by Kevin Tillman | Apr 10, 2025 | Bible Study, Theology, Thoughts
It’s the single most important week in all of history. We call it Holy Week or Passion Week. It’s the last week of the life of Jesus. Approximately thirty percent of the gospel accounts are focused on this one week. The gospel of John dedicates over forty percent to this final week, including give chapters on just one night. It is obviously a very important week. Assuming the earth is about 6,000 years old, there have been approximately 312,000 weeks throughout history. This one week stands above them all. No other week in human history holds more weight.
This blog can be read in it’s entirety, or it could be broken up daily over the Holy Week. It’s a day-by-day guide of Jesus’s final week. It’s the Road to Resurrection!
Sunday
Palm Sunday was the point of no return. The palm branches line the pathway as the King enters. The palms are symbolic of victory. The victorious king is coming through. But, can you imagine the crowd when Jesus enters on a donkey? The mighty king, the victorious one is riding through town on the lowliest of animals. Jesus is coming in peace and humility. The intentional entering of Jerusalem on the donkey was a fulfillment of prophecy from Zechariah 9:9. The large crowds in town for the annual Passover were now openly proclaiming Jesus as their king (and not Caesar). The Pharisee leaders instruct Jesus to deny his claims as the messiah … but Jesus refuses. The Holy week begins with a resolute and determined Savior!
Monday
It’s Monday the day after Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and he wasted no time. Matthew 21:12-13 says: Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, ” ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’ ” Make no mistake Jesus was on a mission. First, he triumphs into Jerusalem proclaiming to be the Messiah. Now he is further sealing his own fate … actually, his destiny. He knew what he was doing as he continues boldly to the cross!
Tuesday
It’s Tuesday and the crowds have gathered at the temple to hear what Jesus had to say. Could he continue to match the fireworks of the past two days? On Sunday he boldly rides into Jerusalem proclaiming to be the King of Israel, the long awaited Messiah. On Monday he confronts the money-changers in the temple. On Tuesday he continues his boldness and resolve. He begins with three parables. All three are scathing rebukes of the religious leaders. He even goes so far as telling them, “…the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.” The religious leaders are furious, the Roman officials are nervous, but the people are listening. Still trying to trick him, they ask Jesus about giving to Caesar. They believe there is no way he can answer the question without upsetting his followers, but Jesus cannot be tricked. Forget all preconceptions you may have of a meek, mild mannered Jesus. It’s Holy Week and our Savior is boldly walking to the cross and confronting the establishment on the way. It’s Tuesday and the final scene is being set!
Wednesday
It’s Wednesday and it’s the calm before the storm. Wednesday of the Holy Week is sometimes referred to as silent Wednesday. Jesus and the disciples were likely resting before the upcoming feasts. What we do know is the religious leaders had been silenced by Jesus on Tuesday. They even made the decision to not ask him any more questions (Matthew 22:46). On Wednesday the who’s who of religious leaders called a secret meeting at the home of Caiaphas (the high priest). Many scholars believe it was on this day that Judas agreed to the terms for selling out Jesus. The religious leaders were angry and conspiring, but little did they know that they were about to carry out God’s redemptive plan. It’s silent on Wednesday, but the storm clouds are gathering. The most important event in history is a mere two days away!
