Healing Rays of Righteousness

Another year, another May 1, another Memorial Day has passed. And again, I am grateful to J.B.F. Wright for putting words and melody to the thoughts and feelings that I experience annually during the month of May.

My wife and I experienced the sudden, unexpected death of our first-born, only son, on May 1, 1983. The rest of that month was a painful blurring of time and Memorial Day at the end of the month was simply another day of painful grief and “why” questions.

But in the months and years since that “mayday” crisis, Memorial Day observance has taken on a new focus and meaning for me. And J.B.F. Wright’s hymn, “Precious Memories” has frequently lifted me above death’s painful grief in losing son, parents, siblings, friends, and toward the precious gift of memories they gave me. Sing the words with me.

     Precious mem’ries, un-seen angels, Sent from somewhere to my soul;

     How they linger, ever near me, And the sacred past unfold.

              Refrain:   Precious mem’ries, How they linger, How they ever flood my soul,

                                In the stillness of the mid-night, Precious, sacred scenes un-fold.

     Precious father, loving mother, Fly across the lonely years,

     And old home scenes of my childhood, In fond memory appears.  (Refrain)

     In the stillness of the midnight, Echoes from the past I hear;

     Old-time singing, gladness bringing, From that lovely land somewhere.  (Refrain)

     As I travel on life’s pathway, Know not what the years may hold,

     As I ponder, hope grows fonder, Precious mem’ries flood my soul.  (Refrain)

I agree with Dietrich Bonhoeffer who wrote, “Nothing can make up for the absence of someone whom we love. …It is nonsense to say that God fills the gap. He doesn’t fill it, but on the contrary, he keeps it empty and so helps us to keep alive our former communion with each other, even at the cost of pain.  …The dearer and richer our memories, the more difficult the separation. But gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy. The beauties of the past are borne, not as a thorn in the flesh, but as a precious gift in themselves.”

Contrary to a popular myth, bereavement grief is not a process of forgetting, but rather a process of reconciling ourselves to the loss of relationship with a loved one while also reliving the good memories of that relationship.

Establishing the significance of the life lived in our midst is key to the healing of the pain suffered in the loss. And significance is established as we remember and share memories of that relationship with one another. And to not talk about our relational memories of the person who died is to rob ourselves of good grief work and healing, as well as to rob significance from the one who died.

In his booklet, The Gift of Significance, Doug Manning writes, “The grieving process is a gradual change from the physical presence of a loved one to the sense of presence provided by the memories. The goal is to learn to live with the person not being here. Coping without their presence happens when we begin to find comfort in the memories.”  

One of the most priceless gifts that God gives us through the life of another person is the memory of our relationship with that person. Those memories are ours to keep, to hold, and to cherish. It is a treasure that no one can rob from us, a treasure that never needs to be locked up or buried.

Memories are gifts that take us by the hand and lead us back through the mists of the past to the happy scenes and experiences of yesterday. And when a life has been lived constructively for God and others, the memory of that life is like a beautiful walk through a pleasant garden.

Yes, the Godly memories given us by those now separated from us are very precious gifts. Let us rightly cherish them and freely share them with one another. In doing so, we will both bless and be blessed.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – May 31, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com Ray M. Geigley

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1-2).

Even though we are God’s creation, we are not naturally born as God’s children. Becoming a child in God’s family is a gift of divine grace and becomes realized only as the Spirit of God leads us.

The apostle Paul clearly states that we have received a great gift, a tremendous gift, when God adopted us into His family. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. …the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:14-15).

I believe you will agree that one of the most blessed privileges we will ever experience is to be a part of a loving family. So, what does it mean to be adopted into God’s family? I do not think there is a more beautiful image of God’s love for us than the image of adoption as portrayed in this story.

Tina was an adopted child. One day, while at school in the second grade, Tina was teased by her classmates about being adopted. Tina went home that day in tears, not knowing how to react to the other children telling her that her parents were not her real mom and dad. With tears flowing down her cheeks, Tina walked in the back door of her home and was greeted by a worried mother. “What is wrong?” her mother asked. Tina told the story of being teased at school about not having real parents and not being as good as the other children because of it. Tina’s wise mother took Tina into her arms and told her that all of those other children were born into their families and their parents had absolutely no choice about the child they got.  “But” said her mother, “we got to choose you because you were so special.”

