From Under the Cross.

A Roman centurion who saw the crucifixion at very close range was in prime position to be an eyewitness to Jesus’ final hours. So, there’s this: “Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54 NASB)

This is one of the most unsolicited and surprising eyewitness testimonies about Jesus. Take a look at the one who spoke. A typical Roman centurion 1) was not Jewish. He didn’t know about any of the ancient prophecies and certainly wasn’t looking for a deliverer from Rome. 2) He was probably accustomed to crucifixion as part of his job, so he should have been harder to impress by any run-of-the-mill Crucifixion. 3) Was a military commander based on merit, so they usually rose through the ranks and were experienced, competent men. 4) Had usually been on campaigns (and was probably here) far away from home. As a result, his level of worldly understanding was probably greater than the average villager’s.

This centurion had probably not personally seen Jesus’ miracles or heard him teach. (Why would he? He had been doing his job occupying Judea, not following Rabbis around…) In all likelihood the only exposure he ever had to the Son of God was as a battered, humiliated criminal who was facing his last hours on earth.

He was not steeped in the Hebrew Scriptures or looking for a Messiah, and of all the people Jesus encountered he perhaps would have known the least about Jesus’ background, reputation, and wisdom. It just wasn’t in a Centurion’s job description to know. He never sat in the temple courts and listened to this Rabbi, and he never saw him turn water into wine or calm the wind and the waves…

It’s likely, though, that while doing his job he HAD seen other crucifixions. They were messy, drawn-out, boring events with the same inevitable outcome… The soldiers were so bored with death that they whiled away the time gambling for the criminals’ meager possessions. Yet somehow THIS crucifixion was different. This crucifixion challenged the centurion’s view of the world. It made him look at Jesus differently as well. It may have been the earthquake and the upheaval surrounding Jesus’ death that changed his perspective, but I think it was more than that.

Maybe it was the dignity that Christ carried with him to the cross; perhaps it was the things Jesus said to the criminals who were being crucified alongside him. Or, maybe it was the fact that he said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Perhaps it was merely the look in Jesus’ eyes that challenged and convicted third-party observers to see him as more than a convict getting his just reward…

Whatever it was, the Roman centurion watched Jesus die. It was perhaps their only encounter. He went from seeing Jesus as a common Jewish criminal to seeing him as the Son of God. Pause and reflect on those days in Jerusalem. Think about all the different observers of the events surrounding Jesus’ death. Consider all of the different players that participated in the crucifixion. There was no way to know it was an event that signaled the end of an empire, and the beginning of a kingdom.

But now we know it was the beginning of something spectacular. No doubt, Jesus as has changed your life too. In what ways are you more blessed by knowing Him? How are things different for you because of Easter? May you always be reflective on how the Son of God has changed your life forever. Blessings on your journey.

Be Missional Right Where You Are.

Most of us that are 50 years and older remember carrying an Atlas map with us in the car to get around. Before Google maps, you had to find out where you were on the map, discover where you were going then decide which road got you to your destination the best. Of course now, a computer figures all that out for you.

So in Acts 1 when Jesus commissions his disciples, he reminds them they will be his witnesses in “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” So too we have been commissioned to “go” to the ends of the earth, starting right where we are first. In order to be witnesses to what Jesus has done for us in our lives, there are a few things we can remember.

First, be present right where you are. Currently, our phones are such a huge distraction. We are constantly looking at them, even when we are with other people. We must discipline ourselves to focus on the people God puts in our path and interact with them for the cause of Christ. Jesus has passed the torch to us to be his witnesses and it’s hard to do that if you’re looking down.

When I was working on my MDiv, a great mentor of mine reminded me I’ll always have a book to read, a paper to write, and a test for which to study. My two boys who were very young at the time would not always be little to don’t miss the window of opportunity with them. So on my way home from my 5-year graduate level schooling, I found a landmark. When I arrived at the landmark, I’d stop thinking about school and start getting ready to interact with my boys and my wife. Being present with them has paid off. Be present with the people God has placed in your life.

