Noah's Blog

English version:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19

Few prayers bring as much inspiration as the prayer of Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3). Ponder the verse, “Ancient mountains crumbled and the age-old hills collapsed.” Adonai has the power to destroy old ways! Anything that has remained for a long time is obviously strong and well-founded, but it is not impenetrable to the righteousness of our Lord. Jesus proclaimed the year of the Lord’s favor by reciting a messianic prophecy from Isaiah in a synagogue in Nazareth. With the resurrection of Christ, as Paul often wrote, we are empowered with God’s power to remove old ways and make way for the Kingdom of God. The prayer of Habakkuk also shouts, “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.” Once you realize that you are really a weak person, God will graciously provide you enough strength for you to go on the heights, to be part of His blessing to the world as described in the prophecy of Isaiah. Oh, how much I love this verse! I read this verse again and again, because I am that weak.

Posted by Noah Buchholz at 12:31 AM | Permalink | Comments

English version:

“But he replied, ‘Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.’” Luke 22:33

Peter declared this and a short time later denied Jesus three times. Peter made several commitments to Christ of this kind in the Gospels such as his confession at Caesarea Philippi (Mark 8:29), and his attack on one of Jesus’ captors (John 18:10). One may say that Peter was the boldest of the disciples. He was hardly ever ashamed of his apprenticeship under Jesus, recognizing Jesus as God Himself. Yet, he did become ashamed, and at a time when Jesus was being betrayed by one of His very own disciples, when He was undergoing trial by the leadership of His very own priesthood, and when He was being falsely accused by His very own people. Do not think that you would not betray Jesus because you are so spiritual and do not fear evil. Do not be choked up with pride, because then you will be defeated by evil, exactly what happened to Peter. This verse calls for fighting against self-righteousness. Paul wrote that he had to let go of his own righteousness so that he could be found with the righteousness which is from God (Philippians 3:7-14). If you’ve been plagued under chains of guilt, remember that Jesus even had to forgive Peter, one of the holiest disciples (John 21:15-17).

Posted by Noah Buchholz at 6:04 PM | Permalink | Comments

Wheaton College ASL Chapel 2008 (Part 1 of 3). An ASL poetic story created by Noah Buchholz, consisting of a handshape poem and an ABC poem.

www.wheaton.edu/wetn/

Labels: Poetry

Posted by Noah Buchholz at 5:31 PM | Permalink | Comments

We often unconsciously imitate the behavior of Jesus' captors, sinning during the darkest hours.

English version:

“Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? Everyday I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.” Luke 22:52-53

Jesus spoke this to his captors on the Mount of Olives in the Garden of Gethsemane. The captors, the religious leaders of the day, waited until the perfect opportunity to seize the Son of God, and it was during the darkest hours. They acted at such a time because nobody but the Nazarene and His disciples would care. We often unconsciously imitate this behavior of the religious leaders by waiting until we enter a private place where nobody (i.e. Christian friends, mentors, teachers, pastors, family) is paying attention before sinning for our own pleasure. In doing so, we march into battle for the king of darkness. Shut your ears to these drum rolls, close your eyes to these waving banners, and retreat along with your Christian brothers and sisters toward the mightiest King who shall defeat evil forever.

Posted by Noah Buchholz at 8:22 PM | Permalink | Comments