What did we miss?

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Margaret

None of us likes to be interrupted in the middle of an important conversation. I remember a moment like that when 3 of us were having a discussion and a 4^th came in, striding up to our group.

“Hi, guys,” she said, disrupting the flow of ideas and forcing a subject change. It was the perfect example of being on two different wave lengths, and we stared at her while mentally trying to switch gears. We never got to finish the first conversation, and I fought resentment about that for a long time.

This morning in church our pastoral intern gave a thought-provoking sermon about the transfiguration. Stirred to learn more, I went home and studied the accounts told in 3 of the 4 Gospels.

On one side of the equation were Peter, James and John. On the other, Jesus, Moses and Elijah. The 3 disciples apparently recognized these Old Testament saints, in itself a miracle, and cautiously approached the 3 other-worldly conversationalists as a discussion was already in progress. Scripture doesn’t say if they overheard the words, but it does tell us what was being talked about: Jesus’ upcoming departure from the earth.

This was, most likely, an animated dialogue. Moses and Elijah might have been expressing joy in learning their Savior would soon be returning to paradise (where they lived), after 33 years as a human. Or maybe they were getting information about the upcoming crucifixion, mourning over the suffering Jesus might have been describing. Or they might have been learning of the resurrection. It’s probable they were all praying, too, since Jesus had told Peter, James and John ahead of time that that’s what they were going to do.

In any case, Peter interrupted this momentous conversation with an inane and inappropriate suggestion: “Let’s set up 3 tents so you can all live here indefinitely!”

I can just see Jesus, Moses and Elijah as they stopped talking and turned simultaneously toward Peter much like my friends and I did when we were interrupted. But unbeknownst to Peter, James and John, a very powerful 4^th person was about to enter the conversation: God the Father.

Scripture says that while Peter was still talking, God interrupted him. In a cloak of cloud so dense it frightened them, he forcefully silenced Peter by saying, “Listen to my Son!”

In other words, “Stop babbling, Peter! Don’t you realize the importance of this once-in-a-lifetime conversation? Hush up and listen!” God’s chiding was effective, and the 3 instantly (and silently) dropped face-to-the-dirt for the remainder of the event.

But what about that interrupted conversation between Jesus, Moses and Elijah? Had Peter ruined it for them? Did they ever get to finish it? And if Peter, James and John had quietly stood by listening in on that remarkable exchange rather than interrupting it, what might have happened next?

(…concluded tomorrow)

“While [Peter] was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’“ (Matthew 17:5)

Homeland Security

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Margaret

Traveling in and out of foreign countries can be tricky, and the best idea is to cooperate with those in charge. At official airport checkpoints, it’s wise not to speak until spoken to and then to give short, succinct answers. Forget the ad libs, the cute quips, the attempts to be friendly.

This morning as I left England, I was ushered through 3 airport security checkpoints by uniformed officials in search of eye contact and honest statements. As I waited in line, I worried about several things. Would they be irritated by the orange in my carry-on, since fruit in luggage is a no-no? I remembered being lectured long ago because a banana peel had been in my bag hours earlier. Its lingering scent won me a bag inspection.

Displaying my clear plastic quart-sized baggie with small gels and lotions in it, I approached checkpoint number two thinking I’d covered all the bases. Then I remembered the lip balm in my coat pocket.

Watching the woman in front of me get frisked and then endure a pocket check, I pictured myself in an empty room asking for one phone call. Thankfully I made it through that one, but while sitting at the gate, one more check occurred. Several men arrived with leashed dogs trained to sniff bags, encouraging them to walk slowly past each of us… twice.

I couldn’t wait to board the plane that was sitting just outside the airport window, the one with “American Airlines” written along the side. After feeling like airport officials had been searching for a way to exclude me, that airplane represented the end of judgments and the beginning of warm acceptance.

After I was finally buckled into seat 33A, the plane took off and flew across the entire Atlantic Ocean above a carpet of fluffy white clouds. That heavenly scene pulled my thoughts to spiritual judgment and the harsh exclusion I deserve because of repeated sins. What will it feel like to stand in front of Jesus with that kind of record? Although airport officials had a certain measure of power over me today, Jesus will have far more on that day.

But the glorious truth is that when I arrive in paradise at life’s final checkpoint, the Jesus in front of me will have already given me clearance because of arrangements made long ago when he took my rejection upon himself. And from everything I read in Scripture, when I stand in front of him, I’ll experience the warmth of an acceptance like I’ve never known.

Today at my very last checkpoint, the one inside in the United States, an immigration officer looked me in the eye and said, “Welcome home.” That felt pretty good, but when Jesus says it, it’s going to be downright spectacular, the ultimate in homeland security.

“Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.” (Romans 5:16)

Eagerly Watching

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Margaret

I’ve always loved being a mom. As a little girl I bonded with dolls and wished they’d come to life. As a 10 year old I named 8 children I hoped to have, and when I became a mother, despite the work load, it was my dream come true.

One day a girlfriend came over with her young children, and as our little ones played, we sipped coffee and chatted about how best to teach children about Jesus. Suddenly she said, “I’d be happy if Jesus came back to get all of us today.”

I said, “Oh, I hope not! Life is too good right now!”

Today, from my vantage point as a 60-something, I look back at my 20-something self and say, “How dumb can you be?”

Earthly life can’t possibly measure up to to heavenly life, and knowing the invisible Jesus can’t compare to relating face to face. It takes a leap of faith to accept these truths, since we have no frame of reference for what we read in Scripture about heaven. But I’ve bought into biblical truth 100%, leaning on it day-to-day, especially now in widowhood.

After Nate died, my longing for heaven shifted from, “It’ll be wonderful,” to “I can’t wait!” Though that change doesn’t directly mention a longing for Jesus, the truth is that Nate’s exit to heaven served to fasten my attention not only on his new home but also on the new and improved relationship he’s enjoying with Jesus. And in thinking more about that, my heart’s desire to meet Jesus has grown by leaps and bounds.

Even so, I’m challenged by the Bible’s statement, “You should eagerly watch for his return.” Surrounded by earthly matters, I’m not always “looking up” like I’m supposed to be. Am I anticipating Jesus’ coming as enthusiastically as I would look forward to a vacation or Christmas or even a friend’s arrival?

One of the lamps at my house has an interesting finial. It’s a tiny cat in a sitting position, purchased many years ago to represent the 5 cats our family has owned. The other day while cleaning, I noticed the cat was facing the window and the woods beyond, almost like she was watching for something. Though she isn’t real, I chuckled and thought, “Maybe she’s looking for the predicted snowstorm the rest of us are eagerly anticipating tonight.” I saw that little cat and couldn’t help but think how my gaze toward Jesus ought to be just that steady.

We have hundreds of things to think about each day that serve to push out thoughts of Jesus, but not to think of his coming at all is a mistake we’ll regret. Maybe I’ll use the cat as my reminder to “keep watching” for Jesus, at least in my heart.