If I want to know what’s inside me–the dross that needs to surface–I need only have my will crossed at the intersection of the Cross of Calvary. When my impudent will competes with His will, the dross is revealed. Dross is the waste matter; any worthless, impure matter separated from the better part. [American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828] Paul called it “dung.”

Jesus suffered immense pain and suffering at Calvary, while what was on His mind and heart was me. I might be like Peter and deny Him in ways that were not planned = dross. Like Thomas, I could very well doubt His Word and its effectiveness in my personal affairs = dross. Unlike John, I might not be graced enough to stand by Him in times of great adversity. Dross-ridden, I doubt I would remain loyal. Could I possibly relinquish forgiveness when my enemies taunted and mocked me?

Even when Jesus experienced His Father’s absence, He still called Him “My God!” In the darkest hour of His soul and in horrific bodily suffering, He never broke relationship. All the way to the “It is finished”-line.

What’s inside is what comes out when the lights are turned off. When trust hits the dimmer switch. When faith’s pendulum swings to the other side. When our faith-fuel tank is filled with sludge.

On that day of crucifixion, would I have been with Peter, with Thomas, or with John at the base of the cross, and found believing?

“Take away the dross from silver, and it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.” [Proverbs 25:4]

Resurrection is beyond our comprehension. We just have to accept it by faith, because it involves death. Perhaps we cannot understand resurrection because we do not yet understand what it means to die to self. We can only accept that resurrection from death to life is true. Jesus demonstrated it, as well as He promised resurrection from the dead for those who believe in Him.

“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.” [Revelation 1:18]

Nothing overcomes resurrection ~ certainly not death, the greatest foe. Time does not even negate the power of resurrection. Lazarus was without life for four days. “Though he may die, he shall live.” [John 11:25b]

The Apostle Paul “determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” [I Corinthians 2:2] His primary emphasis was on the centrality of the cross in all that he believed. No doubt what Jesus was willing to pay determined its value…and served to prove His enormous love for us. It is through resurrection that God demonstrates that we are His endearing affection.

“Resurrection not only raised up Christ, it also vindicated God as a good Father.” [Bob Sorge] He promised, “I will be a Father to you.” [2 Corinthians 6:18] In turn, Jesus showed ultimate loyalty in submitting to the Cross of Calvary. Therein, in the greatest suffering imaginable, lies the greatest love ever shown to mankind.

“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” [2 Corinthians 1:20]

Our world was in desperate need of a Savior — 400 years of silence from Jehovah. Sin and degradation had left our world in a state of toxicity. The concentration of sin in the lives of God’s creation caused ghastly damage. God was distanced from us ~ He longed for relationship. Though the prophets foretold it, ears were deafened…eyes were blinded. Thus the stage was set for the entry of a Savior.

He came in the most humble form: a babe … resting in a lowly animal feeder. The prophets foretold it. The angels rejoiced over Him. Yet the toxic world received Him not.

“God so loved …” What an immeasurable gesture of love coming from Heaven to earth in order that man might be redeemed. Mary was great with child, and the days were accomplished that she bore Him. “And when they [shepherds] had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” [Luke 2:17]

After eight days, Jesus was brought into the temple. Simeon took Him in his arms and said, “Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word: for my eyes have seen Thy salvation which You have prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”

Simeon means “hearing and obedience.” Light entered the world to bring us the revelation of redemption and Simeon was able to receive Him. His long wait in the temple was not in vain. Our wait is over, for our Savior has been born. Our Savior has lived and walked this earth. And our Savior has died for our sins and risen again, as the prophets foretold.

Once again, will this toxic, sin-filled world receive Him? Will we hear and obey His commands? Will we welcome relationship with the One who gave it all so that toxic sins could be forgiven?

Will we hear and obey?

Three characters portray human nature on this Spy Wednesday of Easter week. As the Sanhedrin plotted to kill Jesus, our Lord was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper. Spotlighting our first featured guest, we see Mary, who anointed Jesus’ head and feet with costly oil of spikenard while others judged her actions. The disciples were indignant, asking why the oil was not instead sold and the money given to the poor. [John 12:1-8]

Spotlighting our second featured guest, we see Judas Iscariot [Iscariot meaning ‘murderer’ or ‘assassin’], who wanted to keep the money for himself. Indignant, Judas went to the Sanhedrin and offered to humiliate Jesus and deliver Him to them in exchange for 30 pieces of silver: the price for a slave.