In his several letters, the apostle Paul repeatedly reminds us that each one of us is incredibly special to God, and for that reason he chose and claimed us as his very own child. However, we are not naturally born into God’s righteous family but are adopted into it by God’s choice in Jesus Christ.

Since child adoption was not a Jewish practice, Paul uses the image of “adoption” from the Greek and Roman society to describe what happens to the Christian believer. The adopted child had no natural or legal claim of membership in the adoptee’s family, but received a gift of full, family membership through adoption.

Likewise, we have no natural claim in God’s family. Yet in his divine love and grace, God extends a legal and loving hand toward us, inviting us into his family. As adopted children, we are given all the rights, freedoms, and responsibilities of family membership. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.”

Words and phrases like “children of God, sons of God, heirs of God, co-heirs with Christ” indicate that we belong to God. We belong to God in every way. Our sin debt is canceled. God’s home is our home, and we can address the infinite creator God as “Abba, Father.”

Thus, we can say those words and mean them, relating to God as father because we are family. This is an awesome privilege! To be passionately loved by a Father who desires an intimate relationship with his children, is a precious gift of amazing grace. How can we not say, “Thank you, Jesus!”

Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to him be-long, they are weak, but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so.

Let that truth enter into, overflow, and propel your worship today and your work tomorrow. You know who you are. You know that God’s Spirit within you testifies with your spirit that you are a member of God’s family. (Rm. 8:16). Look closely and see yourself in this bigger picture. Amen!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – May 24, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

The well-known speaker began his seminar presentation by holding up a new twenty-dollar bill. In the room of two hundred persons, he asked, “Who would like this twenty-dollar bill?”  Hands were slowly raised up. He continued, “I am going to give this twenty-dollar bill to one of you, but first let me do this.”  He then proceeded to crumple up the bill. He then asked, “Who still wants it?”  Again, the hands went up in the air. “Well,” he asked, “what if I do this?”  Dropping the crumpled bill to the floor, he ground it beneath the heel of his shoe, until the bill was not only crumpled but also dirty and torn. “Now who still wants it?” he asked. And again, the hands went up.

“My friends,” he said, “you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth twenty dollars. Many times in our lives we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what happened or will happen, you will never lose your value in the eyes of those who love you. You are special, and never forget it.”

I totally agree with this speaker and believe the biblical record of God’s LOVE relationship with his people consistently confirms his message. You were born great, unique, and full of potential. And now, years later, you are even greater, more unique, and still full of value and potential.

In his book Experiencing God, Henry T. Blackaby writes, “God is far more interested in a love relationship with you then He is in what you can do for Him.”

Some of the most profound teaching regarding God’s love is found in the third and fourth chapters of John’s first letter. In verses eight and sixteen of the fourth chapter, John tells us that “God is love.” 

Those three little words get to the heart of what John believed about God. They tell us that God is pure self-giving love, and that God cares deeply about you and me and covets our love relationship with himself. The character of God is love and his greatest desire is that we be in a daily love relationship with him as our loving Father, caring Mother, and glorious King. Yes, I said it. You are a child of the King, loved and cared for in the family of God.

It seems to me that John’s thinking about God’s love causes him to gush with joy in proclaiming how much God loves and cares deeply about us. Read slowly and let your mind and heart fully absorb John’s message. “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! … This is how God showed his love among us; He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 3:1, 4:9-10).

How deep is God’s love for us? Read those verses again. Such remarkable, amazing love is at the very core of God’s character and at the very center of God’s heart of love. And nothing we can ever do will stop or hinder God from loving us.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”  (1 John 3:1).

We are children of God, who is LOVE. And there is nothing that can stop God from deeply loving us. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39).

Yes, God will never, can never stop loving you. He created you in your mother’s womb and breathed life and love into you. You are his amazing and glorious creation of eternal purpose and potential.

And so, you may feel as though you are worthless. But no matter what happened in your past or may happen in your life, you will never lose your value in the eyes of your Heavenly Father and those who love you. You are special, and never forget it. You are loved, today and always.

