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A bell buoy rings only during storms. The beating of the waves and wind bring out the music that is within it, so too do trials reveal what is inside a person. –  J. C. Ferdinand Pittman

How true this was for the trials and beatings of Jesus that preceded His crucifixion. It’s easy to minimize the exhortation of Hebrews 13:13-14 Let us then go forth [from all that would prevent us] to Him outside the camp [at Calvary], bearing the contempt and abuse and shame with Him. For here we have no permanent city, but we are looking for the one which is to come. That is until we begin to realize to “meet Jesus outside the camp” requires that we persevere through our own trials. As we prepare to celebrate Resurrection Day let us not forget: it is a day of celebration, but also a reminder to return to our First Love. He Who loved us with a furious passion, impossible to comprehend from human perspective, had no limitations or boundaries set other than what His body, and Spirit could endure.

From 12 – 6 AM, Jesus endured 6 trials: 3 Jewish, 3 Roman. The Jewish trials were meant to determine if Jesus was guilty of blasphemy, and the Roman Trials to determine if Jesus was guilty of treason. And it’s interesting to note that during this time Passover lambs were being examined to see if they had spot or blemish. Yet, our Passover Lamb, Jesus, passed the test when He was examined and was found to be without spot, or blemish.

Not only was Jesus examined but He was mocked, beaten, and ridiculed in ways that are difficult to imagine. Three Greek words were used to describe the beatings He underwent: Buffet, Smote, and Strike. Each word has a different meaning in the original Greek. To buffet someone means that you rap them with your fists. To smote someone implied that the way you struck them was similar to being flayed, scourged, or thrashed; often used when referring to the skinning of an animal. Scripture does not specify in what manner this was administered but it could have been accomplished through the use of the fists, rods, or both. The final word, to strike, involves slapping, or beating repeatedly with hands or fists. Again Scripture does not give us the details but we can imagine that this involved striking Jesus in the face, mouth, nose, eyes and body. Add to this the suffering Jesus was already experiencing through sweating drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane. A condition known as hematidrosis, or hemohidrosis. This documented medical condition is caused by the tiny capillaries in the sweat glands rupturing, mixing their blood, with perspiration. In this condition the skin becomes extremely tender, fragile, and painful to touch. Just the slightest touch would cause bruising. This ordeal in the Garden alone would have left Jesus feeling dehydrated, along with shock, and physical exhaustion. This is why the writer of Hebrews reminds us: Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood. (Heb. 12:3-4)

As we draw near to the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection let us not forget to walk with Him through the trials that purchased our salvation, and the purpose of them. C.H. Spurgeon in a sermon entitled Feathers for Arrows reminds us: In the ancient times, a box on the ear given by a master to a slave meant liberty, little would the freedman care how hard was the blow. By a stroke from the sword the warrior was knighted by his monarch, small matter was it to the new-made knight if the royal hand was heavy. When the Lord intends to lift his servants into a higher stage of spiritual life, he frequently sends them a severe trial; he makes his Jacobs to be prevailing princes, but he confers the honour after a night of wrestling, and accompanies it with a shrunken sinew. Be it so, who among us would wish to be deprived of the trials if they are the necessary attendants of spiritual advancement?

Throughout Scripture we are exhorted to ascend the Hill of the Lord. But never forget that Hill led our Savior to Calvary, or Golgotha. Let us join Him in order that we too may have a glorious resurrection – hearing Him say to us, Well done My good and faithful servant! And never forget that the beating of the waves, and wind bring out the music that is within, as do the trials that reveal what is inside each of us.

Confession and Declaration – Day Two

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“My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!”

This famous quote is spoken by, who else, Inigo Montoya, played by Mandy Patinkin in The Princess Bride (directed by Rob Reiner, 1987). It’s also a line from the original book by William Goldman. It may seem inconceivable, but this wordy, not particularly zippy quote is one of the most famous lines in the classic book turned cult classic film The Princess Bride. It may be the most straightforward and self-explanatory quote ever. Inigo Montoya‘s father was killed by Count Rugen, and he has waited his entire life to find the man, say these words, and exact his revenge. When he finds Count Rugen, he plainly introduces himself and his mission: “Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.”

Why do I bring up this famous scene from the movie Princess Bride? It demonstrates the power of declaration. Even though Inigo’s motives are not Christ-like, they do demonstrate the type of tenacity, and emotional intensity required to truly have a powerful, prophetic declaration. When Inigo finally encounters the six-fingered man who killed his father, he spouts off his declaration. When they square off to fight the smug villain appears to have the upper hand spearing Inigo with his rapier. The audience hearts sink as it appears evil has triumphed. But Inigo struggles to stand and face his attacker, again and again. Lunge after lunge Inigo’s resolve only strengthens till he powerfully overcomes his enemy with a flurry of slashes, parries, and lunges. Montoya forces his opponent to flee his advances overcome by his resolve. So we too have an enemy of our souls – the devil. This title for satan refers to his slandering who we are to God with false accusations. He is a traducer – one who exposes us to shame and blame by falsehood and misrepresentation. What’s interesting about this title is that it has at it’s root the Greek word “ballo.” “Ballo” means to smite one with slaps; to buffet; to prostrate or be prostrated with and through sickness; to apprehend or lay hands on suddenly, or violently in order to cast out or throw one into prison. Have you ever experienced any of these things on a spiritual or physical level? When I discovered this meaning I immediately thought of that line from the old hymn, “It Is Well.” Some of the lines still ring true and powerful in me today:

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul

It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul

It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul

Why does this hymn still resonate with us today? It is a prophetic declaration – a confession – that declares the Truth of God’s Word to spite the howling winds of opposition. Even the circumstances that birthed this powerful declaration were birthed through tragedy at the writers expense. This hymn was written after traumatic events occurred in Horatio Spafford’s life. Wikipedia records that: The first two were the death of his two-year-old son and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer and had invested significantly in property in the area of Chicago that was extensively damaged by the great fire). His business interests were further hit by the economic downturn of 1873, at which time he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the SS Ville du Havre. In a late change of plan, he sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sea vessel, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford’s daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone …”. Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.[2] Bliss called his tune Ville du Havre, from the name of the stricken vessel.

With that in mind may we accompany the likes of Inigo Montoya, and Horatio Spafford in making our second declaration of transformation:

Day 2, Declaration 2: Thank You Father for the buffeting that Jesus endured to secure my soul’s salvation! Thank you that when trials come my way that in my helpless estate Christ Jesus has shed His own blood for my soul. Thank You that my sin, not in part, but the whole, has been nailed to the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Oh, my soul! It is well, it is well with my soul!