Why can't decisions be easier to make?
Fried Chicken.
Burritos.
The local ice cream stand just opened today.
As comical as I try to make my posts sometimes, there is a decision to make today as to whether I should even go that angle.
Sometimes the subject matter is too serious and a comical word just is not the proper way to go.
Such it is with the scripture I read today.
I delve into Matthew 27:45-54.
Matthew 27:45-54
New International Version (NIV)
The Death of Jesus
What exactly does that mean?
Maybe you've heard someone say that when they have a hard decision to make.
If you've ever witnessed or seen video of a wild animal taking down it's prey.
The phrase here suggests that this is what happened to the curtain, the veil, that covered the most inner sanctum of the Temple, the Holy of Holies.
This place where the Presence of God was said to have rested.
This passage of scripture is gruesome.
It's maybe one of the most difficult passages to read without your imagination running away.
I preach context, context, context to my hearers in interpreting passages of scripture and here is one that brings the full tour de force of the moment at Calvary.
I actually find myself in a 'torn' place.
There is so much here to discuss, and what do I discuss, exactly.
Keeping in touch with the title and theme I should take a moment to look at that word.
Webster's threw me a curve-ball.
Definition of TORN
past participle of tear
Huh?
I am pretty sure i have a grip on tear, or at least I thought I did.
But, past participle?
What in the name of Mary is that?
Looks like I'll be leaning on Webster's a little harder today.
Definition of PARTICIPLE
: a word having the characteristics of both verb and adjective; especially : an English verbal form that has the function of an adjective and at the same time shows such verbal features as tense and voice and capacity to take an object
Hmmmm.
So, being torn is a description word (adj) and an action word (verb).
It describes what is happening [action] to the curtain as well as paints a picture [description] of it.
Wow, that's a lot to take in.
What other moments look like this in scripture?
Well, if we back up about a week in the time-line of events for Jesus we wind up at the Garden of Gethsemane.
If ever there was a description of being 'torn in two', I think here it would be.
Jesus, on his knees.
"Father, take this cup from me."
He feels fear.
He doesn't want to die.
He knows what is coming around the corner.
"Yet, not what I will, but what you will."
Even though he knows how gruesome this next week will be, he takes the cup.
Willingly, he is led like a lamb, to the slaughter.
Submissively, he gives his life over to the Father's will.
An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22.43,44)
Notice, the angel had come and comforted him.
Did he get to his feet like a superman?
No. The strength he needed he got, but the issues before him still vexed his soul.
He was headed to his death.
And, at no moment in his earthly life would his humanness cause him to feel more conflicted.
The two ways to say tear would be helpful at this point.
Now, the word is also a noun, as tear drop from an eye.
But as a verb is pronounced two different ways.
Tear, as in crying, is an intransitive verb, meaning you can't transfer tears between two people.
You can get down and cry with me if I'm going through a hard time, but I can't make you.
Jesus cried with Mary at the Tomb of Lazarus, not because Mary gave her tears to Him, but because he was moved to do the same.
Tear, as in tearing your clothing, or tearing a group apart in their view on a matter, can go both ways.
Transitive and intransitive.
If an article of clothing is torn, then you have two parts now. Transitive.
The whole has been transfered into two parts.
Ah, but it also works the other way.
Lets say a group of people are torn in two over some issue.
You can't transfer the feelings one group has to the other group.
You have two parts with different feelings. Intransitive.
The crowd standing out front in Pilate's court.
The scripture says they were all shouting.
Some of them probably wanted Jesus to be released. (Namely, Pilate)
But, the ones with the louder voices won out that day.
But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (Luke 23.21)
Do, you know what it's like to be 'torn in two'?
To have feelings that lead you astray, all the while wanting, yearning, to go the way God wants you to go?
Paul did. Look at Romans 7 with me.
"Father, won't you rescue me from this moment? Do I really have to die?"
"Yes, my son. You have to. So, that everyone who goes through this trial with the flesh can be set free."
"Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
The veil, the curtain, that day in Temple was torn in two.
Was God in a struggle at that moment as to what to do?
Should God stay in this place, this Holy of Holies and expect everyone to come find Him?
Or should the presence of God leave that confined space, tearing the curtain on the way out, letting everyone know that He is here?
I have heard the description some time back, where now escapes me, of that moment with the veil.
The tearing of the curtain had a double meaning.
For centuries, people had come to the Temple, but none were allowed to enter the most sacred place.
Now, with the curtain torn, all could enter, freely.
But, another thing happened that day.
God came forth.
In a world torn as to what to do with itself, God makes a decision.
A decision that covers both sides of the problem.
If you have the wherewithal to come, the curtain is open.
And, if you can't make it there, He will come to you.
Comfort food, anyone?
Third Day - Take My Life
Fried Chicken.