Let us pray and sing with the psalmist!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – May 18, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Each year on Mother’s Day we give special recognition and honor to our mothers, both living and dead. Truly, the world has been significantly blessed by Godly women who view their role as a mothering parent to be a special privilege and ministry from God. I was blessed with such a mother.

Speaking of “Godly Mothers” the writer of Proverbs says that “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”  (Proverbs 31:30-31).

I heard it said that “Mother” is not simply a title, but a divine function. In other words, “To mother” is to create and birth life into a new human being, and then to provide, nourish, protect, and shape its being and character toward maturity of adulthood. And to accept this awesome privilege of mothering is often a difficult, frustrating, and disappointing challenge, but it can also be a very rewarding experience.

From the very first sight and cry of each of our four children, from the very first cradling of their tiny body, my wife and I were head over heels in love with them. I loved them simply because they were ours. They did not earn our love. They did not necessarily deserve it. Furthermore, they demanded a lot from us and were very costly in terms of both time and money.

They would get sick and grouchy. Many a night they interrupted our needed sleep. They prided themselves in spitting baby food on our clean shirt or skirt. They could be noisy, messy, and smelly all at the same time. But above and beyond all of that, they were our children. And nothing they could do or say would ever, ever stop us from loving them.

Eventually, growing up in the environment of love we maintained for them, their love for us as parents took root and deepened. And now, being matured adults when they say they love us, we know from their hugs that they truly do love us.

In his first letter, John says God’s parental relationship with us is just like that. We love (God) because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). AND NOTHING WE CAN EVER DO WILL STOP GOD FROM LOVING US.

The one word that characterizes both our “Motherly God” and “Godly Mothers” is LOVE. This amazing truth is confirmed in the following verses regarding God.

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” (Isaiah 49:15-16).

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 66:13).

“One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: Power belongs to you, God, and with you , Lord, is unfailing love;” (Psalm 62:11-12)

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1).

Maybe you heard the story of a three-year-old who climbed into her mother’s lap and said, “Mommy, I love you.”  As she felt her mother’s face and touched her mother’s nose she said, “I love your nose, Mommy.”  She said the same thing about her mother’s ear, chin, cheek, hair, and finally she said, “Mommy, show me your heart.”

Her mother hesitated for a moment and then said, “Honey, look into my eyes and see what you can see. Look way down deep.” The little girl got very close and looked intently into her mother’s eyes. Then she said, “Mommy, I can see way down and the only thing I can see is myself.”

That is the kind of deep love for which every child hungers. And that is the kind of love we discover when we look way down deep into God’s eyes. He loves us with a love greater and deeper than the best of mothers could ever love.

To be a noble, wise, and loving mother is an awesome challenge, and we need always to respect and honor their good influence in our life. And probably the greatest tribute given to a mother was found on a cemetery headstone. Below the name and date of the deceased mother, is this simple phrase, “She made home happy.”

No other word was needed. What a testimony to a mother who was gifted, enabled, and committed to her calling and mission in life. May their numbers increase in our world today, and may all of us, both mothers and fathers, daily endeavor to make our home happy.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – May 11, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

The apostle Peter begins his first letter to the suffering, scattered church of his day by addressing them with awesome descriptive words as being God’s elect, scattered exiles, chosen, and sanctified. He then blesses them with “Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”

Peter than launches into a hymn of thankful praise to God for the gifts of hope and inheritance given them through the resurrection of Jesus. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5). Thus, Peter reaffirms the basics of salvation for both them and us.

Peter’s statement “In his great mercy” is key to grasping the fullest meaning of our salvation. With these words, Peter reminds us that “new birth” comes to us not as a reward but as a gift, a gift we do not deserve. The writer of Lamentations earlier wrote, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  (Lam.3:22-23).

Peter experienced this truth in his own life and declared that “new birth” gifts us into a new relationship with the resurrected Jesus Christ. And the most obvious benefit of this new birth is the “living hope” of eternal life.

But Peter also teaches that God’s gift of “salvation” also invades our present everyday life with some very enjoyable benefits” such as:

               1. A living hope (v.3). In Jesus Christ, God has given us a “living hope” that is not dependent upon our environment or outward circumstances. The word “living” denotes that which is dynamic, vital, alive. In other words, this hope is like living waters flowing from a perennial spring which never runs dry. We need to remember that the word “hope” is a uniquely Christian word because it makes no sense without the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is more than wishful thinking and beyond “I think I can, I think I can.”

