jews, that Jews uttered the word "Samaritan" only as a curse word.

Why did Jews despise Samaritans so much? Well, centuries earlier, the Assyrians invaded Israel from the north and carried the majority of the people from the 10 northern tribes into captivity.  The Assyrians then sent some of their people to Israel, where they intermarried with the Jews not taken into captivity.  The marriages that took place between the Assyrians and the Jews produced the Samaritans: half-breeds in the eyes of the Jews. Later, they were barred from the temple, so they built their own.  They still believed in the Pentateuch, the first five books of Moses, but with modifications. (Historical background taken from Jon Courson's Commentary) 

In other words, Jews detested Samaritans.

Then, why did Jesus choose to go through that land, when it was a big NO, NO?

Well, for one thing, Jesus is God; therefore, His ways are not our ways - His are higher, more complex and unpredictable.  Then, as we will see when we continue to read the rest of the story, He had a Divine appointment in Samaria.  This encounter is another example of how Jesus is for all...including the least of us, today: the new Samaritans.

He had to go through Samaria, the same way He had to go through Calvary: not because it was the choice route, but because it was the designed route, the only way that would lead to salvation for mankind.  He did it for you and for me.  So today, in a time, land and culture far removed from the original events, we could be contemplating the beauty of His plan and the perfection of His ways, even when we don't fully understand.  

May the Holy Spirit keep our eyes and minds open to His message of love, salvation, forgiveness and acceptance.  Amen!

Jesus Speaks to Women: Redirecting the Spotlight

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2: 5

Back to verse 5 of John's chapter 2, the second thing I find very telling, and that relates directly to the ideas expressed earlier is Mary's words/actions:  after Jesus tells her His famous reply: “Woman,why do you involve me?” ... “My hour has not yet come.” what does she do?  She addresses the servants and tells them to do whatever Jesus tells them to do.

Say what???!!!

I don't want to be irreverent here, but as a Mother of boys, this is almost comical.  The way I see this scene in my mind looks something like, here's Jesus "Come on, Mom...don't get me involved in this!" But then, she's like, turned around, perhaps not brushing Him off literally, but...can't you just see it? Her brushing Him off, I mean?  Can't you?  I sure can!  I've done it quite a bit with my sons: 

Me:       the floor needs to be cleaned.

Dylan:   I can't do it right now, I'm really busy.

Me:        Here's the broom.

Of course, I'm not nearly as delicate as Mary ever was.  I have yet to master the intricacies of indirect, polite requests.  But...anyway...I know, how dare I? right?  But, I can't help but see it:  Mary just got told by Jesus that He is not to be involved in this situation because His hour is not yet.  Then, what does Mary do?  She tells the servants to listen to what Jesus is going to tell them.  You decide.

But the point is not whether Mary brushed off Jesus or not.  The point is, Mary does something quite remarkable here:  she redirects the spotlight to Him. 

Whatever glory she might get for this event, she, quickly makes sure to place back on Jesus.  She points to Him as the One who will ultimately carry out the actions.  She removes herself from the stage, and shines all the light On Him.  She gives the show back to Him.

I love it!

I think of myself and how often I have wanted to taste the glory so badly, that I have forgotten I am not the One whose power is responsible for the outcome.  I'm merely the channel at best, often, just one tiny stepping stone.  So many times I've failed to redirect the spotlight, just because of how warm and exhilarating it feels to be directly standing in it...sigh...

Mary gives us an example of humility worth emulating.  I believe that's her role here: to show us how to point to Christ.

Holy Spirit, may we learn how to disappear as You Appear so others can clearly see that the glory belongs to You, and You alone! Amen!

Jesus Speaks to Women: Witnessing Again!

His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2: 5

After the rant from last time, I'm back looking at the next verse in this most intriguing passage of Scripture.  Here, we see Mary again.  But there are a couple of interesting things about this verse.  First, notice, the writer doesn't state her name.  I wonder why not?

I bet it has to do with the fact that it is important to de-emphasize her status as a main character in this event.  It would be very easy to make Mary a more important player than she really is.  Do you know what I mean?  We could see her as the power behind the throne, and I don't believe that is the point of this account.