Thursday
It’s Thursday and not just a normal Thursday. This day is full of activity. The day might have started calmly, but things definitely got busy as the evening hours came. The first part of the day would have been final preparations for the Passover celebration that was to happen that night. This is something they had done every year with great celebration, reverence, and remembrance. Little did they know that this Passover would be different. A great deal is written on this one night. An evening celebration meal suddenly turned when Jesus proclaimed that one of those in the room would betray him. He then continued the Seder meal with the disciples, which included the traditional breaking of the bread and sharing of the cup. However, a new and deeper significance was being instituted by Jesus. This tradition that had been practiced for centuries on Passover was now taking on a new symbolism. After the dinner the disciples and Jesus journeyed to the Mount of Olives, and then went a short distance to the Garden of Gethsemane. Alone in the garden, while the disciples fell asleep, Jesus had a passionate prayer to His Father. One last time Jesus submits to His Father, “Not my will, but Yours be done”. An interesting side note is the meaning of “Gethsemane”, which means “oil press”. Located near the Mount of Olives, it was here that the olives were pressed to create olive oil. When olives are pressed they initially ooze out a blood red color before turning into the green color we are so familiar with. the olives have to be pressed with extreme pressure until the oil is forced out of their pores. Throughout history oil has been used to anoint royalty, prophets, or priests. Biblically we see it used as a healing agent. Jesus could have had this final agonizing prayer anywhere, but the place of choosing was right here at the “oil press”. The Bible doesn’t make mistakes! Judas does return and does betray Jesus. Jesus is arrested and sent before the Sanhedrin court immediately. They wanted this trial as quickly as possible, and they weren’t concerned about a fair trial. Jesus is alone in the basement prison cell at the home of Caiaphas. All of the disciples had scattered and hid in fear of their own lives. Peter followed from a distance to try and see where Jesus was taken, but even he denied Jesus that night a total of three times. A long day is coming to an end. What started with celebration has completely turned into a catastrophe. And now, the stage is set for the next day, the day that changed everything.
Prepare. Upper room. Wash. Cleanse. Feet. Passover. Meal. Share. Laughter. Celebration. Who is greatest? Betrayer departs. Love each other. Farewell. Helper is coming. One with Father. The Cornerstone. Vine. Branches. Body. Broken. Blood. Poured out. Bread. Wine. Remember me. Glorify me. Peter prediction. Garden. Sorrow. Darkest hour. Struggle. Watch. Prayer. Cup pass from me. Not my will. Your will. Asleep. Watch. Pray. Your will. Lonely. I will. The hour has come!
Friday
It’s Friday … it’s late at night. Jesus spent the previous evening with his disciples. He then goes to the garden to pray. In the darkness of night, a great crowd armed with swords led by Judas approach Jesus. Jesus is arrested, and from here escorted to a series of “trials”. While Jesus endures false testimony, physical abuse and ridicule, Peter had followed at a safe distance. While in the courtyard of Caiaphas’ palace, Peter three times denies he knows Jesus. As the rooster crows, he is reminded of Jesus’ prediction of this denial. When daylight comes Jesus is taken before Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea. Though the Sanhedrin and Jewish leaders had already found Jesus guilty, a death penalty could not be delivered without approval by the Roman government. Pilate wanted nothing to do with Jesus. He didn’t care about the theological accusations from the Jewish leadership. He didn’t see a reason to convict Jesus. Looking for a way out, Pilate remembers the custom of releasing one prisoner during Passover. Pilate gives the people a choice between Jesus or Barabbas, a known violent criminal. Surely the people would choose Jesus. The people had a choice: release Jesus the Christ or Jesus Barabbas (yes his name was also Jesus). The name “Jesus” is from the Hebrew name Joshua, meaning “salvation”. “Barabbas” is a hellenized version of the Aramaic “bar abba”, or “son of the father”. So, the people had the choice of Jesus “son of the father” and Jesus “son of the FATHER”. They chose Barabbas, choosing this world over Jesus. The Bible doesn’t make mistakes! After the “trials” Jesus was beaten and tortured. Jesus is hung on the cross around the 3rd hour (about 9am). On the 6th hour (around noon) darkness covers the earth. This is the same time that lambs were traditionally slain for the Passover Sabbath dinner! The Bible doesn’t make mistakes! On the 9th hour (3pm) Jesus proclaims “It is Finished!”. An earthquake occurs, and the veil that separated the Most Holy Place was torn, a place that only the High Priest had entered once a year to make a sacrifice for the sins of the people. The veil is now torn, access is granted. The once-for-all sacrifice has been made. The world is dark, Jesus is dead.