               2. A heavenly inheritance (v.4). This inheritance is indestructible, nonperishable, unpolluted, and shining. It is a guaranteed inheritance, kept and guarded in heaven for each of us who believe and received Christ’s resurrection gift of new birth.

               3. A powerful shield (v.5). Until the day we claim our heavenly inheritance, God has promised to provide us with living hope and shielded with His power. This powerful shield is ours if we live by faith in the living resurrected Christ. The apostle Paul instructs us to use this shield of faith to “extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Ephesians 6:16).

In verse 8, Peter portrays “salvation” as a life of experiencing “inexpressible and glorious joy” living in a relationship with Jesus of loving and believing in him.

Peter concludes his hymn of praise in verse twelve by saying that our salvation is such an amazing event that “Even angels long to look into these things.” The New Living Translation is even more descriptive. “It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.” 

Can you imagine that? The angels in heaven are in the very presence of God’s heavenly glory and majesty and yet they “long to look into these things” concerning our salvation. The Greek word for “look into” means to “stoop down to take a peek.”

Let your mind ponder the truth that God’s “salvation” gift to us is so great that it amazes the heavenly angels. With eager curiosity, longing, and desire, they continue peeking into this wonderful salvation which had been declared by the prophets, revealed by the Holy Spirit, and is now available for all who will believe by faith in the resurrected Jesus and receive his gift of a “new birth into a living hope.”

It is a certainty for Peter in believing that Jesus’ resurrection is crucial. Everything that he says in his letter regarding salvation hinges on God’s act of raising Jesus from the dead. And he urges us to believe with the same certainty and amazed wonder.

The writer of Hebrews summarizes the situation well, “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For … how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? (Hebrews 2:1-3).

As I reflect on the salvation that is ours because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, my thoughts are expressed in a hymn that George Beverly Shea wrote and beautifully sung during my earlier years.

The Wonder of It All

(1) There’s the wonder of sunset at evening, The wonder as sunrise I see;

But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul – Is the wonder that God loves me.

(Refrain)

O the wonder of it all, the wonder of it all – Just to think that God loves me!

O the wonder of it all, the wonder of it all – Just to think that God loves me!

(2)  There’s the wonder of spring-time and harvest, The sky, the stars, the sun;

But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul – Is a wonder that’s only begun.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – May 3, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

During “Holy Week” we journey with Jesus and relive the gruesome way we humans crucified the Son of God. We remember the disciples’ experience of being without the Messiah for three long, grievous days. We can barely imagine the depth of grief, sorrow, uncertainty, and fear the disciples experienced.

Then comes Easter Sunday’s “resurrection morning” and we celebrate the glorious truth that the story of Jesus did not end with his death. We rejoice that Jesus’ resurrection from the grave of crucifixion death to triumphant victory over Satan and death, fully completed his salvation work for all of us humans. His glorious resurrection confirmed his promise to us of an eternal new day and new life.

Praise be to God! Christ arose from the dead. He is alive! Jesus Christ conquered death forever. Hallelujah! Praise be to God!

Now what?

There are a variety of answers to that question, but the one answer that I hear overarching all other answers, much like a beautiful rainbow, is heard in Jesus’ first words to his disciples after his resurrection. In fact, it is the “now what” answer I hear whenever I see a rainbow in the sky.

John remembers Jesus’ first meeting with his disciples. “On the evening of the first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you!” As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:19-20).

And one week later, when the disciples were again together with the doors locked and Thomas now present with them, Jesus repeats his sudden visit with the same greeting, “Peace be with you!” Then he invites Thomas to “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:26-27).

Each time I read the post-resurrection stories of Jesus aliveness, the words “Peace be with you,” seem to jump out of the text and I ask myself, why does the risen Jesus repeatedly use this as a greeting when he appears to his disciples?

And then I remember that from beginning to end, Jesus’ life and ministry flowed from this gift of peace.

At Jesus’ birth, the angels shouted words of praise, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14). It was many years earlier that the prophet Isaiah had announced the coming of a child being born as the “Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6).

