Bonnie J Martin

Jesus

The Cross

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My brother gave me a rugged, splintered miniature replica of a cross years ago. It was the closest thing that I have ever imagined the cross of Jesus looking like. I am sad to say it finally fell apart. I wish I still had that cross.

Pictures of various crosses show up in my camera lens from time to time. All a reminder of that day so long ago. That day which the innocent Lamb was sacrificed. The Perfect Sacrifice. Sacrificed for all sin. Behold the cross.

Some are rugged, others are simple, others are used as prominent pieces to display. All remind of what put Jesus on His cross. My sin.

A friend asked what our favorite part of the Easter story is. I didn’t answer but have since given it some thought. It is difficult to say “favorite” with this. Because it is messy. It is hard. It is ugly. But yet wonderfully beautiful. It is my Jesus, taking the penalty I deserve. He lifted all of the wrath of God off me and placed it on Himself. He clothed me in robes of righteousness that I can’t deserve or earn. He redeemed me. He took my sin and confronted hell on my behalf. So my “favorite?” The fact that my sin did that to Him? That the wretched condition of me required His perfect sacrifice. His body and blood given to cover my sin. Wrapped and dissolved and resolved my sin in His robe of righteousness. And invites me to abide in Him. That He allows me, even invites me eagerly, to come to the foot of His cross and be washed in His blood and He then is willing to abide in me is my favorite!

For years, I have been opposed to using a cross as decor or adornment. It just felt trite. I couldn’t bring myself to use the horrible, ugly thing that hung my Savior in His bloody state for His death as fashion accessory or wall hanging or part of my landscaping. Those that are used as adornment are clean and shiny, which is completely contradictory to the cross I think of that belonged to Jesus.

He received the beating I deserve.

He endured in my place.

He gave His life, willingly, so I could live.

This year, as I read “It Is Finished” by Charles Martin, I started seeing my stance a little differently. I have always looked to the cross of Christ as a reminder of Him and what He did for me. Every time I see a cross I remember His sacrifice. Knowing each day, every moment, brings new opportunities to find myself back at the foot of His Cross.

“And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. Matthew 10:38 (NASB)

And what about mine? My sufferings cannot compare to the cross Jesus endured on my behalf. But when I take and wear prominently my cross, speaking for all to see, not for some exaggerated spectacle of attention, but instead, representing my cross for Him. Taking any sufferings, rejection, ridicule, disrespect, anything, knowing my temporary afflictions will no longer exist once I see Him face to face. Pointing always to His cross as the moment hell’s fury was extinguished for me. I will take my cross and follow Him.

I will accept it. I will display it. I will wear it. I will own it. It is mine. I will take it and follow Him.

“Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32 (NASB)

Do you have a cross? Do you wear it? Is it a load you bear that keeps you frozen in anguish at times? Do you find yourself confused about situations and uncertain as to how to handle them? Are you mistreated? Does your stance on life bring ridicule from others? Are you teased? Are eyes rolled when you speak? Are you rejected?

Pick it up. Carry it to the foot of His cross. Look on His affliction. Consider your sin that placed Him on that cross. Consider that sin that caused Him to be forsaken by His Father. Consider Him, who never sinned, going to hell for those sinners that will look to Him for redemption. Consider looking to Him for salvation.

And then imagine each drop of blood washing multitudes clean of sin. Purified. Made righteous through the blood from the body of Christ.

And accept it. Accept His finished work on the cross as He continues to work in you.

50/50 Shot

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I don’t know why, when created-being serpent was formed, he was allowed to wreak havoc in Eden. He didn’t get to choose the forbidden for us. He didn’t have a say in the choice that was made. He made an offer and we chose. He lied. He spoke against the very thing the Creator had warned against.

Heart racing, knowing the situation was going against the very thing we were told to avoid. Don’t do it. It will not have the consequences you expect. The consequences will be harsh. You will have to live with them for the rest of your life. One wrong choice will bring a lifetime of heartache. Blood rushing through her ears as she reached up from all the beauty and goodness God had placed in and around her and she touched darkness. She felt it and saw it and smelled it and tasted it, hearing the lies and ignoring the cry of God.

God saw it happening. He had given her free-reign to go and do whatever her heart desired. Run free. Uninhibited. No fear. No hiding. The ability to choose whatever was pleasing to her. And in that moment she chose to turn away from God. In that moment, she died to the lavishing love of her Creator.