Saturday
It’s Saturday … Jesus is dead. His closest followers are in hiding. The tomb is guarded. All hope is gone. They have followed him for three years now. They believed he truly was the long-awaited Messiah. They have seen him perform miracle after miracle. But now, it’s over. Hope has been crushed. Two thousand years later we ask how they could feel like that? Didn’t they listen? Where is their faith? Don’t they know what’s coming tomorrow? The truth is, we all live in “Saturdays”. This whole world, our whole life in some ways, is a “Saturday”. It’s the day that’s nestled between the miracles of the past, and the unknown of the future. It’s the silent day where nothing seems to be happening. It’s the day where hope seems like a distant memory. Not much is recorded in the Bible about this day. We know that guards were sent to the tomb. We assume Jesus’s followers were in hiding, because that is where they are Sunday morning. I guess this is much the same for us. Not much is recorded on the “Saturdays” of our lives. They are the hard days, the doubt-filled, hopeless days. “…Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5). So, it’s Saturday, what do we do? We wait … wait … wait …
Sunday
It’s Sunday … Jesus’ followers were devastated. I imagine them to be sleep deprived. Anyone that has ever lost a loved one knows the pain and challenge of grief. It has now been two sleepless nights, and their world has fallen apart. Sunday starts early. Several women, led by Mary Magdalene, desire to give Jesus’ body a proper anointing in keeping with Jewish customs. This traditionally would have been done before burial, but because of the start of the Sabbath at sundown on Friday, Jesus was buried quickly. So, the women make their way to the tomb with oil and spices in hand. Upon arriving, there are no guards, the large stone that sealed the entrance was moved, and then … the empty grave! Mary Magdalene was very upset and immediately rushed to tell Peter and John that the body of Jesus had been moved. The other women, however, remain at the tomb and are told by an angel that Jesus was alive! The women go to tell the men the good news, but their story is not first believed. The men consider the news initially to be “nonsense”. Mary Magdalene returns to the tomb, and this time encounters Jesus himself! It wasn’t until that evening that the disciples truly believed. They had dismissed the women’s testimony. Even Peter and John after going to the empty tomb simply “returned to where they were staying.” John tells us he saw the empty grave and “believed”, but then immediately confesses that neither he or Peter understood the prophecy of Jesus rising from the dead. But that night, it all changed! Ten of the disciples were hiding in a home in Jerusalem. They were scared, and they were tired. Then suddenly, Jesus enters the room! Sunday started hopeless, but now hope has entered the room … Hope, that is the message of Jesus … everything changes when hope enters. Jesus is my hope. Jesus is your hope. He is alive! He is alive! He is alive!
by Shannon Tillman | Nov 13, 2023 | Theology
I like the basic movie plot of the good guys win and the bad guys lose. I despise dramatic twists and turns that do not end up with the good guys on top. I hate when the movie character I like the best somehow dies saving others. I am not alright with that. I want all the good guys to have the happy ending and all the bad guys to face justice.
I think my good guy/bad guy movie ending struggles with a particular verse in Psalm 37:
…people succeed in their ways,
…they carry out their wicked schemes. (Psalm 37:7b)
What? Wicked schemes succeed? Evil plans prevail? God basically tells us to know that this will happen at times. It is not that the bad guys have a day in their favor, but they actually succeed! The enemy wins! I want to rewrite the script!
Yet, I know that we have all experienced this at times. There have been moments when evil won, the wicked got their way, the demons celebrated. We are left with the questions of why a good God allowed the bad guys to win. It leaves us feeling disappointed, disillusioned, and downcast.
The Lord knew there were times that this would happen in all of our lives. That is why He gave us a five-step process to help us in these times.