I also remember that Jesus told the woman who anointed his feet with her tears and the woman who was healed of her hemorrhage to “go in peace” (Luke 7:50; 8:48). Also, as he spoke to his disciples about his imminent departure, he comforted them by saying, “Peace I leave with you; (John 14:27).

This tells me that these post-resurrection visits by Jesus were no superficial, neighborly visits, but incredibly significant visits to anchor his disciples in the assurance that he will be with them and empower them forever. And so, I hear his first words, “Peace be with you” as being much more than a simple familiar greeting. Instead, I hear them as Jesus giving them a “rainbow” gift.

This “gift of peace” is the first-fruit of the salvation Jesus has sacrificially purchased for them and us in his death on the cross. When he showed these men the nail prints in his hands and the great wound in his side, from which water and blood came, they “were overjoyed.”  Here was the visible evidence of his victory over evil and death that he now shares with them in his “gift of peace.”

Even before his death and resurrection, Jesus told his disciples, “…my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27).

His “gift of peace” takes away the fear that is so much a part of living. It was fear that brought the disciples together behind locked doors. And Jesus enters the room to give them the only thing that can take the fear away and says, “Peace be with you.”

To experience the awesome loving presence of the risen Christ is the best antidote for the many fears that cause us to hide behind locked doors. To see the wounds of his love for us in his hands and side and hear him say “Peace be with you” is the greatest of all joys and the supreme chaser of all fears.

Surgeries fail, businesses go bankrupt, investments evaporate, cancer consumes, relationships end, life is not fair, but the calming and powerful presence of the risen Christ can and does come into our shuttered rooms and darkest valleys, to be God present with us. We are not alone. Peace be with you!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – April 19, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

The physical torture of crucifixion, with its excruciating pain, was designed by the ruling authorities to send waves of darkness and fear into the victim.  But for Jesus there was also the emotional darkness of being ridiculed, abandoned, and rejected by His own people, including His dear friends and disciples.

In earlier days, Jesus had known the joy and happiness of being surrounded by his disciples and the eager crowds. Jesus thoroughly enjoyed his earthly ministry, and delighted in human companionship, even though it sometimes caused him painful disappointment, frustration, and grief.

But the pain of feeling alone, abandoned, and forsaken, that he now felt on the crucifixion cross was deeper and more severe than all the pains that he had previously suffered.

After a whole night of being captured, arrested and led from courtroom to courtroom, being repeatedly questioned and taunted, he was tortured and sentenced to death by crucifixion. His sufferings increased as he was led out to Golgotha and nailed to a cross between two criminals. Jesus had hung on the cross for three hours before noon, and then the heavens went dark and silent, covering the whole world in darkness, “for the sun stop shinning.” (Luke 23:45). 

In their stories of Jesus’ crucifixion, Mark, Matthew, and Luke record that “At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.” (Mk. 15:33). For three additional hours, Jesus suffered the bleeding pains of physical beatings, crucifixion torture, and thirst; now intensified by total darkness.

This unusual darkness was both a physical reality of the world around Jesus, as well as an accurate description of what Jesus was experiencing emotionally and spiritually. As each moment passed, the darkness deepened until it overwhelmed His whole being of body, soul, and spirit, and he could no longer see nor hear his Father.

Jesus felt utterly alone.  There was no one nearby who could fully understand and empathize with him and his suffering? Nobody! We hear Jesus’ heart-wrenching pain when he verbalizes his agony in crying out, “My God, my God, why ….. why this darkness, why have you forsaken me?” 

We ask, where was God on that terrible dark Friday? I believe the scriptures would confirm that God was there on the cross, suffering with His Son as he made the ultimate sacrifice of his life for all the sins of the world. God was there waiting for the moment of victory, when Jesus could loudly declare his salvation work completed, “It is finished. …bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30). 

And in that very moment, God dramatically and gloriously burst forth with earth-shaking light that completely tore apart the temple curtain, opening the way for us humans to experience an intimate relationship with Himself. Furthermore, witnessing this glorious seismic event, caused a centurion to testify, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mk. 15:38-39).

Like mine, most everyone’s journey through life is interrupted by unexpected and painful tragedy. And at such times we also may feel that God has forgotten or forsaken us, or that our friends cannot understand what we are experiencing. Such feelings can be a shattering, crushing experience. And that is why I take comfort and am encouraged each time I read the story of Jesus’ crucifixion experience, because it reassures me that Jesus fully understands and identifies with my sufferings.

