God Issues Today: "Sonically Upgraded Beatle"

Author, educator and commentator Dr. James Denison has been pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas since June, 1998. Prior to that, he was pastor at churches in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Midland (at First Baptist) and Mansfield, Texas.

During my first visit to the British Museum, I stood before Codex Sinaiticus, one of the oldest New Testaments in the world. Tears came to my eyes as I marveled at this treasured volume and considered its enormous significance to biblical scholarship. Not one person stopped to join my reverie. Behind me, a table covered with Beatles memorabilia drew hundreds of gawking spectators. A parable of priorities, I thought.

Those gawkers must be happy with the announcement in today's New York Times that the Beatles' original British albums will be sonically upgraded (whatever that means) and reissued this September. I'm guessing that they will become cultural icons, while the New Testament I admired sits silently in its display case. But silence is sometimes more powerful than sound.

Wednesday is the silent day in Holy Week. The Gospels do not record a single event of this day. Jesus was staying with his disciples at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in Bethany (a suburb of Jerusalem). How did he spend the day?

Probably teaching his followers about tomorrow's trials, seeking to prepare them for the shock and pain they will soon face. Comforting his close friends on the eve of his arrest. And preparing himself to go to the cross for us. As Jesus often prayed early in the morning (Mark 1:35) and late at night (Luke 6:12), so he spent this day in communion with his Father.

The cross was no accident. Jesus was "the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). Before he made the first day, our Father knew that the day would come when his Son would choose to die in our place, purchasing our salvation.

Now the time had finally come. Jesus could still escape Jerusalem and flee to the safety of his Galilean homeland. But he chose to stay and die, and spent this day getting ready.

Take a few minutes to imagine the scene. Visualize Jesus at Bethany surrounded by his disciples and friends, yourself among them. Picture him in the center of the room, and sit at his feet. As you rest in his presence, thank him for what he will do for you this week. Praise him for his love and grace. Decide to meet him each morning in worship.

And remember all day long that God Almighty thinks you are worth the death of his Son. Will you serve him with gratitude today? Will this be a Holy Wednesday for you?