FOR THE SON OF GOD, JESUS CHRIST, WHOM WE PROCLAIMED AMONG YOU, SILVANUS AND TIMOTHY AND I, NOT "YES AND NO"; BUT IN HIM IT IS ALWAYS "YES" FOR IN HIM EVERY ONE OF GOD'S PROMISES IS A "YES." FOR THIS REASON IT IS THROUGH HIM THAT WE SAY THE "AMEN," TO THE GLORY OF GOD. [2 COR 1:19-2O].
THEN AFTERWARD I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT ON ALL FLESH; YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS...THE SUN SHALL TURN TO DARKNESS. AND THE MOON TO BLOOD, BEFORE THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD COMES. JOEL [2;28,31].
NO, THIS IS WHAT WAS SPOKEN THROUGH THE PROPHET JOEL: IN THE LAST DAYS IT WILL BE, GOD DECLARES, THAT I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH, AND YOUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN HALL DREAM DREAMS. [ACTS 2: 16-7].
OH THAT YOU COULD TEAR OPEN THE HEAVENS AND COME DOWN, SO THAT THE MOUNTAINS WOULD QUAKE AT YOUR PRESENCE {IS.64:1].
AND JUST AS JESUS WAS COMING UP OUT OF THE WATER, HE SAW THE HEAVENS TORN APART AND THE SPIRIT DESCENDING LIKE A DOVE ON HIM. AS A VOICE CAME FROM HEAVEN, " YOU ARE MY SON, THE BELOVED; WITH YOU I AM WELL PLEASED."
[ MK.1:1O-11].
"I HAVE SET MY KING ON ZION, MY HOLY HILL." I WILL TELL OF THE DECREE OF THE LORD: HE SAID TO ME, " YOU ARE MY SON; TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU. [PS: 6-7].
THE PEOPLE WHO WALKED IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT "LIGHT;" THOSE WHO LIVED IN A LAND OF DEEP DARKNESS--ON THEM "LIGHT" HAS SHINED...FOR A CHILD HAS BEEN BORN FOR US, A SON GIVEN TO US; AUTHORITY RESTS ON HIS SHOULDERS; AND HE IS NAMED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER," PRINCE OF PEACE." HIS AUTHORITY SHALL GROW CONTINUALLY, AND THERE SHALL BE ENDLESS PEACE FOR THE THRONE OF DAVID AND HIS KINGDOM. HE WILL ESTABLISH AND UPHOLD IT WITH JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS FROM THIS TIME ONWARD AND FOREVERMORE. THE ZEAL OF THE LORD OF HOSTS WILL DO THIS.[IS 9:2, 6-7].
"GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST HEAVEN, AND ON EARTH PEACE AMONG THOSE WHOM HE FAVORS! -[LK 2:14].
"MASTER, NOW, YOU ARE DISMISSING YOUR SERVANT IN PEACE,ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD; FOR MY EYES HAVE SEEN YOUR SALVATION., WHICH YOU HAVE PREPARED IN THE PRESENCE OF ALL PEOPLES, A LIGHT FOR REVELATION TO THE GENTILES AND FOR GLORY TO YOUR PEOPLE ISRAEL" [LK2:29-32].
SAYING, "BLESSED IS THE KING WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.! PEACE IN HEAVEN, AND GLORY IN THE HIGEST HEAVEN!" [ LK 19:38].
PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU: MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU. I DO NOT GIVE TO YOU AS THE WORLD GIVES. DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED, AND DO NOT LET THEM BE AFRAID. [JN 14:27].
I HAVE SAID THIS TO YOU, SO THAT IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. IN THE WORLD YOU FACE PERSECUTION. BUT TAKE COURAGE: I HAVE CONQUERED THE WORLD!
[JN 16:33].
GRACE TO YOU AND PEACE FROM GOD OUR FATHER AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
[ GAL 1:1: EPH1:1 etc ].
WHEN IT WAS EVENING ON THAT DAY, THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK... JESUS CAME AND STOOD AMONG THEM AND SAID, "PEACE BE WITH YOU... JESUS SAID TO THEM AGAIN, ' PEACE BE WITH YOU." AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME, SO I SEND YOU.." [JN 19: 20-21]
MEANWHILE THE CHURCH THROUGHOUT JUDEA, GALILEE, AND SAMARIA HAD PEACE AND WAS BUILT UP. [ACTS 9:31].
YOU KNOW THE MESSAGE HE SENT TO THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, PREACHING PEACE BY JESUS CHRIST. [ACTS 10:36].
THEREFORE SINCE WE ARE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. [ROM 5:1]
TO SET THE MIND ON THE FLESH IS DEATH, BUT TO SET THE MIND ON THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE. [ROM 8:6]
AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS [PHIL 4:7].
BY CONTRAST, THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GENEROSITY, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, AND SELF-CONTROL. [GAL 5:22-23]
BUT NOW IN CHRIST JESUS YOU WHO ONCE WERE FAR OFF HAVE BEEN BROUGHT NEAR BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST. FOR HE IS OUR PEACE; IN HIS FLESH HE HAS MADE BOTH GROUPS INTO ONE AND HAS BROKEN DOWN THE DIVIDING WALL, THAT IS, THE HOSTILITY BETWEEN US.
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
INRI- LESOUS-N= NAZASRENUS-REX-LUDARUM.
WE ARE TOLD TO PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD, SO THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TOSTAND AGAINST THE WILES OF THE DEVIL. FOR OUR STRUGGLES IS NOT AGAINST ENEMIES OF BLOOD AND FLESH, BUT AGAINST THE RULERS, AGAINST THE AUTHORITIES, AGAINST COSMIC POWERS OF THIS PRESENT DARKNESS, AGAINST THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL IN HEAVENLY PLACES. THEREFORE TAKE UP THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD SO THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND ON THAT EVIL DAY, AND HAVING DONE EVERYTHING, TO STAND FIRM. STAND THEREFORE TAKE UP THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD. STAND THEREFORE, AND FASTEN THE BELT OF TRUTH AROUND YOUR WAIST, AND PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
AS SHOES FOR YOUR FEET PUT ON WHATEVER WILL MAKE YOU READY TO PROCLAIM THE "GOSPEL OF PEACE." WITH ALL OF THESE, TAKE THE SHIELD OF FAITH, WITH WHICH YOU WILL BE ABLE TO QUENCH ALL THE FLAMING ARROWS OF THE EVIL ONE. TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION, AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD. [EPH:11-17.] THEN COMES THE END, WHEN HE (JESUS) HANDS OVER THE KINGDOM TO GOD THE FATHER, AFTER HE HAS DESTROYED EVERY RULER AND EVERY AUTHORITY AND POWER. FOR HE MUST REIGN UNTIL HE HAS PUT HIS ENEMIES UNDER HIS FEET. THE LAST ENEMY TO BE DESTROYED IS DEATH. [ EPH. 15: 24-26].
HE HAS RESCUED US FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS, AND TRANSFERRED US INTO THE KINGDOM OF THE BELOVED SON, IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. [COL. 1:13-14].
SO WHEN THEY ALL HAD COME TOGETHER, THEY ASKED HIM, "LORD, IS THIS THE TIME WHEN YOU WILL RESTORE THE KINGDOM TO ISRAEL?" HE REPLIED, " IT IS NOT FOR YOU TO KNOW THE TIMES OR PERIODS THAT THE FATHER HAS SET BY HIS OWN AUTHORITY. BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME UPON YOU; AND YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES IN JERUSALEM, IN ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA, AND TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH." [ ACTS 1:6-8].
JESUS ANSWERED, " VERY TRUELY, I TELL YOU, NO ONE CAN ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITHOUT BEING BORN OF WATER AND SPIRIT. (BAPTISM!). WHAT IS BORN OF THE FLESH IS FLESH, AND WHAT IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT! [JN. 3: 5-6].
JESUS ANSWERED, " MY KINGDOM IS NOT FROM THIS WORLD. IF MY KINGDOM WERE FROM THIS WORLD, MY FOLLOWERS WOULD BE FIGHTING TO KEEP ME FROM HANDED OVER TO THE JEWS. BUT AS IT IS, MY KINGDOM IS NOT FROM HERE." JESUS ANSWERED, YOU SAY THAT I AM A KING HERE." PILATE ASKED HIM, "SO YOU ARE A KING?" FOR THIS I WAS BORN, FOR THIS I CAME INTO THE WORLD, TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH. EVERYONE WHO BELONGS TO THE TRUTH LISTENS TO MY VOICE." [JN 18: 36-37].
AND THE SOLDIERS WOVE A CROWN OF THORNS AND PUT IT ON HIS HEAD, AND THEY DRESSED HIM IN A PURPLE ROBE. THEY KEPT COMING UP TO HIM, SAYING, "HAIL KING OF THE JEWS!" AND STRIKING HIM ON THE FACE. [JN 19: 2-3].
PILATE ALSO HAD AN INSCRIPTION WRITTEN AND PUT ON THE CROSS. IT READ "JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS." [JN.19:19].
IT IS NOT AS THOUGH THE WORD OF GOD HAD FAILED. FOR NOT ALL ISRAELITES TRULY BELONG TO ISRAEL, ...THIS MEANS THAT IT IS NOT THE CHILDREN OF THE FLESH WHO ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD, BUT THE CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE
ARE SO COUNTED AS DESCEDANTS. [ROM. 9:6,8].
THE LORD SAYS TO MY LORD, " SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES YOUR FOOTSTOOL".[PSALM11O:1].
AS I WATCHED IN THHE NIGHT VISIONS, I SAW ONE LIKE A HUMAN BEING ( OR "SON OF MAN") COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN. AND HE CAME TO THE ANCIENT AND WAS PRESENTED BEFORE HIM. TO HIM WAS GIVEN DOMINION AND GLORY AND KINGSHIP, THAT ALL PEOPLE, NATIONS, AND LANGUAGES SHOULD SERVE HIM.
HIS DOMINON IS AN EVERLASTING DOMINION THAT SHALL NOT PASS AWAY, AND HIS KINGSHIP IS ONE THAT WILL NEVER BE DESTROYED. [DAN 7:13-14].
WHEN YOUR DAYS ARE FULFILLED AND YOU LIE DOWN WITH ANCESTORS, I WILL RAISE UP YOUR OFFSPRING AFTER YOU, WHO SHALL COME FORTH FRO YOUR BODY, AND I WILL ESTABLISH HIS KINGDOM...YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR KINGDOM SHALL BE MADE SURE FOREVER BEFORE ME; YOUR THRONE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED FOREVER.[ 2 SAM 7:12]. NOW AFTER JOHN WAS ARRESTED, JESUS CAME TO GALILEE PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD. AND SAYING. " THE TIME IS FULFILLED, AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME NEAR.; REPENT, AND BELIEVE IN THE GOOD NEWS." [MK. 1 :14-15].
AND HE SAID TO THEM, "TRUELY I TELL YOU, THERE ARE SOME STANDING HERE WHO WILL NOT TASTE DEATH UNTIL THEY SEE THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME WITH POWER. [MK.9:1]
I TELL YOU, AMONG THOSE BORN OF WOMEN NO ONE IS GREATER THAN JOHN.; YET THE LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS GREATER THAN HE.[LK7:28].
ONCE JESUS WAS ASKED BY THE PHARISEES WHEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD WAS COMING, AND HE ANSWERED, " THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT COMING WITH THINGS THAT CAN BE OBSERVED; NOR WILL THEY SAY, 'LOOK, HERE IT IS! FOR, IN FACT, THE KINGDOM IS AMONG YOU." [LK.17:2O-21].
BUT IF IT IS BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD THAT I CAST OUT DEMONS, THEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME TO YOU....[MATT. 12:28].
SO, YOU SEE, THOSE WHO BELIEVE ARE THE DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM....AND IF YOU BELONG TO CHRIST, THEN YOU ARE ABRAHAM'S OFFSPRING, HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE.
AS SHOES FOR YOUR FEET PUT ON WHATEVER WILL MAKE YOU READY TO PROCLAIM THE "GOSPEL OF PEACE." WITH ALL OF THESE, TAKE THE SHIELD OF FAITH, WITH WHICH YOU WILL BE ABLE TO QUENCH ALL THE FLAMING ARROWS OF THE EVIL ONE. TAKE THE HELMET OF SALVATION, AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD. [EPH:11-17.] THEN COMES THE END, WHEN HE (JESUS) HANDS OVER THE KINGDOM TO GOD THE FATHER, AFTER HE HAS DESTROYED EVERY RULER AND EVERY AUTHORITY AND POWER. FOR HE MUST REIGN UNTIL HE HAS PUT HIS ENEMIES UNDER HIS FEET. THE LAST ENEMY TO BE DESTROYED IS DEATH. [ EPH. 15: 24-26].
HE HAS RESCUED US FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS, AND TRANSFERRED US INTO THE KINGDOM OF THE BELOVED SON, IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. [COL. 1:13-14].
SO WHEN THEY ALL HAD COME TOGETHER, THEY ASKED HIM, "LORD, IS THIS THE TIME WHEN YOU WILL RESTORE THE KINGDOM TO ISRAEL?" HE REPLIED, " IT IS NOT FOR YOU TO KNOW THE TIMES OR PERIODS THAT THE FATHER HAS SET BY HIS OWN AUTHORITY. BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME UPON YOU; AND YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES IN JERUSALEM, IN ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA, AND TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH." [ ACTS 1:6-8].
JESUS ANSWERED, " VERY TRUELY, I TELL YOU, NO ONE CAN ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITHOUT BEING BORN OF WATER AND SPIRIT. (BAPTISM!). WHAT IS BORN OF THE FLESH IS FLESH, AND WHAT IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT! [JN. 3: 5-6].
JESUS ANSWERED, " MY KINGDOM IS NOT FROM THIS WORLD. IF MY KINGDOM WERE FROM THIS WORLD, MY FOLLOWERS WOULD BE FIGHTING TO KEEP ME FROM HANDED OVER TO THE JEWS. BUT AS IT IS, MY KINGDOM IS NOT FROM HERE." JESUS ANSWERED, YOU SAY THAT I AM A KING HERE." PILATE ASKED HIM, "SO YOU ARE A KING?" FOR THIS I WAS BORN, FOR THIS I CAME INTO THE WORLD, TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH. EVERYONE WHO BELONGS TO THE TRUTH LISTENS TO MY VOICE." [JN 18: 36-37].
AND THE SOLDIERS WOVE A CROWN OF THORNS AND PUT IT ON HIS HEAD, AND THEY DRESSED HIM IN A PURPLE ROBE. THEY KEPT COMING UP TO HIM, SAYING, "HAIL KING OF THE JEWS!" AND STRIKING HIM ON THE FACE. [JN 19: 2-3].
PILATE ALSO HAD AN INSCRIPTION WRITTEN AND PUT ON THE CROSS. IT READ "JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS." [JN.19:19].
IT IS NOT AS THOUGH THE WORD OF GOD HAD FAILED. FOR NOT ALL ISRAELITES TRULY BELONG TO ISRAEL, ...THIS MEANS THAT IT IS NOT THE CHILDREN OF THE FLESH WHO ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD, BUT THE CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE
ARE SO COUNTED AS DESCEDANTS. [ROM. 9:6,8].
THE LORD SAYS TO MY LORD, " SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES YOUR FOOTSTOOL".[PSALM11O:1].
AS I WATCHED IN THHE NIGHT VISIONS, I SAW ONE LIKE A HUMAN BEING ( OR "SON OF MAN") COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN. AND HE CAME TO THE ANCIENT AND WAS PRESENTED BEFORE HIM. TO HIM WAS GIVEN DOMINION AND GLORY AND KINGSHIP, THAT ALL PEOPLE, NATIONS, AND LANGUAGES SHOULD SERVE HIM.
HIS DOMINON IS AN EVERLASTING DOMINION THAT SHALL NOT PASS AWAY, AND HIS KINGSHIP IS ONE THAT WILL NEVER BE DESTROYED. [DAN 7:13-14].
WHEN YOUR DAYS ARE FULFILLED AND YOU LIE DOWN WITH ANCESTORS, I WILL RAISE UP YOUR OFFSPRING AFTER YOU, WHO SHALL COME FORTH FRO YOUR BODY, AND I WILL ESTABLISH HIS KINGDOM...YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR KINGDOM SHALL BE MADE SURE FOREVER BEFORE ME; YOUR THRONE SHALL BE ESTABLISHED FOREVER.[ 2 SAM 7:12]. NOW AFTER JOHN WAS ARRESTED, JESUS CAME TO GALILEE PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD. AND SAYING. " THE TIME IS FULFILLED, AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME NEAR.; REPENT, AND BELIEVE IN THE GOOD NEWS." [MK. 1 :14-15].
AND HE SAID TO THEM, "TRUELY I TELL YOU, THERE ARE SOME STANDING HERE WHO WILL NOT TASTE DEATH UNTIL THEY SEE THAT THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME WITH POWER. [MK.9:1]
I TELL YOU, AMONG THOSE BORN OF WOMEN NO ONE IS GREATER THAN JOHN.; YET THE LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS GREATER THAN HE.[LK7:28].
ONCE JESUS WAS ASKED BY THE PHARISEES WHEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD WAS COMING, AND HE ANSWERED, " THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT COMING WITH THINGS THAT CAN BE OBSERVED; NOR WILL THEY SAY, 'LOOK, HERE IT IS! FOR, IN FACT, THE KINGDOM IS AMONG YOU." [LK.17:2O-21].
BUT IF IT IS BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD THAT I CAST OUT DEMONS, THEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME TO YOU....[MATT. 12:28].
SO, YOU SEE, THOSE WHO BELIEVE ARE THE DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM....AND IF YOU BELONG TO CHRIST, THEN YOU ARE ABRAHAM'S OFFSPRING, HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE.
Monday, January 29, 2018
OF KINGS!
AFTER GOD RESCUED ISRAEL FROM EGYPT IN THE EXODUS, HE LED HIS PEOPLE THROUGH THE WILDERNESS INTO THE PROMISE LAND. AFTER THE CONQUEST, JOSHUA DIVIDED THE LAND UP AMONG THR TRIBES. THE FIRST RULERS WERE JUDGES. THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE THE JUDGES RULED SPECIFIC TRIBES OR AREAS, RATHER THEN THE NATION AS A WHOLE. THEY LED THE PEOPLE INTO BATTLE AGAINST NEIGHBOR NATIONS WHO HARASSED THEM. THE PHILISTINES CONTINUED TO PROVE ESPECIALLY TROUBLESOME, AND ISRAEL WAS NOT ABLE TO SUBDUE. MANY OF ISRAEL CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE LEADERSHIP THE JUDGES PROVIDED WAS TOO LIMITED; A MORE CENTRALIZED FORM OF CONTROL WAS NEEDED.
EVENTUALLY SAUL, OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN, WAS APPOINTED ISRAEL'S FIRST KING. THE BIBLICAL PASSAGES WHICH DESCRIBES HIS APPOINTMENT ARE COMPLEX. SOME VIEW HIS APPOINTMENT AS A GOOD MOVE, COMMANDED BY GOD.
( 1 SAMUEL 9:1-10:16; 1O :20-24; 11:1-15; 13:13; 15:1). OTHERS VIEW HIS APPOINTMENT A BAD MOVE, SOUGHT BY A REBELLIOUS ISRAEL, (8:4-22). (10;17-19). THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN "PRINCE" AND "KING" IN THESE TWO PASSAGES IS IMPORTANT. 1 SAMUEL [9: 16] INDICATES THAT SAUL WAS APPOINTED TO DELIVER ISRAEL FROM THE CLUTCHES OF THE PHILISTINES, AND THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD OF HIS RULE HE FOUGHT NUMEROUS BATTLES AGAINST THEM; 1 SAMUEL ( 14:47,48) GIVES A GLOWING ACCOUNT OF HIS MILITARY SUCCESSES. THE NARATIVE BLAMES HIS DOWN FALL ON TWO SPECFIC SINS. HE GREW IMPATIENT WHEN SAMUEL DID NOT ARRIVE IN TIME TO OFFER SACRIFICE PRIOR TO BATTLE (1 SAMUEL 13:1- 15; SEE ALSO
10:8) AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION SPARED THE LIFE OF AGAG THE AMALEKITE, (1 SAMUEL 1-15). THE NARRATIVE MAKES NO MENTION OF SAUL MARRYING NUMEROUS WIVES, LEVYING HARSH TAXES, BUILDING HIMSELF A PALACE, OR MAKING USE OF SLAVE LABOR. THE TURNING POINT IN THE ACCOUNT OF HIS LIFE COMES WHEN SAMUEL ANOINTS DAVID IN HIS PLACE, (1 SAMUEL 16). SAMUEL LOST HIS LIFE IN A BATTLE. THE PHILISTINES. MEN OF JABESH-GILEAD, WHOM SAUL ONCED HELPED. ( 1 SAMUEL 11), BURIED HIM.
DAVID SAUL'S SUCESSOR, BELONGED TO THE TRIBE OF JUDAH. DURING THE FIRST SEVEN YEARS OF HIS REIGN, DAVID RULED ONLY JUDAH, THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE TOTAL REALM. HE MADE HEBRON HIS CAPITAL. ONE OF SAUL'S SONS, ISHBOHETH, RULED THE NORTH. EVENTUALLY THE NORTH (ISRAEL) ALSO SUBMITTED TO DAVID, AND GAVE ITS NAME TO THE UNITED REALM. DAVID NOW MOVED HIS CAPITAL TO JERUSALEM (2 SAMUEL 5:6-10), AND BROUGHT THE ARK OF THE COVENANT INTO THE CITY AS WELL, PLACING IT INTO A SPECIALLY PREPARED, TENT (2 SAMUEL 6), NOW BECAME THE POLITCAL AND RELIGOUS CENTER OF THE NATION. DAVID BUILT HIMSELF A PALACE, (2 SAMUEL 5; 11,12). THEN HE PROPOSED TO BUILD A BETTER HOUSE FOR THE LORD-A TEMPLE. THE LORD RESPONDED BY STATING THAT HE HAD NEVER LIVED IN A HOUSE, AND DID NOT NEED ONE; HE PREFERRED TO LIVE IN A LESS RESTRICTING TENT. HOW EVER, HE SAID HE WOULD BUILD A ( DYNASTY, LINE OF KINGS) OUT OF DAVID. (2 SAMUEL 7: 1-17). THIS PROMISE FEATURES PROMINENTLY THROUGH OUT THE BIBLICAL NARRATIVE. ISRAEL ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THIS COVENANT ( AGAIN ONE OF DIVINE COMMITMENT, AS WAS THAT WITH ABRAHAM).
AND LOOKED ON " THE CITY OF DAVID". WITH GREAT REVERANCE- JERUSALEM WAS THAT CITY IN WHICH DAVID'S DESCENDANTS WOULD RULE!
AFTER SOLOMON BUILT HIS TEMPLE, JERUSALEM TOOK ON EVEN MORE IMPORTANCE- GOD LIVED WITHIN ITS WALLS! DURING THE LONG YEARS (587 UNTIL THE BIRTH OF JESUS). WHEN THERE WAS NO KING IN ISRAEL, THE PEOPLE CONTINUED TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE TIME WHEN THE LORD WOULD FULFILL HIS PROMISE TO DAVID, AND SEND ONE OF HIS DESCENDANTS TO RULE HIS PEOPLE.
THE NARRATIVE WHICH DESCRIBES DAVID'S LATER YEARS IS DEVOTED IN LARGE MEASURE TO THE QUESTION OF WHO WILL SUCCEED HIM. WILL IT BE AMNON, ABSALOM, ADONIJAH, OR SOLOMON? THE OUT-COME OF THE STRUGGLE IS WELL KNOWN (2 SAMUEL 13:1; 1 KINGS 2:46).
EVENTUALLY SAUL, OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN, WAS APPOINTED ISRAEL'S FIRST KING. THE BIBLICAL PASSAGES WHICH DESCRIBES HIS APPOINTMENT ARE COMPLEX. SOME VIEW HIS APPOINTMENT AS A GOOD MOVE, COMMANDED BY GOD.
( 1 SAMUEL 9:1-10:16; 1O :20-24; 11:1-15; 13:13; 15:1). OTHERS VIEW HIS APPOINTMENT A BAD MOVE, SOUGHT BY A REBELLIOUS ISRAEL, (8:4-22). (10;17-19). THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN "PRINCE" AND "KING" IN THESE TWO PASSAGES IS IMPORTANT. 1 SAMUEL [9: 16] INDICATES THAT SAUL WAS APPOINTED TO DELIVER ISRAEL FROM THE CLUTCHES OF THE PHILISTINES, AND THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD OF HIS RULE HE FOUGHT NUMEROUS BATTLES AGAINST THEM; 1 SAMUEL ( 14:47,48) GIVES A GLOWING ACCOUNT OF HIS MILITARY SUCCESSES. THE NARATIVE BLAMES HIS DOWN FALL ON TWO SPECFIC SINS. HE GREW IMPATIENT WHEN SAMUEL DID NOT ARRIVE IN TIME TO OFFER SACRIFICE PRIOR TO BATTLE (1 SAMUEL 13:1- 15; SEE ALSO
10:8) AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION SPARED THE LIFE OF AGAG THE AMALEKITE, (1 SAMUEL 1-15). THE NARRATIVE MAKES NO MENTION OF SAUL MARRYING NUMEROUS WIVES, LEVYING HARSH TAXES, BUILDING HIMSELF A PALACE, OR MAKING USE OF SLAVE LABOR. THE TURNING POINT IN THE ACCOUNT OF HIS LIFE COMES WHEN SAMUEL ANOINTS DAVID IN HIS PLACE, (1 SAMUEL 16). SAMUEL LOST HIS LIFE IN A BATTLE. THE PHILISTINES. MEN OF JABESH-GILEAD, WHOM SAUL ONCED HELPED. ( 1 SAMUEL 11), BURIED HIM.
DAVID SAUL'S SUCESSOR, BELONGED TO THE TRIBE OF JUDAH. DURING THE FIRST SEVEN YEARS OF HIS REIGN, DAVID RULED ONLY JUDAH, THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE TOTAL REALM. HE MADE HEBRON HIS CAPITAL. ONE OF SAUL'S SONS, ISHBOHETH, RULED THE NORTH. EVENTUALLY THE NORTH (ISRAEL) ALSO SUBMITTED TO DAVID, AND GAVE ITS NAME TO THE UNITED REALM. DAVID NOW MOVED HIS CAPITAL TO JERUSALEM (2 SAMUEL 5:6-10), AND BROUGHT THE ARK OF THE COVENANT INTO THE CITY AS WELL, PLACING IT INTO A SPECIALLY PREPARED, TENT (2 SAMUEL 6), NOW BECAME THE POLITCAL AND RELIGOUS CENTER OF THE NATION. DAVID BUILT HIMSELF A PALACE, (2 SAMUEL 5; 11,12). THEN HE PROPOSED TO BUILD A BETTER HOUSE FOR THE LORD-A TEMPLE. THE LORD RESPONDED BY STATING THAT HE HAD NEVER LIVED IN A HOUSE, AND DID NOT NEED ONE; HE PREFERRED TO LIVE IN A LESS RESTRICTING TENT. HOW EVER, HE SAID HE WOULD BUILD A ( DYNASTY, LINE OF KINGS) OUT OF DAVID. (2 SAMUEL 7: 1-17). THIS PROMISE FEATURES PROMINENTLY THROUGH OUT THE BIBLICAL NARRATIVE. ISRAEL ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THIS COVENANT ( AGAIN ONE OF DIVINE COMMITMENT, AS WAS THAT WITH ABRAHAM).