Be still before the LORD
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
(Psalm 37:7-8)
1. Be still
When evil attacks, we want to come up with our own plan of defense. Yet, we are told to be still. Rest. It is time to come before the Lord. Stop rehearsing the enemy’s attacks. Quit complaining and slipping into self-pity. Silence the negativity. Instead, sit before the Lord and focus on who He is. We are not to maneuver in our futile attempts to take care of ourselves. We are to invest our time with the only One who can truly help.
2. Wait patiently
We want things done on our timetable. We want resolutions now. We want the enemy destroyed in this instant. But the Lord tells us to wait. Hold on. His timing is His timing. This can only take place after we have been still before the Lord. It builds our trust in His character. Because we know that God is good, God is for us, and God loves us; we can wait on His timetable to intervene in our difficult situations.
3. Do not fret
Stop worrying for it enlarges the focus on the enemy and minimizes the focus on God. We need to keep our eyes on the Lord. That is why we are to be still and to wait patiently. Worrying will not alleviate our suffering. Instead, it consumes our time and energy rehearsing the “what ifs” of the situation.
Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matthew 6:27)
Worry does not add to life, but takes away. This is part of the enemy’s strategy. He already has attacked us with the situation. If we choose to worry about our circumstances, the enemy knows he can steal even more from us mentally, emotionally, and physically. This keeps us from our source of strength which is staying before the Lord. Worry puts the enemy’s situation before us instead. Stop the worry. We must refocus our minds and emotions on the Lord.
4. Refrain from anger
What happened was wrong. It was unjust. But the anger towards the situation does not change our circumstances. The anger depletes us and does not change the events. God is just. He knows what happened are “wicked schemes”. However, if we continue in our anger, we have the potential of doing evil ourselves and hurting others. The anger builds and often comes out in different ways, and sometimes erupts on others who are not even involved. Then the enemy receives more out of the situation than the original wrong because we stooped down to his wicked level. Refraining from anger protects us from contributing to even more evil.
5. Turn from wrath
When we do not refrain from anger, it will eventually grow into wrath. We want to punish those who have done wrong to us. We feel justified in our pain to harm others. However, wrath is never to be our response. We are not called to inflict our idea of justice.
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)
The only wrath allowed is God’s wrath. He is good, perfect, righteous, and true. Allow Him to judge. We are not called to be an instrument of His judgment. If we do, then we have sinned. Our sin has not made room for God’s wrath so the Lord will not intervene. It is when we obey and do what is right, then the Lord will move on our behalf.
For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. (Psalm 37:9)
When we are still, wait patiently, refuse to worry, refrain from anger, and turn from wrath; we demonstrate our hope in the Lord. God has promised that the evil will be destroyed and those who hope in Him will inherit the land.
Whatever difficult situation we are going through, we must hold onto this promise. God will act on our behalf. Evil will be dealt with. We will inherit the land. In other words, our situations will be worked for good and made right.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
God will work this for our good. Keep hoping in Him. His version of a “movie” ending is always God wins and the enemy is defeated! That is my kind of story!
by Kevin Tillman | Sep 11, 2023 | Theology
“It always startles me that the disciples never said to Jesus, “Lord, teach us to preach.” They heard the greatest sermon ever preached by the greatest man that ever lived, the Sermon on the Mount, and yet not one of them ever said, “Lord, teach me to preach.” They never said, “Lord, teach us to do miracles.” They did say, “Lord, teach us to pray.” And I’ll tell you, if there’s any prayer that needs to be prayed in the church of God today, as far as I’m concerned, it is, “Lord, teach us to pray.” – Leonard Ravenhill
Prayer is likely the most agreed upon spiritual discipline. You will not meet a believer anywhere that doesn’t believe in prayer. It crosses denominational lines. Everyone knows of prayer’s importance. But, do we REALLY believe in prayer? Before I’m considered a heretic, I think it’s a valid question. Do we really truly believe that we have a seat at the Holy of Holies and that the Creator of the Universe is listening to us and talking to us? Once again, I believe most Christians intellectually answer the question with an emphatic “yes”.