Afraid and naked, hiding in the trees from the One who sees and knows everything, heart still racing, the consequences begin. Separation from Creator. Attempting to hide shame from the very One who told you not to do it.

We chose the forbidden over the best. Decided to take the offering, believing the lies from someone other than the One who has always provided the best options, extravagant abundance, unending grace, ceaseless mercy.

With all the love that has and will ever exist, God, looked and created and breathed life into us, into you, into me, into Adam and Eve, and decided to let us decide. Free-will. The choice to choose. Desiring relationship, perfect fellowship, dwelling in perfect harmony, united, He desired us. Wanted us to choose Him.

He offered Adam and Eve the perfect home. He lavished them with luxury. They had everything furnished for them. No striving. No struggles. No disease. No tight joints. No skin conditions. The perfect temp all the time. The most comfortable place ever.

But they thought He was holding something back from them. And He was. Death and separation. He held back the hurting and disease. He kept them from struggles. Until they wanted more than His perfect provision.

And they chose the dangling fruit touted to give wisdom. Despite their perfect position as benefactors of the Most High, they chose the path leading to strife and struggle.

Two choices. You have a 50/50 shot. Go right or go left. Go up or go down. Choose good or bad. Want the perfect temp or burning hot? Choose eternal peace or eternal turmoil. Choose fellowship or division. Choose oneness or separation. Grace or enmity. Mercy or justice.

And our choice now is no different than Eve’s. No different than Adam’s. Choose the low road where the slithering serpent slips into darkness and entices us to follow with promises of pleasure and prosperity that will lead to ruin.

Or, instead, choose the Way. He brings peace. Fellowship. Freedom. Grace. Mercy. Sanctification. Salvation. Eternal life, not eternal death. Atonement from the dividing, separating choices we make. Still desiring perfect fellowship with His creation, He gave the solution to the separation. He bridged the gap and gave a Way back from the fall.

But it is our choice. He won’t force us to choose Jesus. He lovingly holds out His hand and offers to pull us up out of the mud and muck. He offers cleansing better than any exfoliator on the market. Robes whiter than your grandmother’s sheets. He offers the fellowship that we turn away from in sin. He covers our sin with the blood of Jesus. Placing on Him every sin that has ever and will ever be confessed.

Our choice.

Still Advent

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The preparation isn’t over just because Christmas was yesterday.  The day we celebrate His birth isn’t the only day He is to be celebrated.  Advent is still expected.  But in the cycle of our annual traditions, we follow earth around the sun and begin the preparation of a new beginning, a new year.

We consider what it will hold as we also consider what is behind.  Recounting the times past, moments forever ago that cannot be reclaimed and wonder what the next ones will bring.  Deep contemplation between December 25 and January 1.  Resolutions formed?

But don’t lose sight of advent.  He came as a baby the first time.  His second coming will be different.

“I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14 (NASB)

After the serving of all the food and gifts, there is still serving to be done. As much as I want to hibernate, there are still preparations to be made. Not just preparations for the new year but preparations for my heart and mind to prepare for Him. Leaving space, making space to include Him. Cleaning up from yesterday in preparation for tomorrow.

Will you join me in making space? Will you join me in leaving what is behind and prepare in excited expectation for what lies ahead? Will you join me in continuing to celebrate advent?

Be Still and Know

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““Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.””
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Silent night. Turned loud with angel voices.

Busy shepherds hurrying to find the barn. Not the one for their sheep but the one for their Shepherd.

Moms and dads and grands and aunts and uncles and sisters and brothers rushing and hoping that the gift is good enough. It isn’t because there is only One that is.

Wrapping presents. Furiously shopping until the very last minute to fulfill all the list. Nestle the packages under, around, on branches of the tree. Presents that will be unwrapped like the unwrapping of the Savior before He hung on that tree.

Silent night. All is calm. The moon shines bright. The stars twinkle. The earth is still.

Hold your breath. Can you hear the cry of the Baby? Not yet? Then be still. He will make Himself known.

He is exalted.

Find space for Him. Be still and know Him.

Merciful Savior

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Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16 (NASB)

Flesh draped Jesus. Perfect Son of God. Full of mercy. Giver of grace. Creator. Savior. Helper. Friend. 

He faced the same junk we do. He cut teeth. Potty-trained. Navigated social injustices. Felt the sting of slaps. Faced ridicule from His family. Tempted in every way. But He didn’t allow temptation to overtake Him. He didn’t sin.