Furthermore, by his example, Jesus shows us that the way to journey through the painful dark valleys of life, is to cry out, “My God, my God, why?” For when we do, we can find enabling comfort and strength in the Father’s promises of forever presence and overwhelming love for us.

For those of us who choose not to make a quick leap from the wondrous “messianic revealing” light of Palm Sunday to the glorious “resurrection light” of Easter Sunday, the discovery that God is very much present in the awful suffering darkness of Holy Week is most encouraging. For it teaches us, if we are listening, that when we feel most alone, suffering in darkness, God is with us.  As the psalmist declares in Psalm 139 – “Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence? …if I make my bed in depths, you are there.  …even the darkness will not be dark to you;”              Amen!

The words of an old hymn, “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” are now ringing in my ears as my response. May they lead you into appropriate remembrance and worship during Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

“O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down, now scornfully surrounded with thorns, thine only crown! O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss till now was thine! Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call thee mine.”

“What thou, my Lord, hast suffered was all for sinners’ gain. Mine, mine was the transgression, but thine the deadly pain. Lo, here I fall, my Savior! “Tis I deserve thy place. Look on me with thy favor, vouch-safe to me they grace.”

“What language shall I borrow to thank thee, dearest friend, for this thy dying sorrow, thy pity without end? O make me thine forever, and should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never, outlive my love to thee.”

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – April 5, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

I do not fully understand the complete answer to why disappointments so often painfully interrupt our expectations and dreams but believe the story of Jesus’ response to the death of his beloved friend, Lazarus, does give us some helpful insights into Jesus’ heart of caring empathy for us. The story is found in the 11^th chapter of John’s gospel.

Mary and Martha had sent word to Jesus that their brother, Lazarus, “the one you love is sick.”  Two days later Jesus begins his journey to Bethany in Judea knowing that Lazarus had already died.

As Jesus and his disciples were nearing Bethany, word came to Martha that Jesus was approaching, and she left immediately to go and meet him.  Martha’s disappointment and frustration with Jesus arriving too late to heal Lazarus is heard in her greeting, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (v.21). She then returns to her house and tells her sister, Mary, that Jesus “is asking for you.” (v.28).

Mary quickly leaves her house to go to Jesus, who is still outside the village, and falling at his feet she expresses the same disappointment and frustration as her sister did, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (v.32).

But unlike his teaching response to Martha, Jesus’ is now seeing and hearing the pain-filled weeping of Mary and the Jews who had come with her, and he is “deeply moved in spirit and troubled” and asked, “Where have you laid him?” (v.33-34).

Yes, Jesus could have quickly quieted all this weeping with the good news that everything would be fine in just a few moments.  But he does not do so. As he looks around at their pain and suffering, he feels their pain and is “deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” (v.33.) The Greek word for this phrase indicates that the emotion Jesus felt was such that it seized his whole body, causing him to shudder and groan.

Does Jesus reassure the weeping sisters that good will come? Does he hustle them toward joy and singing? No, no! Jesus did not pass lightly over their pain. Instead, Jesus uses this time to listen and feel their painful disappointment and loss, publicly expressing his own grief physically and emotionally. So deeply did Jesus enter into the pain and sorrow of others that his own heart was torn with anguish.

“Jesus wept.”  He did not simply wipe away a few hidden tears.  No, he weeps publicly and loud enough so that everyone in the crowd heard it and remarked about it. “See how he loved him!” (v.36). Jesus did not hold back nor hide the full expression of his own grief and his caring for others. With his own tears, Jesus showed us that God cares deeply about what we are experiencing.

In verse 38 we read, “Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb.”  Leighton Ford writes in his book, Sandy, “The word taken literally means ‘he snorted in his spirit’ like a warhorse facing battle, seeing what death and evil had done to the beautiful world his Father had made.”

I agree with Leighton’s interpretation that in that moment, Jesus recommitted himself to God’s mission for his life and became determined to conquer and destroy the painful hopelessness of death. In a public display of that determination, “Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”  And Lazarus came out, still bound in the grave-wrappings.  What a moment! “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

I do not fully understand the complete answer to why disappointments so often painfully interrupt our expectations and dreams, and why our prayers for miracle often seem lost in the vast darkness of painful uncertainty.

