Calvinists And Arminians On Mission Together

When determining who will make the best ministry partners on mission trips one consideration I take into account is whether they are Calvinistic or Arminian.

Most of the time I will pair them up with a partner holding the opposite viewpoint. My purpose is to build them into stronger disciples of Christ and more effective evangelists of the Gospel.

My History on Mixed Theological Teams

My own experience includes being saved within an Arminian perspective. Much of my early Christian growth was with organizations and from leaders who also held this viewpoint, although I didn’t understand much about these theological differences at the time. Nonetheless, I held strong Arminian opinions. A pastor and good friend at one church I attended challenged me to keep on digging deeper into the Scriptures, to take my time and learn.

It was a good number of years later while I was teaching through Romans and Hebrews, and during my formal theological training, that I became thoroughly convinced of the Reformed or Calvinistic perspective. The seminary where I studied had faculty from both perspectives, which made learning about this important matter all the more fascinating, valuable and a great blessing.

I strongly believe that the Calvinistic understanding most faithfully and accurately represents the biblical teaching on salvation. Yet, while serving in my first official ministry position in a local church, I was ministering alongside a fellow assistant pastor who attended the same seminary I did, but who was thoroughly committed to the Arminian view. We had great debates, challenged one another, and yet we still found ourselves able to love one another and one another’s families, and advance the Gospel together.

When the Lord led me into the role of a lead pastor it was with an association of churches that welcomes both viewpoints. Our particular local church was committed to the Reformed position on the doctrines of grace, but we were called to graciously work alongside other churches with different commitments on these matters.

Because of my personal experience I know mixed theological ministry teams can work, can work very well, and that everyone will grow in the process of doing ministry and mission together.

Conflicts on Mixed Theological Teams

A person’s theological position makes a really great difference in how that person ministers the Gospel. Some today try to minimize the value of theology and strongly held opinions, ignorantly thinking that theology makes little difference in doing ministry.

Nothing could be further from the truth! Once people are on a team having to strategize how to reach a group of people, deciding on how the Gospel will be presented, and then actually presenting the Gospel from a variety of biblical passages in multiple conversations with unbelievers, the truth can be easily seen and felt—doctrine matters a whole lot!

Here are some of the most important and defining questions separating the two theological systems: How depraved are people? How does this affect them and their ability to respond to the Gospel, or not? What does it mean that God is sovereign and that He choses some for salvation? How do we understand the role of the free will of humanity? What exactly did Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplish? For whom was it designed and how do we see its effects? Can people resist the call of God? What would this look like and how would we respond to real people in the midst of it? Can people fall away from the faith, and if so how do we explain this? What is the basis for a secure salvation?

Benefits of Mixed Theological Teams

Conflict will be inevitable between viewpoints and between us as people. We both want to serve the Lord whole-heartedly and faithfully. And here is one of the greatest benefits of being together, seeing the vitality and reality of one another’s faith in Christ though from a very different evangelical theological system. He or she is also a godly Christian believer!

John 13:34–35 ESV “[Jesus said,] A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Serving this closely with others who hold the opposite view also helps us deepen our own convictions. We are driven to the Word of God to rediscover what the Holy Spirit wrote about Jesus Christ and the work of God in our salvation. This is a really good thing. We are also made better theologians, more humble theologians who can respectfully disagree and learn from one another. Who knows, we may convert the other to the truth of our own view!

Moreover, the debates and discussions we have are no longer only biblical and theological, but practical as well. We are serving on mission together at the same time, praying with one another, and declaring the Gospel to real people for the purpose of God’s glory being revealed!

My teams of mixed theological persuasions have proven my approach over and over. It has been a great blessing for them to work in such an environment and many have told me it was one of the best training and equipping experiences of their lives. They enjoyed being challenged to think more biblically, dialogue more honestly with others, and rejoice above all in the advance of the Gospel! In the end, they had even more confidence that regardless of their differences the basic truths of the Gospel were being proclaimed.

It is also good to be on teams that hold the same view as one’s own, just not exclusively. It is perhaps best to be in a church, or with a mission, that has a clear theological commitment so everyone can move in the same direction. Just make sure to get out once in a while and partner in some ways with those of the other viewpoint.

How To Enjoy The Goodness Of Good Friday

Good Friday is so very important! 

As Christians we should not overlook, but take advantage of Holy Week to meditate upon the redemptive work of Christ on the Cross.

Here is my integration, or harmony, of the Scriptural texts surrounding Good Friday. Take your time this upcoming week to read, wonder, ponder, enjoy, pray and ultimately rejoice in your Savior, Jesus Christ!

There are five movements: The Garden of Gethsemane, The Jewish Trial of Our Lord, The Roman Trial of Our Lord, The Cross at Golgotha and The Tomb.