AND LOOKED ON " THE CITY OF DAVID". WITH GREAT REVERANCE- JERUSALEM WAS THAT CITY IN WHICH DAVID'S DESCENDANTS WOULD RULE!
AFTER SOLOMON BUILT HIS TEMPLE, JERUSALEM TOOK ON EVEN MORE IMPORTANCE- GOD LIVED WITHIN ITS WALLS! DURING THE LONG YEARS (587 UNTIL THE BIRTH OF JESUS). WHEN THERE WAS NO KING IN ISRAEL, THE PEOPLE CONTINUED TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE TIME WHEN THE LORD WOULD FULFILL HIS PROMISE TO DAVID, AND SEND ONE OF HIS DESCENDANTS TO RULE HIS PEOPLE.
THE NARRATIVE WHICH DESCRIBES DAVID'S LATER YEARS IS DEVOTED IN LARGE MEASURE TO THE QUESTION OF WHO WILL SUCCEED HIM. WILL IT BE AMNON, ABSALOM, ADONIJAH, OR SOLOMON? THE OUT-COME OF THE STRUGGLE IS WELL KNOWN (2 SAMUEL 13:1; 1 KINGS 2:46).
Saturday, January 27, 2018
THE TEMPTATION IN THE DESERT.
QUESTION: IT IS SAID THAT THE DEVIL TEMPTED CHRIST IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THE MAN JOHN BAPTIZED WAS INDEED THE MESSIAH. DOES THIS MEAN THAT SATAN DETERMINES THE COURSE OF EVENTS AND THAT HE IS THE "SPIRIT"
THAT SENT JESUS INTO THE DESERT (MARK 1:12)?
ANSWER: IF SATAN HAD BEEN GUIDING THE COURSE OF EVENTS THEY WOULD HAVE PROCEEDED DIFFERENTLY, AND SURELY NOT ACCORDING TO THE PLAN THAT REDEEMED MANKIND! THE SPIRIT WHOSE ACTION BOTH MATTHEW AND MARK REFER TO IS, AS THE TEXTS CLEARLY SHOW, OPPOSED TO THE DEVIL.THIS SPIRIT CAN ONLY BE THE HOLY SPIRIT.WE MUST THEREFORE ASK GOD TO EXPLAIN, AND HE OWES NO ONE ANY EXPLANATIONS. HOW EVER, HE ENCOURAGES US TO MEDITATE ON SCRIPTURE, SINCE HE HAS PLACED IT AT OUR SERVICE. CHRIST'S SOLITUDE WAS NOT INTENDED TO SATISFY THE DEVIL'S SELF-INTERESTED CURIOSITY, BUT IT DID MAKE THE TEMPTATION POSSIBLE. IT IS EVIDENT THAT SATAN DID NOT KNOW CHRIST'S WAS GOD. FOR WHILE HE IS THE EVIL ONE, HE IS NOT STUPID. THUS, IF HE HAD KNOWN THAT "THIS MAN" WAS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD THE FATHER, HE WOULD NEVER HAVE TEMPTED HIM TO STRAY FROM HIS OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER. HOW COULD JESUS' TEMPTATION HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE? IT'S POSSIBILITY RESULTED FROM THE FACT THAT HE WAS REALLY A MAN.THIS MEANS HE ASSUMED THE HUMAN CONDITION IN ITS ENTIRETY: ITS PASSIONS, IN THE ANCIENT SENSE OF THE WORD, ITS DREAD OF SUFFERING, ITS MANY-FACETED EMOTIONAL REACTIONS. THE SCENE OF THE ANGONY IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANI CONFIRMS CHRIST'S VULNERABILITY AS MAN.
THIS FACT MAKES CHRIST MORE LIKE HIS EARTHLY BROTHERS, IF IT IS TRUE THAT TEMPTATION IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THEIR SPIRITUAL LIFE. THE TEMPTATION IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN, WHERE ADAM AND EVE FELL, SEEMS TO INDICATE IN THE VERY FIRST PAGES OF THE BIBLE THAT MEN ARE BY NATURE SUSCEPTIBLE TO TEMPTATION. CHRIST, THE NEW ADAM, EMERGED VICTORIOUS FROM THE TRIAL. HE WOULD THUS BE ABLE TO ASK: " CAN ANYONE OF YOU CONVICT ME OF SIN?" (JOHN 8:46).
THIS LESSON IS CERTAINLY MORE IMPORTANT THAN SPECUATIONS ON THE DEVIL'S CURIOSITY, AND IT TEACHES STILL ANOTHER TRUTH: JESUS' CHOICE IN FAVOR OF THE KINGDOM " NOT OF THIS WORLD" WAS CLEAR. HIS EARTHLY LIFE MOVED TOWARD THE SUFFERING OF THE MESSIAH ANNOUNCED IN THE HYMNS OF THE SUFFERING SERVANT (ISAIAH, CHAPTERS 42,49,50,52,-53).
WHY DID THE SPIRIT OF EVIL SUGGEST TO JESUS? THAT HE TAKE THE EASY PATH OF THE UTILITARIAN MIRACLE, OF SPECTACULAR SUCCESS, OF POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT. IF CHRIST HAD YIELDED TO SUCH ENTICEMENTS, HE WOULD HAVE WORKED THE "SIGN IN THE HEAVENS" THAT HIS CONTEMPORIES WERE CLAMORING FOR SO LOUDLY AND THAT WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE RALLIED THE CROWDS TO HIS SUPPORT. HERE WE GLIMPSE THE TRUE MEANING OF THE THREEFOLD TEMPTATION : AN EASY PATH FOR HIMSELF BY USING HIS MIRACLE-WORKING POWERS TO "TURN STONES INTO BREAD," DAZZLING HIS OPPONENTS BY "THROWING HIMSELF DOWN FROM THE PINNACLE OF THE TEMPLE," DEPENDING ON THE ANGELS PROMISEDED IN (PSALM 91:11;) AGREEING TO COMPROMISE WITH " THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD" WHO IS SO SKILLFUL IN MANIPULATING HUMAN MOTIVATIONS. BUT SUCH A MESSIAH WOULD NOT HAVE LEFT TO MEN AND WOMEN THE FREEDOM OF BELIEVING IN HIM THROUGH FAITH, THEREFORE THE SERVANT ANNOUNCED BY THE PROPHET, AND THROUGH WHOM GOD''S GOOD PLEASURE WOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED (ISAIAH 53:10) HAD TO BE A DISCREET MESSIAH (ISAIAH 42:1-4) AND HENCE A VULNERABLE ONE (ISAIAH 53:1-12). JESUS FULLY REALIZED THIS PROPHECY (MATTHEW 12:18-21).
THROUGH OUT HIS PUBLIC LIFE JESUS PROBABLY WAS HARASSED BY THE TEMPTER'S ENTICEMENTS TO A GREATER DEGREE THAN ANY MAN, LOWLY OR FAMOUS. LUKE'S CLOSING WORDS ABOUT THIS EPISODE SUGGEST IT: WHEN THE DEVIL HAD FINISHED ALL THE TEMPTING HE LEFT HIM, TO AWAIT ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY" (LUKE 4:13). CAN WE NOT SAY THE TEMPTATION IN THE DESERT WAS PROLONGED IN MANY WAYS BY THE PRECARIOUSNESS OF A LIFE THAT OFFERED JESUS NO PLACE TO LAY HIS HEAD (LUKE 9:58). BY HIS ENEMIES'' CONSTANT DEMAND FOR A SIGN FROM HEAVEN (MATT. 12:38-39; 16:1-8) AND BY THE ROMAN AUTHORIES WHICH WOULD HAD WON OVER MANY OF HIS JEWISH ENEMIES (LUKE 2O:22ff)?
THE GOSPELS LEAVE US WITH A PICTURE OF CHRIST'S THREEFOLD AND CONTINUING TRIUMPH OVER THE THREE-FOLD CONSTANT TEMPTATION OF NATURE, PRIDE, AND THE LUST FOR POWER AND THIS EXAMPLE IS OFFERED TO ALL WHO ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW THEIR MASTER AND TO CARRY THEIR CROSS AFTER IM.
THAT SENT JESUS INTO THE DESERT (MARK 1:12)?
ANSWER: IF SATAN HAD BEEN GUIDING THE COURSE OF EVENTS THEY WOULD HAVE PROCEEDED DIFFERENTLY, AND SURELY NOT ACCORDING TO THE PLAN THAT REDEEMED MANKIND! THE SPIRIT WHOSE ACTION BOTH MATTHEW AND MARK REFER TO IS, AS THE TEXTS CLEARLY SHOW, OPPOSED TO THE DEVIL.THIS SPIRIT CAN ONLY BE THE HOLY SPIRIT.WE MUST THEREFORE ASK GOD TO EXPLAIN, AND HE OWES NO ONE ANY EXPLANATIONS. HOW EVER, HE ENCOURAGES US TO MEDITATE ON SCRIPTURE, SINCE HE HAS PLACED IT AT OUR SERVICE. CHRIST'S SOLITUDE WAS NOT INTENDED TO SATISFY THE DEVIL'S SELF-INTERESTED CURIOSITY, BUT IT DID MAKE THE TEMPTATION POSSIBLE. IT IS EVIDENT THAT SATAN DID NOT KNOW CHRIST'S WAS GOD. FOR WHILE HE IS THE EVIL ONE, HE IS NOT STUPID. THUS, IF HE HAD KNOWN THAT "THIS MAN" WAS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD THE FATHER, HE WOULD NEVER HAVE TEMPTED HIM TO STRAY FROM HIS OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER. HOW COULD JESUS' TEMPTATION HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE? IT'S POSSIBILITY RESULTED FROM THE FACT THAT HE WAS REALLY A MAN.THIS MEANS HE ASSUMED THE HUMAN CONDITION IN ITS ENTIRETY: ITS PASSIONS, IN THE ANCIENT SENSE OF THE WORD, ITS DREAD OF SUFFERING, ITS MANY-FACETED EMOTIONAL REACTIONS. THE SCENE OF THE ANGONY IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANI CONFIRMS CHRIST'S VULNERABILITY AS MAN.
THIS FACT MAKES CHRIST MORE LIKE HIS EARTHLY BROTHERS, IF IT IS TRUE THAT TEMPTATION IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THEIR SPIRITUAL LIFE. THE TEMPTATION IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN, WHERE ADAM AND EVE FELL, SEEMS TO INDICATE IN THE VERY FIRST PAGES OF THE BIBLE THAT MEN ARE BY NATURE SUSCEPTIBLE TO TEMPTATION. CHRIST, THE NEW ADAM, EMERGED VICTORIOUS FROM THE TRIAL. HE WOULD THUS BE ABLE TO ASK: " CAN ANYONE OF YOU CONVICT ME OF SIN?" (JOHN 8:46).
THIS LESSON IS CERTAINLY MORE IMPORTANT THAN SPECUATIONS ON THE DEVIL'S CURIOSITY, AND IT TEACHES STILL ANOTHER TRUTH: JESUS' CHOICE IN FAVOR OF THE KINGDOM " NOT OF THIS WORLD" WAS CLEAR. HIS EARTHLY LIFE MOVED TOWARD THE SUFFERING OF THE MESSIAH ANNOUNCED IN THE HYMNS OF THE SUFFERING SERVANT (ISAIAH, CHAPTERS 42,49,50,52,-53).
WHY DID THE SPIRIT OF EVIL SUGGEST TO JESUS? THAT HE TAKE THE EASY PATH OF THE UTILITARIAN MIRACLE, OF SPECTACULAR SUCCESS, OF POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT. IF CHRIST HAD YIELDED TO SUCH ENTICEMENTS, HE WOULD HAVE WORKED THE "SIGN IN THE HEAVENS" THAT HIS CONTEMPORIES WERE CLAMORING FOR SO LOUDLY AND THAT WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE RALLIED THE CROWDS TO HIS SUPPORT. HERE WE GLIMPSE THE TRUE MEANING OF THE THREEFOLD TEMPTATION : AN EASY PATH FOR HIMSELF BY USING HIS MIRACLE-WORKING POWERS TO "TURN STONES INTO BREAD," DAZZLING HIS OPPONENTS BY "THROWING HIMSELF DOWN FROM THE PINNACLE OF THE TEMPLE," DEPENDING ON THE ANGELS PROMISEDED IN (PSALM 91:11;) AGREEING TO COMPROMISE WITH " THE PRINCE OF THIS WORLD" WHO IS SO SKILLFUL IN MANIPULATING HUMAN MOTIVATIONS. BUT SUCH A MESSIAH WOULD NOT HAVE LEFT TO MEN AND WOMEN THE FREEDOM OF BELIEVING IN HIM THROUGH FAITH, THEREFORE THE SERVANT ANNOUNCED BY THE PROPHET, AND THROUGH WHOM GOD''S GOOD PLEASURE WOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED (ISAIAH 53:10) HAD TO BE A DISCREET MESSIAH (ISAIAH 42:1-4) AND HENCE A VULNERABLE ONE (ISAIAH 53:1-12). JESUS FULLY REALIZED THIS PROPHECY (MATTHEW 12:18-21).
THROUGH OUT HIS PUBLIC LIFE JESUS PROBABLY WAS HARASSED BY THE TEMPTER'S ENTICEMENTS TO A GREATER DEGREE THAN ANY MAN, LOWLY OR FAMOUS. LUKE'S CLOSING WORDS ABOUT THIS EPISODE SUGGEST IT: WHEN THE DEVIL HAD FINISHED ALL THE TEMPTING HE LEFT HIM, TO AWAIT ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY" (LUKE 4:13). CAN WE NOT SAY THE TEMPTATION IN THE DESERT WAS PROLONGED IN MANY WAYS BY THE PRECARIOUSNESS OF A LIFE THAT OFFERED JESUS NO PLACE TO LAY HIS HEAD (LUKE 9:58). BY HIS ENEMIES'' CONSTANT DEMAND FOR A SIGN FROM HEAVEN (MATT. 12:38-39; 16:1-8) AND BY THE ROMAN AUTHORIES WHICH WOULD HAD WON OVER MANY OF HIS JEWISH ENEMIES (LUKE 2O:22ff)?
THE GOSPELS LEAVE US WITH A PICTURE OF CHRIST'S THREEFOLD AND CONTINUING TRIUMPH OVER THE THREE-FOLD CONSTANT TEMPTATION OF NATURE, PRIDE, AND THE LUST FOR POWER AND THIS EXAMPLE IS OFFERED TO ALL WHO ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW THEIR MASTER AND TO CARRY THEIR CROSS AFTER IM.
Friday, January 26, 2018
INVITATION TO ABUNDANT LIFE. [ISAIAH 55:1-3]
HO! EVERYONE THAT THIRSTETH, COME YE TO THE WATERS, AND HE THAT HATH NO MONEY; COME YE, BUY AND EAT, YEA, COME BUY WINE AND MILK WITHOUT MONEY AND WITHOUT PRICE. WHEREFORE DO YOU SPEND MONEY FOR THAT WHICH IS NOT BREAD? AND YOUR LABOR FOR THAT WHICH SATISFIETH NOT? HEARKEN DILIGENTLY UNTO ME, AND EAT THAT WHICH IS GOOD, AND LET YOUR SOUL DELIGHT ITSELF IN FATNESS.
INCLINE YOUR EAR, AND COME UNTO ME HEAR, AND YOUR SOUL SHALL LIVE. AND I WILL MAKE AN EVERLASTING COVENANT WITH YOU, EVEN THE SURE [CONFIRMED] MERCIES OF DAVID. [ISAIAH 55:1-3].
THEIR IS A STORY OF A RICH INDUSTRIALIST WHO WAS DISTURBED TO FIND A FISHERMAN SITTING LAZILY BESIDE HIS BOAT." WHY AREN'T YOU OUT THERE FISHING, HE ASKED? BECAUSE I HAVE CAUGHT ENOUGH FISH FOR TODAY"
SAID THE FISHERMAN. WHY DON'T YOU CATCH MORE FISH THEN YOU NEED? THE RICH MAN ASKED. WHAT WOULD I DO WITH THEM?" "YOU COULD EVEN EARN MORE MONEY." CAME THE IMPATIENT REPLY,AND BUY A BIGGER BOAT AND CATCH MORE FISH. YOU COULD PURCHASE NYLON NETS, CATCH EVEN MORE FISH AND MAKE MORE MONEY. SOON YOU'D HAVE FLEET OF BOATS AND BE RICH LIKE ME."
THE FISHERMAN ASKED:" THEN WHAT WOULD I DO?" " YOU COULD SIT DOWN AND ENJOY LIFE." SAID THE INDUSTRIALIST." WHAT DO YOU THINK I'M DOING NOW?. THE FISHERMAN REPLIED AS HE LOOKED PLACIDLY OUT TO SEA. FEW PEOPLE EVER REACH THAT LEVEL OF CONTENTMENT? IN FACT , ONE POET PUT IT THIS WAY:
AS A RULE, MAN'S A FOOL
WHEN'S IT'S HOT, HE WANTS COOL.
AND WHEN ITS COOL, HE WANTS HOT,
ALWAYS WANTING WHAT IS NOT.
ISN'T THAT THE TRUTH? WE LIVE IN A WORLD OF DISCONTENDED PEOPLE. EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK, PEOPLE ARE STRIVING FOR MORE STUFF, THEY ARE LABORING FOR TRUE CONTENMENT IN PLACES, PEOPLE, AND THINGS THAT NEVER PROVIDE CONTENT AND SATISFIED WITH THEIR PLACE IN LIFE. WHY IS THAT? I THINK THE ANSWER LIES IN THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR TRUE CONTENMENT IN PLACES, PEOPLE AND THINGS THAT CAN NEVER PROVIDE CONTENTMENT TO THEM. THEY SEEK SATISFACTION IN THEIR POSSESSIONS. THEY BELIEVE THAT "THINGS" WILL GIVE THEM CONENTMENT. THEY SPEND THEIR TIME MAKING MONEY
INCLINE YOUR EAR, AND COME UNTO ME HEAR, AND YOUR SOUL SHALL LIVE. AND I WILL MAKE AN EVERLASTING COVENANT WITH YOU, EVEN THE SURE [CONFIRMED] MERCIES OF DAVID. [ISAIAH 55:1-3].
THEIR IS A STORY OF A RICH INDUSTRIALIST WHO WAS DISTURBED TO FIND A FISHERMAN SITTING LAZILY BESIDE HIS BOAT." WHY AREN'T YOU OUT THERE FISHING, HE ASKED? BECAUSE I HAVE CAUGHT ENOUGH FISH FOR TODAY"
SAID THE FISHERMAN. WHY DON'T YOU CATCH MORE FISH THEN YOU NEED? THE RICH MAN ASKED. WHAT WOULD I DO WITH THEM?" "YOU COULD EVEN EARN MORE MONEY." CAME THE IMPATIENT REPLY,AND BUY A BIGGER BOAT AND CATCH MORE FISH. YOU COULD PURCHASE NYLON NETS, CATCH EVEN MORE FISH AND MAKE MORE MONEY. SOON YOU'D HAVE FLEET OF BOATS AND BE RICH LIKE ME."
THE FISHERMAN ASKED:" THEN WHAT WOULD I DO?" " YOU COULD SIT DOWN AND ENJOY LIFE." SAID THE INDUSTRIALIST." WHAT DO YOU THINK I'M DOING NOW?. THE FISHERMAN REPLIED AS HE LOOKED PLACIDLY OUT TO SEA. FEW PEOPLE EVER REACH THAT LEVEL OF CONTENTMENT? IN FACT , ONE POET PUT IT THIS WAY:
AS A RULE, MAN'S A FOOL
WHEN'S IT'S HOT, HE WANTS COOL.
AND WHEN ITS COOL, HE WANTS HOT,
ALWAYS WANTING WHAT IS NOT.
ISN'T THAT THE TRUTH? WE LIVE IN A WORLD OF DISCONTENDED PEOPLE. EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK, PEOPLE ARE STRIVING FOR MORE STUFF, THEY ARE LABORING FOR TRUE CONTENMENT IN PLACES, PEOPLE, AND THINGS THAT NEVER PROVIDE CONTENT AND SATISFIED WITH THEIR PLACE IN LIFE. WHY IS THAT? I THINK THE ANSWER LIES IN THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR TRUE CONTENMENT IN PLACES, PEOPLE AND THINGS THAT CAN NEVER PROVIDE CONTENTMENT TO THEM. THEY SEEK SATISFACTION IN THEIR POSSESSIONS. THEY BELIEVE THAT "THINGS" WILL GIVE THEM CONENTMENT. THEY SPEND THEIR TIME MAKING MONEY
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. [THE APOSTLE OF THE APOSTLES].
THE WORDS OF THE PREACHER, THE SON OF DAVID, KING OF JERUSALEM.
VANTIES OF VANTIES, SAITH THE PREACHER, ALL IS VANITY. WHAT PROFIT HAS A MAN OF ALL HIS LABOR WHEREIN HE LABOURETH UNDER THE SUN?
ONE GENERATION GOETH, AND ANOTHER GENERATION COMETH. AND THE EARTH ABIDETH FOR EVER. WITH MANY OF THE APOSTLES ALREADY CONSIDERED, WE HAVE NOTHING MORE THAN THEIR NAMES, SIGNIFICANT THOUGH THEY MAY BE. BUT PAUL REFERS TO TWO APOSTLES WHO WENT [UNAMED] AND DOES NOT PAUSE TO MENTION THEIR NAMES,EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE CONSPICUOUS IN THEIR WAY FOR CHRIST. ONE OF THE TWO WAS A BROTHER. " THROUGH-OUT ALL THE CHURCHES" THEIR PRAISE IS IN THE GOSPEL, WHAT A WONDERFUL TESTIMONY TO HAVE. ( II COR. 8:18). THE OTHER ONE WAS THE BROTHER OF WHOM PAUL SAID, " WE HAVE OFTENTIMES PROVED DILIGENT IN MANY THINGS- ANOTHER COMMENDABLE RECORD! (II COR. 8:22)) THEN THE APOSTLE BRINGS THE TWO BRETHREN TOGETHER AND SAYS OF THEM, THEY ARE THE MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES, AND THE GLORY OF CHRIST. (II COR. 8:23). MESSENGER IS THE SAME WORD FOR APOSTLE IN THE GREEK. "OUR BRETHREN, APOSTLES OF ASSEMBLIES, AND CHRIST GLORY." DOUBTLESS APOSTLES IS IN THE STRICT SENSE OF, E.G., ACTS 14: 14). "THE EPITHET," THEY ARE... THE' GLORY OF CHRIST," OR CHRIST'S GLORY," IS A MOST UNUSUAL ONE.. CERTAINLY THESE TWO APOSTLES OR DELEGATES TO THE CHURCHES LABORED ONLY FOR THE GLORY OF CHRIST, BUT WE GET A DEEPER INSIGHT IF WE CONNECT IT WITH WHAT PAUL SAYS PREVIOUSLY ABOUT "BEHOLDING AS IN A GLASS THE GLORY OF THE LORD." AND BEING CHANGED INTO THE IMAGE FROM GLORY TO GLORY, EVEN AS BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD (II COR. 3:18). IN EFECT PAUL IS SAYING OF THESE TWO NAMELESS SAINTS-YET WELL-KNOWN AMONG THE CHURCHES. " THESE MESSENGERS, SO APOSTOLIC IN THEIR MINISTRY ARE LIKE CHRIST IN CHARACTER: THEY REFLECT HIS GLORY. YOU MAY SEE THAT GLORY IN THEM." CAN WE SAY THAT WE ARE "CHRIST GLORY"? IS HE CONSTANLY GLORIFIED IN, AND THROUGH US? ARE WE FULFILLING THE PRAYER OF CHRIST? --"I AM GLORIFIED IN THEM" ( JOHN 17:1O).
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT IS THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS, WHICH, IF IT WAS NOT PAUL'S WRITING, CONTAINS HIS THINKING.
THEOLOGIANS HAVE CREATED DIFFICULTIES REGARDING ITS AUTHORSHIP. EVEN THOUGH IT COMES TO US AS AN ANONYMOUS WORK , AND GREATLY IMPRESSES US ABOUT THIS EPISTLE.. ITS THE WAY IT HONORS AND MAGNIFIES THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! IT IS SUPREME AMONG THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE. IN THIS RESPECT.
AMONG THE MANY TITLES USED OF HIM WHICH THE WRITER CALLS TO CONSIDER IS, " THE APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST OF OUR PROFESSION." (3:1). THIS IS THE ONLY OCCASION WHERE HE IS GIVEN THE TITLE APOSTLE, ALTHOUGH THE ROOT MEANING OF THE TERM IS FREQUENTLY USED ON HIM. AS WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY INDICATED APOSTLE "TO GO TO A PLACE APPOINTED BY THE SENDER.." AND JESUS CAME TO EARTH AS THE "ONE" SENT BY THE FATHER. (JOHN 17:3, 18; 20;21). AS THE "SENT ONE" WE HAVE AN ALLUSION TO HIS MISSION FROM GOD MAN-WARD AS THE SON OF GOD. IN MANY PASSAGES JESUS DESIGNATES HIMSELF AS THE SENT ONE OF GOD, USING THE VERY WORD FROM WHICH APOSTLE IS DERIVED. (JOHN 3:17; 5:36 etc.) THERE IS LITTLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN APOSTLE AND PROPHET. THE FORMER IS THE ONE WHO BRINGS INTO THE RELIEF THE MISSION; THE LATTER; THE OFFICE AND POSITION. EACH PRESENTS A THOUGHT COMPLEMENTARY OF THAT CONTAINED IN THE OTHER TITLE GIVEN IN THE VERSE HIGH PRIEST " AS AN APOSTLE JESUS PLEADS THE CAUSE OF GOD WITH US.IT MAY BE THAT THESE TO TERMS CONTAIN A REFERENCE TO THE SPECIAL MISSION OF MOSES AND THE PRIESTHOOD OF AaRON; OUR CHRISTIAN CONFESSION LOOKS TO ONE MEDIATOR (HEB.3;2; 8:6;12:24; I TIM..2:5).
JESUS THEN, WAS THE APOSTLE WHO CHOSE THE TWELVE APOSTLES, AND WHO BROUGHT ALL OTHERS KNOWN AS SUCH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, INTO HIS SERVICE. IT WAS BECAUSE OF ALL THAT HE WAS IN HIMSELF AS THE SENT ONE FROM HEAVEN, AND ALL THAT HE ACCOMPLISHED, THAT HE WAS ABLE TO COMMAND THE ALLEGIANCE OF THE MANY HE SENT FORTH TO PREACH THE GOSPEL, WHICH HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION MADE POSSIBLE. THE GREEK POET WROTE OF HIS FAVORITE HERO, ACHILLES, " HE ALONE IS THE LIVING MAN, AND ALL THE REST ARE SHADES," AND ALL THE APOSTLES ARE BUT SHADES," OF HIM WHO CAME AS "THE APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST." DELIGHTING TO DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER WHO SENT HIM INTO THE WORLD TO DIE FOR ITS SIN (JOHN 3:16), JESUS LOOKED UPON HIS DISCIPLES AS HIS SENT ONES. THEY WERE HIS FATHER'S GIFT TO HIM AS THE PERFECT APOSTLE, AND HE GUARDED THEM AS THE APPLE OF HIS EYE.