But this I do know. Disappointment is akin to the death of our expectations and dreams, and like the above story of Lazarus’ death so wonderfully illustrates, Jesus is there with us and shares with us the pain of disappointment and loss, inviting us to draw near to him for caring empathy and encouragement, because he deeply cares about us.

Could it be that disappointments are times we can best hear God’s invitation to deepen our trust relationship with himself and his caring love and provision for us?

Frank E. Graeff, a minister in the Methodist churches of the Philadelphia conference, experienced many disappointments during his lifetime. It was during a time of severe physical agony, doubt, and despondency that he found comfort and strength in the apostle Peter’s words, “Cast all your anxiety on him (God) because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7). This scripture verse became so meaningful to him that he wrote the words to the hymn “Does Jesus Care?” to express the gratitude and reassurance that came to him.

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth and song, as the burdens press, and cares distress, and the way grows weary and long?

Does Jesus care when my way is dark with a nameless dread and fear? As the daylight fades into deep night shades, does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed to resist some temptation strong, when for my deep grief I find no relief, tho my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I said good bye to the dearest on earth to me, and my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks – Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Chorus:

O yes, He cares – I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief; when the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – March 29, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

After Wilbur and Orville Wright’s first successful flight of their airplane on December 17, 1930, they excitedly sent a telegram to their sister in Dayton, Ohio. The telegrammed message read: “First sustained flight, 59 seconds.  Home for Christmas.”

Their sister, being extremely excited and happy, ran all the way to the newspaper office with the telegram.  Laying the telegram on the editor’s desk, she said, “I thought you would want to see this for tomorrow’s paper. Sure enough, the next day it was printed in the paper.  Buried on page 16 underneath the obituaries, was this notice: “Local bicycle merchants to spend holidays at home.”

The greatest and most major event of the twentieth century was completely missed by the newspaper editor, even though it happened right before his own eyes.  His blindness toward new possibilities in human flight caused him to miss telling the world the “biggest story” of his day, “MAN CAN FLY.”

Unfortunately, similar blindness continues to plague many people today. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was a very significant “big story” event in the history of our world, and yet so many, both non-Christians and those who claim to be Christian, do not see nor understand its significance. 

Being blinded by either skepticism, fear, religious pride, or stubborn dogmatism, they cannot see Jesus nor his sovereignty, glory and power, as the Son of God. Choosing to remain in their blindness, neither can they see nor experience the reality of Jesus’ presence and power in a world of darkness and despair.  

As we examine our lives during this Lenten season, we should be asking about our own blindness. Do we “see” the Jesus of biblical scripture or do we “see” another Jesus of our own making?  Do we know what is causing our spiritual blindness and are we ready to acknowledge that we cannot “see” the Jesus as portrayed in the Scriptures?

Biblical Scriptures tell us that we all are blind from birth and need the anointing and infilling of God’s Spirit to rightly “see” Jesus in all his majestic glory, power, and amazing love. And until our blindness is healed, we cannot experience his pursuing presence, power, and love in our life.

Paul instructs the Christian believers in Corinth, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor. 2:14).

John’s story of Jesus healing the man born blind is both a miracle story as well as a teaching moment. Apparently, John considered this story to be of very great importance to his readers since he records the events and conversations in great detail, making it the longest story in his gospel account. (John 9).

The various characters in the story illustrate how tradition, stubborn dogmatism and fear will cause blindness and keep us from seeing Jesus. Furthermore, the story clearly teaches that spiritual blindness is worse than physical blindness. Physical blindness can be healed, but willful spiritual blindness resists healing. The prophet, Ezekiel, describes such as, “They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people.” (Ezekiel 12:2).

Sometimes we are so certain we know how things ought to be done that we are oblivious to what God is doing through Jesus right in our midst and around us.  We blindly limit God’s activity and power, expecting him to only do things according to the way we think best or desire. And then there are times that we really do not want to see truth-filled spiritual reality, preferring to live by our prejudices and be comfortable in what we think to be safe and familiar.  