“Jesus replied, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. . . . I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.’” (John 12:23,24,32) 

The Garden of Gethsemane

“When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.  Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.” (John 18:1-2)
“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’  He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’  Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’
“Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter.  ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.’
“He went away a second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.’  When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.  So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.” (Matthew 26:36-44)
“An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22:43-44)
“Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!’  While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.” (Matthew 26:45-47)
“Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’  ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘I am he,’ Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)  When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.
“Again he asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’  ‘I told you that I am he,’ Jesus answered. ‘If you are looking for me, then let these men go.’  This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled:  ‘I have not lost one of those you gave me.’” (John 18:4-9)
“Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’  Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him.  Jesus replied, ‘Friend, do what you came for.’ Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.
“With that, one of Jesus' companions [Peter] reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest [Malchus], cutting off his ear.  ‘Put your sword back in its place,’ Jesus said to him, ‘for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.  Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?  But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?’  [And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.]  At that time Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.  But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.’ Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” (Matthew 26:48-56)

The Jewish Trial of Our Lord

“Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.  Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.  Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door.
“The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.  ‘You are not one of his disciples, are you?’ the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, ‘I am not.’  It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.  
“Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.  ‘I have spoken openly to the world,’ Jesus replied. ‘I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.  Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.’  When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face.  ‘Is this the way you answer the high priest?’ he demanded.  ‘If I said something wrong,’ Jesus replied, ‘testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?’  Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.” (John 12:12-24)
“The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any.  Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.  Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him:  ‘We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.’’  Yet even then their testimony did not agree.
“Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’  But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.  Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?’  ‘I am,’ said Jesus, ‘And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.’  The high priest tore his clothes.  ‘Why do we need any more witnesses?’ he asked.  ‘You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?’ They all condemned him as worthy of death. (Mark 14:55-64)
“A little later someone else saw him [Peter] and said, ‘You also are one of them.’  ‘Man, I am not!’ Peter replied.  About an hour later another [servant of the High Priest, a relative of Malchus] asserted, ‘Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.’  Peter replied, ‘Man, I don't know what you're talking about!’  Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.  The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.  Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him:  ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’  And he went outside and wept bitterly.
“The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him.  They blindfolded him and demanded, ‘Prophesy! Who hit you?’  And they said many other insulting things to him.
“At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them.  ‘If you are the Christ,’ they said, ‘tell us.’  Jesus answered, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer.  But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.’  They all asked, ‘Are you then the Son of God?’  He replied, ‘You are right in saying I am.’  Then they said, ‘Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.’” (Luke 22:58-71)
“They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
“When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.  ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’  ‘What is that to us?’ they replied.  ‘That's your responsibility.’  So Judas threw the money into the temple and left.  Then he went away and hanged himself.  The chief priests picked up the coins and said, ‘It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.’  So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners.  That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day.  Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: ‘They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me.’” (Matthew 27:2-10)

The Roman Trial of Our Lord

“Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover.  So Pilate came out to them and asked, ‘What charges are you bringing against this man?’  ‘If he were not a criminal,’ they replied, ‘we would not have handed him over to you.’  Pilate said, ‘Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.’  ‘But we have no right to execute anyone,’ the Jews objected.  This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled.” (John 18:28-32)
“And they began to accuse him, saying, ‘We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king.’” (Luke 23:2)
“Then Pilate asked him, ‘Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?’  But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge--to the great amazement of the governor.” (Matthew 27:13-14)
“Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’  ‘Is that your own idea,’ Jesus asked, ‘or did others talk to you about me?’  ‘Am I a Jew?’ Pilate replied.  ‘It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?’  Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.’  ‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate.  Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king.  In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’  ‘What is truth?’ Pilate asked.” (John 18:33-38a)
“Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, ‘I find no basis for a charge against this man.’  But they insisted, ‘He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.’
“On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean.  When he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.  When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him.  From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle.  He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.  
“The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him.  Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate.  That day Herod and Pilate became friends--before this they had been enemies.
“Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people,  and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.  Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death.  Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.’” (Luke 23:4-16)
“Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested.  A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising.  The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.  ‘Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?’ asked Pilate, knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. (Mark 15:6-10)
“While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: ‘Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.’” (Matthew 27:19)
“But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.” (Mark 15:11)
“Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.  The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ And they struck him in the face.
“Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, ‘Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.’  When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, ‘Here is the man!’  As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, ‘Crucify! Crucify!’  But Pilate answered, ‘You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.’” (John 19:1-6)
“But they shouted all the louder, ‘Crucify him!’  When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. ‘I am innocent of this man's blood,’ he said. ‘It is your responsibility!’  All the people answered, ‘Let his blood be on us and on our children!’ (Matthew 27:23b-25)
“The Jews insisted, ‘We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.’  When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace.  ‘Where do you come from?’ he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer.  ‘Do you refuse to speak to me?’ Pilate said.  ‘Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?’  Jesus answered, ‘You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.’
“From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, ‘If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.’
“When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha).  It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour.  ‘Here is your king,’ Pilate said to the Jews.  But they shouted, ‘Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!’  ‘Shall I crucify your king?’ Pilate asked.  ‘We have no king but Caesar,’ the chief priests answered.” (John 19:7-15)
“Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. (Mark 15:15)  
“Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him.  They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head.  They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him.  ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ they said.  They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.  After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him.  Then they led him away to crucify him.” (Matthew 27:27-31)