WE HAVE ALREADY CONSIDERED HOW HE SOUGHT TO SHAPE AND TRAIN THEM AS TRUE APOSTLES. OUT OF HIS LOVE FOR THEM CAME THE PATIENCE AND FORBEARANCE WHICH MADE THE CHARM OF HIS TEACHING AND HANDLING OF THEM. HOW HE PRAYED FOR THEM.UNTIL HIS PRAYERS HAD ALL THE PASSION AND URGENCY OF TEARS AND BLOOD DROPS! WHEN ONE OF THE APOSTLES, JUDAS, WAS LOST, IT WAS AS IF A STRING HAD BROKEN IN HIS HEART. HOW HE STROVE TO GATHER HIS APOSTLES UNDER HIS WINGS FOR PROTECTION AND MOTHER-LIKE, FORGAVE THEIR MISTAKES, AND ENCOURAGE ALL THEIR HONEST ATTEMPTS. OFTEN THEY GRIEVED HIM BUT HE DID NOT TELL THEM OF THE HURT, BUT ANSWERED IT WITH THE SAME UNFAILING, INFINITE KINDNESS AND PERFECT TRUST.. HE WOULD REPEAT HIS LESSONS, UNTIL LITTLE BY LITLE TUITION BORE FRUIT. THE TWELVE APOSTLES FOUND IN CHRIST NOT ONLY A COMMON CENTER TO WHICH THEY ALL TURNED, BUT A POINT OF UNION AMONG THEMSELVES. CHRIST'S FIRST DISCIPLES WHO, FOR THE MAIN PART, WERE STRANGERS TO EACH OTHER TILL THEY WERE "CHARMED BY HIS VOICE DIVINE." AND ROSE UP AND FOLLOWED HIM. DOWN THROUGH THE AGES HEAVEN'S APOSTLES HAS CAPTURED THE ADORATION OF COUNTLESS NUMBERS. WE HAVE NO EVIDENCE THAT NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, THE FRENCH EMPEROR WAS A BORN- AGAIN BELIEVER, THE FOLLOWING REPUTED TESTIMONY OF HIS REMARKABLE INSIGHT INTO THE CHARACTER AND MISSION OF JESUS THE SENT ONE; I SEE IN LYCURGUS, NUMA, AND MOHAMMED ONLY LEGISLATORS. WHO HAVING THE FIRST RANK IN THE STATE, SOUGHT THE BEST SOLUTON OF THE SOCIAL PROBLEM, BUT I SEE NOTHING THERE WHICH REVEALS DIVINITY. ON THE CONTRARY, THERE ARE NUMEROUS RESEMBLANCES BETWEEN THEM AND MYSELF, FOIBLES AND ERRORS WHICH ALLY THEM TO ME AND TO HUMANITY.
EVERYTHING IN CHRIST ASTONISHES ME. HIS SPIRIT OVERAWES, AND HIS WILL CONFOUNDS. BETWEEN HIM AND OTHERS IN THE WORLD THERE IS NO POSSIBLE TERM OF COMPARISON. HE IS TRULY A BEING BY HIMSELF.... THE TRUTHS HE ANNOUNCED, HIS MANNER OF CONVINCING, ARE NOT EXPLAINED EITHER BY HUMAN ORGANIZATION OR BY THE NATURE OF THINGS.
HIS BIRTH AND THE HISTORY OF HIS LIFE, THE PROFUNDITY OF HIS DOCTRINE WHICH GRAPPLES THE MIGHTIEST DIFFICULTIES, AND WHICH IS, OF THESE DIFFICULTIES, THE MOST ADMIRABLE SOLUTION, HIS GOSPEL... HIS EMPIRE, HIS MARCH ACROSS THE AGES... IS FOR ME A PRODIGY, A MYSTERY WHICH I CAN NEITHER DENY NOR EXPLAIN. HERE I SEE NOTHING HUMAN. HIS RELIGION IS A REVELATION FROM AN INTELLIGENCE WHICH CERTAINLY IS NOT THAT OF MAN. THERE IS A PROFOUND ORIGINALITY, WHICH HAS CREATED A SERIES OF WORDS AND MAXIMS BEFORE UNKNOWN. JESUS BORROWED NOTHING FROM OUR SCIENCES. ONE CAN FIND NOWHERE, BUT IN HIM ALONE, SUCH A LIFE AS HIS....
I KNOW MEN; AND I TELL YOU THAT JESUS IS NOT A MAN. SUPERFICIAL MINDS
SEE A RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN CHRIST AND THE FOUNDERS OF EMPIRES AND THE gods OF OTHER RELIGIONS. THAT RESEMBLANCE DOES NOT EXIST. THERE IS BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND WHATEVER OTHER RELIGIONS THE DISTANCE OF INFINITY.... I SEARCH IN VAIN IN HISTORY TO FIND THE EQUAL OF JESUS CHRIST.
VANTIES OF VANTIES, SAITH THE PREACHER, ALL IS VANITY. WHAT PROFIT HAS A MAN OF ALL HIS LABOR WHEREIN HE LABOURETH UNDER THE SUN?
ONE GENERATION GOETH, AND ANOTHER GENERATION COMETH. AND THE EARTH ABIDETH FOR EVER. WITH MANY OF THE APOSTLES ALREADY CONSIDERED, WE HAVE NOTHING MORE THAN THEIR NAMES, SIGNIFICANT THOUGH THEY MAY BE. BUT PAUL REFERS TO TWO APOSTLES WHO WENT [UNAMED] AND DOES NOT PAUSE TO MENTION THEIR NAMES,EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE CONSPICUOUS IN THEIR WAY FOR CHRIST. ONE OF THE TWO WAS A BROTHER. " THROUGH-OUT ALL THE CHURCHES" THEIR PRAISE IS IN THE GOSPEL, WHAT A WONDERFUL TESTIMONY TO HAVE. ( II COR. 8:18). THE OTHER ONE WAS THE BROTHER OF WHOM PAUL SAID, " WE HAVE OFTENTIMES PROVED DILIGENT IN MANY THINGS- ANOTHER COMMENDABLE RECORD! (II COR. 8:22)) THEN THE APOSTLE BRINGS THE TWO BRETHREN TOGETHER AND SAYS OF THEM, THEY ARE THE MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES, AND THE GLORY OF CHRIST. (II COR. 8:23). MESSENGER IS THE SAME WORD FOR APOSTLE IN THE GREEK. "OUR BRETHREN, APOSTLES OF ASSEMBLIES, AND CHRIST GLORY." DOUBTLESS APOSTLES IS IN THE STRICT SENSE OF, E.G., ACTS 14: 14). "THE EPITHET," THEY ARE... THE' GLORY OF CHRIST," OR CHRIST'S GLORY," IS A MOST UNUSUAL ONE.. CERTAINLY THESE TWO APOSTLES OR DELEGATES TO THE CHURCHES LABORED ONLY FOR THE GLORY OF CHRIST, BUT WE GET A DEEPER INSIGHT IF WE CONNECT IT WITH WHAT PAUL SAYS PREVIOUSLY ABOUT "BEHOLDING AS IN A GLASS THE GLORY OF THE LORD." AND BEING CHANGED INTO THE IMAGE FROM GLORY TO GLORY, EVEN AS BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD (II COR. 3:18). IN EFECT PAUL IS SAYING OF THESE TWO NAMELESS SAINTS-YET WELL-KNOWN AMONG THE CHURCHES. " THESE MESSENGERS, SO APOSTOLIC IN THEIR MINISTRY ARE LIKE CHRIST IN CHARACTER: THEY REFLECT HIS GLORY. YOU MAY SEE THAT GLORY IN THEM." CAN WE SAY THAT WE ARE "CHRIST GLORY"? IS HE CONSTANLY GLORIFIED IN, AND THROUGH US? ARE WE FULFILLING THE PRAYER OF CHRIST? --"I AM GLORIFIED IN THEM" ( JOHN 17:1O).
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BOOKS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT IS THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS, WHICH, IF IT WAS NOT PAUL'S WRITING, CONTAINS HIS THINKING.
THEOLOGIANS HAVE CREATED DIFFICULTIES REGARDING ITS AUTHORSHIP. EVEN THOUGH IT COMES TO US AS AN ANONYMOUS WORK , AND GREATLY IMPRESSES US ABOUT THIS EPISTLE.. ITS THE WAY IT HONORS AND MAGNIFIES THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! IT IS SUPREME AMONG THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE. IN THIS RESPECT.
AMONG THE MANY TITLES USED OF HIM WHICH THE WRITER CALLS TO CONSIDER IS, " THE APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST OF OUR PROFESSION." (3:1). THIS IS THE ONLY OCCASION WHERE HE IS GIVEN THE TITLE APOSTLE, ALTHOUGH THE ROOT MEANING OF THE TERM IS FREQUENTLY USED ON HIM. AS WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY INDICATED APOSTLE "TO GO TO A PLACE APPOINTED BY THE SENDER.." AND JESUS CAME TO EARTH AS THE "ONE" SENT BY THE FATHER. (JOHN 17:3, 18; 20;21). AS THE "SENT ONE" WE HAVE AN ALLUSION TO HIS MISSION FROM GOD MAN-WARD AS THE SON OF GOD. IN MANY PASSAGES JESUS DESIGNATES HIMSELF AS THE SENT ONE OF GOD, USING THE VERY WORD FROM WHICH APOSTLE IS DERIVED. (JOHN 3:17; 5:36 etc.) THERE IS LITTLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN APOSTLE AND PROPHET. THE FORMER IS THE ONE WHO BRINGS INTO THE RELIEF THE MISSION; THE LATTER; THE OFFICE AND POSITION. EACH PRESENTS A THOUGHT COMPLEMENTARY OF THAT CONTAINED IN THE OTHER TITLE GIVEN IN THE VERSE HIGH PRIEST " AS AN APOSTLE JESUS PLEADS THE CAUSE OF GOD WITH US.IT MAY BE THAT THESE TO TERMS CONTAIN A REFERENCE TO THE SPECIAL MISSION OF MOSES AND THE PRIESTHOOD OF AaRON; OUR CHRISTIAN CONFESSION LOOKS TO ONE MEDIATOR (HEB.3;2; 8:6;12:24; I TIM..2:5).
JESUS THEN, WAS THE APOSTLE WHO CHOSE THE TWELVE APOSTLES, AND WHO BROUGHT ALL OTHERS KNOWN AS SUCH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, INTO HIS SERVICE. IT WAS BECAUSE OF ALL THAT HE WAS IN HIMSELF AS THE SENT ONE FROM HEAVEN, AND ALL THAT HE ACCOMPLISHED, THAT HE WAS ABLE TO COMMAND THE ALLEGIANCE OF THE MANY HE SENT FORTH TO PREACH THE GOSPEL, WHICH HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION MADE POSSIBLE. THE GREEK POET WROTE OF HIS FAVORITE HERO, ACHILLES, " HE ALONE IS THE LIVING MAN, AND ALL THE REST ARE SHADES," AND ALL THE APOSTLES ARE BUT SHADES," OF HIM WHO CAME AS "THE APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST." DELIGHTING TO DO THE WILL OF THE FATHER WHO SENT HIM INTO THE WORLD TO DIE FOR ITS SIN (JOHN 3:16), JESUS LOOKED UPON HIS DISCIPLES AS HIS SENT ONES. THEY WERE HIS FATHER'S GIFT TO HIM AS THE PERFECT APOSTLE, AND HE GUARDED THEM AS THE APPLE OF HIS EYE.
WE HAVE ALREADY CONSIDERED HOW HE SOUGHT TO SHAPE AND TRAIN THEM AS TRUE APOSTLES. OUT OF HIS LOVE FOR THEM CAME THE PATIENCE AND FORBEARANCE WHICH MADE THE CHARM OF HIS TEACHING AND HANDLING OF THEM. HOW HE PRAYED FOR THEM.UNTIL HIS PRAYERS HAD ALL THE PASSION AND URGENCY OF TEARS AND BLOOD DROPS! WHEN ONE OF THE APOSTLES, JUDAS, WAS LOST, IT WAS AS IF A STRING HAD BROKEN IN HIS HEART. HOW HE STROVE TO GATHER HIS APOSTLES UNDER HIS WINGS FOR PROTECTION AND MOTHER-LIKE, FORGAVE THEIR MISTAKES, AND ENCOURAGE ALL THEIR HONEST ATTEMPTS. OFTEN THEY GRIEVED HIM BUT HE DID NOT TELL THEM OF THE HURT, BUT ANSWERED IT WITH THE SAME UNFAILING, INFINITE KINDNESS AND PERFECT TRUST.. HE WOULD REPEAT HIS LESSONS, UNTIL LITTLE BY LITLE TUITION BORE FRUIT. THE TWELVE APOSTLES FOUND IN CHRIST NOT ONLY A COMMON CENTER TO WHICH THEY ALL TURNED, BUT A POINT OF UNION AMONG THEMSELVES. CHRIST'S FIRST DISCIPLES WHO, FOR THE MAIN PART, WERE STRANGERS TO EACH OTHER TILL THEY WERE "CHARMED BY HIS VOICE DIVINE." AND ROSE UP AND FOLLOWED HIM. DOWN THROUGH THE AGES HEAVEN'S APOSTLES HAS CAPTURED THE ADORATION OF COUNTLESS NUMBERS. WE HAVE NO EVIDENCE THAT NAPOLEON BONAPARTE, THE FRENCH EMPEROR WAS A BORN- AGAIN BELIEVER, THE FOLLOWING REPUTED TESTIMONY OF HIS REMARKABLE INSIGHT INTO THE CHARACTER AND MISSION OF JESUS THE SENT ONE; I SEE IN LYCURGUS, NUMA, AND MOHAMMED ONLY LEGISLATORS. WHO HAVING THE FIRST RANK IN THE STATE, SOUGHT THE BEST SOLUTON OF THE SOCIAL PROBLEM, BUT I SEE NOTHING THERE WHICH REVEALS DIVINITY. ON THE CONTRARY, THERE ARE NUMEROUS RESEMBLANCES BETWEEN THEM AND MYSELF, FOIBLES AND ERRORS WHICH ALLY THEM TO ME AND TO HUMANITY.
EVERYTHING IN CHRIST ASTONISHES ME. HIS SPIRIT OVERAWES, AND HIS WILL CONFOUNDS. BETWEEN HIM AND OTHERS IN THE WORLD THERE IS NO POSSIBLE TERM OF COMPARISON. HE IS TRULY A BEING BY HIMSELF.... THE TRUTHS HE ANNOUNCED, HIS MANNER OF CONVINCING, ARE NOT EXPLAINED EITHER BY HUMAN ORGANIZATION OR BY THE NATURE OF THINGS.
HIS BIRTH AND THE HISTORY OF HIS LIFE, THE PROFUNDITY OF HIS DOCTRINE WHICH GRAPPLES THE MIGHTIEST DIFFICULTIES, AND WHICH IS, OF THESE DIFFICULTIES, THE MOST ADMIRABLE SOLUTION, HIS GOSPEL... HIS EMPIRE, HIS MARCH ACROSS THE AGES... IS FOR ME A PRODIGY, A MYSTERY WHICH I CAN NEITHER DENY NOR EXPLAIN. HERE I SEE NOTHING HUMAN. HIS RELIGION IS A REVELATION FROM AN INTELLIGENCE WHICH CERTAINLY IS NOT THAT OF MAN. THERE IS A PROFOUND ORIGINALITY, WHICH HAS CREATED A SERIES OF WORDS AND MAXIMS BEFORE UNKNOWN. JESUS BORROWED NOTHING FROM OUR SCIENCES. ONE CAN FIND NOWHERE, BUT IN HIM ALONE, SUCH A LIFE AS HIS....
I KNOW MEN; AND I TELL YOU THAT JESUS IS NOT A MAN. SUPERFICIAL MINDS
SEE A RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN CHRIST AND THE FOUNDERS OF EMPIRES AND THE gods OF OTHER RELIGIONS. THAT RESEMBLANCE DOES NOT EXIST. THERE IS BETWEEN CHRISTIANITY AND WHATEVER OTHER RELIGIONS THE DISTANCE OF INFINITY.... I SEARCH IN VAIN IN HISTORY TO FIND THE EQUAL OF JESUS CHRIST.
Monday, January 22, 2018
JOHN 20: 1- 31 [EMPTY TOMB] JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES].
THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK COMETH MARY MAG-DA-LE'-NE EARLY, WHEN IT WAS STILL DARK, UNTO THE SEPULCHRE,{TOMB]. AND SEETH THE STONE TAKEN AWAY. THEN SHE RUNNETH, AND COMETH TO SIMON PETER, AND TO THE OTHER DISCIPLES, WHOM JESUS LOVED, AND SAITH UNTO THEM, THEY HAVE TAKEN AWAY THE LORD OUT OF THE SEPULCHRE, AND WE KNOW NOT WHERE THEY HAVE LAID HIM. PETER THEREFORE WENT FORTH, WITH THAT OTHER DISCIPLE, (WHOM JESUS LOVED AND WAS THE YOUGEST JOHN!) THEY CAME TO THE SEPULCHRE. AND STOOPING DOWN, AND LOOKING IN, SAW THE LINEN CLOTHES LYING; YET HE WENT NOT IN. THEN CAME THE SOLDIERS TO BREAK THE LEGS OF THE FIRST. BUT WHEN THEY CAME TO JESUS AND SAW HE WAS DEAD AND OF THE OTHER, BUT THEY DIDN'T BREAKE JESUS LEGS FULFILLING THE PROPHESY OF PSALM {34:20,21]. BUT ONE OF THE SOLDIERS WHO SAW IT AND SAITH IT'S TRUE AND BARES RECORD, [SPEAKS TRUTH]. SO THAT WE BELIEVE. ANOTHER PROPHESY FULFILLED FROM THE [BOOK " THEY LOOK ON HIM WHO THEY PIERCED." [ZECH, 12:10,] SO THAT THE SCRIPTURE SHOULD BE FULFILLED, " A BONE OF HIM SHALL NOT BE BROKEN" THE DISCIPLES WENT AWAY (BACK UNTO THEIR HOME.) BUT MARY STOOD WITHOUT AT THE SEPULCHRE WEEPING: AND AS SHE WEPT, SHE STOOPED DOWN, AND LOOKED INTO THE SEPULCHRE [TOMB], ONLY THE HOLY SPIRIT COULD WRITE THIS BEAUTIFUL WORDS OF THE END OF OUR LORD ON EARTH ( JESUS!) MARY SEETH TWO ANGELS IN WHITE SITTING, THE ONE AT THE HEAD AND THE OTHER AT THE FEET, WHERE THE BODY OF JESUS HAD LAIN. THEY SAY TO MARY, WOMEN WHY WEEPEST THOU? SHE SAITH UNTO THEM, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TAKEN AWAY MY 'LORD", AND I KNOW NOT WHERE THEY HAVE LAID HIM. AND WHEN SHE HAD THUS SAID, SHE TURNED HERSELF BACK, AND SAW JESUS STANDING, AND KNEW NOT THAT THAT IT WAS JESUS. JESUS SAITH UNTO HER, "WOMEN WHY WEEPEST THOU? WHOM SEEKEST THOU? SHE SUPPOSING HIM TO BE THE GARDENER, SAITH UNTO HIM, SIR, IF THOU HAS BORNE HIM HENCE, TELL ME, WHERE THOU HAS LAID HIM AND I WILL TAKE HIM AWAY [GO GET HIM]. AND AFTER EIGHT DAYS AGAIN HIS DISCIPLES WERE WITHIN, AND THOMAS WITH THEM AND THEN CAME JESUS, THE DOORS BEING SHUT, AND JESUS APPEARED IN THE MIDST, AND SAID, PEACE BE UNTO YOU. THEN SAYING UNTO THOMAS, REACH HITHER THY FINGER AND BEHOLD MY HANDS; BE NOT FAITHLESS, BUT BELIEVING HITHER. THY HAND, AND THRUST IT INTO MY SIDE. AND THOMAS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO HIM, "MY LORD AND MY GOD" JESUS SAITH UNTO THOMAS, BECAUSE THOU HAS SEEN ME, THOU HAS BELIEVED. BLESSED ARE THEY THAT HAVE NOT SEEN, AND YET HAVE BELIEVED. JESUS IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS DISCIPLES DID MANY OTHER SIGNS (MIRACLES), WHICH ARE NOT WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK. BUT THESE ARE WRITTEN, THAT YE MIGHT BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, "THE SON OF GOD;" THAT BELIEVING YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE THROUGH HIS NAME.IN JOHN'S GOSPEL THE RISEN CHRIST APPEARS TO THE DISCIPLES AND OFFERS THEM THE GIFT OF PEACE, A BENEDICTION, A COMMISSION, AND THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. BUT ONE OF THEIR NUMBER IS MISSING, AND HIS UNBELIEF PROMPTS ANOTHER VISIT FROM THE LORD.. ON THE EVENING OF EASTER DAY, BEING THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, WHEN THE DOORS WERE CLOSED WHERE THE DISCIPLES WERE ASSEMBLED FOR FEAR OF THE JEWS, JESUS CAME AND STOOD IN THE MIDST AND THE DISCIPLES WERE GLAD WHEN THEY SAW THE LORD. "PEACE BE UNTO YOU." EVEN SO I SEND YOU, AND WHEN HE HAD SAID THIS, HE BREATH ON THEM, AND SAID UNTO THEM, "RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT;" WHOSOEVER SINS YOU REMIT, THEY ARE REMITTED UNTO THEM,AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME SO I SEND YOU; JESUS GAVE HIS DISCIPLES SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF HIS RESURRECTION.
ON THE VERY SAME DAY, IN THE EVENING, AFTER HE HAD APPEARED TO VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS AND SMALL GROUPS. HE SHOWED HIMSELF ALIVE TO TEN OF THE APOSTLES-THEY WERE ASSEMBLED TOGETHER IN SOME HOUSE IN JERUSALEM AND HAD CAREFULLY LOCKED THE DOORS, LEST A SUDDEN ATTACK OF THE JEWS MAKE THEM, TOO, VICTIMS OF THEIR HATRED. BUT FOR THE GLORIFIED BODY OF THE RESURRECTED. NEITHER LOCKED DOORS NOR HEAVY WALLS WERE A HINDRANCE. HIS BEING WAS NO LONGER CIRCUMSCRIBED BY THE CONFINES OF TIME OR SPACE. THEY HAD BEEN ALONE BUT A MOMENT AGO, AND NOW JESUS STOOD IN THEIR MIDST. THIS WAS THE GREETING OF THE RESURRECTED:"PEACE TO YOU!" THE PURPOSE OF HIS COMING WAS NOW REALIZED. THE ENMITY BETWEEN GOD AND MAN HAD BEEN REMOVED. GOD WAS RECONCILED TO HIS WAYWARD AND ERRING CHILDREN. THE PEACE OF THE LORD IS THE COMFORT AND JOY OF ALL BELIEVERS." FOR THAT REASON CHRIST BECAME MAN, FOR THAT REASON HE DIED ON THE CROSS. AND AROSE ON THE THIRD DAY, IN ORDER THAT, WHERE EVER OUR HEARTS, THE DEVIL, HAS NO CHANCE, AND THE WHOLE WORLD CRY ABOUT AND AGAINST US BECAUSE OF OUR SINS, AS THOUGH WE WERE NOT AT PEACE, THAT GOD DID NOT WANT US., THAT HE MIGHT SAY TO US: NO DEAR MAN, NOT THAT, BUT PEACE BE WITH YOU, GOD IS NOT ANGRY; ON THAT ACCOUNT DO NOT FEAR, FOR YOUR SINS I HAVE PAID, DEATH I HAVE KILLED. IN THIS BE COMFORTED, THAT I HAVE DONE IT ALL; THEN ALL WARFARE MUST COME TO AN END AND PEACE MUST COME. WHEN THE DISCIPLES WERE SURPRISED AT THE RISEN LORD'S COMING AND FILLED WITH SUPERSTITIOUS FEAR, AS THOSE SEEING A GHOST, JESUS SHOWED THEM HIS HANDS, WHERE THE MARK OF THE NAILS WERE STILL PLAINLY VISIBLE, AND HIS SIDE, WHERE THE SOLDIERS LANCE LEFT A DEEP GASH. THIS DEMONSTRATION CONVINCED THE DISCIPLES; THEY WERE GLAD THEY ACTUALLY SAW THE LORD. IT WAS THE SAME BODY WHICH HAD HUNG ON THE CROSS AND THUS EARNED AND MERITED REDEMPTION FOR ALL MEN. HIS RESURRECTION IS NOT ONLY A GUARNTEE OF OUR RESURRECTION, BUT ALSO OF THE FACT THAT OUR VILE BODIES WILL BE CHANGED TO CONFORM TO HIS GLORIFIED BODY AND THAT WE SHALL BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE OUR LOVED ONES IN HEAVEN. THUS THERE IS GREAT JOY FOR ALL CHRISTIANS IN THE APPEARANCES OF THE RISEN LORD. NOW, BY ANY STANDARD AVAILABLE, THE RESURRECTION IS A MIRACLE- THE GREATEST OF ALL MIRACLES. DEAD MEN DON'T JUST RISE. JESUS WAS DEAD, DEAD AS A DOOR NAIL FOR THREE DAYS, DYING AFTER TORTURE, CRUCIFIXION, AND FINALLY A SPEAR IN THE SIDE. THERE WAS NO DOUBT. BUT HE ROSE AGAIN. YET, MIRACLE THOUGH IT MUST BE AND THE GREATEST OF ALL MIRACLES AT THAT, THERE IS SOMETHING DEEPLY MYSTERIOUS ABOUT CHRIST'S RESURRECTION. A FETE LIKE THAT, BREAKING DEATH'S CHAINS TO WALK FROM THE GRAVE. AS JOHN TELLS IT, MARY MAGDALENE WAS THE FIRST TO DISCOVER THAT THE TOMB WAS EMPTY. THE DISCIPLES SCARED OF THE SOLDIERS, WERE OFF HIDING IN A ROOM IN JERUSALEM. WHEN MARY TOLD SIMON PETER AND THE DISCIPLES THAT JESUS WASN'T THERE, THEY RACED TO THE TOMB TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES, BUT THEY ONLY FOUND, LINEN CLOTHS AND A NAPKIN. MEAN WHILE, AS MARY STOOD OUTSIDE THE TOMB WAITING, SHE MISTOOK JESUS AS THE GARDENER. BUT BEFORE SHE COULD REACH OUT AND TOUCH HIM, HE DISAPPEARED. MARY DIDN'T RECOGNIZE HIM BY HIS FACE; BUT BY HIS VOICE. JOHN REPORTS ANOTHER APPEARANCE. THE DISCIPLES WERE OUT FISHING. JESUS STOOD ON THE SEASHORE, TOLD THEM TO CAST THEIR NETS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BOATS, AND LATER BARBECUED SOME FISH AND BREAD FOR THEM OVER CHAR COAL. AFTER THAT ACCORDING TO JOHN, JESUS DISAPPEARED COMPLETELY. PAUL IN 1-15 CORINTHIANS TELLS OF A SERIES OF APPEARANCES, FIRST TO PETER, JAMES, THEN TO THE TWELVE AND FIVE HUNDRED OF THE BRETHREN,
AND LAST OF ALL TO PAUL HIMSELF. BUT ALL THESE APPEARANCES SEEM TO POINT TO OUR MYSTERY? HAVING TRIUMPHANTLY RISEN FROM THE DEAD, IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE JESUS WAS HIDING. BY DOING THESE THINGS, JESUS WAS KEEPING A PROMISE THAT HE MADE EARLIER TO HIS DISCIPLES, BEFORE HE WAS CRUCIFIED. I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU "DESOLATE," I WILL COME TO YOU.(JOHN 14:18; AND THERE WILL BE ANOTHER PRESENCE AMONG YOU,TOO. " THE COUNSELOR," THE HOLY SPIRIT, WILL COME TO YOU. "AND WHEN HE COMES, " HE WILL CONVICT THE WORLD OF SIN AND OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND OF JUDGEMENT. (J
JOHN 16: 7-8). ON THE LAST DAY HE WLL RAISE ME AND ALL THE DEAD BELIEVERS IN CHRIST TO ETERNAL LIFE. THIS IS THE "GIFT " THIS IS MOST CERTAINLY TRUE.
