For the week of: Monday, June 11th 2007

"So He Got Up..."

I’ve never run a marathon (perish the thought…and I do mean kill it dead) but I would imagine that the sight of the finish line and the victory arch to a weary runner must evoke some pretty amazing feelings.  Maybe even a sudden burst of last-minute energy.

I wonder, do you suppose, if the same holds true for the marathon runner of life?  I’ve witnessed the death of two precious people in my world, my father ten years ago and my mother-in-law five years ago.  For each of them, there was an acceptance of the nearing of the finish line of the race, a peace about what was to come and an anticipation of Who they would be seeing.

I think I saw that look on the face of a few folks at church this morning.  I was at the back of the auditorium at the close of worship services in order to hand out some VBS flyers so I got to see a whole host of sweet folks I rarely get to see in our congregation of about 500.  (You know how it is, you sit in the same spot week in and week out and for the first 15-20 minutes after church, you talk to the same group of people sitting around you.)

I was intent on getting my VBS stuff into the hands of every soul who would dare to make eye contact, “Make sure and invite every family on your street to our VBS.”  Got to hug some necks and see new babies.  For a gal who grew up a preacher’s kid and loves the church, I get energized by being with my brothers and sisters.  It’s a spiritual high!

The first swell of folks were making for the door while we were still singing the closing song, “Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.” Slowly making her way toward the exit was one of our very senior citizens, using her walker, deliberately mouthing the words to verse two.  “No more crying there, we are going to see the King.  No more crying there, we are going to see the King.  No more crying there, we are going to see the King.  Hallelujah, Hallelujah, we’re going to see the King.”  She passed right by the elder extending his hand for a handshake, smiled sweetly and continued to verse three.  “No more dieing there, we are going to see the King.  No more dieing there, we are going to see the King.  No more dieing there, we are going to see the King.  Hallelujah, Hallelujah, we’re going to see the King.” 

Perhaps she was having a glorious moment envisioning the finish line.  She was certainly an artist’s inspiration for a peaceful countenance.  I think she knew where she was going soon and it left her with desire for her first face-to-face with Majesty.

I admit, there are days when I think I’m ready to be at the place in life where she is.  “Enough already,” I say to the Lord in clear language and with dramatic facial expressions.  “Heavens, can we be done here, please?”  You have those days too, I know you do. 

And then comes Scripture, with the whispered words of Truth from God’s inspiring lips and I am reminded of three imperatives exhibited in the flesh of God-Jesus. 

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.  Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God…(John 13:2-3)

Pausing mid-story, let’s note the motive for what is to follow in the next few verses.  You recognize this piece of Holy writing that is describing the Last Supper, the Passover Feast, that Christ experienced with His twelve apostles prior to His crucifixion.  Jesus is acutely aware (painfully so) that the one who would betray him is reclining at the table about to share an intimate moment in the dipping of the bread.  But instead of focusing on the inevitable end of his earthly ministry, He left us footprints to follow as a checklist for remembering the motive for life’s work. 

1. He knew that the Father had put all things under His power.
2. He knew that He had come from God.
3. He knew that He was returning to God.

Look at what follows:

So, He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. (verse 4)

He then took the servant’s posture, knelt before each apostle and washed their feet.  God, the Great I Am, the Creator, scrubbed the calluses of the created. 

Let’s not miss the teaching here.  There are days (weeks, verily I say months and years) when we think surely it must be time to coast on out the rest of life with ease and undisturbed peace. 

But in the NIV version of this section of Scripture, it’s as though this beloved friend of our Lord’s, John, wants us to catch a glimpse of the Lamb’s thought processes before He performed His servant act.  It’s as though he’s saying, “Listen to what He reminded Himself of before His knees hit the wood floor of the upper room and He cradled the arch of Peter’s foot in His carpenter palm.”

He was girded with three Truths – His power came from God, He had come from God, He was returning to God.  Then John writes the tee-tiniest little word – so.  Faced with the certainty of His cruel death, our Lord reiterated three Truths that moved Him on.  There were still teachings that had to be taught and although He had to be emotionally exhausted already, He acknowledged Truth and then came the so.  He got up and got after being who He came to be…a servant.

Dear ones, we can delight in the knowledge that we are going to see the King, be certain of our salvation and have our moments when we think we’re likely to faint dead away if it’s not now rather than later, but there’s still so to be done. 

The three Truths that Jesus knew are Truth for you and me as well.  If we are believers of His divine grace, Ephesians 1:19 tells us of the first Truth of power, there is incomparably great power for those who believe.  Truth #2 is repeatedly spoken of in Scripture – The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children (Romans 8:16).  And our return to God is promised from Christ in John 14…Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 

Grounded in those three Truths, we are faced with the so. 

What do you suppose is after the so in your living sacrifice for God?  I’m painfully aware of the heart-hurters of life.  Don’t hear me saying that your dilemmas, pains and awful circumstances are unworthy of grief and healing.  But hear Jesus tell you that you have power, the knowledge of who you’ve come from and the knowledge of where you’re going and those Truths can move you to your so if you keep your mind focused on them.

If the day comes that you’re ready to sing, “Soon and very soon we are going to see the King,” you call me and I’ll come hum along with you. But in the meantime, let’s you and I remember the power we’ve been promised, that we’ve come from Father-God and that we’re going to live with Him eternally and let’s get up and get after our so. 

Lovingly from my heart,

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