But here’s the million dollar question: Why don’t we do more of it? I mean, if we honestly believe in prayer, shouldn’t that be our ultimate pursuit. It was for Jesus! As Ravenhill stated in the quote, this was also the desire of the disciples. They could have asked for help in the miracles, healings, or preaching. But, no, they wanted to learn how to pray. “Lord, teach us to pray”. That was their desire.
I believe there are a multitude of reasons that we don’t pray more. If you’re still reading this blog, hang with me. This is not meant to be a feel guilty session. Not at all! Take this as an encouragement to seek the deeper things of the faith. Prayer is the secret, it’s the life-giving ingredient in the Christian life.
So, what are some of those oppositions to prayer?
- Spiritual Warfare – Yes, it’s real. Yes, there are forces that we cannot see. Just as real as the device in your hand now, or the computer you are staring at, is the spiritual realm surrounding you. When you “get serious” about wanting to pray, you better believe there will be opposition. Have you ever sat down to pray or study your Bible, and then suddenly every single thing on your to-do list from the last decade comes back to you? It’s happened to me. Ever had a moment to yourself, then suddenly the phone rings? It’s happened to me. Yes, Spiritual Warfare is real. Here’s the answer: Pray anyway.
- “It’s Boring” – no Christian is going to say this out loud. It sounds like heresy. But, we all know it’s been thought. The truth is, the sentiment has some merit. Why? Because some of our praying has been boring. Anyone reading this old enough to remember the old-school prayer meetings? The intention was good, but man, that was a long hour of listening to everyone’s ailments and then naming them out loud one by one. Oh, we mentioned some missionaries as well, but that was about it. To overcome “boring”, I think we need to be reminded of what prayer actually is. It’s not just a list of things we need done (though that’s not wrong to pray). But, it’s more. It’s having a seat at the table with God Himself. Prayer isn’t just petitions, prayer is relationship. It’s not just talking, it’s also listening.
- Lack of Belief. This one needs to be said, because it’s unfortunately the case. Despite being talked about and promoted, at the deepest part of many Christians, there is a lack of belief in prayer. Once again, no Christian would admit this, but if we truly believed, wouldn’t we be doing more of it?
- Busy Schedules. I get it, you get it. Life is busy. Deadlines, expectations, and unexpected crisis are a part of life. Could it be that distraction is still one of Satan’s greatest and most-used ploys? I believe so. A distracted Christian is a non-effective Christian. Ouch, that was strong! Our power, our effectiveness comes from our prayer life. The fruit we bear has a direct correlation to the amount of prayer we have.
- Last Resort. Much like lack of belief is the thought of “well if all else fails, let’s pray”. NO! Pray first, pray last. Pray!
Prayer is without a doubt the most talked about discipline in Christianity, but in my opinion, likely the least practiced. Prayer is also I believe the single most important of all the spiritual disciplines. I know there may be some push back on that statement. I mean Bible reading is important as well right? Well yes, I won’t disagree. But, how deep is our understanding of the Word of God without prayer? Didn’t the Bible instruct us to ASK the Holy Spirit it to teach us? Once again, not picking a fight here, Bible Study is important, but so is prayer.
As a long time Christian, a long time church-goer, and someone that’s been in the ministry for 34 years now (geez I’m old) … I believe I still need to learn more about prayer. “Lord, teach me to pray”. I hope that is your heart cry as well. I want to end this blog post for those of you still reading with a statement that might ruffle a few feathers. It’s not meant to be controversial, but it is meant to be challenging. I really believe we have given way too much lip-service to prayer, and not enough actual prayer. We’ve modeled that in every area of Christianity. Prayer time in the home is relegated to a quickie before meals. For the super spiritual, there’s the night time prayers. But still, is that enough? In our services, we pray, but it’s in many cases the opening hello, and the closing good-bye. Can I remind us all that Jesus himself that my church is to be a “house of prayer”. He didn’t say cool music, deep preaching, fellowship, or anything else. Jesus said a “house of prayer”. Don’t worry, I’m not saying singing and preaching are bad. The Bible calls for that as well. But, shouldn’t prayer be given more than just at the maximum 5 minutes per service?