ON THE VERY SAME DAY, IN THE EVENING, AFTER HE HAD APPEARED TO VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS AND SMALL GROUPS. HE SHOWED HIMSELF ALIVE TO TEN OF THE APOSTLES-THEY WERE ASSEMBLED TOGETHER IN SOME HOUSE IN JERUSALEM AND HAD CAREFULLY LOCKED THE DOORS, LEST A SUDDEN ATTACK OF THE JEWS MAKE THEM, TOO, VICTIMS OF THEIR HATRED. BUT FOR THE GLORIFIED BODY OF THE RESURRECTED. NEITHER LOCKED DOORS NOR HEAVY WALLS WERE A HINDRANCE. HIS BEING WAS NO LONGER CIRCUMSCRIBED BY THE CONFINES OF TIME OR SPACE. THEY HAD BEEN ALONE BUT A MOMENT AGO, AND NOW JESUS STOOD IN THEIR MIDST. THIS WAS THE GREETING OF THE RESURRECTED:"PEACE TO YOU!" THE PURPOSE OF HIS COMING WAS NOW REALIZED. THE ENMITY BETWEEN GOD AND MAN HAD BEEN REMOVED. GOD WAS RECONCILED TO HIS WAYWARD AND ERRING CHILDREN. THE PEACE OF THE LORD IS THE COMFORT AND JOY OF ALL BELIEVERS." FOR THAT REASON CHRIST BECAME MAN, FOR THAT REASON HE DIED ON THE CROSS. AND AROSE ON THE THIRD DAY, IN ORDER THAT, WHERE EVER OUR HEARTS, THE DEVIL, HAS NO CHANCE, AND THE WHOLE WORLD CRY ABOUT AND AGAINST US BECAUSE OF OUR SINS, AS THOUGH WE WERE NOT AT PEACE, THAT GOD DID NOT WANT US., THAT HE MIGHT SAY TO US: NO DEAR MAN, NOT THAT, BUT PEACE BE WITH YOU, GOD IS NOT ANGRY; ON THAT ACCOUNT DO NOT FEAR, FOR YOUR SINS I HAVE PAID, DEATH I HAVE KILLED. IN THIS BE COMFORTED, THAT I HAVE DONE IT ALL; THEN ALL WARFARE MUST COME TO AN END AND PEACE MUST COME. WHEN THE DISCIPLES WERE SURPRISED AT THE RISEN LORD'S COMING AND FILLED WITH SUPERSTITIOUS FEAR, AS THOSE SEEING A GHOST, JESUS SHOWED THEM HIS HANDS, WHERE THE MARK OF THE NAILS WERE STILL PLAINLY VISIBLE, AND HIS SIDE, WHERE THE SOLDIERS LANCE LEFT A DEEP GASH. THIS DEMONSTRATION CONVINCED THE DISCIPLES; THEY WERE GLAD THEY ACTUALLY SAW THE LORD. IT WAS THE SAME BODY WHICH HAD HUNG ON THE CROSS AND THUS EARNED AND MERITED REDEMPTION FOR ALL MEN. HIS RESURRECTION IS NOT ONLY A GUARNTEE OF OUR RESURRECTION, BUT ALSO OF THE FACT THAT OUR VILE BODIES WILL BE CHANGED TO CONFORM TO HIS GLORIFIED BODY AND THAT WE SHALL BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE OUR LOVED ONES IN HEAVEN. THUS THERE IS GREAT JOY FOR ALL CHRISTIANS IN THE APPEARANCES OF THE RISEN LORD. NOW, BY ANY STANDARD AVAILABLE, THE RESURRECTION IS A MIRACLE- THE GREATEST OF ALL MIRACLES. DEAD MEN DON'T JUST RISE. JESUS WAS DEAD, DEAD AS A DOOR NAIL FOR THREE DAYS, DYING AFTER TORTURE, CRUCIFIXION, AND FINALLY A SPEAR IN THE SIDE. THERE WAS NO DOUBT. BUT HE ROSE AGAIN. YET, MIRACLE THOUGH IT MUST BE AND THE GREATEST OF ALL MIRACLES AT THAT, THERE IS SOMETHING DEEPLY MYSTERIOUS ABOUT CHRIST'S RESURRECTION. A FETE LIKE THAT, BREAKING DEATH'S CHAINS TO WALK FROM THE GRAVE. AS JOHN TELLS IT, MARY MAGDALENE WAS THE FIRST TO DISCOVER THAT THE TOMB WAS EMPTY. THE DISCIPLES SCARED OF THE SOLDIERS, WERE OFF HIDING IN A ROOM IN JERUSALEM. WHEN MARY TOLD SIMON PETER AND THE DISCIPLES THAT JESUS WASN'T THERE, THEY RACED TO THE TOMB TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES, BUT THEY ONLY FOUND, LINEN CLOTHS AND A NAPKIN. MEAN WHILE, AS MARY STOOD OUTSIDE THE TOMB WAITING, SHE MISTOOK JESUS AS THE GARDENER. BUT BEFORE SHE COULD REACH OUT AND TOUCH HIM, HE DISAPPEARED. MARY DIDN'T RECOGNIZE HIM BY HIS FACE; BUT BY HIS VOICE. JOHN REPORTS ANOTHER APPEARANCE. THE DISCIPLES WERE OUT FISHING. JESUS STOOD ON THE SEASHORE, TOLD THEM TO CAST THEIR NETS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BOATS, AND LATER BARBECUED SOME FISH AND BREAD FOR THEM OVER CHAR COAL. AFTER THAT ACCORDING TO JOHN, JESUS DISAPPEARED COMPLETELY. PAUL IN 1-15 CORINTHIANS TELLS OF A SERIES OF APPEARANCES, FIRST TO PETER, JAMES, THEN TO THE TWELVE AND FIVE HUNDRED OF THE BRETHREN,
AND LAST OF ALL TO PAUL HIMSELF. BUT ALL THESE APPEARANCES SEEM TO POINT TO OUR MYSTERY? HAVING TRIUMPHANTLY RISEN FROM THE DEAD, IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE JESUS WAS HIDING. BY DOING THESE THINGS, JESUS WAS KEEPING A PROMISE THAT HE MADE EARLIER TO HIS DISCIPLES, BEFORE HE WAS CRUCIFIED. I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU "DESOLATE," I WILL COME TO YOU.(JOHN 14:18; AND THERE WILL BE ANOTHER PRESENCE AMONG YOU,TOO. " THE COUNSELOR," THE HOLY SPIRIT, WILL COME TO YOU. "AND WHEN HE COMES, " HE WILL CONVICT THE WORLD OF SIN AND OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND OF JUDGEMENT. (J
JOHN 16: 7-8). ON THE LAST DAY HE WLL RAISE ME AND ALL THE DEAD BELIEVERS IN CHRIST TO ETERNAL LIFE. THIS IS THE "GIFT " THIS IS MOST CERTAINLY TRUE.
Saturday, January 20, 2018
HOW MANY RELIGONS? [MAN OVERBORD]!
MANY BELIEVE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OR RELIGIONS IN THE WORLD, AND THEY DIFFER IN A MULTITUDE OF WAYS. OTHERS AGAIN BELIEVE: LETS USE THE ILLUSTRATION, ' "THE GOOD SHIP GOD." AND LET US THINK OF THE HUMAN RACE AS HAVING FALLEN OVERBOARD INTO " THE OCEAN OF SIN AND DEATH." WE ARE IN A DANGEROUS PLIGHT. WE SHALL DROWN UNLESS RESCUED. WHAT ARE WE TO CLING TO? WHAT OPTIONS DO WE HAVE ?? ONLY TWO: 'THE LIFE- PRESEVER OF GOOD WORKS" AND "- THE LIFE PRESEVER OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIS SAVING WORK" THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE CLING TO "THE LIFE PRESEVER OF GOOD WORKS." THEY THINK THEIR "GOOD LIFE" WILL GET THEM ACCEPTED. THEIR ATTITUDE IS SUMMED UP BY CLICHES SUCH AS: " DO YOUR BEST TO KEEP THE GOLDEN RULE, AND YOU'LL BE OKAY WHEN YOU REACH THE PEARLY GATES.." THE LIFE PRESEVER OF GOOD WORKS" IS A DELUSION. IT OFFERS NO SOLUTION, NO SALVATION. IT NEVER HAS. IT NEVER WILL. IT CANNOT. SALVATION IS TO BE FOUND ONLY IN WHAT COMES TO US FROM GOD, "THE LIFE PRESEVER OF JESUS CHRIST."
THE ILLUSTRATION HAS CERTAIN LIMITATIONS. IT CAN CREATE THE IMPRESSION THAT GOD THROWS THE NECESSARY SAVING EQUIPMENT OUT TO PEOPLE FROM THE COZY COMFORT OF HIS CAPTAIN'S CABIN. THIS IS HARDLY THE BIBLICAL PICTURE. GOD PLUNGED HIMSELF INTO THE SCENE OF HUMAN PLIGHT IN THE INCARNATION AND ENDURED THE AGONY OF CALVARY TO RESCUE OFTEN THOSE HE RESCUES US. OFTEN THOSE HE RESCUES PROTEST MADLY ABOUT THE WHOLE PROCEDURE. HUMANITY STANDS EITHER UNDER THE LAW OR A GRACIOUS GOD FOR SALVATION. IT IS EITHER/ OR-NEVER BOTH/ AND
THE ILLUSTRATION HAS CERTAIN LIMITATIONS. IT CAN CREATE THE IMPRESSION THAT GOD THROWS THE NECESSARY SAVING EQUIPMENT OUT TO PEOPLE FROM THE COZY COMFORT OF HIS CAPTAIN'S CABIN. THIS IS HARDLY THE BIBLICAL PICTURE. GOD PLUNGED HIMSELF INTO THE SCENE OF HUMAN PLIGHT IN THE INCARNATION AND ENDURED THE AGONY OF CALVARY TO RESCUE OFTEN THOSE HE RESCUES US. OFTEN THOSE HE RESCUES PROTEST MADLY ABOUT THE WHOLE PROCEDURE. HUMANITY STANDS EITHER UNDER THE LAW OR A GRACIOUS GOD FOR SALVATION. IT IS EITHER/ OR-NEVER BOTH/ AND
Thursday, January 18, 2018
THE SPIRIT'S GIFT PACKAGE
IT IS SAID THAT MARTIN LUTHER'S DYING WORDS WERE, "WHAT BEGGARS WE ARE!" HE MEANT THAT WE SINFUL HUMAN BEINGS HAVE NOTHING TO OFFER GOD TO INDUCE HIM TO ACCEPT US. HE HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR OUR PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL LIVES- ALL AS GIFTS PLACED INTO THE HANDS OF AN UNDESERVING BEGGAR. HE GIVES US THE HOLY SCRIPTURE [1COR. 2:13]. HE TEACHES US ABOUT OUR CONDITION BEFORE GOD. WE ARE ENSLAVED TO THE POWER OF SIN [ROMANS 6:2O] AND THEREFORE SUBJECT TO DEATH [ROMANS 6:23]. AND FACED WITH JUDGMENT.[ ROMANS 5:18]. HE TEAHES US ABOUT CHRIST'S SAVING MISSION AND MINISTRY. HE LIVED A LIFE OF A SINLESS SERVANT FOR US.
HE WAS CRUCIFIED,DIED, AND BURIED FOR US.
HE CONQUERED THE POWER OF DEATH BY RISING FROM THE GRAVE FOR US.
HE REMAINS AMONG US UNTIL THE CLOSE OF THE AGE FOR US. HE WORKS THROUGH HIS SPIRIT TO TEACH'S US ABOUT HIS SAVING WORK FOR US. HE CREATES IN OUR HEARTS THE FAITH WHICH ACCEPTS AND CLINGS TO CHRIST WE ARE LIKE A DROWNING PERSON AND CHRIST THROWS US A LIFE PRESERVER.
HE TEACHES US TO LIVE AS CHRIST'S BROTHERS AND SISTERS., AND EMPOWERS US TO DO SO. [JOHN 13: 12-15]; PHILIPPIANS 2:13]. HE KEEPS US IN THE FAITH THAT WE MIGHT HEAR THESE FINAL WORDS: " COME AND REST GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!" CHRIST HAS PROMISED US, MATTHEW [25:34].
AFTER THE FINAL "WELCOME HOME!", HE WILL GIVE ALL BELIEVERS IN CHRIST THE CROWN OF ETERNAL LIFE. [REVELATION 2:10].
WHO FINDS AND EXCEPTS WHOM?
SOME WHO HAVE COME TO FAITH IN CHRIST ASSERT THAT THEY "FOUND CHRIST" AND "ACCEPTED CHRIST." THE SITUATION IS MADE CLEAR BY THESE POINTED QUESTIONS. WHO GAVES US THE WORD OF GOD.?
WHO BROUGHT US INTO CONTACT WITH IT?
WHO INDUCED US TO THINK ABOUT ITS MESSAGE?
WHO PERSUADED US TO ACCEPT IT?
WHO GAVE US THE FAITH WHICH TRUSTS IN CHRIST FOR SALVATION?
WHO TEACHES US WHAT CHRIST WANTS US TO DO AS HIS DISCIPLES?
WHO EMPOWERS US TO CONTINUE TO BELIEVE AND DO THESE THINGS?
WHO ENABLES US TO PERSEVERE IN THE CHRISTIAN FAITH AND LIFE, EVEN
TO DEATH?
WHO GIVES US ETERNAL LIFE? IN EVERY CASE IT IS GOD ,THE HOLY SPIRIT?
HE ALONE ENLIGHTENS US WITH HIS GIFTS. TO GOD ALONE BE ALL PRAISE AND GLORY!
HE WAS CRUCIFIED,DIED, AND BURIED FOR US.
HE CONQUERED THE POWER OF DEATH BY RISING FROM THE GRAVE FOR US.
HE REMAINS AMONG US UNTIL THE CLOSE OF THE AGE FOR US. HE WORKS THROUGH HIS SPIRIT TO TEACH'S US ABOUT HIS SAVING WORK FOR US. HE CREATES IN OUR HEARTS THE FAITH WHICH ACCEPTS AND CLINGS TO CHRIST WE ARE LIKE A DROWNING PERSON AND CHRIST THROWS US A LIFE PRESERVER.
HE TEACHES US TO LIVE AS CHRIST'S BROTHERS AND SISTERS., AND EMPOWERS US TO DO SO. [JOHN 13: 12-15]; PHILIPPIANS 2:13]. HE KEEPS US IN THE FAITH THAT WE MIGHT HEAR THESE FINAL WORDS: " COME AND REST GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!" CHRIST HAS PROMISED US, MATTHEW [25:34].
AFTER THE FINAL "WELCOME HOME!", HE WILL GIVE ALL BELIEVERS IN CHRIST THE CROWN OF ETERNAL LIFE. [REVELATION 2:10].
WHO FINDS AND EXCEPTS WHOM?
SOME WHO HAVE COME TO FAITH IN CHRIST ASSERT THAT THEY "FOUND CHRIST" AND "ACCEPTED CHRIST." THE SITUATION IS MADE CLEAR BY THESE POINTED QUESTIONS. WHO GAVES US THE WORD OF GOD.?
WHO BROUGHT US INTO CONTACT WITH IT?
WHO INDUCED US TO THINK ABOUT ITS MESSAGE?
WHO PERSUADED US TO ACCEPT IT?
WHO GAVE US THE FAITH WHICH TRUSTS IN CHRIST FOR SALVATION?
WHO TEACHES US WHAT CHRIST WANTS US TO DO AS HIS DISCIPLES?
WHO EMPOWERS US TO CONTINUE TO BELIEVE AND DO THESE THINGS?
WHO ENABLES US TO PERSEVERE IN THE CHRISTIAN FAITH AND LIFE, EVEN
TO DEATH?
WHO GIVES US ETERNAL LIFE? IN EVERY CASE IT IS GOD ,THE HOLY SPIRIT?
HE ALONE ENLIGHTENS US WITH HIS GIFTS. TO GOD ALONE BE ALL PRAISE AND GLORY!
IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU! LUKE 24:41]
A NEW YORK CITY COP NAMED CHARLIE IS HAVING COFFEE IN A LITTLE DINER. FINISHED HE REACHES INTO HIS POCKET TO PAY AND LEAVE HIS USUAL TIP, BUT FINDS THAT HE HAS JUST ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR THE COFFEE.THERE'S NOT ENOUGH FOR A TIP. EMBARRASSED, HE OFFERS THE WAITRESS A CHOICE. HE PROMISES TO RETURN THE NEXT DAY WITH DOUBLE THE USUAL TIP. OR, TAKING A LOTTERY TICKET OUT OF HIS WALLET AND HOLDING IT UP, HE PROMISES TO SPLIT THE WINNINGS, IF ANY, HE HAD JUST JUST PURCHASED FOR THAT EVENING'S DRAWING. NOW, YVONNE, DIDN'T NEED TO HEAR THAT. SHE HAS HAD A BAD ENOUGH DAY WITHOUT LOSING A TIP. IN FACT HER LIFE WAS IN THE PITS. SHE HATES HER JOB AS A WAITRESS. HER RUN AWAY HUSBAND HAS RUN UP HER MASTER CARD BALANCE SO HIGH THAT JUST THAT AFTERNOON SHE HAD BEEN IN COURT TO DECLARE PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY. COULD THINGS GET WORSE? STILL SHE IS GOOD NATURED ABOUT IT. SHE SMILES HELPLESSLY AT HER BAD LUCK, FORFEITS CHARLIEYS PROMISE OF TOMORROW'S POCKET CHANGE. AND JOKINGLY TAKES CHARLIE UP ON HIS OFFER OF HALF THE LOTTERY TICKET'S POTENTIAL WINNINGS.
WELL, AS GOMER PYLE WOULD SAY, SURPRISE, SURPRISE! MAZEL TOV. THE TICKET BEATS INCREDIBLE ODDS, AND WINS 4 MILLION. CHARLEY COMES TO THE DINER THE NEXT MORNING TO GIVE YVONNE'S THE GOOD NEWS. HER TIP FOR SERVING A CUP OF COFFEE IS NOT TWO BITS, BUT TWO MILLION DOLLARS. WELL, YOU CAN IMAGINE YVONNE'S REACTION TO THIS GOOD NEWS. AT FIRST DISBELIEF. "NO. NO. WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME? IS THIS SOME SORT OF CRUEL JOKE? " NO IT COULDN'T HAPPEN."
THEN, AS CHARLEY INSISTS HE IS NOT JOKING, A TINY FLICKER OF HOPE REGISTERS DEEP INSIDE YVONNE. SHE DARED JUST FOR A MOMENT TO BELIEVE CHARLEY'S GOOD NEWS WAS TRUE.. "YES? YES? SHE ASKS WITH HER EYES WIDENING. " CAN IT REALLY BE TRUE?" BUT DISBELIEF WEDGES ITS WAY BACK INTO YVONE'S FACE. SHE HAD, AFTER ALL, ONLY YESTERDAY ACCEPTED HER FATE. BANKRUPTCY. 'NO! NO!' SHE SAYS, SHAKING HERSELF BACK INTO REALITY, GENUINELY HERS. SO ULTIMATELY, WE SPECTATORS KNOW HER JOY WILL DEMOLISH HER DOUBTS.
YVONNE'S GLIMMER OF BELIEF GREW STRONGER AS CHARLEY'S SMILE AND EXCITEMENT GRADUALLY THAWED HER SKEPTICISM. CHARELY'S GIFT GRIPS HER, SHE SUDDENLY FINDS HERSELF DANCING, SWIRLING THROUGH THE TABLES OF CUSTOMERS CONTEMPLATING HER NEW LIFE., A LIFE CHANGED FOREVER BY CHARLEY'S GIFT. THIS SECOND STORY COMES FROM, NOT FROM NEW YORK VIA HOLLYWOOD , BUT FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT. IT COMES FROM THE BOOK OF LUKE AND ITS OUR LECTIONARY TEXT ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER. THE SCENE IS NOT ENTIRELY UNLIKE THE LITTLE NEW YORK DINER. THERE ARE FISH ON THE GRILLL, AND SADNESS AND CONFUSION IN THE AIR. THE DISCIPLES OF THE SLAIN JESUS HAVE COME TOGETHER FOR A LITTLE REFRESHMENT. THEY HAVE ACCEPTED THEIR FATE. THEIR LEADER WAS DEAD.. THEIR HOPES THAT JESUS WOULD REDEEM ISRAEL WERE BANKRUPTED. FINI. HAD THEIR JESUS NOT SAID AS MUCH WHILE HANGING ON THE CROSS? " IT IS FINISHED." LIKE YVONNE, THEY HAD ACCEPTED THEIR MISABLE FATE. DARED THEY THINK THEIR RABBI COULD DEFEAT DEATH? WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THAT HAPPENING? ONE IN 1O,OOO,OOO WOULD BE WONDERFUL ODDS. NO ONE EVER HAD. DEFEAT DEATH? THE CHANCES OF THIS WERE MORE LIKE ONE IN TEN BILLION, ONE IN TEN ZILLION, ONE IN A WHOLE ETERNITY. YET THERE HE WAS. JESUS IN THE MIDST. OR, WAS IT AN ILLUSION? WAS JESUS NOT IN THE MIDST, BUT INSTEAD ONLY IN THE MIST? LISTEN TO LUKE'S DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCIPLES' REACTION. "STARTLED AND TERRIFIED, THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE SEEING A GHOST." COULD IT BE JESUS IN THE MIDST? NO THE NEWS IS TOO STARTLING. CAN'T HAVE HAPPENED. JESUS TRIES TO ASSURE HIS FRIENDS THAT WHAT THEY WERE SEEING IS REAL. THE IMPOSSIBLE HAS HAPPENED, " WHY ARE YOU FRIGHTENED, WHY DO YOU HAVE DOUBTS IN YOUR HEARTS?" JESUS IS SAYING, " IT COULD HAPPEN. NOT ONLY COULD IT HAPPEN, BUT IT HAS HAPPEN, AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU"
HOW WERE THE DISCIPLES TO RECEIVE SUCH GLORIOUS NEWS? LIKE YVONNE, THEY SWAY BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN EXHILARATION AND THE HORRIBLE POSSIBILITY THAT SOMEONE IS PLAYING A CRUEL JOKE ON THEM. " IN THEIR JOY," SAYS LUKE, ' THEY WERE DISBELIEVING, AND STILL WONDERING." THERE WAS A REASON THIS TEXT WAS CHOSEN FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER. CENTURIES AGO, AS THE TRADITIONS OF THE CHURCH WERE BEING FASHIONED, THIS SUNDAY BECAME KNOWN, IN THE LATIN, AS JUBILANTAE-JUBILANT SUNDAY.ITS A TIME FOR THE CHURCH TO CELEBRATE ALL OVER AGAIN THE JOYOUS NEWS OF EASTER. THIS IS EASTER REVISITED. IT'S AS IF, IN THE TRADITION OF THE CHURCH, THIS WOBBLING BETWEEN DISBELIEF AND JOY IS RE- ENACTED. LAST SUNDAY CHURCHES AROUND THE WORLD READ THE STORY OF DOUBTING THOMAS AND WE WERE REMINDED OF THE DIFFICULTY IN BELIEVING SUCH IMPOSSIBLE NEWS WE CAN IMAGINE THEM THINKING "HOW CAN THIS BE?
THE GOOD NEWS THAT THE AGONY IS JUST NOW SINKING IN. "IN JOY THE DISCIPLES DISBELIEVED AND LIKE YVONNE THE JUBILATION BEGAN AND THEY BEGAN TO DANCE, THINKING THEIR LIVES HAVE CHANGED FOREVER, AS JESUS LAY IN THE DARKNESS OF THE TOMB AND THE GLORY OF HIS RESURRECTION- ALL HAPPEN FOR YOU AND ME. THE GOOD NEWS IS JUST STARTING TO SINK IN. I SUPPOSE MOST WOULD SAY THE "CHURCH" IS THE LAST PLACE TO BE FOUND DISBELIEVING IN JOY.
BUT IN CHURCH? NO, THE HAPPENINGS OF CHURCH ARE TO ORDINARY, TOO EVERYDAY, TOO COMMON. AND THAT'S THE CURCH'S FAULT. THE CHURCH HAS ALLOWED ITSELF TO BECOME STODGY INSTEAD OF SCINTILLATING, CEREBRAL, RESPECTABLE INSTEAD RAMBUNCTIOUS. WE HAVE TRUDGED THE WELL-WORN PATH OF PREDICTABILITY. I'M NOT SAYING THE CHURCH SHOULD PUT CHEERLEADERS ON STAFF TO TEACH US TO DO THE WAVE. STILL, THE CHURCH IS ALIVE, AND WE MUST SHOW OURSELVES ALIVE CONVEYING A TRUTH SO GRAND THAT THE WORLD CAN ONLY WONDER AT THE LARGESS OF GOD'S GIFT--TO YOU.
IT COULD "HAPPEN TO YOU."
THIS PASSAGE IS PRECEDED IN LUKE 24 WITH THE WONDERFUL STORY OF THE DISCIPLES ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS. THIS TOUCHING STORY WAS TOLD AND REMEMBERED BY THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTOOD IT AS A GREAT HELP IN APPROPRIATING EASTER TO THEMSELVES. THE QUESTION STANDING OUT IN THIS STORY IS NOT A THEOLOGICAL TREATISE ON "HOW DID GOD RAISE JESUS FROM THE DEAD, " OR "WHY DID GOD RAISE JESUS FROM THE DEAD." THE QUESTION EMERGING FROM THE EMMAUS STORY IS MUCH MORE
PERSONAL, HOW DOES EASTER GET INTO US? THE DIVINE PRESENCE, AMONG US. IN THIS STORY, THE RESURRECTION BECOMES AS PERSONAL AND INTIMATE AS A FAMILY SHARING A MEAL IN THE DINING ROOM. HOW DO WE MOVE FROM A FINITE HUMAN BEING OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST, A HEALER, WISDOM TEACHER, SPIRITUAL LEADER PROPHET--TO A DIVINE REALITY WHO IS ONE WITH GOD? WHEN WE ACCEPT GOD'S GREAT GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE; THEY DISBELIEVE IN JOY. WE MIGHT ASK A QUESTION SIMILAR TO YVONNE'S. " GOD WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? WE ARE SO UNWORTHY OF SUCH A GIFT."