Mary, as the Mother of Jesus does have a very significant role to play.  And I do see in the events around this miracle, the fact that perhaps Mary, as having raised Jesus and being with Him all these years, had a very good indication of the things that He is capable of doing.  I mean, look at the exchange between Jesus and Mary again:

Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 

4“Woman,why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2: 3-5

She comes to Him about the lack of wine.  Why?  Because she knows He can do something about it.

He tells her, "Ay caramba!" "It's not time yet!"  Why?  Even though Mary's words are only, seemingly just for information's sake: "Guess what? They ran out of wine!"...or an indirect request, at best: "so..." Jesus' reply implies an admission that He knows what she wants Him to do...how come? Because she might have witnessed something that cued her in the reaches of His Power...besides the fact that she got a messenger from God to announce His miraculous birth and all...

Therefore, I have a tendency to believe that Mary was significantly aware of the Power of her Son.  However, I don't believe that Jesus just does whatever Mary tells Him to do.  She might be His earthly Mother, and as the Good Son He is, He respects her.  But He is also her God and Deliverer.  So, it would be a mistake to think that Mary's power was that far reaching as to command Jesus.  I think that's the reason He gave her a respectful, but firm reply contained in the word:  "Woman!"

I have no doubt that the whole event was carefully designed by God's plan.  The scene:  a wedding: the most perfect representation of the union between Christ and His Church.  The element:  wine:  the symbol of the Redeeming Blood of None other than Jesus Himself.  The circumstance:  lacking: hence Jesus being the One who provides the perfect wine, as a foreshadow of His Most Perfect Sacrifice: the Provision of His Blood on the Cross.

Mary just happens to be a happy witness to this entire orchestration.  But boy...what a blessed witness!  To be there, at this most remarkable moment:  the moment Jesus performs His first public miracle.  Praised be His Holy Name!  Let's savor this for a minute before we continue exploring this exchange.

Jesus Speaks to Women: In the Will of My Lord!

“Woman,why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” John 2: 4

Yep, I did it again.  I nagged.  Well...maybe, perhaps, I did a bit more than that... I yelled.  I diminished.  I bossed around. I pushed. 

Yes...I wanted my will to be done, and no one cared enough to do it, so I exerted my authority...or, according to those who witnessed it: I dictated my demands in a disrespectful manner that caused much disturbance among those present.

Urgh!: expression of annoyance.  

Argh!: expression of frustration and anger

Sigh...the sound I make when my over-inflated-ego pops...

I know.  I know... I'm very demanding, and the men around me resist and reject my demanding attitude because they interpret it as disrespectful.  There is something about men not liking it when women tell them what to do... hmmm...

Even if it is for their own good, often, men just refuse to do it...just because they can.  They want to prove that they are not subjects to some hysterical woman's whim.  They want to show that they are still in charge of their own wills, and that they are not puppy dogs that jump when they are told to do so.  (I mean, I don't know what your puppy dogs are like, but mine doesn't listen to me either!)

I know...I know... I'm ranting.  And, no, I'm not doing a male-bashing venting session...though, it sure sounds like it...it's just that in reading the words that Jesus spoke to His Mother in this passage, it was as if I could hear one of the guys that live with me saying those words.  You know what I mean?  Let's read it again:  

“Woman,why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” John 2: 4

That could very well be uttered by anyone in my household:

Dan:  "Woman, why do you want me to do that now?"

Dylan:  "Woman, you are nuts if you think I'm going to stop my videogame to do that now? What's in it for me?"

Grant:  "Woman, one second..." (he is the most diplomatic about it.  Grant makes me believe that he is going to do it.  However, the "one second" deal, could last days).

Link:  "Woof, woof, woof" (translation: not in your wildest dreams.  Give me some food!)

Everything is always in their own time.  AND. IT. DRIVES. ME. CRAZY!

I said it...

I don't like it when things are not done according to MY timing.  I have no patience.  Therefore, I dictate and become frustrated because nobody listens to a bossy, hysterical woman.  But the more I scream, the less they listen.  But, rather than breaking the chain, I become even more hysterical, perpetuating the cycle.  I'm exhausted...

