God's Attributes

From the devotional, Be Still and Know 

   Infinite God is incomprehensible to finite man. It is impossible to understand all that God is and does. He is God. We are not. His ways and thoughts are higher than our own. We can ponder some of his attributes. 

   God is omniscient. He is the all knowing Creator. God laid the earth's foundation and set the constellations in their places. At the same time, he knows the number of hairs on our heads. Science only discovers what Creator God knew from the beginning. 

   God is omnipresent. He is everywhere. He sees all. We cannot flee from his presence. This is comforting when we feel alone yet sobering when we attempt to run from him. 

   God is omnipotent. He is all powerful. He spoke creation into existence. The sun rises and sets at his command. He is sovereign over life and death. God's power raised Jesus from the dead. 

   As we ponder God's attributes, we are compelled to place our trust in him. He alone is worthy.                                                               Psalm 139:1, 7, 13

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NOTES: Readers of THE CAPTAIN & THE HOST, if you missed Friday and Saturday, please scroll back and read those two pages, if nothing else. 

Also, we have changed the headline for Monday, Jesus' visit to Hades. We still include that mysterious event, found only in 1 Peter chapter 3. There is more than one interpretation by Bible scholars. Even if we understand it, Peter doesn't say for certain when this took place. 

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Tonight, 30,000 cardboard "fans" will watch the Super Bowl, free admission. None will social distance or wear masks or spread the virus, or know who won.  

      Jimmy

   

 Chapter 5

Paying My Debt  

As he waits for Jesus to be disrobed and laid on the wood, a husky soldier from Rome curses the day he was born. Friends had drawn seashore and other good deployments. Here he is, serving Caesar on the hill of the skull. "Aauuggh!"

   It's Friday. His hammer poised... 

   The centurion looks away ... Tormenter is amused ... Protector winces ...

   A large nail secures both feet ... feet once wet with tears of a repentant woman ... now wet with blood. Next, the cross piece. Blood squirts from a hand that held the symbolic cup at supper. 

This is my blood of the covenant.  (Mark 14) 

   Finally, the hand that welcomed children, and beckoned the weary to come for rest. Avoiding eye contact, the soldier positions a third nail and drives it through.   

They have pierced my hands and feet.  (Psalm 22)

   Hours pass. Fresh drops fall on dried blood. Jesus prays. 

Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they do. 

   Some - not all - priests and others revile him. "If you are the Son of God, come down and save yourself." 

I am scorned and despised by the people.  (Psalm 22)  

   Mary, John and a few others see him, and weep. Soldiers cast lots for his clothing, as prophesied centuries ago. 

I am poured out like water; my heart has turned to wax.  (Psalm 22) 

  It is finished. 

   Jesus gives up his spirit. 

   From top to bottom, an angel tears the temple curtain to expose the inner sanctuary. The Most Holy Place above will open to all who repent and believe. 

   The Host and all the assembly lie prostrate. Below, a soldier pierces the sacrificial Lamb of God to confirm his death. His sword also pierces Mary's soul. 

   God obliges lovers of darkness with a mid-day blackout. Earthquakes split rocks in two. A shaken centurion exclaims, "Surely this was the Son of God."  

   The written code has perished with the body. Good principles and human teaching lack value in restraining sensual indulgence. The body now being removed has served its divine purpose, blood accepted as penalty enough for the sins of the world. 

   

 

Who Will Believe?  

Assuming that scourging will satisfy the mob, Pilate orders guards to do it, while he retreats to wash his hands. 

   "No one will believe in him," Tormenter resumes taunting. "We planted religions and gods all over the world to appeal to mortals. Who will worship a god whipped by men?" 

   Pilate again coaxes Jesus to defend himself. "Don't you know I have the power to crucify you?" You have no power except that given you from above. Well. Only one person can be in control here, and it isn't the defendant. 

   Not one to inflict death on the innocent, Pilate seeks to release him. "Behold, your king!" Demons stir the crowd ... "Crucify him! Crucify him!" 

   Rome's standard of justice gives way to expediency. "Take him away." 