WELL, AS GOMER PYLE WOULD SAY, SURPRISE, SURPRISE! MAZEL TOV. THE TICKET BEATS INCREDIBLE ODDS, AND WINS 4 MILLION. CHARLEY COMES TO THE DINER THE NEXT MORNING TO GIVE YVONNE'S THE GOOD NEWS. HER TIP FOR SERVING A CUP OF COFFEE IS NOT TWO BITS, BUT TWO MILLION DOLLARS. WELL, YOU CAN IMAGINE YVONNE'S REACTION TO THIS GOOD NEWS. AT FIRST DISBELIEF. "NO. NO. WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME? IS THIS SOME SORT OF CRUEL JOKE? " NO IT COULDN'T HAPPEN."
THEN, AS CHARLEY INSISTS HE IS NOT JOKING, A TINY FLICKER OF HOPE REGISTERS DEEP INSIDE YVONNE. SHE DARED JUST FOR A MOMENT TO BELIEVE CHARLEY'S GOOD NEWS WAS TRUE.. "YES? YES? SHE ASKS WITH HER EYES WIDENING. " CAN IT REALLY BE TRUE?" BUT DISBELIEF WEDGES ITS WAY BACK INTO YVONE'S FACE. SHE HAD, AFTER ALL, ONLY YESTERDAY ACCEPTED HER FATE. BANKRUPTCY. 'NO! NO!' SHE SAYS, SHAKING HERSELF BACK INTO REALITY, GENUINELY HERS. SO ULTIMATELY, WE SPECTATORS KNOW HER JOY WILL DEMOLISH HER DOUBTS.
YVONNE'S GLIMMER OF BELIEF GREW STRONGER AS CHARLEY'S SMILE AND EXCITEMENT GRADUALLY THAWED HER SKEPTICISM. CHARELY'S GIFT GRIPS HER, SHE SUDDENLY FINDS HERSELF DANCING, SWIRLING THROUGH THE TABLES OF CUSTOMERS CONTEMPLATING HER NEW LIFE., A LIFE CHANGED FOREVER BY CHARLEY'S GIFT. THIS SECOND STORY COMES FROM, NOT FROM NEW YORK VIA HOLLYWOOD , BUT FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT. IT COMES FROM THE BOOK OF LUKE AND ITS OUR LECTIONARY TEXT ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER. THE SCENE IS NOT ENTIRELY UNLIKE THE LITTLE NEW YORK DINER. THERE ARE FISH ON THE GRILLL, AND SADNESS AND CONFUSION IN THE AIR. THE DISCIPLES OF THE SLAIN JESUS HAVE COME TOGETHER FOR A LITTLE REFRESHMENT. THEY HAVE ACCEPTED THEIR FATE. THEIR LEADER WAS DEAD.. THEIR HOPES THAT JESUS WOULD REDEEM ISRAEL WERE BANKRUPTED. FINI. HAD THEIR JESUS NOT SAID AS MUCH WHILE HANGING ON THE CROSS? " IT IS FINISHED." LIKE YVONNE, THEY HAD ACCEPTED THEIR MISABLE FATE. DARED THEY THINK THEIR RABBI COULD DEFEAT DEATH? WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THAT HAPPENING? ONE IN 1O,OOO,OOO WOULD BE WONDERFUL ODDS. NO ONE EVER HAD. DEFEAT DEATH? THE CHANCES OF THIS WERE MORE LIKE ONE IN TEN BILLION, ONE IN TEN ZILLION, ONE IN A WHOLE ETERNITY. YET THERE HE WAS. JESUS IN THE MIDST. OR, WAS IT AN ILLUSION? WAS JESUS NOT IN THE MIDST, BUT INSTEAD ONLY IN THE MIST? LISTEN TO LUKE'S DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCIPLES' REACTION. "STARTLED AND TERRIFIED, THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE SEEING A GHOST." COULD IT BE JESUS IN THE MIDST? NO THE NEWS IS TOO STARTLING. CAN'T HAVE HAPPENED. JESUS TRIES TO ASSURE HIS FRIENDS THAT WHAT THEY WERE SEEING IS REAL. THE IMPOSSIBLE HAS HAPPENED, " WHY ARE YOU FRIGHTENED, WHY DO YOU HAVE DOUBTS IN YOUR HEARTS?" JESUS IS SAYING, " IT COULD HAPPEN. NOT ONLY COULD IT HAPPEN, BUT IT HAS HAPPEN, AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU"
HOW WERE THE DISCIPLES TO RECEIVE SUCH GLORIOUS NEWS? LIKE YVONNE, THEY SWAY BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN EXHILARATION AND THE HORRIBLE POSSIBILITY THAT SOMEONE IS PLAYING A CRUEL JOKE ON THEM. " IN THEIR JOY," SAYS LUKE, ' THEY WERE DISBELIEVING, AND STILL WONDERING." THERE WAS A REASON THIS TEXT WAS CHOSEN FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER. CENTURIES AGO, AS THE TRADITIONS OF THE CHURCH WERE BEING FASHIONED, THIS SUNDAY BECAME KNOWN, IN THE LATIN, AS JUBILANTAE-JUBILANT SUNDAY.ITS A TIME FOR THE CHURCH TO CELEBRATE ALL OVER AGAIN THE JOYOUS NEWS OF EASTER. THIS IS EASTER REVISITED. IT'S AS IF, IN THE TRADITION OF THE CHURCH, THIS WOBBLING BETWEEN DISBELIEF AND JOY IS RE- ENACTED. LAST SUNDAY CHURCHES AROUND THE WORLD READ THE STORY OF DOUBTING THOMAS AND WE WERE REMINDED OF THE DIFFICULTY IN BELIEVING SUCH IMPOSSIBLE NEWS WE CAN IMAGINE THEM THINKING "HOW CAN THIS BE?
THE GOOD NEWS THAT THE AGONY IS JUST NOW SINKING IN. "IN JOY THE DISCIPLES DISBELIEVED AND LIKE YVONNE THE JUBILATION BEGAN AND THEY BEGAN TO DANCE, THINKING THEIR LIVES HAVE CHANGED FOREVER, AS JESUS LAY IN THE DARKNESS OF THE TOMB AND THE GLORY OF HIS RESURRECTION- ALL HAPPEN FOR YOU AND ME. THE GOOD NEWS IS JUST STARTING TO SINK IN. I SUPPOSE MOST WOULD SAY THE "CHURCH" IS THE LAST PLACE TO BE FOUND DISBELIEVING IN JOY.
BUT IN CHURCH? NO, THE HAPPENINGS OF CHURCH ARE TO ORDINARY, TOO EVERYDAY, TOO COMMON. AND THAT'S THE CURCH'S FAULT. THE CHURCH HAS ALLOWED ITSELF TO BECOME STODGY INSTEAD OF SCINTILLATING, CEREBRAL, RESPECTABLE INSTEAD RAMBUNCTIOUS. WE HAVE TRUDGED THE WELL-WORN PATH OF PREDICTABILITY. I'M NOT SAYING THE CHURCH SHOULD PUT CHEERLEADERS ON STAFF TO TEACH US TO DO THE WAVE. STILL, THE CHURCH IS ALIVE, AND WE MUST SHOW OURSELVES ALIVE CONVEYING A TRUTH SO GRAND THAT THE WORLD CAN ONLY WONDER AT THE LARGESS OF GOD'S GIFT--TO YOU.
IT COULD "HAPPEN TO YOU."
THIS PASSAGE IS PRECEDED IN LUKE 24 WITH THE WONDERFUL STORY OF THE DISCIPLES ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS. THIS TOUCHING STORY WAS TOLD AND REMEMBERED BY THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTOOD IT AS A GREAT HELP IN APPROPRIATING EASTER TO THEMSELVES. THE QUESTION STANDING OUT IN THIS STORY IS NOT A THEOLOGICAL TREATISE ON "HOW DID GOD RAISE JESUS FROM THE DEAD, " OR "WHY DID GOD RAISE JESUS FROM THE DEAD." THE QUESTION EMERGING FROM THE EMMAUS STORY IS MUCH MORE
PERSONAL, HOW DOES EASTER GET INTO US? THE DIVINE PRESENCE, AMONG US. IN THIS STORY, THE RESURRECTION BECOMES AS PERSONAL AND INTIMATE AS A FAMILY SHARING A MEAL IN THE DINING ROOM. HOW DO WE MOVE FROM A FINITE HUMAN BEING OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST, A HEALER, WISDOM TEACHER, SPIRITUAL LEADER PROPHET--TO A DIVINE REALITY WHO IS ONE WITH GOD? WHEN WE ACCEPT GOD'S GREAT GIFT OF ETERNAL LIFE; THEY DISBELIEVE IN JOY. WE MIGHT ASK A QUESTION SIMILAR TO YVONNE'S. " GOD WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? WE ARE SO UNWORTHY OF SUCH A GIFT."
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
THE IMAGE AND THE OPTIONS!
IN THE PERSON OF HIS INCARNATE SON, JESUS CHRIST, GOD ONCE WORE A CROWN OF THORNS. THE APPROXIMATE SHAPE OF A CROWN OF THORNS IS CIRCULAR. THORNS PROTRUDE FROM IT. WITH THIS IN MIND, WE CONSTRUCT A SYMBOL FOR GOD. THE SYMBOL CONSISTS OF A CIRCLE WITH FOUR ARROWS PROTRUDING FROM IT. THE CHURCH HAS LONG USED A CIRCLE AS A SYMBOL FOR GOD. THE CIRCLE EXPRESSES THE TRUTH THAT GOD IS ONE, AND THAT HE HAS NO BEGINNING AND NO END. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ARROWS GOING OUT FROM HIM IS THAT GOD IS ALWAYS ONE WHO ACTS, AND HIS ACTIONS GO OUT FROM HIMSELF. GOD DOES NOT SIT UP IN HEAVEN STUDING HIS OWN NAVEL LIKE SOME CONTEMPLATIVE BUDDA. HE ACTS CONSISTENLY IN LOVE, KINDNESS, AND MERCY, AND THESE ALWAYS FLOW OUT FROM HIMSELF. GOD IS LIKE A GREAT TANK FULL OF THESE QUALITIES-A TANK WHOSE FAUCET IS ALWAYS TURNED ON TO ENABLE THE CONTENTS TO FLOW OUT. GOD MADE MAN TO BE A CREATURE WHO LOVES. MAN'S LOVE WAS TO FLOW OUT TO GOD AND OTHERS.
THE OLD TESTAMENT SPELLS OUT THE FIRST COMMNDMENT IN DEUTRONOMY. [6:4,5]., AND THE SECOND COMMANDMENT IN LEVITICUS [19:18].
JESUS WELDS THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS INTO ONE. MARK [12:28-34- MATTHEW 22:34-4O]: LUKE [1O:25-28]; JOHN[13;34], AS "I HAVE LOVED YOU"; SEE ALSO [EPH. 5;1.] THOUGH SOME EXPLANATIONS OF THE COMMANDMENTS SPEAK OF THEM AS TEN, AND OTHERS AS TWO, JESUS REALLY REDUCES THEM ALL TO A SINGLE "COMMAND, WITH TWO ARMS-THAT- WHICH REACHES UP TO GOD IS CONNECTED TO ANOTHER WHICH REACHES OUT TO NEIGHBOR, AND TO WHAT DEGREE ARE WE PREPARED TO PLACE OUR LIFE ON THE LINE IN SERVING THEM?
LUKE [1O:29-37]. HE DOES AWAY WITH ALL LIMITATIONS PLACED ON WHO THE NEIGHBOR IS AND THE SERVCE TO BE RENDERED?
PAUL REDUCES GOD'S WILL FOR MAN TO ONE WORD "LOVE" ROMANS [13:8-1O].
THE WORD 'LOVE' MEANS TO SERVE. MAN'S SIN IS HIS REFUSAL TO SERVE GOD AND OTHERS. MAN, IN HIS NATURAL STATE OF "FLESH" USES LIFE TO SERVE HIMSELF ROMANS 7:5].
IT WAS CUSTOMARY FOR AN ANCIENT KING TO PLACE IMAGES OF HIMSELF IN VARIOUS PLACES THROUGH-OUT HIS REALM, TO REMIND HIS SUBJECTS WHAT HE WAS LIKE. GOD HAS NO NEED FOR IMAGES OF WOOD AND STONE. HE MADE MAN TO BE A WALKING, LIVING "IMAGE," LIKENESS AND REFLECTION OF HIS CHARACTER. HAND IN HAND WITH BEING IN GOD'S IMAGE WENT A TREMENDOUS RESPONSILBILITY: TO EXERCISE DOMINION OVER THE CREATED ORDER, TO CARE FOR IT FOR GOD, AND TO USE IT TO GLORIFY GOD BY SERVING PEOPLE. (NOTE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN "IMAGE" AND "DOMINION" IN GENESIS [.1:26,] AND MAN'S GIVING NAMES TO THE CATTLE, BIRDS AND BEASTS IN GENESIS [2:2O].
THE OLD TESTAMENT SPELLS OUT THE FIRST COMMNDMENT IN DEUTRONOMY. [6:4,5]., AND THE SECOND COMMANDMENT IN LEVITICUS [19:18].
JESUS WELDS THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS INTO ONE. MARK [12:28-34- MATTHEW 22:34-4O]: LUKE [1O:25-28]; JOHN[13;34], AS "I HAVE LOVED YOU"; SEE ALSO [EPH. 5;1.] THOUGH SOME EXPLANATIONS OF THE COMMANDMENTS SPEAK OF THEM AS TEN, AND OTHERS AS TWO, JESUS REALLY REDUCES THEM ALL TO A SINGLE "COMMAND, WITH TWO ARMS-THAT- WHICH REACHES UP TO GOD IS CONNECTED TO ANOTHER WHICH REACHES OUT TO NEIGHBOR, AND TO WHAT DEGREE ARE WE PREPARED TO PLACE OUR LIFE ON THE LINE IN SERVING THEM?
LUKE [1O:29-37]. HE DOES AWAY WITH ALL LIMITATIONS PLACED ON WHO THE NEIGHBOR IS AND THE SERVCE TO BE RENDERED?
PAUL REDUCES GOD'S WILL FOR MAN TO ONE WORD "LOVE" ROMANS [13:8-1O].
THE WORD 'LOVE' MEANS TO SERVE. MAN'S SIN IS HIS REFUSAL TO SERVE GOD AND OTHERS. MAN, IN HIS NATURAL STATE OF "FLESH" USES LIFE TO SERVE HIMSELF ROMANS 7:5].
IT WAS CUSTOMARY FOR AN ANCIENT KING TO PLACE IMAGES OF HIMSELF IN VARIOUS PLACES THROUGH-OUT HIS REALM, TO REMIND HIS SUBJECTS WHAT HE WAS LIKE. GOD HAS NO NEED FOR IMAGES OF WOOD AND STONE. HE MADE MAN TO BE A WALKING, LIVING "IMAGE," LIKENESS AND REFLECTION OF HIS CHARACTER. HAND IN HAND WITH BEING IN GOD'S IMAGE WENT A TREMENDOUS RESPONSILBILITY: TO EXERCISE DOMINION OVER THE CREATED ORDER, TO CARE FOR IT FOR GOD, AND TO USE IT TO GLORIFY GOD BY SERVING PEOPLE. (NOTE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN "IMAGE" AND "DOMINION" IN GENESIS [.1:26,] AND MAN'S GIVING NAMES TO THE CATTLE, BIRDS AND BEASTS IN GENESIS [2:2O].
Monday, January 15, 2018
THE DIVINE PERSONALLY
A WOMEN GOES INTO A SHOP TO BUY A HAT. THE ASSISTANT SUGGESTS FIRST THIS, ONE, AND THEN THAT ONE, AND YET ANOTHER ONE-UNTIL FINALLY SHE PRODUCES WHAT SHE BELIEVES TO BE THE ONE THAT "SUITS MADAM PERFECTLY." THE ASSISTANT IS SUGGESTING THAT THE HAT EXPRESSES HER CLIENT'S PERSONALITY.
SIMILARITY, HUMAN BEINGS PUT A VARIETY OF "PERSONALITY HATS ON GOD 'S HEAD. SOME PUT AN ACADEMIC HAT ON HIM. AFTER ALL, HE KNOW EVERYTHING.[JOHN 21:17].
SOME PUT A POLICEMEN'S HAT ON HIM. THEY THINK OF HIM AS ONE WHO CONSTANTLY SPIES ON THEM FROM HEIGHTS OF HEAVEN TO CATCH THEM WHEN THEY DO WRONG. [PSALM 139:1-12; GENESIS 3:8-10].
THERE ARE SOME WHO PUT'S A CHEF'S HAT ON GOD. THEY BELIEVE HE EXISTS MERELY TO PROVIDE THEM WITH AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF THINGS THEY NEED TO EAT AND DRINK, PSALM [145:15,16]. SOME BELIEVE HE IS TO STINGY, THAT HE COULD BE MORE GENEROUS AS HE MIGHT BE.
OTHERS THINK OF GOD AS A FATHERLY CHRISTMAS, OR SANTA CLAUS, WHOSE JOB IT IS TO SUPPLY THEM WITH ALL KINDS OF PLEASANT THINGS TO OWN AND ENJOY.
SOME GET A LITTLE PEEVED WITH HIM, WHEN THEY HAVE TO GO SHORT OF SOMETHING. [MATTHEW 6:31, 32a].
MANY LOOK ON A MAGICIAN'S HAT AS A "MUST" FOR THE DIVINE WARDROBE, FOR THEY THINK OF GOD AS THE GREAT MIRACLE WORKER, {EXODUS 7-10; 14 10:31].
MANY BELIEVE THAT A CROWN IS AN APPROPRIATE HAT FOR GOD. THE BIBLE OFTEN USES THE WORDS LIKE "KING" AND "KINGDOM" WHEN REFERRING TO HIM. [PSALM 24;7-1O]; [MARK1;15].
BECAUSE MANY UNINFORMED PEOPLE VIEW THE CHRISTIAN FAITH AND LIFE AS ALL A MATTER OF "DO' AND "DON'T" THEY THINK OF A PURITANAN'S HAT AS A SUITABLE GARB FOR GOD, [MARK 10 17:22].
SOME THINK ABOUT GOD ONLY WHEN SICK, [PSALM -103:3; [MARK 5:21-43].
REMARKABLY, MANY PEOPLE ARE QUICK TO ASK, " WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS?' WHEN THEY ARE SICK, BUT SLOW TO ASK THE SAME QUESTION WHEN THEY ARE WELL.
THERE ARE A ELEMENT OF TRUTH IN THE MESSAGES OF ALL THESE HATS. EACH REFLECTS SOMETHING OF WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY ABOUT GOD AND HIS ATTRIBUTES. IT IS ESSENTIAL, HOWEVER, TO KEEP IN MIND THAT GOD'S ALL EM-BRACING QUALITY IS LOVE. THIS BINDS ALL OF HIS OTHER QUALITIES TOGETHER AS A CORD BINDS TOGETHER THE STALKS IN A GREAT SHEAF OF HAY.
GOD IS WHAT HE IS-NO MATTER WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF HIM. OUR TASK IS TO COME TO GRIPS WITH HIS SELF-DESCRIPTION, HIS CHARACTER AND HIS WAY OF DOING THINGS. HE ONCE DID WEAR A HAT. HE DID NOT CHOOSE IT FOR HIMSELF. MEN FASHIONED IT FOR HIMSELF AND PLACED IT ON HIS HEAD; AND CALLED IT THE "CROWN OF THORNS". HOWEVER, WHAT THEY PLACED THERE WILL SERVE A USEFUL TEACHING PURPOSE FOR US.
SIMILARITY, HUMAN BEINGS PUT A VARIETY OF "PERSONALITY HATS ON GOD 'S HEAD. SOME PUT AN ACADEMIC HAT ON HIM. AFTER ALL, HE KNOW EVERYTHING.[JOHN 21:17].
SOME PUT A POLICEMEN'S HAT ON HIM. THEY THINK OF HIM AS ONE WHO CONSTANTLY SPIES ON THEM FROM HEIGHTS OF HEAVEN TO CATCH THEM WHEN THEY DO WRONG. [PSALM 139:1-12; GENESIS 3:8-10].
THERE ARE SOME WHO PUT'S A CHEF'S HAT ON GOD. THEY BELIEVE HE EXISTS MERELY TO PROVIDE THEM WITH AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF THINGS THEY NEED TO EAT AND DRINK, PSALM [145:15,16]. SOME BELIEVE HE IS TO STINGY, THAT HE COULD BE MORE GENEROUS AS HE MIGHT BE.
OTHERS THINK OF GOD AS A FATHERLY CHRISTMAS, OR SANTA CLAUS, WHOSE JOB IT IS TO SUPPLY THEM WITH ALL KINDS OF PLEASANT THINGS TO OWN AND ENJOY.
SOME GET A LITTLE PEEVED WITH HIM, WHEN THEY HAVE TO GO SHORT OF SOMETHING. [MATTHEW 6:31, 32a].
MANY LOOK ON A MAGICIAN'S HAT AS A "MUST" FOR THE DIVINE WARDROBE, FOR THEY THINK OF GOD AS THE GREAT MIRACLE WORKER, {EXODUS 7-10; 14 10:31].
MANY BELIEVE THAT A CROWN IS AN APPROPRIATE HAT FOR GOD. THE BIBLE OFTEN USES THE WORDS LIKE "KING" AND "KINGDOM" WHEN REFERRING TO HIM. [PSALM 24;7-1O]; [MARK1;15].
BECAUSE MANY UNINFORMED PEOPLE VIEW THE CHRISTIAN FAITH AND LIFE AS ALL A MATTER OF "DO' AND "DON'T" THEY THINK OF A PURITANAN'S HAT AS A SUITABLE GARB FOR GOD, [MARK 10 17:22].
SOME THINK ABOUT GOD ONLY WHEN SICK, [PSALM -103:3; [MARK 5:21-43].
REMARKABLY, MANY PEOPLE ARE QUICK TO ASK, " WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS?' WHEN THEY ARE SICK, BUT SLOW TO ASK THE SAME QUESTION WHEN THEY ARE WELL.
THERE ARE A ELEMENT OF TRUTH IN THE MESSAGES OF ALL THESE HATS. EACH REFLECTS SOMETHING OF WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY ABOUT GOD AND HIS ATTRIBUTES. IT IS ESSENTIAL, HOWEVER, TO KEEP IN MIND THAT GOD'S ALL EM-BRACING QUALITY IS LOVE. THIS BINDS ALL OF HIS OTHER QUALITIES TOGETHER AS A CORD BINDS TOGETHER THE STALKS IN A GREAT SHEAF OF HAY.
GOD IS WHAT HE IS-NO MATTER WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF HIM. OUR TASK IS TO COME TO GRIPS WITH HIS SELF-DESCRIPTION, HIS CHARACTER AND HIS WAY OF DOING THINGS. HE ONCE DID WEAR A HAT. HE DID NOT CHOOSE IT FOR HIMSELF. MEN FASHIONED IT FOR HIMSELF AND PLACED IT ON HIS HEAD; AND CALLED IT THE "CROWN OF THORNS". HOWEVER, WHAT THEY PLACED THERE WILL SERVE A USEFUL TEACHING PURPOSE FOR US.
Friday, January 12, 2018
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND! [ REV 6: 9. HEBREWS 12:23]. THE VERDICT.
WHEN JESUS ASKED HIS DISCIPLES ON THE WAY TO CAESAREA PHILIPPI WHO THEY THOUGHT HE WAS, PETER ANSWERED FOR THEM ALL, "YOU ARE THE CHRIST, THE "MESSIAH!" [MARK 8: 27-30].
1.) PREDICTION BY JESUS OF HIS COMING PASSION.
2.) CONFUSION ON THE PART OF THE DISCIPLES.
3.) CLARIFICATION.
THERE ARE THREE PASSION PREDICTIONS IN MARK. COMMENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE WHAT PETER SAID WAS CORRECT. HE UNDERSTOOD HIS UNDERSTAND OF CHRIST'S ROLE AS MESSIAH WAS WRONG. WHY? AFTER PETER'S "CONFESSION, " FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MARKS GOSPEL, JESUS SPOKE ABOUT HIS APPROACHING SUFFERING, DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION. 1.(THE PASSION PREDICTI.ON WAS TO MUCH FOR PETER. HE REBUKED PETER FOR SAYING THESE THINGS. JESUS IN TURNED ADDRESSED PETER IN STRONG TERMS, AND TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS ON THE SIDE OF SATAN [8:33]. HE WENT ON TO EXPLAIN TO HIS DISCIPLES THAT IF THEY WANTED TO BE INVOLVED WITH HIM THEY MUST THROW IN THEIR LOT WITH A SEVANT-KING WHO DENIED HIMSELF TO SPEND LIFE IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS.
TO BELONG TO JESUS MEANS STRIVING TO USE LIFE AS HE DID, NO MATTER WHAT THE COST.MARK [8:38].
THE DISCIPLES FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND JESUS REFERENCE TO HIS COMING PASSION BECAUSE THE THOUGHT OF A SUFFERING DYING MESSIAH WHO WOULD USHER IN A GLORIOUS AGE OF MATERIAL PROSPERITY, POLITICAL PRIVILEGE AND FREEDOM FROM FOREIGN DOMINATION. POSSIBLY THEY THOUGHT THAT THE MESSIANIC AGE WOULD MEAN POSITIONS OF HONOR AND CONDITIONS OF AFFLUENCE FOR THEMSELVES. JESUS TALK ABOUT CARRYING THE CROSS OF SERVANTHOOD IN EVERY SITUATION FELL ON CONFUSED AND DISBELIEVING EARS!
JESUS CONTINUED BY STSTING THAT WITH IN A VERY SHORT TIME HIS DISCIPLES WOULD SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD COME WITH POWER. [MARK 9:1]. HE WAS REFERRING TO HIS APPROACHING CRUCIFIXION. JESUS THE SERVANT-KING, WAS AT HIS MOST POWERFUL IN MARCHIG TO, AND ENDURING, THE AGONY OF THE CROSS.
THE TRANSFIGURATION [MARK 9:2-8] RE-ENACTED THE "THEOPHANY" OF THE [APPEARANCE" OF GOD]." IN EXODUS: [24:15-18]. AS GOD ONCE MANIFESTED HIS GLORY, AT SINAI, TO THE DISCIPLES ON THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION. SO THE CONCLUSION IS OBVIOUS. THE GOD OF ISRAEL HAD KNOWN AND WORSHIPPED THROUGHOUT THE OLD TESTAMENT PERIOD HAD COME AMONG THEM IN JESUS CHRIST. THE WORDS, "LISTEN TO HIM," ECHO DEUTERONOMY [18:15]. WHERE GOD PROMISED ISRAEL THAT AFTER THE DEATH OF MOSES HE WOULD RAISE UP ANOTHER PROPHET (JOSHUA) WHO WOULD LEAD THEM INTO THE PROMISED LAND. THE NEW JOSHUA [CHRIST] WOULD LEAD HIS PEOPLE INTO THE ETERNAL PROMISED LAND.
AS THE GROUP WHICH WITNESSED THE TRANSFIGURATION DESCENDED THE MOUNTAIN, JESUS COMMANDED THEM TO TELL NO ONE WHAT THEY HAD SEEN UNTIL AFTER THE RESURRECTION. HIS DISCIPLES WERE THOROUGHLY CONFUSED BY HIS REFERENCE TO RISING FROM THE DEAD, FOR THEY DID NOT EVEN UNDERSTAND OR BELIEVE THAT HE MUST DIE,[MARK9:9,10.].