Here’s my line in the sand. By the way, many of these blog posts I’ve posted were written months ago, and scheduled for posting. Not this one. I’m typing this late on a Sunday night, and it’s posting on Monday morning. This is truly where I’m at in my walk right now. Going forward, my life and my ministry will be prayer centered and prayer focused. If God gives me another church position, it will be with prayer at the core. Staff meetings will be a lot of praying, and yes, still some planning. Services, will be preaching and singing, but a lot more praying. No matter what, my life is going to be a great deal more praying.
As the days get darker, and the times seem heavy, I encourage you to take this challenge as well. Call out to God with me, “Lord, teach us to pray”!
by Kevin Tillman | Aug 28, 2023 | Theology
“A religion, even popular Christianity, could enjoy a boom altogether divorced from the transforming power of the Holy Spirit and so leave the church of the next generation worse off than it would have been if the boom had never occurred. I believe that the imperative need of the day is not simply revival, but a radical reformation that will go to the root of our moral and spiritual maladies and deal with causes rather than with consequences, with the disease rather than with symptoms.”
A.W. Tozer
This A.W. Tozer quote is from 1959, but it’s even more relevant today. Church we don’t need “old-time religion”. We need radical reformation! What does this mean? What does this look like? I believe Christianity in America for many years has been focused on the “consequences” and the “symptoms” as Tozer called them… Even in my own church background we have often focused on righteous living, on the externals of the faith… we fix the visible sins and we ACT like people of God. The problem is that this is completely external. As a group of people (a church) begin to do this, it becomes the norm. It then becomes “group think”. We slowly develop a false theology and a false thinking. We equate our righteous living to a movement of God, when in actuality, it is just our own attempts to live right. This is not far from the lives the Pharisees lived. We give them such a bad name in sermons, but in actuality the Pharisees were very “righteous” guys. They lived outwardly very devout lives. Why do we condemn them? Because they were missing the point. That is what my fear is for the American church. The “disease” that Tozer mentions is us I believe. It’s not unrighteous living, it might even be righteous living. It is us depending on our own abilities rather than a complete transforming work by the Spirit of God. So, what am I looking to happen? I’m not sure exactly to be honest.. but it involves the word “more”… I just hear stories of supernatural movements of God happening all around the world… things that cannot be explained any other way than simply saying “God did this”… That is what I’m looking for! How do I (we) get there? I think we have to start with a discontent with status quo Christianity first.. We have to not settle for simple religion… Just because it has been done this way for the last however many years, and just because it is the norm all around us, doesn’t necessarily make it authentic…. More – that’s what I’m looking for!
by Shannon Tillman | Aug 21, 2023 | Theology
It was not supposed to be a big deal. It was not a hurricane, just a series of storms. Yet for the first time that I recall, they closed the road out of my grandparents’ neighborhood. I was trapped. All I could do was wonder about how my place was faring in the bad weather. I was stuck for over 24 hours. As I made my way carefully back home, I discovered that my entire house flooded. Every room had somewhere between eight to twelve inches of water. I found out later that the pump across the street stopped working. The backed-up drains caused water and sewer to pour into the house. The stench was unbearable.
I lost almost everything I own.
As I dug through the remains of what were once my valuables, I was reminded of my family’s favorite song, Blessed be Your Name by Matt Redman:
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
I felt the Lord say, “Shannon, you sing this song but will you live the lyrics?” I looked in the faces of my family, who had just arrived for a vacation in “sunny Florida”. They were now helping me go through a mess of sewer water-stained items, attempting to salvage what could be saved and documenting what was lost. This was my opportunity to live what we love to sing. I reviewed the story of Job with my little niece and said, “God is still good. We will trust Him. Job lost everything, but I still have you. Job praised God and said, “The Lord gives and takes away, blessed be the Name of the Lord. We shall do the same.”
