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All of us go through dark times in our lives. Whether long or short, rare or common, a one-off or repeated, we endure scarily dark times of despair and despondency. How do we find light in the darkness? Let’s see how Luke found the brightest light in the darkest moment of human history in Luke 23:44-49.
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What happens the second after we die? That question troubles some Christians. Understandably, because it’s an experience we’ve never had before and there’s no one we can ask about it either. We leave behind all that’s known and familiar and enter the unknown and unfamiliar. But is it? Thankfully, in Luke 23:39-43, Jesus gives us a glimpse into that foreign world and although he doesn’t answer all our questions, he answers them sufficiently to look ahead to that moment with joy not fear.
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Some people weep for Jesus when they should weep for themselves. I remember when The Passion of the Christ was showing, lots of people were coming out of movie theaters crying. When interviewed about it, they were asked if they now believed in Christ. All said “No.” When asked if it would change their life, again they all said “No.”
What was going on there? Luke 23:27-31 explains how people can weep over Christ’s suffering but not over the sins that caused it.
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Persecution is puzzling. Why do people hate Christ and Christians so much? If there’s one thing our divided world is united on, it’s hatred of Jesus and his followers. Why? Why do they hate us so much? Far more than any other religion, far more even than the worst criminals. Non-Christians, both religious and secular, differ on a thousand points, but agree on one point: we hate Christ and Christians. “But why?” If we could figure it out, it would be somewhat easier to bear. If we could see some reason for their persecution, we would have a reason for our suffering. Why do people hate Christ and Christians so much?
In Luke 23:8-16, we see two enemies become friends in their persecution of Christ. Let’s see if we can find some clues to their hellish unity.
Comfort is conquering cost. As our culture becomes more emotional than logical, and more focused on feelings than facts, marketing and advertising consultants are recommending that brands appeal less to the lower cost of their products and more to the greater comfort they offer. People want higher comfort more than lower cost.
Although the verb ‘to comfort’ is derived from the Latin word comfortare, which means ‘strengthen greatly’ or ‘strong together,’ its present use is more about feeling good rather than feeling strong. When we look at the biblical use of ‘comfort’ we find both meanings (feel good and feel strong), but it’s more frequently ‘feel strong’ than ‘feel good.’ That has consequences for our view of God because God is described as ‘the God of all Comfort” (2 Cor.1:3-5), and the Holy Spirit is frequently referred to as ‘the Comforter.’ So, how does God comfort us in uncomfortable times? How does he strengthen us greatly? How does he make us feel strong and good? Daniel 12 is an example of God’s comforting his uncomfortable people.
I had a terrible high school experience. I could write a book about it, but it would be R-rated. I try not to think about it too much. However, a few months ago, I let my mind return to that awful time and the one teacher there who changed my life for good. His name was Alec McVake and he was my PE teacher. He was tough but tender. He pushed us hard but he also pushed us on. I was in awe of his soccer skills and loved his coaching. I looked up to him so much, and admired his strong but gentle character.
I checked up the school website recently and, although it’s now 37 years since I left high school, he’s still teaching there. I couldn’t find an email address, but I sent a message to the school admin expressing how much I owe to him and asked the school admin to pass it on. I doubt it ever got to him, but I wanted to try and let him know how thankful I was for his example and kindness to me in the midst of a violent and abusive school culture. He changed my life. In fact, in some ways, he kept me alive.
Who’s the best teacher you’ve ever had? When we’re still at school, we’ll usually say the best teacher was the funniest, or the friendliest, or the most easy-going, or the one that gave least homework.
As we get older, and look back on our schooling, our answer to this question often changes to the teacher who changed our lives most. Maybe it was a teacher who pushed us to realize our potential, or who disciplined us away from bad attitudes or actions, or who inspired our interest in a life-changing subject, or made us look at the world in a whole new way, or helped us spiritually? Whoever and whyever, we feel deep gratitude for their influence upon us and we want to live up to their legacy.
But however much Mr McVake changed my life, no teacher changed my life more than Jesus. He’s taught me more than I’ve ever learned in my academic studies. What kind of teacher is Jesus? What makes Jesus such a special teacher? John 1:35-46 gives us three reasons, although there are many more.