JESUS ENTERED JERUSALEM ON PSALM SUNDAY. THOUGH THE MODE OF ENTRY WAS HUMBLE, IT WAS NEVERTHE LESS A SIGN AN ASSERTION, [MARK 11:1-1O]. WHEN A KING WENT TO WAR, HE RODE A HORSE. WHEN HE WAS ON A MISSION OF PEACE, HE RODE A DONKEY. THE CROWDS MISSED THE POINT JESUS WAS MAKING; THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A WARRIOR KING. FURTHERMORE, THEY FORGOT WHAT ZECHARIAH HAD WRITTEN LONG BEFORE ABOUT HOW THEIR KING WOULD EVENTUALLY COME TO THEM, (ZECHARIAH 9:9). TO FULFILL ANCIENT PROPHESY IN MATT:21:4,5], THAT HER KING WAS COMING TO HER RIDING HUMBLY ON A DONKEY'S COLT FOR THE RESTORATION OF JUDAH. IMMEDIATELY BEFORE AND AFTER THE THREE PASSIONS PREDICTIONS, JESUS GAVE SIGHT TO A
BLIND PERSON. DO YOU SEE CLEARLY THE KIND OF MESSIAH HE CAME TO BE?
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE KIND OF LIFE TO WHICH HE CALLS YOU? ARE YOU CONTENT WITH BLURRY VISION, OR DO YOU WANT HIM TO SHARPEN YOUR- FAITH-SIGHT? ARE YOU, PERHAPS BLIND EVEN THOUGH YOUR EYES ARE OPEN? DO YOU NEED THE GIFT OF SIGHT ONLY HE CAN GIVE?
THE THIRD PASSION: WAS THE CLARIFICATION BY JESUS CONCERNING THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE MESSIANIC AGE FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO BE INVOLVED IN
IT. HEALING BY DEGREES WAS QUITE RARE. THIS IS LIKE A ACTED PARABLE. DISCIPLES HAVE BEGUN TO SEE, BUT REMAIN BLIND., UNTIL HE TOUCHES THEM AGAIN AT HIS RESURRECTION. [MARK9:9].
LONG BEFORE, DAVID DECLARED THAT SOLOMON WAS TO BE HIS SUCCESSOR AND THAT HE WAS TO RIDE ON DAVIDS MULE [1 KINGS 33,38]. TO WHAT ONCE HAD BEEN KNOWN AS " THE CITY OF DAVID. [2 SAMUEL 5:9; ]. LUKE 2:11].
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
1.) PREDICTION BY JESUS OF HIS COMING PASSION.
2.) CONFUSION ON THE PART OF THE DISCIPLES.
3.) CLARIFICATION.
THERE ARE THREE PASSION PREDICTIONS IN MARK. COMMENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE WHAT PETER SAID WAS CORRECT. HE UNDERSTOOD HIS UNDERSTAND OF CHRIST'S ROLE AS MESSIAH WAS WRONG. WHY? AFTER PETER'S "CONFESSION, " FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MARKS GOSPEL, JESUS SPOKE ABOUT HIS APPROACHING SUFFERING, DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION. 1.(THE PASSION PREDICTI.ON WAS TO MUCH FOR PETER. HE REBUKED PETER FOR SAYING THESE THINGS. JESUS IN TURNED ADDRESSED PETER IN STRONG TERMS, AND TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS ON THE SIDE OF SATAN [8:33]. HE WENT ON TO EXPLAIN TO HIS DISCIPLES THAT IF THEY WANTED TO BE INVOLVED WITH HIM THEY MUST THROW IN THEIR LOT WITH A SEVANT-KING WHO DENIED HIMSELF TO SPEND LIFE IN THE SERVICE OF OTHERS.
TO BELONG TO JESUS MEANS STRIVING TO USE LIFE AS HE DID, NO MATTER WHAT THE COST.MARK [8:38].
THE DISCIPLES FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND JESUS REFERENCE TO HIS COMING PASSION BECAUSE THE THOUGHT OF A SUFFERING DYING MESSIAH WHO WOULD USHER IN A GLORIOUS AGE OF MATERIAL PROSPERITY, POLITICAL PRIVILEGE AND FREEDOM FROM FOREIGN DOMINATION. POSSIBLY THEY THOUGHT THAT THE MESSIANIC AGE WOULD MEAN POSITIONS OF HONOR AND CONDITIONS OF AFFLUENCE FOR THEMSELVES. JESUS TALK ABOUT CARRYING THE CROSS OF SERVANTHOOD IN EVERY SITUATION FELL ON CONFUSED AND DISBELIEVING EARS!
JESUS CONTINUED BY STSTING THAT WITH IN A VERY SHORT TIME HIS DISCIPLES WOULD SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD COME WITH POWER. [MARK 9:1]. HE WAS REFERRING TO HIS APPROACHING CRUCIFIXION. JESUS THE SERVANT-KING, WAS AT HIS MOST POWERFUL IN MARCHIG TO, AND ENDURING, THE AGONY OF THE CROSS.
THE TRANSFIGURATION [MARK 9:2-8] RE-ENACTED THE "THEOPHANY" OF THE [APPEARANCE" OF GOD]." IN EXODUS: [24:15-18]. AS GOD ONCE MANIFESTED HIS GLORY, AT SINAI, TO THE DISCIPLES ON THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION. SO THE CONCLUSION IS OBVIOUS. THE GOD OF ISRAEL HAD KNOWN AND WORSHIPPED THROUGHOUT THE OLD TESTAMENT PERIOD HAD COME AMONG THEM IN JESUS CHRIST. THE WORDS, "LISTEN TO HIM," ECHO DEUTERONOMY [18:15]. WHERE GOD PROMISED ISRAEL THAT AFTER THE DEATH OF MOSES HE WOULD RAISE UP ANOTHER PROPHET (JOSHUA) WHO WOULD LEAD THEM INTO THE PROMISED LAND. THE NEW JOSHUA [CHRIST] WOULD LEAD HIS PEOPLE INTO THE ETERNAL PROMISED LAND.
AS THE GROUP WHICH WITNESSED THE TRANSFIGURATION DESCENDED THE MOUNTAIN, JESUS COMMANDED THEM TO TELL NO ONE WHAT THEY HAD SEEN UNTIL AFTER THE RESURRECTION. HIS DISCIPLES WERE THOROUGHLY CONFUSED BY HIS REFERENCE TO RISING FROM THE DEAD, FOR THEY DID NOT EVEN UNDERSTAND OR BELIEVE THAT HE MUST DIE,[MARK9:9,10.].
JESUS ENTERED JERUSALEM ON PSALM SUNDAY. THOUGH THE MODE OF ENTRY WAS HUMBLE, IT WAS NEVERTHE LESS A SIGN AN ASSERTION, [MARK 11:1-1O]. WHEN A KING WENT TO WAR, HE RODE A HORSE. WHEN HE WAS ON A MISSION OF PEACE, HE RODE A DONKEY. THE CROWDS MISSED THE POINT JESUS WAS MAKING; THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A WARRIOR KING. FURTHERMORE, THEY FORGOT WHAT ZECHARIAH HAD WRITTEN LONG BEFORE ABOUT HOW THEIR KING WOULD EVENTUALLY COME TO THEM, (ZECHARIAH 9:9). TO FULFILL ANCIENT PROPHESY IN MATT:21:4,5], THAT HER KING WAS COMING TO HER RIDING HUMBLY ON A DONKEY'S COLT FOR THE RESTORATION OF JUDAH. IMMEDIATELY BEFORE AND AFTER THE THREE PASSIONS PREDICTIONS, JESUS GAVE SIGHT TO A
BLIND PERSON. DO YOU SEE CLEARLY THE KIND OF MESSIAH HE CAME TO BE?
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE KIND OF LIFE TO WHICH HE CALLS YOU? ARE YOU CONTENT WITH BLURRY VISION, OR DO YOU WANT HIM TO SHARPEN YOUR- FAITH-SIGHT? ARE YOU, PERHAPS BLIND EVEN THOUGH YOUR EYES ARE OPEN? DO YOU NEED THE GIFT OF SIGHT ONLY HE CAN GIVE?
THE THIRD PASSION: WAS THE CLARIFICATION BY JESUS CONCERNING THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE MESSIANIC AGE FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO BE INVOLVED IN
IT. HEALING BY DEGREES WAS QUITE RARE. THIS IS LIKE A ACTED PARABLE. DISCIPLES HAVE BEGUN TO SEE, BUT REMAIN BLIND., UNTIL HE TOUCHES THEM AGAIN AT HIS RESURRECTION. [MARK9:9].
LONG BEFORE, DAVID DECLARED THAT SOLOMON WAS TO BE HIS SUCCESSOR AND THAT HE WAS TO RIDE ON DAVIDS MULE [1 KINGS 33,38]. TO WHAT ONCE HAD BEEN KNOWN AS " THE CITY OF DAVID. [2 SAMUEL 5:9; ]. LUKE 2:11].
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
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
SPECTATORS OR PARTAKERS?
THE OLD SPIRITUAL ASKS, " WERE YOU THERE WHEN THEY CRUCIFIED MY LORD?"
THE ANSWER IT EXPECTS IS "YES I WAS. I SAW IT HAPPEN" NO DOUBT THE WRITER HAD IN MIND BEING THERE IN MEMORY RATHER THAN FACT. HIS QUESTION MAKES A STRONG APPEAL TO TAKE THE EVENTS OF THE CRUCIFIXION PERSONALLY AND SERIOUSLY.
THE NEW TESTAMENT ASSURES US THAT AS BAPTIZED CHRISTIANS WE WERE NOT MERELY SPECTATORS OF THE CRUCIFIXION. WE WERE PARTAKERS OF THE EVENT. WE DID NOT MERELY WITNESS THE CRUCIFIXION. WE EXPRIENCED IT. [ROMANS : 6: 3,4 ST PAUL WRITES:]
"FOR SURELY YOU KNOW THAT WHEN WE WERE BAPTIZED INTO UNION WITH CHRIST JESUS, WE WERE BAPTIZED INTO UNION WITH HIS DEATH.. BY OUR BAPTISM, THEN, WE WERE BURIED WITH HIM AND SHARED HIS DEATH, IN ORDER THAT, JUST AS CHRIST WAS RAISED FROM DEATH BY THE GLORIOUS POWER OF THE FATHER, SO ALSO WE MIGHT LIVE A NEW LIFE. [COL 2:12 JUST] [GAL,6:15]. THE APOSTLE USES SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS ELSEWHERE IN THIS CHAPTER:" FOR AS CHRISTIANS WE MUST CONTINUE TO GROW IN HIS WORD. SINCE WE HAVE DIED WITH CHRIST,... [6:8:]
WHEN WE WERE BAPTIZED GOD MADE US TO SHARE IN ALL THAT WAS, SUFFERED AND ACCOMPLISHED. BY VIRTUE OF OUR PHYISCAL BIRTH, WE SHARE IN "ADAM"
[BORN IN SIN]. BY OUR VIRTUE OF SECOND BIRTH [BAPTISM IN THE BODY OF CHRIST]. TO ETERNAL LIFE. WHEN CHRIST LED A SINLESS LIFE , WE BY VIRTUE OF OUR BAPTISM, LED IT WITH HIM. WHEN CHRIST WAS PUT TO DEATH TO SUFFER THE PUNISHMENT FOE HUMAN SIN, WE SHARED THAT DEATH WITH HIM. WHEN CHRIST WAS PLACE IN THE GRAVE WHICH SIN BRINGS, WE WENT INTO THE TOMB WITH HIM. WHEN HE ROSE VICTORIOUS FROM THE TOMB, WE ROSE WITH HIM [EPHESIANS 2: 5,6]. IN CHRIST GOD GATHERED THE HUMAN RACE INTO ONE PERSON. HE LET ONE PERSON BE WHAT HE INTENDED THE HUMAN RACE TO BE AND SUFFER WHAT THE HUMAN RACE DESERVES TO SUFFER IN OUR BAPTISM. GOD MADE US SHARERS IN ALL THAT ONE PERSON WAS, SUFFERED, ENDURED AND CONQUERED. HE "INCORPORATED" US INTO CHRIST'S SAVING MINISTRY AND MISSION. JESUS WANTS US TO BECOME WHAT WE ARE.
IN CHRIST, GOD DECLARED US TO BE HOLY, [1 CORINTHIANS 1:2:]. IN OUR BAPTISM, HE GAVES US CHRIST'S SINLESS LIFE AS A SET OF CREDENTIALS TO POSSESS AS OUR VERY OWN. FINALLY WHEN WE STAND BEFORE HIM ON THE LAST DAY OF HISTORY, WE SHALL SHOW HIM CHRIST'S CREDENTIALS, NOT OUR OWN. HE WILL WELCOME US HOME, NOT ON THE BASIS OF WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED BUT WHAT CHRIST ACHIEVED. WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE LAST DAY, " HE APPEAL IS [ SEEK TO MAKE THE CREDENTIALS I HAVE GIVEN YOU IN GRACE TO DESCRIBE YOU PERSONALLY MORE AND MORE. SEE TO DEMOSTRATE WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN. " BE WHAT YOU ARE!" TO GRASP THE MEANING OF THIS IS TO POSSESS A KEY TO UNLOCKS MUCH OF SCRIPTURE. OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD THROUGH BAPTISM REFLECTS THE EVENTS OF THE EXODUS,WILDERNESS WANDERINGS AND ENTRY INTO THE PROMISED LAND. BY VIRTUE OF OUR PHYSICAL BIRTH, WE ARE IN "ADAM," AND THEREFORE HELD CAPTIVE TO THE POWER OF SIN, CONDEMNED BY THE LAW WHICH WE CANNOT KEEP, AND SUBJECT TO DEATH. OUR GRACIOUS LORD SAW OUR PLIGHT AND RESCUED US FROM ITS POWER AND CONSEQUENCES [EPHESIANS 2:4,5].
GOD ACCOMPLISHED THIS THROUGH THE WATERS OF OUR "BAPTISMAL EXODUS EXPERIENCE." THE HOLY SPIRIT, WORKING THROUGH THE WATERS OF BAPTISM, LET US OUT OF BONDAGE TO SIN, DEATH, AND SATAN, INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST. AS GOD CREATED OLD ISRAEL AND GATHERED THEM AROUND HIMSELF AT SINAI, SO HE MADE US MEMBERS OF HIS NEW PEOPLE THROUGH HOLY BAPTISM., AND GATHERED US INTO THE FELLOWSHIP OF CHRIST'S COMMUNITY. AS GOD DWELT AMONG HIS OLD ISRAEL, AND GUIDED THEM THROUGH THE WILDERNESS, SO THE RISEN JESUS DWELLS AMONG US TODAY. AND GUIDES US ON OUR JOURNEY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS OF LIFE., [1 PETER 1: 6-8]. GOD FINALLY LED OLD ISRAEL TO THE EASTERN SHORE OF THE JORDAN RIVER, OPENED A WAY THROUGH THE WATERS FOR THEM AND GAVE THEM THE PROMISED LAND. HE HAD PROMISED IT TO ABRAHAM LONG BEFORE.
SIMILARLY TODAY, WE LIVE ON EARTH AS "STRANGERS, EXILES AND PILGRIMS, " [1PETER 2: 11]. WE ALREADY POSSES A PROMISED LAND, "AN INHERTIANCE WHICH IS IMPERISHABLE, UNDEFILED, AND UNFADING, KEPT IN HEAVEN FOR YOU," [1PETER 4,5. WE MERELY WAIT TO ENTER IT. WHILE WE TO CROSS THAT " FINAL JORDAN" AT DEATH, WE TRY TO LIVE AS THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY CITIZENS OF THEIR ETERNAL PROMISED LAND, [1 PETER 2:9,10]. WE KNOW THAT WHEN WE MAKE THAT "FINAL CROSSING" ALL WILL BE WELL, THE HYMN WRITER PUT IT THIS WAY:
WHEN II TREAD THE VERGE OF JORDAN
BID MY ANXIOUS FEARS SUBSIDE;
DEATH OF DEATH AND HELL'S DESTRUCTION,
LAND ME SAFE ON CANAAN' SIDE
SONGS OF PRAISES.
I WILL EVER GIVE TO THEE.
LH 347, V3.
THE ANSWER IT EXPECTS IS "YES I WAS. I SAW IT HAPPEN" NO DOUBT THE WRITER HAD IN MIND BEING THERE IN MEMORY RATHER THAN FACT. HIS QUESTION MAKES A STRONG APPEAL TO TAKE THE EVENTS OF THE CRUCIFIXION PERSONALLY AND SERIOUSLY.
THE NEW TESTAMENT ASSURES US THAT AS BAPTIZED CHRISTIANS WE WERE NOT MERELY SPECTATORS OF THE CRUCIFIXION. WE WERE PARTAKERS OF THE EVENT. WE DID NOT MERELY WITNESS THE CRUCIFIXION. WE EXPRIENCED IT. [ROMANS : 6: 3,4 ST PAUL WRITES:]
"FOR SURELY YOU KNOW THAT WHEN WE WERE BAPTIZED INTO UNION WITH CHRIST JESUS, WE WERE BAPTIZED INTO UNION WITH HIS DEATH.. BY OUR BAPTISM, THEN, WE WERE BURIED WITH HIM AND SHARED HIS DEATH, IN ORDER THAT, JUST AS CHRIST WAS RAISED FROM DEATH BY THE GLORIOUS POWER OF THE FATHER, SO ALSO WE MIGHT LIVE A NEW LIFE. [COL 2:12 JUST] [GAL,6:15]. THE APOSTLE USES SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS ELSEWHERE IN THIS CHAPTER:" FOR AS CHRISTIANS WE MUST CONTINUE TO GROW IN HIS WORD. SINCE WE HAVE DIED WITH CHRIST,... [6:8:]
WHEN WE WERE BAPTIZED GOD MADE US TO SHARE IN ALL THAT WAS, SUFFERED AND ACCOMPLISHED. BY VIRTUE OF OUR PHYISCAL BIRTH, WE SHARE IN "ADAM"
[BORN IN SIN]. BY OUR VIRTUE OF SECOND BIRTH [BAPTISM IN THE BODY OF CHRIST]. TO ETERNAL LIFE. WHEN CHRIST LED A SINLESS LIFE , WE BY VIRTUE OF OUR BAPTISM, LED IT WITH HIM. WHEN CHRIST WAS PUT TO DEATH TO SUFFER THE PUNISHMENT FOE HUMAN SIN, WE SHARED THAT DEATH WITH HIM. WHEN CHRIST WAS PLACE IN THE GRAVE WHICH SIN BRINGS, WE WENT INTO THE TOMB WITH HIM. WHEN HE ROSE VICTORIOUS FROM THE TOMB, WE ROSE WITH HIM [EPHESIANS 2: 5,6]. IN CHRIST GOD GATHERED THE HUMAN RACE INTO ONE PERSON. HE LET ONE PERSON BE WHAT HE INTENDED THE HUMAN RACE TO BE AND SUFFER WHAT THE HUMAN RACE DESERVES TO SUFFER IN OUR BAPTISM. GOD MADE US SHARERS IN ALL THAT ONE PERSON WAS, SUFFERED, ENDURED AND CONQUERED. HE "INCORPORATED" US INTO CHRIST'S SAVING MINISTRY AND MISSION. JESUS WANTS US TO BECOME WHAT WE ARE.
IN CHRIST, GOD DECLARED US TO BE HOLY, [1 CORINTHIANS 1:2:]. IN OUR BAPTISM, HE GAVES US CHRIST'S SINLESS LIFE AS A SET OF CREDENTIALS TO POSSESS AS OUR VERY OWN. FINALLY WHEN WE STAND BEFORE HIM ON THE LAST DAY OF HISTORY, WE SHALL SHOW HIM CHRIST'S CREDENTIALS, NOT OUR OWN. HE WILL WELCOME US HOME, NOT ON THE BASIS OF WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED BUT WHAT CHRIST ACHIEVED. WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE LAST DAY, " HE APPEAL IS [ SEEK TO MAKE THE CREDENTIALS I HAVE GIVEN YOU IN GRACE TO DESCRIBE YOU PERSONALLY MORE AND MORE. SEE TO DEMOSTRATE WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN. " BE WHAT YOU ARE!" TO GRASP THE MEANING OF THIS IS TO POSSESS A KEY TO UNLOCKS MUCH OF SCRIPTURE. OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD THROUGH BAPTISM REFLECTS THE EVENTS OF THE EXODUS,WILDERNESS WANDERINGS AND ENTRY INTO THE PROMISED LAND. BY VIRTUE OF OUR PHYSICAL BIRTH, WE ARE IN "ADAM," AND THEREFORE HELD CAPTIVE TO THE POWER OF SIN, CONDEMNED BY THE LAW WHICH WE CANNOT KEEP, AND SUBJECT TO DEATH. OUR GRACIOUS LORD SAW OUR PLIGHT AND RESCUED US FROM ITS POWER AND CONSEQUENCES [EPHESIANS 2:4,5].
GOD ACCOMPLISHED THIS THROUGH THE WATERS OF OUR "BAPTISMAL EXODUS EXPERIENCE." THE HOLY SPIRIT, WORKING THROUGH THE WATERS OF BAPTISM, LET US OUT OF BONDAGE TO SIN, DEATH, AND SATAN, INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST. AS GOD CREATED OLD ISRAEL AND GATHERED THEM AROUND HIMSELF AT SINAI, SO HE MADE US MEMBERS OF HIS NEW PEOPLE THROUGH HOLY BAPTISM., AND GATHERED US INTO THE FELLOWSHIP OF CHRIST'S COMMUNITY. AS GOD DWELT AMONG HIS OLD ISRAEL, AND GUIDED THEM THROUGH THE WILDERNESS, SO THE RISEN JESUS DWELLS AMONG US TODAY. AND GUIDES US ON OUR JOURNEY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS OF LIFE., [1 PETER 1: 6-8]. GOD FINALLY LED OLD ISRAEL TO THE EASTERN SHORE OF THE JORDAN RIVER, OPENED A WAY THROUGH THE WATERS FOR THEM AND GAVE THEM THE PROMISED LAND. HE HAD PROMISED IT TO ABRAHAM LONG BEFORE.
SIMILARLY TODAY, WE LIVE ON EARTH AS "STRANGERS, EXILES AND PILGRIMS, " [1PETER 2: 11]. WE ALREADY POSSES A PROMISED LAND, "AN INHERTIANCE WHICH IS IMPERISHABLE, UNDEFILED, AND UNFADING, KEPT IN HEAVEN FOR YOU," [1PETER 4,5. WE MERELY WAIT TO ENTER IT. WHILE WE TO CROSS THAT " FINAL JORDAN" AT DEATH, WE TRY TO LIVE AS THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY CITIZENS OF THEIR ETERNAL PROMISED LAND, [1 PETER 2:9,10]. WE KNOW THAT WHEN WE MAKE THAT "FINAL CROSSING" ALL WILL BE WELL, THE HYMN WRITER PUT IT THIS WAY:
WHEN II TREAD THE VERGE OF JORDAN
BID MY ANXIOUS FEARS SUBSIDE;
DEATH OF DEATH AND HELL'S DESTRUCTION,
LAND ME SAFE ON CANAAN' SIDE
SONGS OF PRAISES.
I WILL EVER GIVE TO THEE.
LH 347, V3.
Monday, January 8, 2018
IN FAITH, TO ETERNAL LIFE,
THE TRAVELLER WHO SETS OUT ON A LONG JOURNEY MUST HAVE DESTINATION IN MIND AND SOME IDEA, TO LOOK IN FEAR, TOWARDS ETERNAL LIFE, OR THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST, AND WHAT HE WILL THINK OF THE JOURNEY AS A WHOLE, NOT ONLY BY HIS POWERS OF OBSERVATION ALONG THE WAY. FOR THE FIRST TIME READER OF THE BIBLE, THE RECORD OF GOD'S JOURNEY WITH MEN THROUGH CENTURIES, LEADING THEM IN HIS OWN WAY AND BY DEGREES TO THE ROCK UPON WHICH IS BUILT HIS KINGDOM ON EARTH, HIS CHURCH. THIS KINGDOM IS THE BASIC THEME OF THE WHOLE BIBLE. THE BEGINNING OF THE ROAD WILL BE IN GENESIS, (O.T.) TO DEUTERONOMY, ALONG THE WAY WILL BE VARIOUS BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, FOR SCHOLARS DON'T BELIEVE JESUS EVER READ THE GOSPELS.
IT WILL BE BETTER TO FOLLOW.A MORE EXACT TIME LINE. THE BOOK WAS WRITTEN BY THE PERIOD OF ISRAEL'S HISTORY. WHICH IT DEALS.
BEGINNING WITH THE PENTATEUCH, (5 BOOKS) WHICH TELLS US OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE KINGDOM ON EARTH, THE ORIGIN OF THE PEOPLE IN GENESIS, THE INSTITUTION OF THEOCRATIC KINGDOM IN EXODUS, THE LITURGICAL ORGANIZATION OF THE KINGDOM IN EXODUS, AND ITS WORSHIP IN LEVITICUS AND THE ORGANIZATION OF THE THEOCRATIC NATION AROUND THE ARK AND THE TABERNACLE IN NUMBERS, THE SPIRIT OF LOVE THAT IS TO ANIMATE THE CITIZENS OF DEUTERONOMY. IN THE BOOK OF JOSHUA WE WILL READ THE STORY OF THE NEW NATION'S CONQUEST OF THE PROMISE LAND OF PALESTINE. IN JUDGES, WE WILL SEE THE ISRAELITES BATTLING THE SURROUNDING NATIONS IN ORDER TO RETAIN POSSESSION OF THE NEWLY CONQUERED LAND. IN SAMUEL, WHO WILL MEET SAUL, THE REJECTED FIRST KING OF THE ISRAELITES, AND DAVID, THE MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART, WHOSE REIGN SOLIDIFIES THE ISRAELITE HOLD ON PALESTINE, AND WHOSE PERSON BECOMES FOR FUTURE AGES THE EMBODIMENT OF THE IDEAL KING TO COME. IN 1 KINGS, WE WILL READ OF THE GLORIOUS REIGN OF SOLOMON AND THE SUBSEQUENT DIVISION OF HIS KINGDOM INTO TWO PARTS; THE NORTHERN KINGDOM CALLED ISRAEL AND THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM CALLED JUDAH. MOST OF THE 1 KINGS, AND 2 KINGS DEALS WITH THE NORTHERN KINGDOM.
