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I am “here.” But I look over “there.” “There” seems very appealing. I wish I was “there.” “There” seems to be better than “here.” I want to go “there.” So I set my mind to go “there.” I strive with all my strength and effort to get “there.” And finally I get “there.” But this is the problem when I get “there.” “There” is no longer “there.” “There” is now “here.” My point is that you never get “there.” There will always be a “there” because you are always “here.” If you never learn to be content “here,” you will never be content when you get “there.” Listen to these words from the … [Read More...]

Today we remember Jesus sacrifice on the cross. It is a somber day. We remember the pain, the grief, the suffering, the darkness, and the loneliness. As Jesus hung on the cross at that moment, he bore the weight of the sin of the world. Listen to these words from the prophet Isaiah, written 700 years before Jesus: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, ESV) He bore the weight. He was crushed for our iniquities. When you visit Rockefeller Center … [Read More...]

Today is Maundy Thursday. It is the day that Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. “And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” (Luke 22:19–20, ESV) First, he takes the bread. He gives it to the disciples and says to do this in remembrance. Another way to translate this is: “do this for my remembrance.” In other words, do this for God’s remembrance. That is … [Read More...]