Secondly, be prayerful. In Acts 1:14, we are reminded the followers of Jesus were praying constantly. We should be in prayer everyday that God would open our eyes to the appointments He sends us daily to be a witness. Prayer is the conversation you have with God that the Holy Spirit carries into the throne room of God. Be disciplined enough to pray when you driving, walking, working, and laying down. Ask God to reveal where He is working in the world and how you can join Him in what He’s already doing.

Finally, be perceptive. The seemingly smallest interactions are moments to be a witness and share the love God has extended to you. When you drop your kiddo off at school or use the crosswalk with your child. Teachers and volunteers can be reminded about God’s love through you. It could be the dentist or doctor you’ll see today needs some compassion extended. Maybe your boss or coworker needs to be reminded through you they are loved by God.

So be open and ready in every opportunity God will give you. Whether you are headed to worship on a Sunday morning or on vacation, God wants you on mission. If you are at the grocery store or the gas pump, God wants you on mission. When you are at the teacher conference or the staff meeting, God expects you to represent him well.

Dr. Suess says, “Oh the places you will go.” And this year, you will go lots of places. You are commissioned to be a witness so look like Jesus every chance you get. May the Holy Spirit empower you to overcome any obstacles so that you can realize the Kingdom of God in your life. Blessings on the journey.

It's Go Time.

I know I’m giving it away but when my wife and I are at a party or gathering and I’m ready to go, I tug on my left ear lobe. Upon seeing me, she, then, knows I feel it’s time to go. Now, that doesn’t mean we are leaving because she may not be done socializing. But nonetheless, she knows I have had my fill.

Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 28 to “go”. “Go into all the world…making disciples”. He tells them to “go”. And in Acts 1 just before Jesus ascends into Heaven, he tells them again, that they will be his witnesses in “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.” Jesus is telling us one of our mandates is to go and be a witness for the story of Jesus. Tell people and show people what Jesus has done for us. But the world is a huge place so where do we begin? We start by asking a series of questions.

Who lives with you? When Andrew finds Jesus and knows he’s the Messiah, Andrew goes to find his brother, Peter (John 1:40ff), who will later become foundational in the early church. We first go to the people we live with and call family. So, start where you are planted. We are called to tell our children about Jesus and teach them the Jesus’ way of life. We are called to journey with our spouse and daily tell the story. We have extended family members we love who need to hear from you how Jesus has changed your life. Ask, who lives with me?

Secondly, ask who lives near you? Those living near you include those in your cul-de-sac or on your street. But it also includes those with whom you attend church. We are called to make time for those with whom we do life. So get involved in a ministry like teaching kids about Jesus in a Sunday morning class or leading a small group in your youth group. Get involved on your praise team or in the sound booth. Be a real friend to your neighbors by helping out when they are down and out. Extend hospitality to those around you so they see Jesus in you.

Finally, ask who lives in you? Paul reminds us in Romans 8:11, “That the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the same Spirit that lives in you!” You will not be “going” on your own. Jesus will always be with you. That’s what he said in Matthew 28:20. He tells us to go and he’ll be with us. So don’t be afraid. God’s got this. He’s with you.

So it’s time to shed the “personal space” mentality. It’s time to look around instead of down at our phone. It’s time to create a space of sharing and inclusion. It’s time to go and be a witness for the one who gave you everything…and made you the best version of yourself you could ever be. Blessings on the journey.

Always On Mission.

We have all been on trips. Vacations, trips to the lake, and to see a relative in another state. And in the process we usually need some kind of map to get there. Back in the day, I used a big Altas map and we did the journey looking at a paper map. Today, just plug in the destination to Google maps and it figures all that out for you.

Acts 1, Jesus is going back to heaven and he’s meeting with the disciples to commission them and encourage them to witness everywhere for the cause of Christ. Just like he calls us to witness wherever we are. We are always on mission no matter where we go.