Spotlighting our third featured guest, we see Peter, who had claimed loyalty and sacrifice of his own life to prevent Jesus from becoming a prisoner. Jesus rebuked Peter and informed him that he would deny Him three times before the cock crows.

Three guests: Mary, who sacrificially offers all that she has to wash the head and feet of Jesus. Judas, who is offended by her extravagance and motivated by his greed. Peter, who has not come to truly know his own character weaknesses, fears and cowardice.

Jesus sees through our appearances. Though we may sometimes pose as holy and pious, the frailties of the human spirit are reflected in Judas and Peter. We are all capable of avarice, offense, and even murderous slander. We have, probably more than a few times, denied Christ in one way or another. Yet, we witness the contrast of Mary’s sacrifice of all she had laid before Him.

Mary … Judas … Peter …. three dramatic portrayals of humanity. Sacrificially giving Him our all? Offended and denying who He really is? Or posing to be something we are not? Our fallen nature was there on that Wednesday before the Crucifixion. Mary and Peter found humility. Judas was lost. All three characters spotlight our need for resurrection power to transform our human spirit.

Fig leaves are popular clothing, though fashion trend setters have overlooked them in the garment industry. This came in style in the beginning and remains the top-of-the-line, most chosen of cover-ups.

“And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” [Genesis 3:7]

Paradise was forfeited as Adam and Eve attempted to cover their nakedness. Awareness of their inadequacies, their guilt, their separation and shame, they attempted to repair their condition before God.

This fashion statement is the attire of the fickle: those who change frequently in their loyalties, interests, and affections. Though Eden was everything Adam and Eve could have wanted in relationship to God, was bountiful with lush provision, their loyalties to Him vacillated. In order to self-justify, self-defend, and attempt to redeem themselves, they tried to cover their nakedness. “They [even] hid themselves among the trees of the Garden.” [verse 8]

“And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, ‘Where art thou?'” [verse 9] Neither of them were successful in hiding. Fickle they were ~ hidden they were not.

Stripped of our excuses and alibis, we can either ‘sew fig leaves’ or run to our Redeemer, the One who understands the fickleness of our nature.

David wrote: “Surely You desire truth in my inner self and You make me to understand hidden wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.” [Psalm 51:7-9]

Our only hope is to drop the fig-leaves and be clothed by Him.

Just days before Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, Bartimaeus’ eyes were healed and opened. “Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.” [Mark 10:52]

Prior to healing, Bartimaeus had become beggardly. Having heard Jesus was passing by, he cried out for mercy. Many people rebuked him and told him to hold his peace ~ but, in desperation, he persisted…even cried out the more. “Thou son of David, have mercy on me!” [verse 47]

Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. In response, Bartimaeus threw off his garment ~ his beggar’s attire ~ and came to Jesus. Having seen him make the choice to throw off the old ways, Jesus asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?” [verse 51]

Pivotal to Bartimaeus’ healing was the forfeit of his old ways. Sick of the beggar’s plight, desperate for a change in his life, longing to see once again, he positioned himself to receive his healing.

What caused Jesus to stand still? Bartimaeus was ready to walk out of the old ways of doing things and into the new and living way. The new would be to walk on the road with Jesus. From a beggar’s darkness to witnessing the powerful resurrection of the One who had touched him, Bartimaeus would never be the same again.

“Go your way; your faith has made you well.” [Mark 10:52]

Several limbs of our backyard cherry tree, severely damaged during a storm, hang low to the ground. Through the winter months, the tree looked lonely, bedraggled, wounded–maybe even doomed. Plans were to have the tree removed ~ come springtime. With primary limbs suffering so much damage, the hopes of this tree’s survival appeared slim.

Blossoms, however, began to explode over night; a testimony to life…a testimony that things are not always as they seem. Out of the midst of a storm came new life. From brokenness to strength. From ugliness to beauty. These pale pink blossoms are speaking loudly: ‘Sap flows freely through my limbs!’

“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you that hope in the Lord.” [Psalm 31:24]

These cheerful blossoms are markers of victory on the other side of adversity. Storms will come ~ often leaving brokenness in its path. But, “Cheer up! Take courage if you are depending on the Lord.” [verse 24, Taylor]

The tree will never look the same again. It’s been marked by resurrection life, testifying to our Living God! Joy comes in the morning!

Carrying the water pot was her routine. She came for natural water; He served the spiritual. She questioned this man she called a prophet about the traditional place to worship. He told her she knew not what worship was about. Water pots would never be able to contain it.

“But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” [John 4:23] He spoke of genuine worship in the true way of the spirit…for the Father is looking for such people to worship Him.

