Frank shared this week about what moms want us to know. You can listen to his message here.
The Night Before
How long into the night did the betrayal of Jesus go? Was everything over by now? Are the disciples still reclining in the upper room uneasy about all the Jesus has been saying and his action of washing their feet. Do they get it yet? Maybe they are asleep in the garden right now?
If all has been said and done, how is Peter feeling right now? Has he denied Jesus yet, or is he simply stewing in his over the top personality, frustrated that Jesus said he would deny him three times. “It isn’t going to happen! I have Jesus’ back!”
And then there is the guard who got whacked in the ear with the sword. How does he handle the night? Does he know of the Jesus before being sent into the dark to get him? How angry is he when he takes a sword to the head? Is he happy that Peter has bad aim? Even more, what does he do when Jesus heals his ear? I know what my reaction would be: “I’M OUT!!! DID YOU SEE WHAT HE JUST DID? I’M NOT TYING HIS HANDS UP!”
Or, if we want to go really dark, what are the teachers of the law and the priests feeling right know? Do they have the eager stomach butterflies that you get when you are on the edge of something big? Are they confident in their actions? Are they prideful? I think they are probably a bit skeptical. They’ve been in the place before when they almost had Jesus. He’s a slippery one, always getting away. Are they simply waiting until he’s finally dead to relax?
As I have mulled over the Scriptures and stories for today, one thing in all of these stories grips me. Every one of the people in the story has no idea how upside down life will be in a few days. They have expectations of what could happen and of what they want to happen, but they have no idea…
Here’s the question that has haunted me the most today. I know the end of the story. I know what happens. How am I allowing that to change me? Do I have any expectations?
Stop and chew on those two questions for awhile. Shut the music off and close the tab for Facebook and Twitter. Be still for a few moments and reflect on the Cross of Christ and ask those two questions: How am I allowing that to change me? Do I have any expectations?
How are you allowing the Light to penetrate your life? How are you, in turn, being the Light to others?
And a little child shall lead them
I got this email from our Children's Minister, Josh Antonopulos, earlier today:
Yesterday morning, just before Kid’s City worship began, a mom of one of our Arcade Alley students shared with me about her son’s excitement for the 30 pieces of silver offering. Her family will not be able to join us on Easter Sunday and her son wanted to make sure that not only were each and every one of the 30 pieces of silver counted out and bagged securely, but that he was able to turn his offering in! She then pointed to her purse, which contained another 30 pieces of silver, which was his parents’ offering-he had also counted, bagged and secured their offering earlier in the week. It was refreshing to hear from a mom about her son’s drive & urgency not only to share, but to make sure every piece of silver was given!
How cool is it that our Kid's City kids are thinking about the 30-pieces of silver offering that we're collecting this coming Sunday! (I wrote about this special offering in a recent post that you can read here.)
If you're reading this, you're probably making plans to gather with us at South Lansing Christian Church this Easter Sunday. Here's what I want you to know:
First, if this Sunday is your first time here, we aren't one of those arm-twisting, ask-for-money-all-the-time churches. If you want to contribute this Sunday you're welcome to do so, but nobody is going to think twice if you don't. We want the Easter gathering to be our gift to you.
Second, if you're part of the SLCC family already and have been praying about your 30-pieces gift, we want you to know that we're praying, too. We are praying that God will bless you beyond what you imagined was possible. We're praying that - as you honor God with your generosity - that He will enable all of us to see the difference our giving makes, not just in others' lives but in our own.
SLCC members will also be receiving a financial update in the mail this week. It is the first of our four yearly updates that we send out after each quarter. It will contain an offering envelope that you can use this Sunday. And it will serve as another reminder to pray for this special effort.
Of course, if you have any questions, please email us by clicking here.