The Cross at Golgotha

“As they led him away, [carrying his own cross], they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.  A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.  Jesus turned and said to them, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.  For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’  Then they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’  For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"  Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.” (Luke 23:26-32)
“They came to a place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull).  There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.” (Matthew 27:33-34)
“there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left.  Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’” (Luke 23:33b-34a)
“Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.  Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.  The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, ‘Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.’  Pilate answered, ‘What I have written, I have written.’
“When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.  ‘Let's not tear it,’ they said to one another.  ‘Let's decide by lot who will get it.’  This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, ‘They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.’ So this is what the soldiers did.” (John 19:19-24)
“Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!’  In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and 
the elders mocked him.  ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.  He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.’” (Matthew 27:39-43)
“The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ . . . One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’  But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don't you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’  Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’  Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:36-37,39-43)
“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’  From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:25-27)
“At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ -- which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’  When some of those standing near heard this, they said, ‘Listen, he's calling Elijah.’” (Mark 15:33-35)
“. . . knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’  A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips.” (John 19:28-29)
“The rest said, ‘Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to save him.’” (Matthew 27:49)
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’” (John 19:30a)
“Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’  When he had said this, he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:46)
“. . . the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.  The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.  They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.’” (Matthew 27:51-53)
“The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, ‘Surely this was a righteous man.’  When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away.  But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee [to care for his needs], stood at a distance, watching these things.” (Luke 23:47-49)

The Tomb

“Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.
“The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other.  But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.  Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.  The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.  These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: ‘Not one of his bones will be broken,’ and, as another scripture says, ‘They will look on the one they have pierced.’” (John 19:31-37)
“Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God.  Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body.” (Luke 23:50-52)
“. . . Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews.
“With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away.  He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.  Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 
At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.  Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.” (John 19:38b-42)
“The women [Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses] who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.” (Luke 23:55)
“. . . He [Joseph] rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.” (Matthew 27:60b) “Then they [the women] went home and prepared spices and perfumes.  But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.” (Luke 23:56)
“The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.  ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, “after three days I will rise again.”  So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day.  Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead.  This last deception will be worse than the first.’
“‘Take a guard,’ Pilate answered.  ‘Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.’  So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting a guard.” (Matthew 27:62-66)

(If you are interested in learning more about the meaning of Jesus’ Cross, one of the best modern books written about this topic is The Cross of Christ by John R. W. Stott.)

Jesus Is Such A Burden!

“How can you live so freely and happily in Christ?!” she said, “for us, Jesus is such a burden!”

Strange Assimilation

In this Asian country, Jesus often becomes a new burden once becoming a Christian. This is strange because Jesus came to relieve our personal burden of sin and free us from the burdens of religious legalism and self-righteousness.

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Asking more questions about this situation exposed the sad reality that for many new Christians their lives are made harder by entering upon the Christian life and leaving their old life. They are free from their sin, and talk joyfully about it, yes, but their hearts are heavy when discussing the expectations of conformity to their new religious communities.

This is nothing new, of course. We often see human reasoning about spirituality elevated above the true spirituality clearly explained in the Scriptures. It happens in many cultures, probably every culture. Certainly we see it in America as well.

Christian leaders and others attempt to create a super spirituality that has the appearance of wisdom. And yet they don’t see that they are making themselves and their systems out to be better than God’s own design.

Colossians 2:20–23 ESV “If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.”

Strange Options

The expectations for ministry and life were oppressive, as was the almost daily scrutiny of their life by others. People pile up guilt and shame upon themselves and upon one another, leaving no real room for relief. It seems to some that their only options are to switch churches every few years when it gets to be too much, or to drop Christianity entirely as a failed experiment.

This makes for a hard life. This is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness of freedom, nor in its power for growing holiness and deepening joy.

Romans 8:1–4,15 ESV “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. . . . For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!””

We explained many Scriptures more accurately. We explored some of the specific extra-biblical requirements imposed upon believers, their origin and appeal, and how they fit within their own cultural context. We learned a lot together from one another.

We sympathized with the oppression. We encouraged people toward perseverance under it with prayer and a deeper joy in Christ. We helped chart a path forward not only for the individuals, but for long term spiritual health of specific churches and the wider Christian community there.

The most important conversations were those in which we talked about the Holy Spirit giving wisdom to fulfill Christ’s principles and commands, and how that might look different in each situation and with each person.

We all should long for Christians to experience the abundant life in Christ that Jesus bought for us and promises us by the power of the Holy Spirit!

John 10:10 ESV “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” 

Galatians 2:16–3:3 ESV “. . . we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. . . . O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”

May we all live life to its fullest to the glory of God and assist our brothers and sisters in Christ who live under legalism and fear.