It is not easy. We cried over the Christmas ornaments which I had received every year since birth from family members. They used to decorate my tree with their bright colors but now some of them looked more like mush. The most painful part was the prayer journals and Bible studies that I had saved since I was in junior high. The blurred pages blurred more with my tears as my hopes to pass them on were literally washed away. Some of the pictures from over the years were now stuck together and others had smeared leaving blurred images where once smiles reminded me of better times. The items brought back a host of memories, which is all I have left, since most of them will be placed into the dumpster.
I recall a book I read called Fear No Evil by Brady Boyd, a pastor in Colorado. (I would directly quote the book for you, however, the book is now in the trash and I will not go dumpster diving in sewer water stuff!) Pastor Boyd discussed with his church that he would no longer sing the lyrics of worship songs unless he could honestly attest in his heart that he was living them. How often I have just freely sang without truly living the message behind the words! I no longer want to do so.
In the midst of sewer water, in the midst of the stench, in the midst of loss, I will join with Job who:
…arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.
(Job 1:20-22)
Yes, Lord, blessed be Your Name…even in sewer water!
by Shannon Tillman | Jun 26, 2023 | Theology
My grandmother and I were sitting in a doctor’s office when I saw Jesus. I did not actually witness Jesus dressed in a white robe and wearing some cool sandals, although I did see a lady wearing rope sandals which I could not imagine how they could be comfortable. No, the “Jesus” I saw was a woman wearing non-flattering scrubs with tennis shoes. But she did remind me of Jesus.
It all began when an elderly lady was wheeled from a nursing home van into the lobby. She looked to be well over a hundred, wearing her Mumu and sporting comfortable slippers (I wish I knew the woman’s age. I would like to find out when I can wear slippers out of the house and no one thinks it is out of place.) She was brought in and set in a space that would accommodate her wheelchair. She just sat with her eyes closed, not making a sound. The worker from the nursing home went to sign her in and complete paper work. Upon finishing the tasks, the nursing home attendant went and sat by the elderly lady in the wheelchair. The worker gently put her hand on the woman’s arm. The woman in the wheelchair blinded by age, smiled and said, “I did not know anyone was with me.” She seemed so appreciative to have someone nearby and asked, “Who are you?” The worker in the scrubs and tennis shoes simply answered, “It’s me, Sam.” The elderly adult smiled and responded, “Oh, Sam.” And then she began to chat happily with the attendant she obviously knew well.
Tears came to my eyes at the tender exchange. My mind flooded to times in my life when I felt alone, physically unwell, confused, disoriented. But suddenly my heart would feel a gentle touch followed by inaudible words, “It’s me, Jesus.” As I am reminded by His presence I can smile and share my heart, my burdens with Him for I am not alone. No, I cannot actually see Him, but just like the woman in the wheelchair, to know someone who cares for you is with you, it makes the difficult circumstances easier to bear.
He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I forsake you…
Hebrews 13:5b
I have heard this verse so often that I forget the wonder of it all. The Lord God Himself is with me. He encourages, strengthens, comforts, rejoices, mourns with me. I am not alone. This verse is quoted without context so often that we may forget the purpose of why it was shared with us. Jesus wants us to know that He is always with us so
…that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?
Hebrews 13:6
A woman in a wheelchair had confidence in facing the doctor because Sam was with her. We have confidence to face any situation, whatever it may be, for the Lord who will not forsake us, will also help us. His presence and His power are constant variables in our lives.
As I sat there in the doctors’ office, facing some new circumstances in regards to my grandparent’s health, Jesus gave me a vivid picture of His encouraging presence as I navigate through this difficult time. “It’s Jesus. I am with you. I will not leave you. I will help you.” He is my confidence and He let a sweet nurse attendant remind me of this in a vivid way.