   He is now at the mercy of Roman soldiers. Foreign duty in this peculiar land is not their idea of choice assignment. They entertain themselves when they can. Pleasure and brutality coincide. 

Hail to the king   

   Soldiers replace his clothing with a scarlet robe, befitting a king. He waits while they gather thorny vines for a crown to press onto his head. They give him a reed for a staff, and bow before him. "Hail to the king." 

   A soldier grabs the reed and begins hitting him on his head. He spits in his face. Above, Prophet recalls prophecy that horrifically comes to pass.

He was despised and rejected by men.

Surely, he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows.

He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.

He was numbered with the transgressors.

Men loved darkness...because their deeds were evil.

   Several women in tears follow their beloved teacher toward a skull-shaped, rocky hill outside city walls. Don't weep for me, they hear him say, but for yourselves and your children. 

   The battalion is ordered to stand down. 

Tomorrow: Staining the rock red

       

Who Invited Them? 

While self-important men are interrogating the "Nazarene," demons seek to disrupt the 111th battalion. Stripped of all light, they are indistinguishable from their dark domain. 

   Their leader, known as Tormenter, speaks in the spirit of Goliath. "Why do you invade our world?" he barks. "Am I not a demon and you are servants of his majesty?" 

   "Choose your David and send him out to me. If he is stronger, we will become your subjects. If I overcome, you will turn your Captain over to us." 

   Angels will not disobey orders, but the distraction annoys them greatly. 

   "Are you going to let him die?" the demon provokes. "Who will care among ignorant mortals? Nobody will believe in him," he hisses. "Nobody!"  

   At that moment someone in the crowd spits in the face of Jesus. 

   Tormenter scoffs, "The chosen people crossed the sea on dry ground, and still we kept them in rebellion! Give them up. They are not worthy! Not one!" 

   The demon has a point, but nothing is impossible with God. Hostile leaders egg on the crowd, none of whom know what they are doing. Tormenter knows ... the Son of God can banish him with a single word.

   Among the battalion, Protector, in authority, is astonished to watch his Captain treated so. He desperately wants to act, but orders are orders. Having witnessed Lucifer's exile, he will trust God for the outcome. 

Who hit you?

   Religious leaders vent their outrage. This "blasphemer" who disrupted the temple business and called them "children of the devil" must be executed. His failure to defend himself ... and produce proof of his deity ... feeds their courage. 

   Men buffet his face, blindfold and tease him. "Prophesy, if you are the Son of God." 

   Enough. On to Pilate the governor. They need Rome to sanction the deed. Pilate addresses the beaten man, "Your own nation has delivered you. What have you done?  

   My kingdom is not of this world. I came into this world to bear witness to the truth. 

   "What is truth?" snaps Pilate, whose nation has no absolutes, except absolute power. Nevertheless, the governor does not find fault, nor did Herod ... nothing worthy of death. He appeals to the mob, "What shall I do with this Jesus?" If he thought reason would prevail, he heard only malice. "His blood be on us, and on our children!" 

   Protector is chagrined. Tormenter is satisfied, but he fears the Son of God will triumph still. 

Tomorrow: Senseless brutality

 Chapter 4

Testing the Teacher   

Having taught his disciples to pray, as a defense against temptation, Jesus exhorts them in the last hours. From the upper room to the olive grove...

   Torches and lanterns bear witness to danger. Shadows, silhouettes and flickering light paint darkened olive trees.

   Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? To the mob, he asks, Who is it you want? Jesus of Nazareth, they shout. 

   I am he, affirms the great I AM, while the Spirit's power sends them reeling to the ground. The Shepherd claims ownership of the sheep. Thieves and robbers come to steal. The Shepherd's teaching is accompanied by miracles. Miracles lead to debates. Debates threaten the status quo. 

   In righteous anger this week, he spilled tables of the money changers, and drove sellers out of the house of prayer. This trouble maker can be tolerated no longer. No one understands. The Shepherd's Way is to lose, in order to win. 

