"I Thirst"

Good Friday.
Tonight we will be having a Good Friday service at 7 p.m. This begins our series of "Easter weekend" services. Our Senior Pastor, Jim Hayford, has asked several of us to share on one of the final words of Jesus. The phrase that has been assigned to me is "I thirst". Maybe I've been dehydrated enough times as a distance runner to have some insight here! I believe that reflecting on the story of the cross and the sacrifice of Christ can transform a person's life. Take time this Good Friday to consider what a great price was paid for our peace. Here are my notes.

Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst”. "I thirst!" (John 19:28)

Imagine yourself for a moment at the foot of the cross. What you see there is horrific and also amazing. The man hanging there is still alive. He has endured extreme punishment with an indescribable courage, dignity and grace. You’re captivated by the person.

His mouth is dry, parched. Dehydrated from a night and a day of excruciating suffering. He makes known the fact that the life of His human body is beginning to ebb away. He utters two words to express His suffering: “I thirst”.

The one who promised that “Whoever believes in me will never thirst”, now thirsts Himself.

John’s Gospel says that He spoke these words “so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.” What was being fulfilled when Jesus spoke these words?

#1: He fulfills words spoken prophetically hundreds of years earlier. Psalm 69:21 says, “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.” This verse is literally fulfilled in this moment which gives us a glimpse of the extreme extent of the human suffering that Jesus experienced on the cross, for you and for me. Because of His suffering, we now know with confidence that He is acquainted with pain and the limits of human strength. No matter what injustice or affliction you or I might endure, we have a God who is empathetic and understanding. He is our advocate and our source of living water. He is the suffering servant: Acquainted with sorrow, pain and grief. He Himself thirst that we might never thirst again.

Secondly, it wasn’t merely physical thirst from which He was suffering. Forsaken by the Father, the Son of God also was expressing His longing for restoration to His Father also fulfilling Psalm 42:2 “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” The Son of God is forsaken by the Father and the Trinity experiences a rift for the first time in eternity. The Son, as He fulfills the need for a perfect sacrifice for sin is left thirsting for His Father.

Hanging on the cross, time passes slowly. His spring of living water runs dry. He reaches the end of his strength. “I thirst!”

Because of the cross, Jesus knows what suffering is.
Because of the cross, He knows what it is to thirst for peace with God the Father.
Because of the cross, He knows what you and I experience and face in this broken world.
Because of the cross, “Whoever believes in Him will never thirst again.”

Pastor's Luncheon This Week

KGNW is sponsoring a Pastor's Luncheon this week (on Thursday) and I'll be speaking at it. It should be fun and of course I could use some prayer! Someone emailed me the sound byte which I guess they're running on the radio.

Rialto Beach and Hoh River Valley and Rainforest

On Thursday night (March 13th) I began the long drive to the Olympic Peninsula, looking forward to hiking Rialto Beach on Friday. The rain seemed relentless during the drive over and as usual, it took much longer to get there than I had hoped. I had thought about tent camping that night, but it worked out much better to stay warm and dry by staying at a hostel near Forks. Although the place was rather unsanitary, the bed was warm and dry.

On Friday morning the sky was mostly cloudy but there blue skies were emerging. As I neared the beach I came across a large cow elk trotting up the road towards the beach. She seemed content to use the road for some time before making her way down to the river and swimming across to the other side.

I arrived at the beach at 8 a.m. (near high tide) with high surf but enough beach to begin the walk. The weather ended up being superb (mostly sunny, no wind, moderate temperatures). I was able to work my way North several miles, enjoying the beach, the scenery, several eagles and great scenery. I came to a “dead end” (thanks to the tide) just before the Chilean Memorial. I could have waited for the tide to go out, but instead worked my way back to my car before heading for the Hoh River Valley.

I hiked the Hoh River Valley trail for three miles in (to the creek/waterfall) and three miles out. It was raining in the rainforest as one would expect. The trail was washed out in two places during those three miles. It was a nice walk and made me hungry for a future hike to Mt. Olympus.