Not exactly what you think about for a Christmas theme. Consider His life. This innocent, helpless Child came to save sinners. He brought the perfect gift through His mercy and grace. A gift we could never repay. No wrapping is elaborate enough to match the mercy-wrapped Christmas Child.

In the wretched condition of our hearts and minds, He stepped in. Desiring us to turn to Him. Coming close to us, near. Walking the same walk we walk. Touching, feeling, seeing, smelling, tasting, hearing but uncompromising. Steady. Righteous. Unwavering.

He reaches out to us. He rescues us. He restores us to Himself. He redeems.

Keeping our eyes fixed on Him, He makes the way for us. Stripping all tightly wrapped temptation away. He stripped Himself down to a Child and offered us what no one else could. The perfect, blameless sacrifice to take our sins. His perfect Christmas gift.

The Widow Prophetess

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Her heart pounding, she slipped through the passages quickly. Her steps quick and agile despite her age. She had been walking these passages for decades. Her husband had passed away only seven years into their marriage. Her life had been devoted to Him and serving in this very place ever since. The fastings and prayers left her mind and body aware and able. She knew only necessities not all the extra niceties. Nothing fussy about her. But this visitor stirred her to excitement and she couldn’t keep quiet. She straightened her dress and brushed in stray hair with her hand while humming under her breath a prayer of gratitude and anticipation.

She was a prophetess. Had God freed her heart for Him alone at the passing of her husband? She had to see Him. She had to share Him. Others needed to know Him. She had to tell them.

Thanksgiving on her tongue, she couldn’t keep quiet. The air was electrified by the very presence of this Little One. Did she reach out to touch Him? Was she given the opportunity to hold Him? She had been held by Him her whole life. And now she sees the tiny fingers and nose. The silky smooth eyelashes swooshing the air. What did those eyes see as they opened and closed. Was all creation still known and seen behind those round balls of light? Soft grunts of stretching because that body was a tight fight for One so great. The scent of heaven still on His skin.

This little body held the redemption of Jerusalem. She knew this. Like Mary, Simeon and Nicodemus, she had been listening and studying and knew the scriptures. She knew the world had been waiting on Him. She knew the world needed Him. And here He was. In the flesh. Within her reach. Behold the Lamb.

And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four *. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38 (NASB)

A man of the Pharisees

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Intrigue plagued his thoughts stealing his sleep. The Man had made a scene in the temple that day and His words pierced the soul. The images and words were on repeat in his mind. He couldn’t let them go. Who was this Man? He had to know.

Under cover of night, darting in dark places, he navigates the streets of the city. Everyone knows where the Man is staying. Word of His every move was the buzz of the time. A true viral sensation.

He has studied the Man. Not just the recent events that has caused the excitement, but he has studied the Man his whole life. He studied the prophets. He studied the lineage. He studied for knowing and recognizing when this Man showed up. Is this really the Man God? Is this really the Messiah?

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless * God is with him.” John 3:1-2 (NASB)

Obviously! The words. The mannerisms. The nature of His very being indicated this was not just another man. God doesn’t hide. But He does desire to be sought out. Nicodemus sought out the Man that night. He was drawn to Him. He knew where to find Him. I wonder if he had heard of that night the shepherds still remember? It was a few decades ago, but history lingers in the mind with some stories.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night, And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:8-18 (NASB)

This was one of those stories you just don’t forget. It was another night under darkness but illuminated in a most unusual way. Angels. And lots of them. Worshiping. I wonder if the sheep stayed in place for the urgency of the shepherds seeking the Child.

Like the shepherds, Nicodemus was seeking to know the Messiah. He had prepared. He expected the advent. He didn’t necessarily expect it to unfold in his lifetime. But was this it? Is the Man Word made flesh?

The private conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus led to a proclamation for the ages. Try searching for the most common Bible verse. I will wait here while you do.

Better yet, let me help you.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB)

He gave Nicodemus the keys. The answer. The very gift of eternal life. Himself. But did Nicodemus accept?

Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. John 19:39-40 (NASB)

The weight of the spices didn’t compare to the weight of the moment. His studies of the prophets being fulfilled before his eyes. The press on his chest too great to bear. He had met the Messiah early in His ministry on land. He kept up with the events of those years. He followed from a distance. 