THE KIGNDOM OF JUDAH COMES UNDER THE REIGN OF KING AHAZ (735-715) WHERE WE READ THE GREAT SERMONS OF THE GREAT JUDEAN PROPHET ISAIAH. WE SEE IN THE HISTORY OF THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM OF THE SEVENTH CENTURY (650-582), WE COME ACROSS THE GREAT PROPHET OF THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAH, ALONG WITH THE SERMON'S OF JEREMIAH. SAMUEL AND KINGS HAVE NO HISTORICAL SOURCES AS THE PENTATEUCH, SAMUEL, AND KINGS. WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE EXILE DID END IN [539 B.C]. AND THE JEWS RETURNED HOME TO PALESTINE, WE DISCOVER IN THE BOOKS OF EZRA AND NEHEMIAH, IN CONNECTION WITH THE SERMONS FROM THE PREACHING OF HAGGI, ZECHARIAH, MALACHI, AND JOEL. THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH THERE IS AN HISTORICAL BLACK-OUT [400 TO 175]. LEST ANYONE BE DECEIVED INTERPRETING THE HISTORY OF THE PENTATEUCH COLDLY OR ITS LAWS LEGALISTICALLY, THE BOOK OF DEUTERONMOMY NOYHING SETS OUT TO SHOW THAT THE NATION WAS CONCEIVED AND BROUGHT THROUGH NOTHING MORE THAN GOD'S LOVE. DEUTERONOMY WAS MEANT TO GROW AND DEVELOP ONLY THROUGH A RETURN OF THAT LOVE. WE CAN SEE THAT SAME LOVE IN [JOHN 13- 17], AS JESUS PREDICTS HIS LOVE,AND DEATH BEFORE THE PASSOVER FOR HE KNEW THAT HIS HOUR HAD COME THAT HE SHOULD DEPART OUT OF THIS WORLD UNTO THE FATHER, HAVING LOVED HIS OWN WHICH WERE IN THE WORLD, HE LOVED THEM UNTO THE END. [MATT. 26:2- 12:23].
AND SUPPER BEING ENDED, THE DEVIL HAVING NOW PUT INTO THE HEART OF JUDAS IS-CAR-I-OT, SIMON'S SON, TO BETRAY HIM; JESUS KNOWING THAT THE FATHER HAD GIVEN ALL THINGS INTO HIS HANDS, AND THAT HE HAD COME FROM GOD, AND WENT TO GOD; HE RISETH FROM SUPPER, LAID ASIDE HIS GARMENTS; AND TOOK A TOWEL, AND GIRDED HIMSELF. [LUKE 22:27]. AFTER THAT HE PRECEDED TO POUR WATER INTO A BASON, AND BEGAN TO WASH THE DISCIPLE'S FEET, AND TO WIPE THEM [DRY] WITH THE TOWEL WHEREWITH HE WAS GIRDED. THEN COMETH HIM TO SIMON PETER: AND PETER SAITH UNTO HIM, THOU SHALL NEVER WASH MY FEET. JESUS ANSWERED HIM. IF I WAS THEE NOT, THOU HAS NO PART WITH ME. SIMON PETER SAITH UNTO HIM LORD, NOT ONLY MY FEET, BUT ALSO MY HANDS AND MY HEAD. [HEAD TOO!]
JESUS SAITH TO HIM, HE THAT IS WASHED NEEDETH NOT SAVE TO WASH HIS FEET, BUT IS CLEAN EVERY WHIT:[ BIT 15:3] AND YE ARE CLEAN, BUT NOT ALL. FOR HE KNEW WHO WOULD BETRAY HIM; THEREFORE SAID HE, YE ARE NOT ALL CLEAN.
SO AFTER HE HAD WASHED THEIR FEET AND HAD TAKEN HIS GARMENTS, AND WAS SET DOWN AGAIN, HE SAID UNTO THEM, KNOW YE WHAT I HAVE DONE TO YOU?
[DO YOU REALIZE]. YOU CALL ME MASTER AND LORD; AND YOU SAY WELL; FOR SO I AM. IF I THEN, YOUR LORD AND MASTER HAVE WASHED YOUR FEET; YE ALSO OUGHT TO WASH ONE ANOTHER'S FEET. FOR I HAVE GIVEN YOU AN EXAMPLE: [MAUNDY THURSDAY]. VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, THE SERVANT IS NOT GREATER THAN HIS LORD; NEITHER IS HE THAT IS GREATER THAN HE THAT SENT HIM [MATT 10:24]. IF YOU KNOW [PRACTICE] THESE THINGS, HAPPY ARE YE IF YE DO THEM. BUT I SPEAK NOT OF YOU ALL. THIS PROPHESY: [ Ps.41:9] WHICH WAS Fulfilled IN [JOHN 13:18]. DEUTERONOMY'S PLACE IN THE PENTATUECH IS TO DEFINE THE SPIRIT OF THE NEW COMMUNITY WITH A SPIRIT EXPRESSED FOR ALL TIME IN THE GREAT WORDS OF [DEUT. 6:5]. THEREFORE, "YOU SHALL LOVE YAHWEH, YOUR GOD, WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH". IN HEBREW THIS IS CALLED THE [SHEMA]. ISRAEL WAS TO DRILL THEM INTO THEIR CHILDREN, BIND THEM ON THEIR WRIST,WRITE THEM ON THE DOORPOSTS OF THEIR HOUSES AND ON YOUR GATES. AND LET THEM BE AS A PENDANT ON YOUR FOREHEAD.
DEUTERONOMY'S LINKS WITH NUMBERS ARE CLOSE. NUMBERS CLOSES WITH THE OBSERVATIONS THAT THE COMMANDMENTS AND DECISIONS CONTAINED IN THE BOOK WERE GIVEN THROUGH MOSES ON THE PLAINS OF MOAB BESIDE THE JERICHO
WAITING FOR THE SIGNAL TO GO INTO THE PROMISED LAND. [DEUT. [1:1-5]. PSYCHOLOGICALLY, THE CONNECTION IS EVEN CLOSER. IN DEUTERONOMY MOSES IS REPRESENTED AS GIVING HIS LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT. HE REALIZES HE WILL SOON HAVE TO LEAVE HIS PEOPLE. IN DEUTERONOMY THEREFORE, MOSES OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF HIS HEART BEFORE HIS DEATH WAS PREACHING TO PERSUADE THE CHILDREN NOT TO BETRAY GOD, NEVER TO LOSE FAITH IN HIM, OBSERVE HIS COVENANT AND BE HIS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME LOVE AND DEVOTION THAT A SON SHOWS FOR HIS FATHER. BECAUSE MOSES TRESPASSED AGAINST GOD AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL AT THE WATERS OF MER-IBAH--KADESH, IN THE WILDERNESS OF ZIN: BECAUSE YOU SANCTIFIED ME NOT IN THE MIDST OF THE CHILDEN OF ISRAEL, YOU SHALL NOT SEE AND GO OVER TO THE PROMISED LAND WHICH I GAVE TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, BUT YOU AND AaRON THY BROTHER SHOWED THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SAVED THEM FROM DYING OF THIIRST WHEN I I TOLD YOU TO SAY TO THE ROCK, BRING FORTH WATER, AND IN ANGER YOU STRUCK IT THREE TIMES, GIVING THE PEOPLE THE IMPRESSION, THAT YOU SAVED THEM WHEN THE WATER GUSHED FORTH.
NOW GET THEE UP INTO THIS MOUNTAIN AB-A-RIM UNTO MOUNT NE'BOW, WHICH IS IN THE LAND OF MOAB THAT IS OVER JERICHO AND BEHOLD THE LAND OF CANAAN [PROMISED LAND] WHICH I GIVE TO THE CHILREN OF ISRAEL FOR A POSSESSION: AND DIE IN THE MOUNT WHITHER THOU GOEST UP AND BE GATHERED UNTO THY PEOPLE; AS AaRON THY BROTHER DIED IN MOUNT HOR, AND WAS GATHERED UNTO HIS PEOPLE.
FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP, MOSES YOU MAY LOOK TO THE EAST AND TURN AND LOOK TO WEST, AND TURN AGAIN AND LOOK TO THE NORTH AND TURN AGAIN AND LOOK TO THE SOUTH; BUT YOU WILL NOT SET YOUR FOOT IN THE PROMISED LAND, BUT YOU SHALL DIE, LEAVING BEHIND THE FINAL BLESSING: , COMMADING US A LAW EVEN THE INHERITANCE OF THE CONGREGATION OF JACOB, REMEMBER, IF YOU THINK THE THE O.T. DOESN'T APPLY TO US CHRISTIANS "NOW REMEMBER THE PICTURE OF JESUS JESUS AT TWELVE YEARS OLD" DEBATING WITH THE HIGH PRIEST, RABBI'S, IN THE TEMPLE FOR IT WAS HIS BIBLE, DURING PASSOVER. FOR RELIGIOUS SCHOLAR'S AGREE, HE NEVER READ THE GOSPELS.
IT WILL BE BETTER TO FOLLOW.A MORE EXACT TIME LINE. THE BOOK WAS WRITTEN BY THE PERIOD OF ISRAEL'S HISTORY. WHICH IT DEALS.
BEGINNING WITH THE PENTATEUCH, (5 BOOKS) WHICH TELLS US OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE KINGDOM ON EARTH, THE ORIGIN OF THE PEOPLE IN GENESIS, THE INSTITUTION OF THEOCRATIC KINGDOM IN EXODUS, THE LITURGICAL ORGANIZATION OF THE KINGDOM IN EXODUS, AND ITS WORSHIP IN LEVITICUS AND THE ORGANIZATION OF THE THEOCRATIC NATION AROUND THE ARK AND THE TABERNACLE IN NUMBERS, THE SPIRIT OF LOVE THAT IS TO ANIMATE THE CITIZENS OF DEUTERONOMY. IN THE BOOK OF JOSHUA WE WILL READ THE STORY OF THE NEW NATION'S CONQUEST OF THE PROMISE LAND OF PALESTINE. IN JUDGES, WE WILL SEE THE ISRAELITES BATTLING THE SURROUNDING NATIONS IN ORDER TO RETAIN POSSESSION OF THE NEWLY CONQUERED LAND. IN SAMUEL, WHO WILL MEET SAUL, THE REJECTED FIRST KING OF THE ISRAELITES, AND DAVID, THE MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART, WHOSE REIGN SOLIDIFIES THE ISRAELITE HOLD ON PALESTINE, AND WHOSE PERSON BECOMES FOR FUTURE AGES THE EMBODIMENT OF THE IDEAL KING TO COME. IN 1 KINGS, WE WILL READ OF THE GLORIOUS REIGN OF SOLOMON AND THE SUBSEQUENT DIVISION OF HIS KINGDOM INTO TWO PARTS; THE NORTHERN KINGDOM CALLED ISRAEL AND THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM CALLED JUDAH. MOST OF THE 1 KINGS, AND 2 KINGS DEALS WITH THE NORTHERN KINGDOM.
THE KIGNDOM OF JUDAH COMES UNDER THE REIGN OF KING AHAZ (735-715) WHERE WE READ THE GREAT SERMONS OF THE GREAT JUDEAN PROPHET ISAIAH. WE SEE IN THE HISTORY OF THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM OF THE SEVENTH CENTURY (650-582), WE COME ACROSS THE GREAT PROPHET OF THE LAST DAYS OF JUDAH, ALONG WITH THE SERMON'S OF JEREMIAH. SAMUEL AND KINGS HAVE NO HISTORICAL SOURCES AS THE PENTATEUCH, SAMUEL, AND KINGS. WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE EXILE DID END IN [539 B.C]. AND THE JEWS RETURNED HOME TO PALESTINE, WE DISCOVER IN THE BOOKS OF EZRA AND NEHEMIAH, IN CONNECTION WITH THE SERMONS FROM THE PREACHING OF HAGGI, ZECHARIAH, MALACHI, AND JOEL. THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH THERE IS AN HISTORICAL BLACK-OUT [400 TO 175]. LEST ANYONE BE DECEIVED INTERPRETING THE HISTORY OF THE PENTATEUCH COLDLY OR ITS LAWS LEGALISTICALLY, THE BOOK OF DEUTERONMOMY NOYHING SETS OUT TO SHOW THAT THE NATION WAS CONCEIVED AND BROUGHT THROUGH NOTHING MORE THAN GOD'S LOVE. DEUTERONOMY WAS MEANT TO GROW AND DEVELOP ONLY THROUGH A RETURN OF THAT LOVE. WE CAN SEE THAT SAME LOVE IN [JOHN 13- 17], AS JESUS PREDICTS HIS LOVE,AND DEATH BEFORE THE PASSOVER FOR HE KNEW THAT HIS HOUR HAD COME THAT HE SHOULD DEPART OUT OF THIS WORLD UNTO THE FATHER, HAVING LOVED HIS OWN WHICH WERE IN THE WORLD, HE LOVED THEM UNTO THE END. [MATT. 26:2- 12:23].
AND SUPPER BEING ENDED, THE DEVIL HAVING NOW PUT INTO THE HEART OF JUDAS IS-CAR-I-OT, SIMON'S SON, TO BETRAY HIM; JESUS KNOWING THAT THE FATHER HAD GIVEN ALL THINGS INTO HIS HANDS, AND THAT HE HAD COME FROM GOD, AND WENT TO GOD; HE RISETH FROM SUPPER, LAID ASIDE HIS GARMENTS; AND TOOK A TOWEL, AND GIRDED HIMSELF. [LUKE 22:27]. AFTER THAT HE PRECEDED TO POUR WATER INTO A BASON, AND BEGAN TO WASH THE DISCIPLE'S FEET, AND TO WIPE THEM [DRY] WITH THE TOWEL WHEREWITH HE WAS GIRDED. THEN COMETH HIM TO SIMON PETER: AND PETER SAITH UNTO HIM, THOU SHALL NEVER WASH MY FEET. JESUS ANSWERED HIM. IF I WAS THEE NOT, THOU HAS NO PART WITH ME. SIMON PETER SAITH UNTO HIM LORD, NOT ONLY MY FEET, BUT ALSO MY HANDS AND MY HEAD. [HEAD TOO!]
JESUS SAITH TO HIM, HE THAT IS WASHED NEEDETH NOT SAVE TO WASH HIS FEET, BUT IS CLEAN EVERY WHIT:[ BIT 15:3] AND YE ARE CLEAN, BUT NOT ALL. FOR HE KNEW WHO WOULD BETRAY HIM; THEREFORE SAID HE, YE ARE NOT ALL CLEAN.
SO AFTER HE HAD WASHED THEIR FEET AND HAD TAKEN HIS GARMENTS, AND WAS SET DOWN AGAIN, HE SAID UNTO THEM, KNOW YE WHAT I HAVE DONE TO YOU?
[DO YOU REALIZE]. YOU CALL ME MASTER AND LORD; AND YOU SAY WELL; FOR SO I AM. IF I THEN, YOUR LORD AND MASTER HAVE WASHED YOUR FEET; YE ALSO OUGHT TO WASH ONE ANOTHER'S FEET. FOR I HAVE GIVEN YOU AN EXAMPLE: [MAUNDY THURSDAY]. VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, THE SERVANT IS NOT GREATER THAN HIS LORD; NEITHER IS HE THAT IS GREATER THAN HE THAT SENT HIM [MATT 10:24]. IF YOU KNOW [PRACTICE] THESE THINGS, HAPPY ARE YE IF YE DO THEM. BUT I SPEAK NOT OF YOU ALL. THIS PROPHESY: [ Ps.41:9] WHICH WAS Fulfilled IN [JOHN 13:18]. DEUTERONOMY'S PLACE IN THE PENTATUECH IS TO DEFINE THE SPIRIT OF THE NEW COMMUNITY WITH A SPIRIT EXPRESSED FOR ALL TIME IN THE GREAT WORDS OF [DEUT. 6:5]. THEREFORE, "YOU SHALL LOVE YAHWEH, YOUR GOD, WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH". IN HEBREW THIS IS CALLED THE [SHEMA]. ISRAEL WAS TO DRILL THEM INTO THEIR CHILDREN, BIND THEM ON THEIR WRIST,WRITE THEM ON THE DOORPOSTS OF THEIR HOUSES AND ON YOUR GATES. AND LET THEM BE AS A PENDANT ON YOUR FOREHEAD.
DEUTERONOMY'S LINKS WITH NUMBERS ARE CLOSE. NUMBERS CLOSES WITH THE OBSERVATIONS THAT THE COMMANDMENTS AND DECISIONS CONTAINED IN THE BOOK WERE GIVEN THROUGH MOSES ON THE PLAINS OF MOAB BESIDE THE JERICHO
WAITING FOR THE SIGNAL TO GO INTO THE PROMISED LAND. [DEUT. [1:1-5]. PSYCHOLOGICALLY, THE CONNECTION IS EVEN CLOSER. IN DEUTERONOMY MOSES IS REPRESENTED AS GIVING HIS LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT. HE REALIZES HE WILL SOON HAVE TO LEAVE HIS PEOPLE. IN DEUTERONOMY THEREFORE, MOSES OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF HIS HEART BEFORE HIS DEATH WAS PREACHING TO PERSUADE THE CHILDREN NOT TO BETRAY GOD, NEVER TO LOSE FAITH IN HIM, OBSERVE HIS COVENANT AND BE HIS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME LOVE AND DEVOTION THAT A SON SHOWS FOR HIS FATHER. BECAUSE MOSES TRESPASSED AGAINST GOD AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL AT THE WATERS OF MER-IBAH--KADESH, IN THE WILDERNESS OF ZIN: BECAUSE YOU SANCTIFIED ME NOT IN THE MIDST OF THE CHILDEN OF ISRAEL, YOU SHALL NOT SEE AND GO OVER TO THE PROMISED LAND WHICH I GAVE TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, BUT YOU AND AaRON THY BROTHER SHOWED THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SAVED THEM FROM DYING OF THIIRST WHEN I I TOLD YOU TO SAY TO THE ROCK, BRING FORTH WATER, AND IN ANGER YOU STRUCK IT THREE TIMES, GIVING THE PEOPLE THE IMPRESSION, THAT YOU SAVED THEM WHEN THE WATER GUSHED FORTH.
NOW GET THEE UP INTO THIS MOUNTAIN AB-A-RIM UNTO MOUNT NE'BOW, WHICH IS IN THE LAND OF MOAB THAT IS OVER JERICHO AND BEHOLD THE LAND OF CANAAN [PROMISED LAND] WHICH I GIVE TO THE CHILREN OF ISRAEL FOR A POSSESSION: AND DIE IN THE MOUNT WHITHER THOU GOEST UP AND BE GATHERED UNTO THY PEOPLE; AS AaRON THY BROTHER DIED IN MOUNT HOR, AND WAS GATHERED UNTO HIS PEOPLE.
FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP, MOSES YOU MAY LOOK TO THE EAST AND TURN AND LOOK TO WEST, AND TURN AGAIN AND LOOK TO THE NORTH AND TURN AGAIN AND LOOK TO THE SOUTH; BUT YOU WILL NOT SET YOUR FOOT IN THE PROMISED LAND, BUT YOU SHALL DIE, LEAVING BEHIND THE FINAL BLESSING: , COMMADING US A LAW EVEN THE INHERITANCE OF THE CONGREGATION OF JACOB, REMEMBER, IF YOU THINK THE THE O.T. DOESN'T APPLY TO US CHRISTIANS "NOW REMEMBER THE PICTURE OF JESUS JESUS AT TWELVE YEARS OLD" DEBATING WITH THE HIGH PRIEST, RABBI'S, IN THE TEMPLE FOR IT WAS HIS BIBLE, DURING PASSOVER. FOR RELIGIOUS SCHOLAR'S AGREE, HE NEVER READ THE GOSPELS.
Thursday, January 4, 2018
GLORY IN THE HIGHEST. "PRESENTATION OF THE LORD". [ LUKE 2:34-35].
AND SIMON BLESSED THEM AND SAID TO MARY HIS MOTHER., " BEHOLD THIS CHILD IS DESTINED FOR THE FALL AND RISE OF MANY IN ISRAEL, AND TO BE A SIGN THAT WILL BE CONTRADICTED (AND YOU YOURSELF A SWORD WILL PIERCE) SO THAT THE THOUGHTS OF MANY HEARTS WILL BE
REVEALED." (LUKE 2:34-35).
THE DARKNESS IS STILL WITH US, O LORD. YOU ARE STILL HIDDEN AND THE WORLD WHICH YOU HAVE MADE DOES NOT WANT TO KNOW YOU OR RECEIVE YOU... YOU ARE STILL THE HIDDEN CHILD IN A WORLD GROWN OLD... YOU ARE STILL OBSCURED BY THE VEILS OF THIS WORLD'S HISTORY, YOU ARE STILL DESTINED NOT TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE SCANDAL OF YOUR DEATH ON THE CROSS.... BUT I, O HIDDEN LORD OF ALL THINGS, BOLDLY AFFIRM MY FAITH IN YOU... IN CONFESSING YOU, I TAKE MY STAND WITH YOU...IF I MAKE THIS AVOWAL OF FAITH, IT MUST PIERCE THE DEPTHS OF MY HEART LIKE A SWORD.I MUST BEND MY KNEE BEFORE YOU, SAYING, I MUST ALTER MY LIFE., I HAVE STILL TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN.
KARL RAHNER, PRAYERS FOR MEDITATION.
TODAY THE MONKS ARE DOING SOMETHING THAT SEEMS FUTILE, AND A BIT FOOLISH. THEY ARE BLESSING CANDLES, ALL THE CANDLES THEY'LL USE DURING WORSHIP FOR THE COMING YEAR. THE BENEDICTINES, WHO DON'T MAKE BIG NOISES ABOUT BEING CHRISTIANS, EVEN THOUGH THEY LIVE WITH THE BIBLE MORE IINTIMATELY THAN MOST PEOPLE. IT'S GOOD TO THINK OF THE LIGHT HIDDEN INSIDE THOSE NEW CANDLES, WHILE WALKING TO PRAYER EACH MORNING IN THE BITTER COLD.I'LL SEIZE ANY BIT OF HOPE, EVEN IT'S MONKS SAYING PRAYERS OVER CANDLES. THE READING FROM KARL RAHNER, AT MORNING PRAYER, CAME AS A SHOCK, TO READ SO A ESTEEMED THEOLOGIAN CRY OUT, " I STILL HAVE TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN." AFTER TWENTY-ONE YEARS IN THE LUTHERAN MINISTRY, THESE WORDS STAYED WITH ME ALL NIGHT. THE BENEDICTINES REMIND ME MORE OF THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS, AS WE WILL SEE AS WE GET INTO OUR TEXT IN( LUKE. 2). THE BENEDICTINES REMIND ME MORE OF THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS, NOT AFRAID TO ADMIT THEIR DOUBT'S, THEIR NEEDS, THEIR LACK OF FAITH. 'LORD INCREASE OUR FAITH; TEACH US TO PRAY." MAYBE MARY'S STORY AND THE FEAST TELL US THAT IF THE SCRIPTURES DON'T SOME TIMES PIERCE US LIKE A SWORD, WE'RE NOT PAYING CLOSE ENOUGH ATTENTION.
LUKE BEGINS THIS GOSPEL TEXT WITH A SIMPLE AND MODEST INTRODUCTION, FINELY PHRASED, WHICH TELLS OF THE CARE HE TOOK TO SECURE FULLNESS AND ACCURACY FOR HIS NARRATIVE AND OF THE END HE HAD IN VIEW.
"many have taken in hand." THIS STATEMENT IS THE ONLY POSITIVE INFORMATION WE POSSESS ABOUT WRITTEN RECORDS LYING BEHIND THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS. THESE NARRATIVES HAVE ALL PERISHED. ' those things which are most surely believed (1); RATHER, THOSE MATTERS THAT HAVE BEEN FULFLLED. THEY RECORD A SERIES OF EVENTS BEGINNING BEFORE THE BIRTH OF JESUS AND TAKING US ON INTO HIS GROWING BOYHOOD. THERE IS A PECULIAR BEAUTY AND A JOYOUS ATMOSPHERE IN THESE OPENING SCENES OF THE GOSPEL TEXT, THE FIRST SCENE TAKES PLACE IN THE TEMPLE, THE CENTRE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SYSTEM.
FROM THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM THE NARRATIVE TAKES US TO THE HOME OF A HUMBLE MAIDEN IN A GALILEAN VILLAGE. THE SAME ANGEL WHO ANNOUNCED THE COMING BIRTH OF JOHN WAS SENT TO NAZARETH TO ANNOUNCE A MORE TRANSCENDENT BIRTH. HE GREETED MARY WITH A SALUTATION THAT PUZZLED HER, AND SHE WONDERED WHAT IT MEANT. (1:26-29). HE TOLD HER THAT SHE HAD FOUND FAVOR WITH GOD AND SHOULD BRING FORTH A SON, WHOM SHE WAS TO NAME JESUS. IN HIM SHOULD BE FULFILLED THE PROMISE GOD GAVE DAVID OF A THRONE AND A EVERLASTING KINGDOM ( 30-33. IN ANSWER MARY'S WONDERING QUESTION THE ANGEL CONVEYED TO HER THE EXPLANATION, WITH HOLY JOY, THAT GOD WAS TO BE THE FATHER OF HER SON (34,35) THEN HE ENCOURAGED MARY BY TELLING HER ABOUT ELISABETH AND MARY'S FINAL WORDS EXPRESS HUMBLE SUBMISSIOM AND HER FINAL WORDS ENDED WHEN SHE PUT HERSELF AT GOD'S DISPOSAL (36-38).
WE HAVE ALL DEAL WITH AUTHORITY FIGURES IN OUR LIFE. SOME WE SEE AS NOTHING BUT PAPER TIGERS WHO HAVE INFLATED VIEW OF THEMSELVES BUT WITH NO REAL AUTHORITY TO GET ANYTHING DONE. IN OUR TEXT TODAY FROM LUKE, POINTS TO THE PERSON OF THE LORD WHO WILLSEND ONE WHO WILL HAVE UNDISPUTED AUTHORITY TO SPEAK FOR GOD. THAT PERSON AS WE SEE IN THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2 CHAPTER 1. JESUS WERE SOMETIMES QUITE SURPRISED BY HIS ABILITY TO TAKE OLD TEACHINGS AND MAKE THEM COME ALIVE. (WE REMEMBER HIS DISCOURSES IN THE TEMPLE AT 12 YRS OF AGE WITH NEW RELEVANCY).
REL AUTHORITY IS ABLE TO CUT THROUGH RED TAPE AND GET THINGS DONE. AND JESUS, THROUGH HIS AUTHORITY OVER SIN, DEATH AND THE POWER OF THE DEVIL, HAS DONE EXACTLY THAT. AND HAS GIVEN US THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS, WHOLENESS, AND THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE.
AS CHRISTIANS WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF THE WORD.: THE WRITTEN WORD, WHICH IS SCRIPTURE; THE SPOKEN, WHICH IS PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL; AND THE WORD MADE FLESH, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF. JOHN GIVES PERFECT TESTIMONY TO THE POWER AND PRESENCE OF THE WORD WHEN HE WRITES: IN THE "BEGINNING WAS THE WORD AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD, AND THE WORD WAS GOD. ALL THINGS CAME INTO BEING THROUGH HIM, AND WITHOUT HIM NOT ONE THING CAME INTO BEING. WHAT CAME INTO BEING IN HIM WAS LIFE, AND THE LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE. THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS, AND THE DARKNESS, DID NOT OVERCOME IT.' (JOHN 1:1-5). THEY WENT TO CAPERNAUM, AND WHEN THE SABBATH CAME, JESUS WENT INTO THE SYNAGOGUE AND BEGAN TO TEACH. THE PEOPLE WERE AMAZED AT HIS TEACHING, BECAUSE HE TAUGHT THEM AS ONE WHO HAS AUTHORITY, NOT AS THE TEACHERS OF THE LAW. JUST THEN A MAN IN THEIR SYNAGOGUE WHO WAS POSSESSED BY AN EVIL SPIRIT CRIED OUT. " WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH US, JESUS, JESUS OF NAZARETH?" HAVE YOU COME TO DESTROY US? I KNOW WHO YOU ARE- THE HOLY ONE OF GOD!"