Ended up being a great day of exploration on the Olympic Peninsula. I took the long drive home and was able to see Seal Beach as well as beaches 1, 2, and 3. I saw 4 different herds of elk during the day as well.

To view all my pictures go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_messner/sets/72157604126172235/

Tested and Trapped

There had been a chance that I was going to preach this message this past weekend or this weekend. That didn't work out, but at the same time the preparation was good (for me). I got a lot out of this passage and I look forward to hearing from Pastor Jim this weekend when he shares from this passage. I thought I would share some of my notes with any bloggers who care to view some of my thoughts.

Read Genesis 39

When I read this story I discover that Joseph had a remarkable experience as a slave. On a positive note we discover the following:

The Lord was with him
The Lord gave him success
Joseph found favor
Joseph was promoted
The Lord blessed the household
The blessing of the Lord was on everything…

From this I learn that the Lord’s blessing does not depend on outward circumstances. I can be blessed and experience His favor even in the most unjust or difficult situations. I can be a blessing even when I want out of a situation. In fact, God may in fact want to bless those around us who are responsible for the hardships we experience. In spite of the favor of the Lord, Joseph's trials get worse.

First, Potiphar's wife comes after him. We don't know how strong of a temptation this was for Joseph, but we do know that she was being as seductive as she could be. When you look at your life, what are the seductive influences that you can identify? Financial management issues? The temptation to be a people pleaser? Misdirected emotional hunger? Destructive gossip? In our culture today we KNOW that temptation is an issue, but we rarely talk about it as a reality until someone "has a moral failure". Why is that?

Temptations knock on our door just as it did with Joseph.
What kept Joseph from giving in?
Joseph understood the source of the blessing of his life. View of God.
Joseph understood the nature of sin (that it is against God)
Joseph had a correct view of people (one of respect). View of people (Potiphar and Potiphar’s wife)
Joseph honored God
Joseph kept far from temptation (he refused to even be with her)

From this we learn that sin is tempting when we lose perspective. It grows strong when we misdirect healthy passions in unhealthy directions. Someone has said that sin is when we seek to fulfill legitimate desires through illegitimate means.

At the same time we must learn to "flee" temptation.
2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Learn to say “no”!
Understanding the nature of sin.
James 1:13-15 “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
Galatians 6:8 “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

Where are the men and women of integrity, character and purity in our society? Where are those who will humbly pursue holiness and stand up with integrity in the midst of an immoral and permissive world?
We are not immune to temptation and even if we overcome temptation there is the threat of accusation.
If you do things right will things turn out right for you? If you resist temptation and do all the right things? Not necessarily…But you will reap LIFE!
This story is not just about resisting temptation. It is an example of the fact that we can do all the right things and still wind up in jail.
Things don’t always work out in our favor.
The key is to experience God’s favor even when things don’t work out in our favor.

The key to success for Joseph was the fact that the Lord was with Him. Joseph’s latest promotion: goes from being a slave to becoming a prisoner. But, even as a prisoner:
The Lord was with him
The Lord showed him kindness
The Lord granted him favor
The Lord gave him success

Are we all imprisoned in some ways?
Ever want to escape?
Let's learn to discover the blessing in the middle of our traps and moments of powerlessness.

Don’t let cynicism get the best of you! Cultivate an unwavering optimism through God.

Need a laugh?

This is SO hysterical. If it doesn't come up when you click on the link, copy and paste it into the top bar. I usually don't "waste my time" with these kind of things, but this one is worth it.

Click here:

CAR ACCIDENT IN TEXAS... PRICELESS !!

If you don't listen to anything else today, l isten to this one. Turn up your sound and click on the website below. The accident occurred in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. This is a phone call from a man who witnesses the accident involving four elderly women. It was so popular when they played it on CHUM- FM, and they put it on their website. Just close your eyes and picture what he sees.

Creating a Missional Culture

The above link contains the Power Point from the workshop I taught today at the Northwest Christian Education Conference.