Father wasn’t looking for the song; He wanted the singer. He didn’t want the worship itself; He wanted the heart of the worshiper!

Failing to understand, she began to tell Him of the coming Messiah who would make everything plain. This Samaritan woman, still thirsting for the world’s provision, would learn that it only filled her for the moment. He told her that, if she came only bearing the water pot, she would thirst again and again. Traditions had her bound to the way we always did it…and where.

Jesus said unto her, “I that speak to you am He.” [vs 26] The I Am — the One who was the “now” of worship — stood there before her. Spirit and Truth Himself unfolded the revelation of worship. Trade the routine water pot for true worship ~ give Him her all and she would thirst no more.

“But the water that I shall give [her] shall be in [her] a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [verse 14] It would be a spiritual water pot within herself, welling up into eternal life.

To receive such a fountain of life, she understood that genuine worship was not a place, not a tradition, nor merely a song. Certainly not to be contained in a natural water pot. True worship was to give Him her heart and find eternal reward.

“She left her water pot”[verse 28] …her traditions, her routine, the natural search for satisfaction. The water of life was now within.

Kindred spirit. A concept that isn’t limited to blood kin. This experience begins when you meet and then somehow know that this relationship could very well be God-designed.

“Elisha pursued Elijah.” [2 Kings 2:2] So the journey begins. You begin by learning how to become a spiritual son or daughter. It is with immense joy, and sometimes internal resistance, that you glean from the wisdom of your spiritual parent, being accountable and receiving correction when needed. Stretching begins. Sometimes painful stretching. Sore soul muscles. Boundaries are necessary. Deeper testings come. Loyalties are intensely tried. Growth continues as you learn to be a spiritual son or daughter. Then one day…

…Endearing ones long to follow you. They desire to learn, to glean, to know more about the amazing God you know and trust. Once the relationship develops, they begin to walk alongside of you, catching the ‘spiritual DNA’…allied in beliefs, in attitudes, and sometimes in feelings. Given time, they walk right into your heart ~ these precious, kindred ones.

The Apostle Paul spoke of sending Timothy to the church at Philippi. [Philippians 2:22] Speaking highly of Timothy’s character,  he testified that he was “like a son in fellowship with his father as he served with me in the gospel.” The trials they endured had proven Timothy’s worth to Paul. Their companion walk gave window for Paul to witness his loyalty, his faithfulness to assigned tasks, and his contentment to remain humble as a servant.

Raising up spiritual sons and daughters in the faith affords some of the deepest joys and satisfaction. Father God questioned me some years ago: “Would you rather someone ask for you or ask for the one you are mentoring to minister at an event?” What compounded joy would come in having one I had trained to be invited instead of me.

God commissions us to “be fruitful and multiply.” Those who are hungry to learn, eager to mature, and long to serve the Lord with all their hearts make for pliable, spiritual children.

First becoming spiritual children … then becoming spiritual parents … yields greater effectiveness.

A day before me … yet restlessness aggravates my soul. Without purposeful surrender to His plans for my day, I opt to go my own way. “All we like sheep are prone to wander.”

David purposed: “One thing I desire, I seek: to dwell in Your house all the days of my life…” meditating, gazing, simply beholding every facet of His beauty. He is to be valued, enough so that we seek Him.

In the Song of Solomon, chapter 3, the shepherd hides himself from his bride. He is not a ‘cheap thrill,’ but one who wants us to search for him with passion and commitment. Song 3:4 reads: when she found him, “I held on to him and would not let go.” She was tenacious! Ruined for anything less, she was grateful that he allowed himself to be found. All things paled in comparison.

How do we cultivate the art of waiting on and communing with our Lord, our Shepherd ~ without interruption?

We resist our flesh, which is restless, demanding, whiny, and self-centered. Its intentions are to pull away ~ to be coddled. Yet a holy desire to be infected with insatiable attraction to His glory will forever ruin us. More than likely, we may be mocked for it, as was the woman wasting the alabaster perfume upon Jesus. Her radical offering, however the taunts and ridicule of many, satisfied her deepest longing.

How long did the fragrance of her perfume last upon His body ~ costly as it was? Perhaps this fragrance, which cost her everything, lingered indefinitely … possibly helping to sustain Him through beatings, mocking, spittle, spikes and thorns. Cheap perfume won’t last. The sacrificial pourings of our fragrant worship is not just for ourselves…but is to minister unto the heart of our Lord. Its fragrance is lasting.