The thing is, I not only play this crazy game at home.  I also try to dictate to God too.  Like Mary, I like to "bring things to His attention" so He can notice and take care of them...as if He didn't know it all already!  And, adding to the issue, I want it NOW! He, however, has a timing that is different from mine and so are His ways too:  

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55: 8-9

It is not about what I want, when I want it or how I want it.  It is about trusting that He is here.  He knows me and what I need.  He provides.  His will is perfect and so is His timing.  Therefore:

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 27: 14

I know I will continue to err on the side of making harsh demands of those I love.  I know I will continue to insist on my timing.  I just pray that this is less and less every day.  And that soon, I can be free from the chains of my own will, and at peace in the will of My Lord!  Amen!

Jesus Speaks to Women: May the Wait be Short

"On the third day a wedding took place..." John 2: 1

Does it ever happen to you that you read one Bible verse one day and it almost goes unnoticed...then, a while later, you read it again and BOOM! it speaks to you as if you've never seen it before?  That totally happened to me with this portion of verse one of John's chapter two...The first day I began to write about this particular passage, I brushed over this part and concentrated on the private/domestic role of women at that time.  Today, however, as I read it again, it spoke new words to me...better yet, it caused me to pause...

I have to say, I don't hit the "pause" button very often.  I'm constantly on "play" mode.  Like yesterday, for instance, I literally worked a bit over 12 hours.  I left the house at 7:19 a.m. (yes, I remember...) and came back after 7:30 p.m. and I can honestly say to you, I worked the entire time I was in my office/classrooms.  Then, I got home and had to work a bit more.  Needless to say, I was spent.  Life often seems overwhelming.  Too much is going on.  I move too fast to try to keep up.  But, in the end...I miss a lot too.  What was I missing in this passage?  Let's read it again:  "On the third day a wedding took place..."

"On the third day..."  The significance of this expression is mind-boggling!  Look at the things that Jesus, Himself says in reference to "on the third day" right here, in the same chapter 2 of John's gospel, just a little bit further, after He had overturn the tables of the money changers at the Temple and the jews were challenging Him: 

The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”

19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” 

John 2: 18-19

Then, later, after His glorious resurrection, as He was talking to His disciples who were still incredulous, He opened their minds to understand Scripture, and said:  

He told them, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day...Luke 24: 46.

Then, "a wedding took place."  A WEDDING!  Yes! None other than one of the most recurrent metaphors in the Bible to symbolize the union between Christ and His church:  a Wedding!  A most joyous occasion... a time to celebrate and be merry!  Then, the wine is gone, and Jesus replenishes it with perfect wine...the symbol of His blood...but this is "on the third day..." after He is rose again and the joy is complete and eternal!

WOW!

Could it be that this wedding in Cana was the prelude to what is to come?  A foreshadow that revealed the mystery of His ministry on Earth and the glory of the union between Him and His Bride, the Church?  

After all is set and done, Christ will come back again and make all things new.  He will give us that new and most perfect wine purified by His sacrifice that accomplished it all, so we can rejoice forever at the "Wedding Supper of the Lamb."  If we think about it, all of it is contained in this passage, even down to the detail that we, His family represented in the disciples and His Mother, will be there with Him, taking active part in this celebration!  Hallelujah! Amen! Blessed be His Holy Name!  May the wait be short!

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Revelations 19: 7-9

Jesus Speaks to Women: Valentine's Day Edition

3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” John 2: 3

What is it about women and wine?  I mean...it only takes one quick scroll down the paths of social media and one will see women posting pictures or funny memes about their fascination with the cherished beverage.  Wine is some kind of elixir of life, capable of restoring the downtrodden, comforting the distressed and reviving the perishing.  Wine seems to be some women's best friend.  The one they go to when life is rotten, when they want to celebrate or even when they just one to unwind...pun intended :)  Therefore, when wine is scarce or gone...tragedy is upon thee!

I'm not a wine person.  I'm more of a beer girl...wait...why am I talking about this?  I don't know...I think it's because I find it curious that it is Jesus' Mother the one who brings up the fact that "they have no more wine"!  It seems kind of funny, when you think about it, doesn't it?  I'm trying not to be irreverent here, but, the 21st century brain, which is plagued with  visual messages, emojis, bitmojis, giphy images and the like, can't help but think of a "wine is gone" memes.  Or, perhaps, it is just my perverse mind at vile work in here again...sigh...