Maybe the greatest cause of spiritual blindness in those who claim to be Christian is fear. After many years of life experiences and ministry to others, I am convinced that “fear” may be the most destructive weapon in the devil’s arsenal to keep us from “seeing” God’s hand at work in our lives and in our world.   Is it not fear that often keeps us from readily acknowledging and affirming our allegiance to Jesus?

How often have we been like the parents in John’s miracle story?  We know and say we believe yet are not willing to commit ourselves to the good news of God at work in our midst. Rather, we feel it more safe and comfortable being “fence riders” rather than publicly declaring our belief or publicly giving praise to Jesus for his transforming work in our life.

As we examine our lives during this Lenten season, we should be asking ourselves, do I truly “see” Jesus? Am I willing to allow the Holy Spirit to name the blindness that afflicts me, or am choosing to remain blind to his person, presence, and power in my life? Am I ready to acknowledge my blindness and sincerely say “Lord, I want to see you.”

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – March 22, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

In the fourth chapter of John’s Gospel, we read the story of Jesus and his conversation with a Samaritan woman who had come to Jacob’s well during the noon-time heat to get her day’s supply of water. As the woman approaches the well, Jesus makes a simple request of her, “Will you give me a drink?” The woman responds with undisguised amazement, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman.  How can you ask me for a drink?”

And so a dialogue begins in which there is an amazing reversal of roles.  It is not long before the woman who has been asked for a drink of water is addressing the thirsty traveler as “Sir” and asking him for the water he offers her. “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that ask you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

What is this water that Jesus offers to the woman, and why does he call it “living water”?

All through Scripture, water is a rich symbol with varied spiritual meanings, but always it speaks of LIFE.  The precious physical water, coming from well or river, bringing life and beauty to the barren land of Jesus, was used by Jesus as an earthy symbol of that everlasting “from above” Holy Spirit which thoroughly quenches, revives, and satisfies the parched, dying human spirit of those who ask for the gift.

Jesus offers God’s indwelling Spirit as “living water” because it is an everlasting “gift from God.” It is as “living water” because of its ability to quench the soul’s deepest thirst for relationship with God. And it is as “living water” because it is continuously fresh and abundant, not just for a day, but forever.

Jesus tells this thirsty woman that his offer of “living water”would be as “a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” And that this “living water” will be given to her if she would believe and ask to receive it. Without hesitation she pleads, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty ….”

With patient love and grace Jesus’ leads her into an understanding that this gift of “living water” cannot be received without her first acknowledging her emptiness and soul-thirst which Jesus gently exposes in requesting that she “Go, call your husband and come back.”

Acknowledging the emptiness that Jesus exposed in her life, she now believes him to be a prophet and states her belief in the coming Messiah. Having led her to a confession of belief in the coming Messiah, Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you – I am he.”  

And this very weary, joy-famished woman, with her thirsty soul now exposed, leaves her water jar at the well and runs back to her town of Samaritan neighbors, telling everyone that she had just met a Jewish man who claimed to be the Messiah. Many of the people followed her back to the well and Jesus, and many of them listened and believed Jesus’ promise of “living water.”

I think I hear their joy echoing in the words of the hymn “Satisfied” as written by Clara T. Williams.

All my life long I had pant-ed   For a drink from some cool spring

That I hoped would quench the burn-ing   Of the thirst I felt with-in.

Hal-le-lu-jah! I have found Him – Whom my soul so long has craved!

Je-sus sat-is-fies my long-ings;  Through His blood I now am saved.

A few chapters later, John records that on the last day of the annual Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus throws out this urgent invitation to all the world, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”  Then John explains, “By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.” (7:37-39).

This is the invitation the Samaritan woman heard and believed. And it is the invitation that Jesus continues to give even now to all whose lives are barren and thirsty.  It is the invitation given to those who keep dipping their buckets into the wells of the world for water that does not satisfy nor quench the despairing thirst within their soul for a meaningful, satisfying relationship with God.

In the last chapter of the last book in the Bible, we read in verse one, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city.”

Then in verse seventeen we hear the universal “whosoever” invitation, “The Spirit and the bride say “Come!” And let the one who hears say “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”

May we, as the psalmist, pray, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (42:1-2). And may the prophecy of Isaiah encourage and assure us that “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” (12:3).

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – March 15, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley