All posts by Dr. Charlie Self

Holy Tuesday

April 15th, 2025 | Dr. Charlie Self

Key Scripture: John 12:20-50

In John’s Gospel, chapter 12 marks the final moments of Jesus’ public ministry before he retreats with the disciples to the Upper Room and spends several chapters ministering to “his own” (John 13:1-6). Some believe that the early moments of John 13 may have occurred on Tuesday evening, though others place John 13-17 on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Beginning with verse 20, Jesus responds to some Greek inquirers and offers a brilliant summary of his true glory – his “lifting up” on the Cross and the healing that will flow from this moment (John 12:20-33). There is a deep sadness on this day as John reminds us that rejection of Jesus was prophesied hundreds of years ago (John 12:34-41). In spite of much opposition, there were some timid believers that kept their faith quiet and the writer is clear this is not honoring to God (12:42-43).

John 12:44-49 represents a final plea of Jesus – and therefore the author as well (John wrote his Gospel and Epistles toward the end of his long life, near the end of the first century) for all to believe and come into the true light (see John 1:1-18) of spiritual rebirth and eternal life.

John recorded these words of Jesus to encourage us as we face many pressures to doubt and be afraid (especially in these deeply divided times). We are also encouraged toward boldness, not covering up our love for the Lord and his invitation for all who believe. Will we take time and share about the Lord with someone this week? Will we trust God even in hard circumstances? The Lord is with us and he will honor us as we honor him.

And, taking a peek at John 13, will we respond to Jesus’ love on the Cross and live under Christ’s “new” command to “love one another, as I have loved you”?

Holy Monday

April 14th, 2025 | Dr. Charlie Self

Key Scriptures: Matthew 21:12-22; Mark 11:1-14; 14:3-11; Luke 19:45-46; John 12:1-11

On this second day of the week, scholars and church tradition place the anointing of Jesus with oil at Bethany here, along with the cursing of the fig tree and cleansing of the Temple. We also discover in John’s Gospel that some leaders are planning to kill Lazarus – Jesus’ friend he had raised from the dead (John 11) – because Lazarus’ testimony was leading too many people to believe in Jesus!

The anointing of Jesus with expensive perfumed oil was considered extravagant by the religious – and received as a beautiful expression of love by our Lord. Jesus is not being wasteful; he is receiving the highest sacrifice that this repentant follower could offer.

The cursing of the fig tree was a symbolic act, representing God’s judgement on those who – in spite of many invitations – refuse to believe. In today’s world, many are uncomfortable with the reality that some will enjoy God’s presence forever and some will be excluded by their own choices. Our loving Lord is persuasive and powerful and constantly wooing people to himself. In the end, following Jesus is voluntary.

The Cleansing of the Temple was an act of divine judgment on some of the religious leaders and their practices, especially the unfair treatment of Gentile converts to Judaism and God-fearing people desiring to know the Lord and experience his presence. The moneychangers were making it more expensive for “outsiders” to participate. Jesus prophetically prepares the way for the new temple – not a building of human hands but the expanded people of God, including all Jews and non-Jews that place their faith in Jesus (See Ephesians 2:11-21).

Will we offer our lives extravagantly to the Lord, submitting all our time, treasure, and talent to him? Will we make sure we place no barriers to fellowship and ministry in the way of anyone, regardless of background? Will we aim for fruitful obedience and total dependence on the Lord, and refuse to exchange godliness for greed?

Palm Sunday

April 13th, 2025 | Dr. Charlie Self

Key Scriptures: Matthew 21:1-17; Mark 11:1-19; Luke 19:28-47; John 12:12-19

This first day of Holy Week or the Passion is a moment of celebration as Jesus fulfills prophecy and receives worship. In these moments of celebration, Jesus surprises all around with his humility – riding on a young donkey – and his authority – commending the worship of the crowd and cleansing the Temple.

This moment of public exuberance will not last, as many in the crowd will be indifferent or hostile to our Lord just days later. Even as Jesus approaches the Holy City, he weeps over the refusal of most of God’s ancient people to understand the special moment of God’s kingdom in the person and work of Jesus. God’s Anointed One – the Messiah (the Christ) is here! God’s blessings of love and justice, joy and forgiveness, deliverance and healing are here…but without the military and political power. The first coming of Jesus focuses on liberation from sin and eternal death. The second coming will bring complete restoration (See Hebrews 9:23-28).

It is important that we have our expectations informed by God’s Word and not our feelings or the daily news. We know God is faithful and we know that the Lord is working in all circumstances (Romans 8:28-39). We must expect the Lord to do great things and endure suffering at times. The crowds in Jerusalem wanted the victory without the sacrifice.

Will we welcome King Jesus on his terms of holiness and humility? Will we clear the way for all to come to faith in the Lord, making room in our hearts and homes for new friends and members of God’s forever family? Let’s take a moment and praise the Lord for his goodness and power, love and mercy, and the promises on which we can place our lives. He is faithful!

A 2025 Lenten Message: A Time for Thinking Deeply and Acting Decisively

March 7th, 2025 | Dr. Charlie Self

Lent is about reflection and sacrifice, pondering Jesus’ pathway to the Cross, and our submission to God’s will. In many Christian traditions, there are specific calls for fasting and diet restrictions, extra times of prayer, and works of charity. All of these matter and I commend all believers as they respond to their understanding the Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit. In this essay, I will share some fresh Lenten thoughts regarding our response to current cultural, pollical, and spiritual issues. Personally, I am not offering extensive commentaries of USA politics until after Trinity Sunday, the true end of the Eastertide cycle on the church calendar. I sense (for me) that I need to allow more time to pass before commenting, as so much of what we see is “the art of the deal” and will find its center in the months ahead. I am pleased and displeased with current initiatives and will offer historical and prospective thoughts in the future.

Here are three Lenten disciplines for consideration and we prayerfully engage our world. The first one is a commitment to intercession and reflection before reaction. Apart from obvious joyful or tragic moments, our communication and decisions will always be better after a pause. This pause should include genuine prayer for the people we disagree with most. When the Bible commands prayer for those in authority it does not qualify that we must agree; in fact such calls for intercession came in the midst of severe persecutions. After asking God for compassion and wisdom, we can share our insights – with a view to creating courageous and civil conversations.

A second discipline flows from the first: we must commit to a policy of no personal insults of persons or groups. Critical thinking on issues is a must, but a judgmental spirit hinders progress of God’s kingdom. This is really hard, especially when there are truly awful and even evil actions and attitudes we face. The exception here is for groups dedicated to hatred and terror. Even then, we should pray for mercy on the individuals while standing firmly against their genocidal aims. This is particularly true of groups dedicated to the destruction of Israel and Jews, as well as those killing Christians and other religious minorities in accordance with their demonic principles.

The third Lenten discipline is the pursuit of wisdom as we face so many challenges. The messages of Proverbs 1-9 and the testimony of prophets and apostles are encouraging: we can gain wisdom, so our dispositions and decisions are discreet and fruitful. Biblical wisdom rooted in reverence before God is concrete, moral, and relational. We do not need wisdom for clear biblical teaching on doctrine and ethics. We do need wisdom for how we navigate the pluralism of our age and call our neighbors to repentance and faith. We do need wisdom for prudential pathways forward for neighborhoods and nations. People of conscience must debate how best we steward resources. May we do so with civility and compassion.

My prayer is that all believers and other people of conscience will aim for flourishing rooted in sound first principles and mutual regard for the dignity of every person.

May Lent 2025 be a moment of great progress in faith, hope, and love for all.

A Second Term for President Trump: Hopeful Realism and a Word of Wisdom

January 23rd, 2025 | Dr. Charlie Self

As I pen this essay two days after President Trump’s inauguration, I am aware of half the country being hopeful, even ecstatic and the other half feeling dejected and deeply concerned. The following insights are those of a Christian leader and public intellectual that appreciates the American ethos of freedom in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. This historically unprecedented Amendment includes:

For the first time in global history, there is no state church or favored religious expression. This freedom of conscience/religion is the first freedom and undergirds all the others.
Freedom of speech.
A free press.
The right to petition government with concerns (redress) without fear.

For a quarter century, ideologues have been eroding these liberties, with some trying to erase religious influences (i.e., “freedom of worship” in private instead of true freedom of religion), especially Christian ones, from public view, and others aiming at censoring “offensive” speech and “disinformation.” This election was not only about the economy and global affairs. There are many people of conscience in both parties that desire a public square with civil debates and no cancelling of those who diverge from accepted narratives. We must defend for all others the rights we desire for ourselves and do a better job of persuasion instead of alienation.

The truth leaks out over time. Consider these issues:

COVID measures were arbitrary, sometimes extreme, and often rooted in opinion, not science.
Iran really is working on nuclear weapons and she and her proxies want Israel and the USA destroyed as part of their religious vision.
Government programs are often ineffective and wasteful, with many agencies unable to account for billions of dollars.
It turns out we cannot account for millions of undocumented immigrants, including over 300,000 children.

The 2024 election was a repudiation of policies set in motion since the early 2000s and the decisions of both parties. This said, some cautions are in order as we observe, defend, or oppose new policies. Here are five insights.

First, we do not elect messiahs. We choose flawed human beings who are made in God’s image and struggle with sin. This is why we are told to pray for ALL in authority, from local officials to our president.

Second, the President is not a King, and the Congress and Judiciary really matter for lasting change. We must urge legislators to balance a budget, improve effectiveness, and hold elected and unelected leaders accountable.

Third, sustainable flourishing for all, with access to education, capital, and opportunities requires more than lawmaking and government money. We must learn and apply the wisdom that transforms people and communities.

Fourth, we have far too high a percentage of the population that gets far more from the government that they give or have given. The long game must include government officials at all levels having the same private pensions and Social Security investments as the rest of us. Public employee unions are unneeded and subversive of true accountability. Remember, friends, when the government spends money, it is our money.

Fifth and finally, the American experiment in virtue-based liberty rests on a population committed to first principles and an ethical vision rooted in timeless truth. Without a spiritual awakening marked by humility before God, moral reformation, and unselfish love toward our neighbor, the efforts of any political leaders are temporary measures at best.

How shall we go forward?

On our knees in reverential awe of God and petitioning the Almighty for mercy and justice.

Hand in hand with each other, aiming for all to flourish.

Debating fiercely without personal insults and listening fully to each other.

Doing today’s work well, knowing that each daily decision builds our personal destiny and contributes to the preferred future we desire for generations to come.

I am hopeful and realistic about this moment. I pray for awakening and prophesy against the abuses of power. I pray for peace and know we must have moral and military strength. I labor so all can flourish and have my grandkids in my mind as I consider and discern the best ways forward. If you are grieving right now, lend your thoughtful voice to debates without labeling and libeling. If you are happy, be sober about the foundations that need repair for a positive future. Above all, let’s humble ourselves before God.