OK... (this is my pitiful attempt at gracefully dancing away from this mess I've just created for myself)... The truth is that, today being Valentine's Day and all, (a holiday I am NOT fond of) I think of the many lovely women who will drown in wine their loneliness and disappointed hopes with a society that manufactures holidays and markets them as if love were stocks to be frantically traded in a crumbling economy, and my heart fills with sorrow...

Then, I see Mary, pointing out that they have ran out of wine at this wedding they are at, and I can't bear it!  Why does she care?  Why is this so important?  Why did she find it so compelling that she had to go bother Jesus with this triviality, when He wasn't even ready for public ministry yet?  I mean, the guy just wanted to hang out with His friends!  Why did she have to go nag Him about THIS?!

I'm exhausted...I need help!

So I went to my Jon Courson's Application Commentary and what I read was intriguing.  He said first, that the fact that Mary is concern about the diminishing supply of wine means that she might have been a hostess at this wedding. So of course she needed to be on top of things to ensure the success of this event, and wine was one of those things that would guarantee that.  Then, Courson commented on something really interesting:  maybe Mary might have also seen this as an opportunity to restore her reputation.  It was thirty years after the miraculous conception of Jesus, but, Mary's reputation might still not be where it needed to be, so she saw this as a chance to vindicate herself and have the truth of her testimony finally and publicly acknowledged and recognized.   

I don't know...Courson does make an interesting argument for this being a reason.  Then, I think about the biblical symbolism of wine...for us, as Christians, wine represents the Blood of Christ!  And here we have, Christ Himself, replenishing jars upon jars with the most perfect wine, when it wasn't even His time to demonstrate His Father's glory yet...hmmm...could this be foreshadowing the joy of the salvation that comes to us all through His Blood?

I don't think Mary fully knew the implications of her actions that night.  I bet it never occurred to her that an insane blogger would be typing her musings about such an event a couple thousand years later, and making irreverent remarks about wine and Valentine's Day around those events...but what is certain is that Jesus knew.  That's why He went ahead and performed the miracle: so today, those of us who are feeling lonely, left out, disappointed, sad and unloved would realize that we do have a Valentine's who is above all else, the One who never abandons us and whose presence is permanent even when we are so caught up in the world that we miss Him.  Our Lord...the One who heard His Mother's indirect request and went ahead to satisfy it for the benefit of His Father's Glory, is the same who today lifts up the hearts and souls of the downtrodden, comforts the distressed and revives the perishing. Praised be His Holy Name!

May we recognize Jesus' presence with us in our lows and in our highs...for, there is no high, like the Most High! (to borrow Beth Moore's line)  Happy Valentine's Day!

Jesus Speaks to Women: The Wedding and The Women

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2: 1-5

As we wrap up our journey through the Gospel of Luke with the amazing gift of witnessing the Resurrection of Jesus through the eyes of women, we enter an entirely different book, the Gospel according to John.  I have not forgotten Mark, by no means.  But, there is something about John's writing that is drawing me right now, so I will get to Mark's after John's.  How about that?  The path is determined by the leading of the Holy Spirit, and I commend myself to it.

Besides, I happen to be doing some collaborative research and discussion on this particular passage of John involving the Wedding at Cana and I find the whole thing so fascinating and intriguing, that I would like to share some of the thoughts circulating in my little group.

First, well...I'm not a Bible Scholar or a Theologian.  I don't even play one on TV.  I'm just so in love with Scriptures and, particularly, I am so fascinated by the role of women in the life and times that Jesus walked on this Earth, that I can't help but wanting to know more and explore the paths, hopefully to gain a deeper appreciation for who I am in God's plan.

With that said, most of what I am going to share here is the result of my research, reading and meditations on this passage.  Therefore, it is not authoritative, it is just my own musings on the subject.  And I invite you to add yours as well.

OK...one more thing I want to say... I know that, when it comes to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, there is a lot of controversy, and I don't want to step on anybody's beliefs.  All I want to do is to explore this particular event and see what it's saying to us today, a couple of thousands years later.

Parting from the premise that Jesus is the One and Only Messiah. The Only Lord and Savior. The Only One who accomplished it all.  The Only One through whom all was finished.  We enter into this text with most reverence and respect for Who Jesus IS:  The Great I AM.