Burritos.
The local ice cream stand just opened today.
As comical as I try to make my posts sometimes, there is a decision to make today as to whether I should even go that angle.
Sometimes the subject matter is too serious and a comical word just is not the proper way to go.
Such it is with the scripture I read today.
I delve into Matthew 27:45-54.
Matthew 27:45-54
New International Version (NIV)
The Death of Jesus
45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”As I read through today, the phrase that stood out to me was "torn in two".
What exactly does that mean?
Maybe you've heard someone say that when they have a hard decision to make.
If you've ever witnessed or seen video of a wild animal taking down it's prey.
The phrase here suggests that this is what happened to the curtain, the veil, that covered the most inner sanctum of the Temple, the Holy of Holies.
This place where the Presence of God was said to have rested.
This passage of scripture is gruesome.
It's maybe one of the most difficult passages to read without your imagination running away.
I preach context, context, context to my hearers in interpreting passages of scripture and here is one that brings the full tour de force of the moment at Calvary.
I actually find myself in a 'torn' place.
There is so much here to discuss, and what do I discuss, exactly.
Keeping in touch with the title and theme I should take a moment to look at that word.
Webster's threw me a curve-ball.
Definition of TORN
past participle of tear
Huh?
I am pretty sure i have a grip on tear, or at least I thought I did.
But, past participle?
What in the name of Mary is that?
Looks like I'll be leaning on Webster's a little harder today.
Definition of PARTICIPLE
: a word having the characteristics of both verb and adjective; especially : an English verbal form that has the function of an adjective and at the same time shows such verbal features as tense and voice and capacity to take an object
Hmmmm.
So, being torn is a description word (adj) and an action word (verb).
It describes what is happening [action] to the curtain as well as paints a picture [description] of it.
Wow, that's a lot to take in.
What other moments look like this in scripture?
Well, if we back up about a week in the time-line of events for Jesus we wind up at the Garden of Gethsemane.
If ever there was a description of being 'torn in two', I think here it would be.
Jesus, on his knees.
"Father, take this cup from me."
He feels fear.
He doesn't want to die.
He knows what is coming around the corner.
"Yet, not what I will, but what you will."
Even though he knows how gruesome this next week will be, he takes the cup.
Willingly, he is led like a lamb, to the slaughter.
Submissively, he gives his life over to the Father's will.
An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22.43,44)
Notice, the angel had come and comforted him.
Did he get to his feet like a superman?
No. The strength he needed he got, but the issues before him still vexed his soul.
He was headed to his death.
And, at no moment in his earthly life would his humanness cause him to feel more conflicted.
The two ways to say tear would be helpful at this point.
Now, the word is also a noun, as tear drop from an eye.
But as a verb is pronounced two different ways.
Tear, as in crying, is an intransitive verb, meaning you can't transfer tears between two people.
You can get down and cry with me if I'm going through a hard time, but I can't make you.
Jesus cried with Mary at the Tomb of Lazarus, not because Mary gave her tears to Him, but because he was moved to do the same.
Tear, as in tearing your clothing, or tearing a group apart in their view on a matter, can go both ways.
Transitive and intransitive.
If an article of clothing is torn, then you have two parts now. Transitive.
The whole has been transfered into two parts.
Ah, but it also works the other way.
Lets say a group of people are torn in two over some issue.
You can't transfer the feelings one group has to the other group.
You have two parts with different feelings. Intransitive.
The crowd standing out front in Pilate's court.
The scripture says they were all shouting.
Some of them probably wanted Jesus to be released. (Namely, Pilate)
But, the ones with the louder voices won out that day.
But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (Luke 23.21)
Do, you know what it's like to be 'torn in two'?
To have feelings that lead you astray, all the while wanting, yearning, to go the way God wants you to go?
Paul did. Look at Romans 7 with me.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?Didn't Jesus ask the same thing?
"Father, won't you rescue me from this moment? Do I really have to die?"
"Yes, my son. You have to. So, that everyone who goes through this trial with the flesh can be set free."
"Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
The veil, the curtain, that day in Temple was torn in two.
Was God in a struggle at that moment as to what to do?
Should God stay in this place, this Holy of Holies and expect everyone to come find Him?
Or should the presence of God leave that confined space, tearing the curtain on the way out, letting everyone know that He is here?
I have heard the description some time back, where now escapes me, of that moment with the veil.
The tearing of the curtain had a double meaning.
For centuries, people had come to the Temple, but none were allowed to enter the most sacred place.
Now, with the curtain torn, all could enter, freely.
But, another thing happened that day.
God came forth.
In a world torn as to what to do with itself, God makes a decision.
A decision that covers both sides of the problem.
If you have the wherewithal to come, the curtain is open.
And, if you can't make it there, He will come to you.
Comfort food, anyone?