   Murder requires the authority of Rome. And the "trial" accomplished quickly, under cover of darkness. 

Disciples resist  

   Sunday, they will be transformed. This is Thursday night, and their response is worldly. Always impulsive, Peter draws a sword. Shall we strike? Without waiting for permission, he swings wildly, cutting off an ear of the high priest's servant. 

   Put your sword away. Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me? Never mind that Peter's master restores the ear. Soldiers and Jewish officials arrest the Nazarene and bind him.  

   Heaven's battalion is under orders merely to surround their Captain ... still in the flesh. It's an agonizing command. They don't fully understand the mystery of the ages. 

Tomorrow: They will be challenged 

Forsaken 

Perfect. Truth. Love. Holy. Glorified before the creation of the world, he chose himself for this. The moment has come. 

   He is the Good Shepherd. He presents himself as a sacrificial Lamb.

   He is the Light of the world. He takes on the mantle of darkness.

   If he suffers, will anyone care ... across the seas, across the centuries? 

   He had told the common people, If you have seen me, you have seen the Father. They were bent on making him king. Who can blame them? He is King Eternal isn't he?  

   The Father had introduced him: This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Tonight, he has given his Son a cup from which to drink. 

   Father, everything is possible for you; take this cup from me. 

   A shudder ripples through The Host. If the Father grants his request, warrior angels will rush to his rescue. For mortals - no mercy. No grace. No forgiveness. No reconciliation. No redemption. 

   Nothing defiled enters the gates of God's beautiful city. 

   "Son of man," Satan snarls, "What will it be? You who preached self denial. Can you deny yourself? You who taught them to turn the other cheek, what will you do when they strike you with their fists?"

   "You who taught your followers to lose their lives for your sake ... will you lose your life, for them?" The enemy presses in. "You who commanded, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind ... will you refuse his cup?" 

   "So, they are to love their neighbors and their enemies. Will you forgive those who are going to beat you, taunt you, mock you and nail you to the tree ... before the eyes of your dear mother?"   

   One thing remains. If Jesus cannot obey in all things, he can never ask anyone to obey anything. 

   Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done. 

   Quiet settles over The Host. Below, near the Mount of Olives, a band of rancorous men light torches and set out for the garden. 

Tomorrow: Judas knows

    

   

 Chapter 3

When Love Hurts 

His exceeding distress - undeserved. Blood oozes from his forehead. 

   From the beginning he had loved his own and taught them truth. His was and is the highest power, offered freely to the willing. Their kings mostly served themselves.

   His way is to teach, lead, feed and warn. Still, they rebel. Few understand. Few seek after him, except for healing. 

   The teacher's sadness...heavy...a vice like distress that leaves one weak. He is God and is with God, yet he once needed angels to minister to him. 

   He will not rule from a distant throne, but walks among men, sometimes hungry and thirsty, tempted on all points, but sinless, weeping not for himself but for them. For this, he is hated by those who should know what is written.   

   Had he not fed thousands, shown kindness to outcasts and healed a centurion's daughter? Didn't he give sight to the blind, calling attention to spiritual blindness? Hadn't he made the lame to walk, calling all men to walk with God? 

   If just one of 10 lepers returned to thank him, how many mortals will seek him when they don't see him? No matter. Into the mire he had come, with angels singing, Peace on earth good will toward men. 

Without a fight? 

   There will be no peace or good will in Gethsemane ... his hand-picked followers oblivious to the coming horrors of the night. His cousin - the greatest among men - has already been beheaded.  

   Stone-cut commandments had not won hearts. Quaking mountains and desert vipers left short memories. Parted waters and defeated enemies - oh, so yesterday. Prophecies come true, and prophets die. 

   The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the deaf hear and the dead are raised. But, teacher, you can't be from God. You are breaking our laws. 

   His soul is sorrowful, even unto death. Yes, offered a transgressor's death he drops to his knees, taking counsel with the Father one last time. 

   Above, The Host is frozen in silent grief. Is the Creator himself, their Captain, about to ... just lay it down? Without a fight? 

Tomorrow: Is there an alternative?