Now, let's take a look at verse 1:  "On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there..."  By the time of this event, Jewish law commanded all society.  Everything, from business transactions to gender roles were governed by the law.  Up until forever, the law God handed to Moses was the utmost authority.  Basically, Moses' Law was the first five books of the Old Testament, also referred to as the Pentateuch (from the Greek that simply means: Five Books).  When the New Testament unfolded, however, things were changing.  The Roman Empire had taken over Israel.  With it, Greek customs also became an influence among the people of God.  Some were assimilating.  But, yet, most, looked for ways to remain faithful to their Judaic traditions.  This is when sects began to pop with the purpose of preserving the Law, one of the most known being the Pharisees.  

In this effort to maintain the Jewish traditions alive and relevant, Rabbis started making commentaries to the original Mosaic Law.  The commentaries and expansions to the Law were done orally, passed down from Rabbi to Rabbi.  Eventually they did get written down into what is known as the books of the Talmud.  Anyway, the thing is that the commentaries and expansions in what became the Talmud included, among other things, stricter views on women's rights and roles within society. The thing is that, it is precisely at the time of Jesus physically walking on this Earth that this transition is emerging.  So it is evident in the New Testament.  

For instance, it is at this time that the new regulations indicated that women were not allowed to testify in court. In effect, this categorized them with Gentiles, minors, deaf-mutes and “undesirables” such as gamblers, the insane, usurers, and pigeon-racers, who were also denied that privilege.  Remember, women in the Old Testament were even able to be Judges! (Remember Deborah?).  At the time of the Wedding in Cana, however, things had changed.  Women's roles were confined to the home and private life.  As a general rule, they were not to be mixed in with men in public.  And, the few events they were allowed to attend were funerals and weddings.  That's why Mary is here.  It was perfectly appropriate for her to be at that wedding. And, that's why it is so amazing what Jesus did throughout the entire time He was physically present among us: He talked to women as equals!

I don't want this post to get too long, so I will continue next time.  But, let's contemplate the information here and marvel at the actions of Jesus pertaining women that we have witnessed so far...in a world where women were not to be seen or heard, Jesus restored our dignity! Praised be His Holy Name! Amen!

Jesus Speaks to Women: The Witnesses

9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. 

Luke 24: 9-12

Can you think of a time when you got news so big and so amazing that you couldn't wait to share them with all who would be impacted by it?  I don't know about you, but I just can't contain myself!  I remember, last year, when I finally got my tenure at work, my boss (a woman, by the way) couldn't wait for me to get my letter in the mail, so, as soon as she heard, she contacted me.  I was miles away, in Phoenix, when the text message came in.  It was a sweet thing to read.  I shouted it at loud as I was in my niece's Nicole's house, with my sister and Rosa in the room!  It was a great group to share the news with, but there was just one more person I needed to tell at once:  Dan.  We had been waiting for this news for a long time...so, when the time came, I had to drop whatever I was doing to contact him.  What a sweet day!

The women in this story got just about a million times more exciting news than mine, so of course they wouldn't wait another second to share them.  They couldn't!

Luke's account of this event lists 3 women by their names and implies that there were "others" as well.  I imagine this group of women witnesses running back from the tomb straight to where the Eleven were to tell them what had just happened.  I can see the excitement and astonishment in their faces as they, out of breath, try to formulate a credible way of announcing what they had witnessed.  But...the men, "did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense." (insert a sound indicating great frustration!)

Why didn't they believe the testimony of these women?  Was it that far-fetched!? Had they also forgotten the words of Jesus? They probably had...just like the women before, these men also had a hard time remembering.  Also, I can see how the men were confused.  The way I picture the scene is this group of women coming in, all speaking at the same time, trying to express what had happened among shouts and tears.  The men were probably left scratching their heads, thinking they were hysterical.  Then, as if that wasn't enough, by rabbinical law, women were not considered reliable witnesses.  So, I guess it is not surprising that the disciples were hearing nothing but nonsense coming out of the women's mouth...all, except for one:  Peter.

With the sting of his denial of Jesus probably still bitterly fresh in his soul, Peter's instincts were as sharp as blades.  He had a feeling, and as the man of action that he was, he acted on it.  He rose above the nonsense and ran to the tomb, propelled by hope.  

We'll continue looking at this passage in the coming days.  For now, let us savor in the beauty of God's designs:  those who by human standards are disregarded as unreliable and not worthy to testify in a court of law, become the prime witnesses to give testimony of Christ's Resurrection.  The one whose foot routinely resided in his mouth as his passions often betrayed him, becomes the prime seeker of the truth.  May the Holy Spirit guide us as we fulfil the roles we have been appointed with to carry out our purpose while we still walk on this earth.  

Jesus Speaks to Women: SSTML

...but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. Luke 24: 5b-8

Today's passage has a key word I would like to emphasize:  "remember."  

The ability to remember is a wonderful thing.  It is basically, what allows humans to learn.  If we couldn't remember, there would be no growth...no depth...we would remain as infants, stuck in a mental playpen all of our lives because we would have to re-discover how to climb out of it each day, over and over again.  It's like those silly movies we watch, where the girl (because it is usually a girl, I wonder why?) has lost her short-term memory, and she keeps having to relearn every morning, what is happening in her life since the day of her fateful accident (or in more extreme cases, every minute, like Dory in Nemo!)...anyway...

The thing is, we are not that different from Dory at times.  At least, I am not.  Much like the beloved blue fish in the animated movie, I keep swimming through life, often forgetting important things that are meant to be foundational lessons that should shape my spiritual life!  One minute, I'm reading Scripture: "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46: 10) and the next second I'm fretting and madly rushing because a sudden bump on the road robbed me of any shred of peace those precious words might have instilled in me...sigh...

It's like I do have SSTML: spiritual short term memory loss.  

The women in the passage allowed themselves to be swept by fear at the sight of the unknown men. I mean, it was understandable.  After all, they did get startled by men who appeared suddenly, wearing "clothes that gleamed like lightning." (Luke 24: 4)  I'm still trying to imagine what that might have looked like?  I keep thinking about those crazy fashion shows on TV where overpaid and under-fed models do the catwalk in those high-prized designer outfits with shiny, flowing fabrics and metal pieces contouring their silhouettes.  I digress...

The point is, the women at the tomb suffered from sudden short term memory loss at that moment, and it took the men's words to shake them back to the point when they could, indeed, remember...allowing the memories of Jesus' words to come back to them, as a warm embrace of great comfort in their hour of fear and sorrow.

I don't want to suffer from spiritual short term memory loss, sudden or otherwise.  I want to be able to internalize Scripture in a way that it becomes "a lamp into my feet and a light into my life!" (Psalm 119: 105)  I don't want to forget!  EVER!  I want to remember! ALWAYS!

May the Holy Spirit speak to us in a way that it stays in our minds forever, sustaining us spiritually and physically in this valley of tears, in every high and in every low...until we are in the precious presence of Our Lord! Amen!

Jesus Speaks to Women: One Frightful Morning!

2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground... Luke 24: 2-5

Have you ever been intensely concentrated on what you have to do, only to be unexpectedly stopped on your tracks by something quite overwhelming?  How about, being submerged into a deep sleep, when something, rather scary, wakes you up?  The experience is unsettling, to say the least.  This happened to me about a week ago when Dylan came into our room around 3 in the morning with a nosebleed.  I was so deep in my sleep then, that, when he finally was able to wake me up, I saw him and immediately and literally, jumped out of bed.  I got him situated, and while I pressed on his nose...I don't know if it was the adrenaline rush, flushing out of my body or a drop in my blood pressure, but I became seriously lightheaded.  I thought I was going to faint...

That's not how the night was supposed to go.  I was supposed to sleep soundly all night, and wake up when it was time to get ready for work.  The unexpected bump on my road/plan, totally threw me off.  And, in fright, I literally bowed my head down to the ground, if only to help the blood flow get back to my brain.

This was just my kid and a nosebleed...imagine, coming into a tomb, and not only finding it empty, but, suddenly seeing these two men wearing "clothes that gleamed like lightning!"  Yep, it's no surprise the poor women's legs gave in, causing them to bow down with their faces to the ground!

Who are these men?  Where is Jesus' body?  Who removed the stone? O no! The jars with the spices and perfumes are laying on the ground! Did they break? The brain goes into some kind of shock, as a thousand thoughts, ALL negative, flash in the mind like a strobe light.  Mercy me!  The women are becoming the first witnesses of the greatest event in the history of the world...but, exactly because of the magnitude of the moment, the experience is overwhelming.  It couldn't be any other way.  