He had to close the gap. He had to draw close one last time. The earthly vessel that had wrapped the Messiah had to be wrapped and laid to rest. In his priestly garb, he approached the shredded Man bearing the finest spices he could locate. Healing spices. The wounds were abundant. So he helped lay Him in the tomb.

I wonder if Jesus’ words were on repeat again in his mind? I wonder if he was the first one to memorize John 3:16? I wonder if the very night the words were spoken to him, if he returned through dark streets to write the words under the light of a lamp. He didn’t forget them.

He returned to the Man. He returned to seek Him as He was laid to rest. 

I don’t know the rest of the story of Nicodemus. I am not a Bible scholar. But I do know there are lessons to be learned from the interactions recorded about him.

He was intrigued by the Man. It caused him to seek Him out when it was not acceptable for him to do so.

He questioned some stuff. What did it mean to be born again? Did he learn that to die to self and sin was to be born of the Spirit believing the One True Son?

He was a seeker. He wanted more of what he had studied his whole life. He wanted more of the Messiah.

He took action. When, again inappropriate for his position, the messy task of picking up the slaughtered Lamb needed to be done, he was there. Even His closest followers weren’t on scene for this task. Their worlds had been shaken and they were left with wobbly knees. But not Nicodemus.

I don’t know but the Father does. I want to think Nicodemus believed. I want to think Nicodemus believed the Christmas story. That he believed the story told for all of time of the Savior of the world coming as a Child, born of a virgin, ransom for all sinners, all people, Redeemer. Messiah.

Old Man

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Simeon knew the time must be near.  He felt his age.  He had lived for this moment.  He knew he had to keep going so that he could see this Child. 

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Luke 2:26 (NASB)

And there, the moment arrived, the Child was there.  So much more than a child.

then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, Luke 2:28 (NASB)

For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Luke 2:30 (NASB)

Talk about an eye opening experience. Simeon had waited for this moment his whole life. Anticipation. Expectance. Preparation. Advent.

The salvation of the world. The promise fulfilled in flesh. The babe Messiah in his arms. 

This passage doesn’t reveal emotion in Simeon. Was it because the writer found it unimportant in such a reverential moment? I have emotion reading this passage. Makes me want to fall on my face but stand up and cheer all at the same time. Perhaps Simeon felt the reverence and moved gently and quietly, feeling fully the magnificence in his midst.

Was it because the old man just didn’t possess an emotional reaction because to him this was highly expected and the next right thing to happen in his life? He had prepared. He knew the role he had to play in this moment. His life and death depended on the arrival of the Child. And here He was.

The weight of the Babe in his arms. The weight too great to bear. Did the Babe hold Simeon more than Simeon held the Babe?

The words spoken over the Child amazed His parents. They both knew who He was but others did too? Why wouldn’t they? Shouldn’t the whole world know?

Word became flesh. Simeon could depart in peace.

Press On

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Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Philippians 3:12

Yes, I am still in the book of Philippians. I don’t want to leave it yet. I may have missed something. And I haven’t finished the instructions in the front of the book.

While taking a little professional exam many years ago, I learned that reading carefully is important. One missed word changes the whole context of a passage.

Here, in the book of Philippians, Paul has just listed his credentials. Go ahead and click on Philippians to read all of chapter 3. His point being, he was a rule keeper. He knew the law and kept the law and enforced the law. Before being met while approaching Damascus.

Jesus took hold of him. The light of that meeting was so bright it brought Paul to the ground. It blinded him for three days. He didn’t eat or drink during those three days. I think it is fair to say that when Jesus took hold of Paul, He wanted him to remember the meeting.

Paul remembered. Paul knew why Jesus took hold of him. The gospel message needed another speaker. So Jesus grabbed Paul on the side of the road and made an impression. Forever marked the former persecutor of the gospel message.

When Paul opens chapter 3, he makes no apologies for writing what seems like the same stuff as before. No apology needed, Paul. We get it. They probably got it. We are a hard-headed bunch that needs the message repeated.

I wonder if he, too, needed it to be repeated because of that meeting outside Damascus. It was one of those moments you just don’t want to forget. You really want to keep it on your mind because those are the things from which lives are changed.

He continues to press on. The full goal hasn’t been met. That taking hold is still taking hold. There is still more that needs to be done.

So I sit with Philippians open still. There may be more to press on for. There may be someone reading this that needs to be taken hold of by Jesus. I pray so.