He’s not my King!
Today, we travelled down to Perth to see my nieces in an Easter re-creation of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
Our goal was to support, so gave up our favourite Good Friday service (Padbury Chapel) where they always have very meaningful service ending with everyone giving 30 pieces of silver.
All I knew was this was to be a dance and theatre type of display and likely part of a church service but it was so much more…
The whole service was basically the acting and dance by (mostly) children. As the story unfolded we shared communion as Jesus was offering His disciples the cup.
I was moved at times, being immersed in elements of the sacrifice of Jesus were brought to life.
Although there were many to note, the one that deeply impacted me was when Jesus was being interrogated and where Jesus Barabbas was chosen to be set free over Jesus.
Then the crowd is asked what they should do with Jesus the Christ, they start to shout ‘crucify Him’.
Immediately the phrase ‘He’s not MY king’ came to mind. I wanted to shout it but knew if I did it would be distracting for others. But internally I connected with the reality that my attitude most of my life was exactly this: He is not MY king – kill Him.
My sin was what condemned Him – and when He was being accused I didn’t care – He wasn’t MY king. I abandoned Him. I disowned Him. I rejected Him. And in areas I still do. There are areas or times where I, by thought or action, reject Him as MY King.
What a challenging and moving thought – and all brought about without a sermon!
Not only was there no sermon, there was no offering, no attempt to get numbers into that particular church but an encouragement to open up to and meet the real Lord Jesus. The Pastor urged people to not let what God had opened up to be closed – but to talk to someone, someone here, someone in another church, your friends = anyone – but discover Christ for who He is!
How exciting – a church that isn’t operating for itself but for the Kingdom.
As the service ended and I tried to clean up the rest of my snot & tears I said G’Day to the man I was sitting next to (I had given up my original seat at the start to some late elderly comers).
In the conversation I asked him how he got saved & where he was from. Turns out he was the person who started the church we were sitting in! We were having a great chat when a lady came to talk to him and started to share about her son being on drugs.
Coincidence? I asked some questions and shared some thoughts but then felt we should pray for her sons. Great prayer time and more tears – this is AWESOME!
Later I said thank you to the Pastor and we started to chat. A few minutes later we were interrupted by my wife who was bringing a woman to us who needed the message of Jesus. She was friendly & open yet entrenched in her religious worldview from her roots in India. A very fruitful conversation followed. (Please pray for Elsie – a visitor and precious soul in deep need of an awakening to the love and reality of Christ.) Double awesome!
Many more interactions happened over the next 30-60 minutes – some that will have an effect for quite some time. Suffice to say that it was and rewarding and uplifting time where the presence , peace and joy of Christ were evident.
I simply LOVE to see how God directs & uses us all when we are willing. Not because we are special or perfect or trained or know what to say – but because He is powerful and oh so desperate to reveal His love to people.
May we be His hands & feet, continually respodning to His love.