Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world

Christian Meditations – A Chris Hansen Column

April 5, 2008

You met Chris, now you can read more of his work: To contact Chris email him at:  chrishansen54@sbcglobal.net

Luke Sunday school class March 9, 2008. Carrying Your Cross.

Chris Hansen book signing March 29, 2008, 1 P.M Beardsley’s bookstore McHenry Village.

Jesus and the Twelve traveled constantly from village to village. They were almost never separated from their master, even when he would draw them aside to rest or to be taught privately. Sometimes, Jesus insisted on spending time alone in prayer, and even then, his Twelve insisted on spending every minute they could with this amazing teacher and miracle worker. One day, the men were walking along the roads through all the villages around Caesarea Philippi. This was an incredible harbor that Herod had built. It was one of the wonders of the ancient world. As they were walking along, Jesus struck up another conversation with his men. “What are people saying about me?” Jesus asked. One said, “Master, you preach like John the Baptist did. Some say you might even be John come back to life.” Another broke in, “And, Herod is wondering who you might be, and he knows you can’t possibly be John because Herod cut off his head!” Still another man said, Master, all the people have seen you do great miracles like Elijah once did. Some are saying that you are actually Elijah returned from heaven.” Another said, “Still others aren’t sure just who you are. They say that you are undoubtedly one of the prophets of long ago, come back to life, perhaps Jeremiah, but they just don’t know.” After a long pause, Jesus said, “And, what about you?” At first, no one wanted to respond. Jesus often used a teaching moment to probe his men, get them to answer a question, and then point out why they hadn’t answered the question correctly. He had just rebuked them for arguing about who was the greatest by scolding them with the example of a small boy. He had told them that unless they were all like little children, they could never participate in God’s coming kingdom. How often had he scolded them by saying, “Are you still so dull?” So, the men remained silent. The tension grew unbearable! Jesus would not be pleased with that. Finally, Peter spoke up for the others. “Master, it is obvious who you are! You are God’s anointed Messiah! You are the one we have all been waiting for.” Peter saw Jesus smile. Oh how that pleased Peter. Jesus said joyfully, “Peter, God bless you! This truth was revealed to you by my Father in heaven. You did not realize this on your own.” Then, after another pause Jesus told him, “I named you little rock, but from now on I will build my church on this big rock! The very gates of death will not be able to stand against my church. I will even entrust you with the keys of God’s kingdom. What you ratify on earth will even be ratified in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will be released in heaven as well.” Peter was astonished. Jesus was giving him some amazing authority indeed! Before Peter and the others could get carried away, Jesus, as he usually did, tempered their growing enthusiasm. He said, “Don’t tell anyone these things-not yet! Before God’s kingdom does arrive, some terrible days are coming! We are not staying here in this peaceful spot here at Caesarea. No, we are heading straight for Jerusalem, as it must be. I will not be welcomed as King. No, instead, I will be brutally treated. I know exactly what will happen there. The teachers of the Torah and the Gentiles too will spit on me; mock me, beat me, and finally kill me. You will lose all hope then. However, on the third day after these things, I will rise again.” Before thinking, Peter said, “No master! Messiah can not die! This can not be!” Jesus flew into a rage, something he rarely did, and said to Peter, “Get out of my way, Satan! You are a constant stumbling block to me! You always make things appear from a mere human point of view.” Peter was stunned! He had displeased his teacher-again! Jesus knew that he had to stop and carefully explain things to his stunned audience. “Listen carefully,” Jesus explained gently. “I know that your desire to follow me is an honest one. I also need to prepare you for hard days ahead. If you truly want to follow me, then you need to be prepared to be treated as I will be treated. Put aside the things you want, and pursue God’s kingdom instead. Lay aside your own lives, and pick up your cross instead.” A cross! Surely he couldn’t mean that! His men knew what crosses were. Thousands of people had seen brutal Roman crucifixions outside the city walls. Visions of men dangling by Roman spikes, and men pathetically moaning for hour after hour haunted their minds as Jesus spoke. Visions of dripping blood and bystanders either mocking or crying haunted them. Visions of insects and birds swarming around mangled victims haunted them. The men were truly terrified! Jesus continued, very calmly but firmly. “You see, God’s kingdom is the opposite of what people of this world think. The more you try to hang on to your life, the faster you lose it. Prepare to die! Then you will live forever! Now, suppose that you do gain all the wealth of the world. How does that help you in the end? You will end up losing your life in the end. Suppose you do gain the approval of men. What good does that do you if you burn forever in the fire of hell! The day is coming when my Father will arrive in all his blazing glory! He will come with armies of angels from heaven. I will be installed as the Son of Man. If you are ashamed of me now, think of what that will be like then! Do you want my Father to be ashamed of you? I tell you, my Father will reward you for what you have done or failed to do. In fact, some who stand here at this very moment will not die until God’s power and kingdom are revealed!” For a long moment, the men were frozen in place. Die on crosses! Angels from heaven! God’s kingdom coming in their lifetime! Could such things be? The men wanted to ask Jesus more questions, but it was best not to bother the teacher just now. Peter was especially troubled. Jesus was offering the men a stark choice indeed. The first choice was to hang on Roman spikes and then be rewarded in the presence of glorious heavenly armies of angels. The second choice was to enjoy the few comforts this world had to offer, only to burn in torment, without rest, for eternity, in the raging fires of hell! Peter pondered this over and over. Jesus simply did not offer a third choice. Oh if only the Master weren’t so hard to follow! Still, he was the only one who offered life that never ends. If only the road to God’s Kingdom weren’t so hard!