March 25, 2025

Journey to the Cross, Part 1–Pouring Perfume

As we prepare for Holy Week next month, my heart is tuned to the vignettes leading up to the most significant event in human history–the death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. Having been blessed to visit Israel five times over the last 10 years, I’ll try to boost the sensory, experiential journey of the sights, sounds, smells of Jesus’ journey to the cross and tomb. Throughout these weeks and through Holy Week, I’ll bring some of my reflections on the events of Easter.

What a week. What a Holy Week. Isn’t it amazing that the first half of the Gospel of John covers the first 33 years of Jesus’ life, and the last half covers one week?

Just six days before the Passover and Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus was invited to attend a dinner in Bethany in His honor, hosted by  Mary, Martha, and their resurrected brother Lazarus. Can you only imagine what a fun party that would be? For Jesus to have supper with Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead,  AND his two sisters?

“Then Mary took a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John 12:3 NIV.

What a beautiful, selfless, sacrificial gift Mary gave Jesus. Of course it was disciple Judas who complained that her gift to Jesus at the party was wasteful and too expensive. Judas was the treasurer and thief-disciple who would betray Jesus in just a few days.

When we give sacrificially some people don’t understand. Like Mary, we may looked at as “over the top” or “too much.” Jesus understood Mary and her heart.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended, that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me.” –John 12:7-8 NIV

Mary got it. She understood the message. Jesus had been trying to tell the disciples that He would die and be raised. (John  10:15-18).

Mary gave Jesus the most valuable possession she had. As we prepare for these weeks leading up to Easter, what valuable possession of yours are you willing to pour out for Jesus and His Kingdom? Whatever we give to Him, He gives much more back to us.

Stay tuned for Journey to the Cross, Part 2.

 Reflect:

–With whom can you relate the most in this stories–Mary, Martha, or Lazarus?  Please comment.

–What are you willing to sacrifice as a beautiful love offering for Jesus for Easter and for your whole life?

Renew:

–“Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘ Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’ ‘I tell you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.'” –Luke 19:39-20 NIV

Recharge:

–How may we live more deeply for Jesus and show love to others?

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February 4, 2020

HIS-Story in the Making: A Teaching from Ezekiel 20 in the First 5 Mobile App

Hi Friend,

I pray your 2020 is off to an incredible start.  Today I have a fun surprise. I’m blessed to do today’s Ezekiel 20 teaching in the Proverbs 31 Ministries First 5 Mobile App. Please check it out and be encouraged. God promises to restore and strengthen each one of us when we rely on Him.

Here is the easy hyperlink or you can read it below: https://app.first5.org/first5

Ezekiel 20:44 (ESV) “And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you for my name’s sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, declares the Lord GOD.”

I love history. I enjoy reading books about history, and when traveling, I make it a point to stop and read historical placards to learn about the city I’m visiting. History is vital for us to learn the roots of our stories, but the most important history, though, is God’s story — His-story — written in His Word. He writes all of history and is the Author of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

Israel’s history, like a historical placard, lures us to these spiritual roots, as outlined uniquely in Ezekiel 20. God weaves His-story throughout this passage, reminding the Israelites of their rebellious past and His future plans of restoration.

Israel’s Past Rebellion The historical timestamp in the first verse highlights the year of King Jehoiachin of Judah’s exile in 591 B. C. Ezekiel, who is about 25 years old, prophesies during a time of great confusion after the Babylonians’ exile of the young king. Then and now, prophets emerge in times of crisis to bring God’s message to His people.

Some of the elders of Israel sat before the prophet Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord three times, and God denies their requests. (Ezekiel 20:3) Throughout the passage, the elders of Israel are reminded of their nation’s rampant idolatry in three geographical places:

1. In Egypt (Ezekiel 20: 1-9) The Lord had promised to take the two million-plus Israelites out of Egypt into the Promised Land, “the most glorious of all lands” (Ezekiel 20:6).

2. In the wilderness (Ezekiel 20:10-26) The 40-year journey to the epic Promised Land should have taken 11 days (Deuteronomy 1:2) but was prolonged because of their rebellion.