So let me encourage you to always be present. Jesus has passed the torch to us as his followers to reveal the light to those around us in a dark world. Many times, we wait until the moment we can have a “big splash” but the truth is Jesus is present in all the small things we do to be like him every single day. We are able to live out that calling because the Holy Spirit lives within us. It’s in his power that we live everyday to the fullest.

I want us to be prayerful. That first century church was always in prayer. As you read through the book of Acts, the church was constantly in prayer for guidance and wisdom. So this summer, our prayer needs to be that God would open our eyes to see the world as He sees it. Then, we would be active in his story.

Finally, be perceptive. You will find yourself in all sorts of places this summer so have your eyes open to where God has you placed. Seeing how God is working is a discipline. So slow down and be aware of people who cross your path and the locations you find yourself. Jesus said the most important thing in Matthew 22 is to love God and love people. So let’s make the most of every opportunity we get this summer. Blessings on the journey.

Cancel the Noise.

We live in a culture with lots of noise. There is always something vying for our attention. We’ve endured the noise created by COVID-19. With this virus, we’ve felt the loss of our heath and some all the way to death. We’ve felt the loss of community whether with our family, friends, or faith group. We’ve felt the loss of our income and any wealth we had stored up.

The noise from the recent tumultuous election cycle has been very loud. We have a new president who is in the process of changing things from the prior administration. And I don’t think the noise from the last administration is gone either. Just yesterday, I saw a large group by the roadside waving Trump flags and it’s March.

The noise from all the recent natural disasters has been prominent. Whether it’s the recent snow-maggedon here in Texas to the number of wildfires out west or the hurricanes to our south to the tornados in the south. We’ve been devastated and wrecked.

As a nation, we’ve lost our moral compass. The noise from the media and social media is overwhelming. For those who follow Christ, gird your loins. It’s time to take a stand for Jesus. I pray for my grandchildren and their children. They are going to have to stand for Jesus like I never had to.

All this noise in our culture is pulling our attention, our eyes, our focus off the one thing that matters and that is Jesus Christ. He is and will always be our only hope for a better tomorrow and having a life to it’s fullest capacity.

Paul wants to reiterate that idea in his letter to the church in Colossae in the New Testament. Paul opens that letter describing an incredible Jesus to a church lost in the noise of their culture some 2000 years ago. They are not too different than we are. The Colossian Church had two groups. One group leaned into the magical and mysterious side of spiritualism. They loved Jesus but said there was also something more. It was an unknown knowledge and if you could tap into it, you’d be closer to God. The other group were legalist who said if you just say the right things, wear the right things, go to the right places, discipline your body a certain way, you’d have a connection to our Heavenly Father.

Paul tells them they are both wrong. The only thing they need to do is fix their eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of their faith. Paul describes Jesus as God and supreme over all things. There is no one and no thing greater than Jesus. He only will connect you to God the Father. He alone is who our focus is. No secret knowledge and no ascetic lifestyle will save you. It’s Jesus.

Paul goes on to tell us Jesus is creator and holds all things together. It’s Jesus creating all things. There is nothing above, on or under the earth that King Jesus has not touched. And because of that, he alone is holding together our fractured nation, our marriages, our kids, our health, our churches. Only Jesus can hold it and make it right again.

Jesus is also undefeated. There is no other things seen or unseen that can proclaim that. Jesus has conquered the grave and death. He’s already won the battles and the war. Because he is an overcomer, those of us found in him are also overcomers. Be conquering all things, Jesus also became our reconciler. It’s through Jesus that we are one with the Father. Jesus came to make things right. It’s at the foot of his cross that we know our brokenness can be healed.

And finally, the age old question, “What’s my purpose?” Jesus is your purpose. You can be awesome at sports, grind out the 9-5, be an wonderful parent but if you aren’t doing life to the glory of God, it’s all a waste. We were made by him and FOR him. My purpose is to lift up the Name of Jesus everyday in my life. Giving him glory in all I do and say.

So, don’t be distracted by our current culture. Don’t let the voices tell you one thing or another. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Let him cancel the noise around you so you focus on his saving, peaceful voice. Blessings on the journey.