If it is very unlikely to remain calm when a child who is sick wakes you up in the middle of the night, it is, very unlikely to remain cool, calm and collected when celestial beings show up in front of you to announce the resurrection of the Lord.  

I'm not sure why these are the thoughts running through my head with this portion of the passage.  Perhaps, because I want to feel better thinking that I am not the only hysterical woman in the room.  Maybe because I identify with fright and fear.  Or it could also even be that I like to see diligence rewarded...but, whatever it is, I enjoy pausing at this moment of Luke's narration of the events of that precious morning because I can see how God, in His Majesty, cares enough about us to reveal Himself to those who remain faithful!

May the Holy Spirit help us see the presence of the Lord even in our frightful and frazzled moments.

Jesus Speaks to Women: Action-Driven Nature

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. 

Luke 24: 1-8

We have seen how, the first witnesses of Jesus' resurrection were women.  In Matthew, we find the account in chapter 28: 1-10.  In Mark we see it chapter 16: 1-8 and in John, we read about it in chapter 20: 1-18.  Four accounts of how women were the first ones to the tomb.  Four accounts about how women couldn't wait any longer, so, at first light, as soon as they were allowed to resume normal activities after the observance of the Sabbath, they hurried to the place where Jesus had been buried.  Four accounts that tell us a lot about the nature of women.

Today, we are going to look at the very first lines in the account of Jesus' resurrection:

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. Luke 24: 1

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. Matthew 28: 1

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb. Mark 16: 1-2

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. John 20: 1

Have you ever felt as if you move faster than anybody else around you?  I'm not talking about the "actual" speed at which one's body moves.  I'm talking about many other different things:  the speed at which your thoughts move...or the speed of your actions, and reactions...the speed at which your mouth moves, probably letting your tongue move faster than it should... 

I don't know about you, but I feel like I am constantly rushing through life and that those around me are just vegging around...wasting time...doing nothing...sigh...

The only thing that doesn't move as fast as it should is my ability to activate filters so my mouth doesn't just go wild.  Somehow, I lack the gene that contains the code for tongue control. 

My point is...look at these passages:  who were the ones getting up at the crack of dawn, loading up the minivan, to get the work done? Women... I can imagine the Marys, staying up all night in vigil...not being able to sleep, not even changing into sleeping wear, fussing around the house as soon as the hour marked the end of the Sabbath, piling up the stuff that they were going to carry to properly dress the body of Jesus...just waiting until that very moment when it was OK for them to just get going.

Have you done that?  Do you see yourself in a situation like that?  

And, what about the men?  I wonder what they were doing??? Well...let's not go there...

I don't want to make blanket generalizations here, because I know we are all different and unique, but in my case, I can see me being one of these women.  How can anybody sleep in such a night?  There is so much to do!  How can anybody be calmed and collected?  Is it time yet?  Let's go!  Let's not waste another minute!  Let's do this thing!  NOW!  C'mon!  We're wasting daylight!  Hurry up!  Move your sorry behind!  Let's go, let's go, let's GO!!!!

I think there is a chip in women's brains, at least in mine, that enables me to see all that needs to be done, which escapes the eyes of those of the male persuasion who live around me.  The garbage can is overflowing...nobody sees it.  There's only one ply of toilet paper left in the bathroom...nobody sees it.  There's dirty clothes (or maybe clean, who knows anymore?) laying around everywhere in each room of the house...nobody sees it.  There are dirty dishes that need to be placed in the dishwasher...nobody sees it.  The dog needs to go outside to do his business...nobody sees it.  Jesus' body wasn't properly prepared for burial...nobody seems to think of it...

Women do.  And for that, often, we are scolded and labeled as nags.  Well, as far as I can understand, this passages are the ultimate redemption of the nags!  Finally, the nagging was seen as diligence, and it was rewarded with the most amazing opportunity to be the first witnesses of the most important moment in the history of the world:  Christ as the Risen Lord!

I know...I'm too harsh.  I'm sorry...it's just that these particular verses hit me very hard on a very tender spot in my soul:  my action-driven nature.

I pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance on the way I move about my life.  May He make my paths straight and teach me how to be still when I need to be still and how to take action when the moment calls for it.  I don't want to rush through life, but I know that God didn't make mistakes when He designed me, so, one day, there will be a reason for my drive, other than to drive everyone around me, completely mad.  Amen!