3. In Canaan, the Promised Land (Ezekiel 20:27-32) Even after entering the Promised Land, the Israelites continued to rebel, (Ezekiel 20:28-31) just as we do today. Yet we see that while God initially rejected Israel’s inquiries, He promised future restoration.

Israel’s Future Restoration Our redeeming Lord promises to restore us as He did for Israel. After Israel’s history of continual sin, idolatry and rebellion, a hopeful pivot begins in Ezekiel 20:33.

The Lord declares with “a mighty hand and an outstretched arm” that He will pour out His wrath, be King over the Israelites and gather them from countries where they are scattered (Ezekiel 20:33-34).

As harsh as this language may seem, Israel is God’s chosen nation, whom He loves, protects and disciplines. (Deuteronomy 14:2; 1 Kings 10:9; Psalm 47:4; 135:4; Romans 11:1-2)

The key verse of today’s teaching declares from our God both His sovereignty and grace in the way He “deals” with us for His name’s sake, not according to our sin or our corrupt deeds. To emphasize God’s sovereignty, eight times within Ezekiel 20 the phrase“I am the LORD” or “I am the LORD your God” is repeated. God loves us; He wants the Israelites and us to know we are His.

As the Lord our God, He promises to restore and strengthen us. Even Ezekiel’s name appropriately means in Hebrew, “God will strengthen.” His name is perfect for a prophet proclaiming a message of uncompromising judgment and later a strong restoration for God’s sake, not Israel’s or ours.

Failure and judgment are not the end of Israel’s story or our story. Our redeeming Lord promises to restore us as He did Israel’s sinful history. May we receive this redemptive gift of Jesus today and let God write His-story in our lives.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for writing Your story and my life story so graciously. I confess idolatry and rebellion. You are the Great Redeemer. Thank You for loving me, even when I’m lost in rebellious sin like the Israelites. You are sovereign, merciful and mighty. Thank You for making Your story for Your glory and our joy through Your Son Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

More Moments:

Generation after generation, the Israelites had wallowed in the filth of idolatry and rebellion. When the elders inquired of God, He denied them because they still had idols in their lives and hearts. Read More

My Moment:

How have you experienced God’s mercy recently toward your own rebellion or idolatry? Write your redemptive story in the comments below.

November 17, 2015

Gratitude for the Beatitudes

It took my breath away. We stood in Israel on the Mount of Beatitudes at sunset, overlooking the Sea of Galilee.

Our hearing devices remained securely in our ears to listen to our tour guide’s historical information. Then it happened. We heard Lysa TerKeurst’s voice, accompanied by soft background praise music as Adam played the guitar. She invited us to walk down the Mount with her, toward the Sea of Galilee.

Then she did it. She read to us the Beatitudes and other passages from the Matthew 5, 6, 7’s  Sermon on the Mount as we followed quietly down the mountain.  My soul leapt with emotion.

Jesus’ “inaugural address,” the Sermon on the Mount,  is one of my favorite passages in all the Bible because of its sweet, practical application.

Mt. of Beatitudes

 

Journey with me, reading the Beatitudes, as we breathe in the Sea of Galilee. Imagine sitting on the sloping mount, listening to Jesus’ message:

“Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. ‘” –Matthew 5:1-16

My life verse. Matthew 5:16. Soul, be still. It was one of the most unforgettable moments of my life.

Lysa finished reading as we approached the bottom of the mountain. The path became rugged and dropped off quickly into a cliff. Lysa turned to help each of us down the cliff. Then we turned to help those behind us. All 130 of us made it safely down the Mount of Beatitudes. What a poignant picture of our faith.

Our journey to faith may not always be smooth. But God and the body of Christ are there to guide and help. May we always have gratitude for the powerful Beatitudes as we live out our mountaintop experiences.

Reflect:

–Which part of the Beatitudes and/or Sermon on the Mount can you relate to the most? Why? Please comment.

Renew:

–“In the same way, ‘let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” –Matthew 5:16 NIV.

Respond:

–How will you live out the Beatitudes this week?

Resource:

www.proverbs31.org

www.lysaterkeurst.com

 

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