"BE QUIET!" SAID JESUS STERNLY. COME OUT OF HIM." THE EVIL SPIRIT SHOOK THE MAN VIOLENTLY AND CAME OUT OF HIM WITH A SHRIEK. THE PEOPLE WERE ALL SO AMAZED THAT THEY ASKED EACH OTHER, "WHAT IS THIS TEACHING? A NEW TEACHING- HE EVEN GIVES ORDERS TO EVIL SPIRITS AND THEY OBEY HIM. NEWS ABOUT HIM SPREAD QUICKLY OVER THE REGION OF GALILEE. JOHN IN HIS GOSPEL TELLS US THAT AFTER PERFORMING HIS FIRST MIRACLE IN CANA OF GALILEE TOGETHER WITH HIS MOTHER AND BROTHERS MOVED TO CAPERNAUM. IT'S SITUATION ON THE SHORE OF THE SEA OF GALILEE AND THE INTERSECTION OF SEVERAL IMPORTANT TRADE ROUTES MADE CAPERNAUM AN IDEAL BASE FOR CARRYING THE GOSPEL INTO THE REGION OF GALILEE AND BEYOND. BESIDES, CAPERNAUM WAS ALSO THE HOME OF ZEBEDEE AND HIS SONS, JAMES AND JOHN, AND THE HOME OF PETER, WHOSE-MOTHER-LAW-WAS LIVING WITH HIM.
ON THE SABBATH FOLLOWING THEIR SELECTION TO BECOME FISHERS OF MEN, PETER, JAMES, AND JOHN, ANDREW, TOGETHER WITH JESUS ATTENDED THE SYNAGOGUE SERVICE. SINCE SYNAGOGUES HAD NO RESIDENT ORDAINED MINISTERS, THE RULERS OF THE SYNAGOGUE WOULD INVITE SOME RABBI(TEACHER) OR SCRIBE PRESENT TO TEACH LESSONS. SO IT HAPPENED THAT JESUS WAS OFTEN INVITED TO ADDRESS THE CONGREGATION. THEY WERE AMAZED, FOR JESUS DID NOT TEACH AS THE TEACHERS OF THE LAW DID. HE QUOTED NO EXPERTS, BUT PROCLAIMED THE GOOD NEWS ON HIS OWN AUTHORITY. THIS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST LESSONS THE DISCIPLES HAD TO LEARN, NAMELY, THAT IN JESUS THEY WERE FACE TO FACE WITH THE FINAL AUTHORITY. FOR US TOO CHRIST IS MORE THAN JUST A WISE TEACHER OR A MODEL TO PATTERN OUR LIVES ON. HE IS THE ONE WHO IN WORD AND DEED REVELS TO US THE UNDESERVED LOVE OF GOD FOR SINNERS INCORPORATED IN HIS OWN PERSON. HIS IS THE FINAL WORD.
IT IS NOT ALL SURPRISING THAT SATAN, DESPITE HIS DEFEAT IN THE WILDERNESS, WAS NOT READY TO LET SUCH A MESSAGE AND SUCH A PREACHER GO UNCHALLENGED. IT IS THE DEVIL WHO CAUSED A MAN IN THAT SYNAGOGUE TO CRY OUT AGAINST JESUS, FOR IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS MAN WAS NOT SPEAKING FOR HIMSELF. HE COULD NOT OF HIMSELF HAVE KNOWN WHAT HE SAID ABOUT CHRIST. HOWEVER SATAN AND THE EVIL SPIRIT WHICH POSSESSED THIS MAN KNEW WHO JESUS OF NAZARETH WAS AND WHAT HIS PURPOSE WAS. THEY KNEW HE WAS THE SON OF GOD AND THAT HE HAD COME TO DESTROY SATAN'S HOLD OVER MANKIND. WITH HIS WORDS SATAN REVEALED HIMSELF WISER THAN MANY THEOLOGIANS.
THIS KNOWLEDGE DID HIM NO SPIRITUAL GOOD; IT ONLY FILLED HIM WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING, HE KNEW THAT HE FACED HELL AND THE GOSPEL WAS NOT MEANT FOR HIM. THOUGH WHAT THE EVIL SPIRIT SAID WAS THE TRUTH, JESUS WOULD NOT ACCEPT HIS WORDS AS TESTIMONY. SATAN WAS NOT A PROPER WITNESS, FOR THOSE HEARING HIM COULD SAY, " THOSE ARE THE WORDS OF THE FATHER OF LIES. HOW CAN WE BELIEVE THEM? BESIDES JESUS WAS NOT READY TO PROCLAIM OPENLY THAT HE WAS THE MESSIAH. MOST OF HIS AUDIENCE WOULD HAVE READ POLITICAL AIMS INTO THAT WORD. (THAT THEY MEANT TO COME AND SEIZE HIM TO PROCLAIM HIM .KING.). WE ARE NOW FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS OF THAT HOLY LIFE WHICH REVEAL REALITY, MUST TAKE THE SAME WAY. AS DYING AND BEHOLD WE LIVE" DEATH AND LIFE STROVE TOGETHER IN AWFUL COMBAT AND THE LORD OF LIFE, WHO DIED, AND NOW LIVING, REIGNS.
,
REVEALED." (LUKE 2:34-35).
THE DARKNESS IS STILL WITH US, O LORD. YOU ARE STILL HIDDEN AND THE WORLD WHICH YOU HAVE MADE DOES NOT WANT TO KNOW YOU OR RECEIVE YOU... YOU ARE STILL THE HIDDEN CHILD IN A WORLD GROWN OLD... YOU ARE STILL OBSCURED BY THE VEILS OF THIS WORLD'S HISTORY, YOU ARE STILL DESTINED NOT TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE SCANDAL OF YOUR DEATH ON THE CROSS.... BUT I, O HIDDEN LORD OF ALL THINGS, BOLDLY AFFIRM MY FAITH IN YOU... IN CONFESSING YOU, I TAKE MY STAND WITH YOU...IF I MAKE THIS AVOWAL OF FAITH, IT MUST PIERCE THE DEPTHS OF MY HEART LIKE A SWORD.I MUST BEND MY KNEE BEFORE YOU, SAYING, I MUST ALTER MY LIFE., I HAVE STILL TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN.
KARL RAHNER, PRAYERS FOR MEDITATION.
TODAY THE MONKS ARE DOING SOMETHING THAT SEEMS FUTILE, AND A BIT FOOLISH. THEY ARE BLESSING CANDLES, ALL THE CANDLES THEY'LL USE DURING WORSHIP FOR THE COMING YEAR. THE BENEDICTINES, WHO DON'T MAKE BIG NOISES ABOUT BEING CHRISTIANS, EVEN THOUGH THEY LIVE WITH THE BIBLE MORE IINTIMATELY THAN MOST PEOPLE. IT'S GOOD TO THINK OF THE LIGHT HIDDEN INSIDE THOSE NEW CANDLES, WHILE WALKING TO PRAYER EACH MORNING IN THE BITTER COLD.I'LL SEIZE ANY BIT OF HOPE, EVEN IT'S MONKS SAYING PRAYERS OVER CANDLES. THE READING FROM KARL RAHNER, AT MORNING PRAYER, CAME AS A SHOCK, TO READ SO A ESTEEMED THEOLOGIAN CRY OUT, " I STILL HAVE TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN." AFTER TWENTY-ONE YEARS IN THE LUTHERAN MINISTRY, THESE WORDS STAYED WITH ME ALL NIGHT. THE BENEDICTINES REMIND ME MORE OF THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS, AS WE WILL SEE AS WE GET INTO OUR TEXT IN( LUKE. 2). THE BENEDICTINES REMIND ME MORE OF THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS, NOT AFRAID TO ADMIT THEIR DOUBT'S, THEIR NEEDS, THEIR LACK OF FAITH. 'LORD INCREASE OUR FAITH; TEACH US TO PRAY." MAYBE MARY'S STORY AND THE FEAST TELL US THAT IF THE SCRIPTURES DON'T SOME TIMES PIERCE US LIKE A SWORD, WE'RE NOT PAYING CLOSE ENOUGH ATTENTION.
LUKE BEGINS THIS GOSPEL TEXT WITH A SIMPLE AND MODEST INTRODUCTION, FINELY PHRASED, WHICH TELLS OF THE CARE HE TOOK TO SECURE FULLNESS AND ACCURACY FOR HIS NARRATIVE AND OF THE END HE HAD IN VIEW.
"many have taken in hand." THIS STATEMENT IS THE ONLY POSITIVE INFORMATION WE POSSESS ABOUT WRITTEN RECORDS LYING BEHIND THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS. THESE NARRATIVES HAVE ALL PERISHED. ' those things which are most surely believed (1); RATHER, THOSE MATTERS THAT HAVE BEEN FULFLLED. THEY RECORD A SERIES OF EVENTS BEGINNING BEFORE THE BIRTH OF JESUS AND TAKING US ON INTO HIS GROWING BOYHOOD. THERE IS A PECULIAR BEAUTY AND A JOYOUS ATMOSPHERE IN THESE OPENING SCENES OF THE GOSPEL TEXT, THE FIRST SCENE TAKES PLACE IN THE TEMPLE, THE CENTRE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SYSTEM.
FROM THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM THE NARRATIVE TAKES US TO THE HOME OF A HUMBLE MAIDEN IN A GALILEAN VILLAGE. THE SAME ANGEL WHO ANNOUNCED THE COMING BIRTH OF JOHN WAS SENT TO NAZARETH TO ANNOUNCE A MORE TRANSCENDENT BIRTH. HE GREETED MARY WITH A SALUTATION THAT PUZZLED HER, AND SHE WONDERED WHAT IT MEANT. (1:26-29). HE TOLD HER THAT SHE HAD FOUND FAVOR WITH GOD AND SHOULD BRING FORTH A SON, WHOM SHE WAS TO NAME JESUS. IN HIM SHOULD BE FULFILLED THE PROMISE GOD GAVE DAVID OF A THRONE AND A EVERLASTING KINGDOM ( 30-33. IN ANSWER MARY'S WONDERING QUESTION THE ANGEL CONVEYED TO HER THE EXPLANATION, WITH HOLY JOY, THAT GOD WAS TO BE THE FATHER OF HER SON (34,35) THEN HE ENCOURAGED MARY BY TELLING HER ABOUT ELISABETH AND MARY'S FINAL WORDS EXPRESS HUMBLE SUBMISSIOM AND HER FINAL WORDS ENDED WHEN SHE PUT HERSELF AT GOD'S DISPOSAL (36-38).
WE HAVE ALL DEAL WITH AUTHORITY FIGURES IN OUR LIFE. SOME WE SEE AS NOTHING BUT PAPER TIGERS WHO HAVE INFLATED VIEW OF THEMSELVES BUT WITH NO REAL AUTHORITY TO GET ANYTHING DONE. IN OUR TEXT TODAY FROM LUKE, POINTS TO THE PERSON OF THE LORD WHO WILLSEND ONE WHO WILL HAVE UNDISPUTED AUTHORITY TO SPEAK FOR GOD. THAT PERSON AS WE SEE IN THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2 CHAPTER 1. JESUS WERE SOMETIMES QUITE SURPRISED BY HIS ABILITY TO TAKE OLD TEACHINGS AND MAKE THEM COME ALIVE. (WE REMEMBER HIS DISCOURSES IN THE TEMPLE AT 12 YRS OF AGE WITH NEW RELEVANCY).
REL AUTHORITY IS ABLE TO CUT THROUGH RED TAPE AND GET THINGS DONE. AND JESUS, THROUGH HIS AUTHORITY OVER SIN, DEATH AND THE POWER OF THE DEVIL, HAS DONE EXACTLY THAT. AND HAS GIVEN US THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS, WHOLENESS, AND THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE.
AS CHRISTIANS WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF THE WORD.: THE WRITTEN WORD, WHICH IS SCRIPTURE; THE SPOKEN, WHICH IS PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL; AND THE WORD MADE FLESH, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF. JOHN GIVES PERFECT TESTIMONY TO THE POWER AND PRESENCE OF THE WORD WHEN HE WRITES: IN THE "BEGINNING WAS THE WORD AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD, AND THE WORD WAS GOD. ALL THINGS CAME INTO BEING THROUGH HIM, AND WITHOUT HIM NOT ONE THING CAME INTO BEING. WHAT CAME INTO BEING IN HIM WAS LIFE, AND THE LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE. THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS, AND THE DARKNESS, DID NOT OVERCOME IT.' (JOHN 1:1-5). THEY WENT TO CAPERNAUM, AND WHEN THE SABBATH CAME, JESUS WENT INTO THE SYNAGOGUE AND BEGAN TO TEACH. THE PEOPLE WERE AMAZED AT HIS TEACHING, BECAUSE HE TAUGHT THEM AS ONE WHO HAS AUTHORITY, NOT AS THE TEACHERS OF THE LAW. JUST THEN A MAN IN THEIR SYNAGOGUE WHO WAS POSSESSED BY AN EVIL SPIRIT CRIED OUT. " WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH US, JESUS, JESUS OF NAZARETH?" HAVE YOU COME TO DESTROY US? I KNOW WHO YOU ARE- THE HOLY ONE OF GOD!"
"BE QUIET!" SAID JESUS STERNLY. COME OUT OF HIM." THE EVIL SPIRIT SHOOK THE MAN VIOLENTLY AND CAME OUT OF HIM WITH A SHRIEK. THE PEOPLE WERE ALL SO AMAZED THAT THEY ASKED EACH OTHER, "WHAT IS THIS TEACHING? A NEW TEACHING- HE EVEN GIVES ORDERS TO EVIL SPIRITS AND THEY OBEY HIM. NEWS ABOUT HIM SPREAD QUICKLY OVER THE REGION OF GALILEE. JOHN IN HIS GOSPEL TELLS US THAT AFTER PERFORMING HIS FIRST MIRACLE IN CANA OF GALILEE TOGETHER WITH HIS MOTHER AND BROTHERS MOVED TO CAPERNAUM. IT'S SITUATION ON THE SHORE OF THE SEA OF GALILEE AND THE INTERSECTION OF SEVERAL IMPORTANT TRADE ROUTES MADE CAPERNAUM AN IDEAL BASE FOR CARRYING THE GOSPEL INTO THE REGION OF GALILEE AND BEYOND. BESIDES, CAPERNAUM WAS ALSO THE HOME OF ZEBEDEE AND HIS SONS, JAMES AND JOHN, AND THE HOME OF PETER, WHOSE-MOTHER-LAW-WAS LIVING WITH HIM.
ON THE SABBATH FOLLOWING THEIR SELECTION TO BECOME FISHERS OF MEN, PETER, JAMES, AND JOHN, ANDREW, TOGETHER WITH JESUS ATTENDED THE SYNAGOGUE SERVICE. SINCE SYNAGOGUES HAD NO RESIDENT ORDAINED MINISTERS, THE RULERS OF THE SYNAGOGUE WOULD INVITE SOME RABBI(TEACHER) OR SCRIBE PRESENT TO TEACH LESSONS. SO IT HAPPENED THAT JESUS WAS OFTEN INVITED TO ADDRESS THE CONGREGATION. THEY WERE AMAZED, FOR JESUS DID NOT TEACH AS THE TEACHERS OF THE LAW DID. HE QUOTED NO EXPERTS, BUT PROCLAIMED THE GOOD NEWS ON HIS OWN AUTHORITY. THIS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST LESSONS THE DISCIPLES HAD TO LEARN, NAMELY, THAT IN JESUS THEY WERE FACE TO FACE WITH THE FINAL AUTHORITY. FOR US TOO CHRIST IS MORE THAN JUST A WISE TEACHER OR A MODEL TO PATTERN OUR LIVES ON. HE IS THE ONE WHO IN WORD AND DEED REVELS TO US THE UNDESERVED LOVE OF GOD FOR SINNERS INCORPORATED IN HIS OWN PERSON. HIS IS THE FINAL WORD.
IT IS NOT ALL SURPRISING THAT SATAN, DESPITE HIS DEFEAT IN THE WILDERNESS, WAS NOT READY TO LET SUCH A MESSAGE AND SUCH A PREACHER GO UNCHALLENGED. IT IS THE DEVIL WHO CAUSED A MAN IN THAT SYNAGOGUE TO CRY OUT AGAINST JESUS, FOR IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS MAN WAS NOT SPEAKING FOR HIMSELF. HE COULD NOT OF HIMSELF HAVE KNOWN WHAT HE SAID ABOUT CHRIST. HOWEVER SATAN AND THE EVIL SPIRIT WHICH POSSESSED THIS MAN KNEW WHO JESUS OF NAZARETH WAS AND WHAT HIS PURPOSE WAS. THEY KNEW HE WAS THE SON OF GOD AND THAT HE HAD COME TO DESTROY SATAN'S HOLD OVER MANKIND. WITH HIS WORDS SATAN REVEALED HIMSELF WISER THAN MANY THEOLOGIANS.
THIS KNOWLEDGE DID HIM NO SPIRITUAL GOOD; IT ONLY FILLED HIM WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING, HE KNEW THAT HE FACED HELL AND THE GOSPEL WAS NOT MEANT FOR HIM. THOUGH WHAT THE EVIL SPIRIT SAID WAS THE TRUTH, JESUS WOULD NOT ACCEPT HIS WORDS AS TESTIMONY. SATAN WAS NOT A PROPER WITNESS, FOR THOSE HEARING HIM COULD SAY, " THOSE ARE THE WORDS OF THE FATHER OF LIES. HOW CAN WE BELIEVE THEM? BESIDES JESUS WAS NOT READY TO PROCLAIM OPENLY THAT HE WAS THE MESSIAH. MOST OF HIS AUDIENCE WOULD HAVE READ POLITICAL AIMS INTO THAT WORD. (THAT THEY MEANT TO COME AND SEIZE HIM TO PROCLAIM HIM .KING.). WE ARE NOW FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS OF THAT HOLY LIFE WHICH REVEAL REALITY, MUST TAKE THE SAME WAY. AS DYING AND BEHOLD WE LIVE" DEATH AND LIFE STROVE TOGETHER IN AWFUL COMBAT AND THE LORD OF LIFE, WHO DIED, AND NOW LIVING, REIGNS.
,
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
COMING OF THE SON OF MAN. MATT. 24:37-44].
OF ONE THING WE CAN BE CERTAIN: OUR FRAGILE MORTAL LIVES WILL COME TO AN END. WE KNOW NEITHER THE DAY NOR THE HOUR. YET WITH OUR HEARTS ENLIGHTENED BY FAITH, WE KNOW THAT CHRIST- OUR LIFE AND OUR RESURRECTON-IS ALREADY WITH US IN HIS WORD, HIS BAPTISMAL PROMISE, HIS BODY AND BLOOD, HIS COMMUNITY OF FAITH. WE HAVE BEEN GRASPED AND HELD FOR ALL TIME WITH CHRIST STEADFAST LOVE. IN THESE. GIFTS OF GRACE, THE PEOPLE OF GOD REJOICE. INDEED IF THERE IS ANY URGENCY, IT CONCERNS OUR MISSION IN THE FRAGILE, BROKEN WORLD THAT YEARNS FOR LIGHT, LIFE AND SALVATION.
USING CRUISE CONTROL ALLOWS A DRIVER TO STOP WORRING ABOUT MAINTAINING A CONSTANT SPEED, AND TO CONCENTRATE ON OTHER THINGS. BUT WITH THAT AUTOMATION COMES A DANGER, THE DRIVER CAN EASILY GET TINTO TROUBLE, FORGETTING HOW FAST THE CAR IS GOING. AT SUCH SPEEDS, IT CAN BE DANGEROUS NOT TO BE PAYING ATTENTION. WHEN JESUS SPEAKS ON THIS SUNDAY GOSPEL TEXT ABOUT WHAT THE SECOND COMING WILL BE LIKE, HE COMPARES IT TO HOW PEOPLE LIVED IN THE DAYS OF NOAH. THEY WERE GOING ALONG WITH THEIR LIVES, DOING THEIR DAILY THINGS, LIVING ON CRUISE CONTOL, UNTIL THE FLOOD CAME. AND SWEPT THEM AWAY. IN THE SAME WAY, WHEN THE DAY OF THE LORD COMES, THERE WON'T BE PRIOR INDICATIOONS THAT SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO HAPPPEN. MOST PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE WHAT THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN DOING-GOING ALONG WITH THEIR LIVES ON CRUISE CONTROL, NOT PAYING MUCH ATTENTION. ONE SIGN OF FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS IS THAT THEY DO PAY ATTENTION. THEY ARE WATCHFUL AND READY WHEN THE SON-OF MAN COMES. THOSE WHO HAVE PUT SPIRITUAL MATTERS ON CRUISE CONTROL WILL BE LEFT, THOSE WHO REMAIN ENGAGED WITH GOD WILL BE TAKEN. BEING READY IS NOT A MATTER OF LIVING THAT MUCH DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHER PEOPLE, BUT SIMPLY BEING WATCHFUL AND AWAKE TO THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN THE WORLD. WHEN THE CHRIST APPEARS, THE FAITHFUL WILL RECOGNIZE HIM, AND BE TAKEN WITH HIM TO ETERNAL LIFE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD. THE FAITHFUL DO NOT LIVE ON CRUISE CONTROL, BUT SEEK OUT GOD IN WORD, PRAYERS, AND WORSHIP OF THE COMMUNITY; IN CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION; IN THE WATERS OF BAPTISM; AND IN THE LORD'S SUPPER. BY DOING THIS THEY WILL BE AWARE AND READY WHEN THE SON-OF MAN COMES EVEN THOUGH THEY DO NOT KNOW THE DAY AND THE HOUR, THIS TEXT IS USED FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT AND SPEAKS ABOUT THE ULTIMATE ADVENT, OR COMING OF JESUS CHRIST (AMEN).
AS CHRISTIANS WE BELIEVE THAT HISTORY IS GOING SOMEWHERE. IT'S NOT LIKE A CHILD'S HAMSTER SPINNING ON ITS CIRCULAR TREADMILL, GOING NOWHERE. NOR IS HISTORY LIKE THE WINDING DOWN OF A GREAT COSMIC TIMEPIECE. HISTORY IS MOVING ITS GOD-DESIGNED, GOD-TIMED COMPLETION WHEN CHRIST SHALL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER. THE CHRISTIAN MUST ACCEPT THE NECESSITY OF LIVING IN THE TENSION BETWEEN KNOWING THE CERTAINTY OF CHRIST COMING AND NOT KNOWING WHEN. WHAT DO WE DO WITH TENSION? WE LET IT STRETCH OUR AWARENESS THAT WE MUST WATCH AND BE READY. MAYBE THIS IS WHY THE SEASON OF ADVENT, THE FOUR WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, EMERGED IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. PERHAPS THEY KNEW CENTURIES AGO THAT IT MIGHT TAKE FOUR WEEKS TO PREPARE FOR TRUE WORSHIP OF THE BETHLEHEM BABE. WE HAVE A YEARLY REHEARSAL TO PRACTICE OUR WATCHFULNESS AND READINESS. THESE PRACTICES CAN NOT ONLY CONVINCE BUT ALSO CONDITION US TO BE READY WHEN THE FINAL DAY ON GOD'S CALENDER ARRIVES. THE GENERAL, TIMELESS TEACHING OF OUR TEXT, WATCHING AND BEING READY, HELPS US CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS. THERE ARE THREE CUES WHICH WILL BECOME A SENTENCE SUMMARY ON HOW WE MIGHT BE READY.
AS JESUS SPOKE OF THE ORDNINARY: " THAT DAY AND HOUR NO ONE KNOWS," HE REACHED BACK IN HOLY HISTORY TO REMIND US OF THE DAYS OF NOAH. THE NEIGHBORS OF NOAH WERE BUSY WITH THE ROUTINES OF LIFE.-EATING, DRINKING, MARRYING, AND GIVING IN MARRIAGE.
THEY WERE NOT PREPARED AND THEY WERE SWEPT AWAY WHEN THE WATERS ROSE.
THAT'S HOW IT WILL BE, JESUS CONTINUED, WHEN HE RETURNS. HE SAID, " TWO MEN WILL BE IN THE FIELD, ONE IS TAKEN AND ONE IS LEFT. TWO WOMEN WILL BE GRINDING AT THE MILL; ONE IS TAKEN ONE IS LEFT."
NOTHING COULD HAVE BEEN MORE COMMON PLACE THAN MEN WORKING IN THE FIELD, ONE IS TAKEN AND ONE, ONE IS LEFT, TWO WOMEN WILL BE GRINDING AT THE MILL, ONE IS TAKEN, ONE IS LEFT."
THEN AND NOW THE CHOICE AND THE CHALLENGE IS TO FIND IN SUCH ORDINARINESS THE PATH TO MEANINGFUL LIFE WITH CHRIST. JUST AS JESUS FIRST CAME TO US DURING THE COMMON PLACE OF A BUSY, WORKADAY WORLD.
SOME NOTICE HIM; OTHERS DO NOT. ONE WILL REEIVE HIM; ANOTHER WILL NOT EVEN BE AWARE OF HIS PRESENCE. ONE PERSON MAY KNOW FULFILLMENT, JOY, ETERNAL LIFE, AND ANOTHER WILL BE UNBLESSED AND UNHONERED.
ONE WILL BE TAKEN INTO CHRIST'S GLORY, ANOTHER WILL BE LEFT IN HIS FINAL PREOCCUPATION WITH"WHAT SHALL WE DO.
THIS STORY OF BROTHER NICHOLAS HERMAN-BROTHER LAWRENCE, AS HE WAS CALLED BY THOSE WHOM HE SERVED IN A MONASTERY IN SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY PARIS.
BROTHER LAWRENCE WAS A LAYMAN WHO SPENT FORTY- YEARS WORKING IN THE KITCHEN OF THIS MONASTERY. HE WAS QUIET, GENTLE CHRISTIAN WHO AT AGE OF EIGHTEEN WAS FOUND READY TO RECIEVE CHRIST. HIS EXPERIENCE WAS NOTHING MORE THAN SEEING A TREE STRIPPED OF ITS LEAVES IN WINTERTIME. YET BECAUSE HE WAS WATCHFUL, HE WAS READY TO HEAR GOD SPEAKING TO HIM THROUGH THIS ORDINARY, COMMONPLACE TREE. THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE, BROTHER LAWRENCE RECEIVED A HIGH VIEW OF THE POWER AND PROVIDENCE OF GOD.
THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE HE COMMITTED HIMSELF TO SERVE CHRIST IN THE WAY HE BELIEVED BEST.
THERE WAS A STORY OF A RURAL MAIL CARRIER ON HIS WEEKLY TRIP THROUGH HARDIN COUNTY, KENTUCKY. THE TIME WAS FEBUARY 18O9. A LOCAL MAN MET THE MAIL CARRIER AND ASKED WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE OUTSIDE WORLD. THE MAIL CARRIER TOLD ABOUT TROUBLE AGAIN BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN AND HE MENTION TALKS ABOUT A NATIONAL BANK. THE MAIL CARRIER RETURNED THE QUESTION: WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THESE PARTS?" THE LOCAL MAN ANSWERED, " SHUCKS, MISTER NOTHING EVER HAPPENS
BACK HERE. IN THE ORDINARINESS OF LIFE, THE MIRACLE OF BIRTH OF ABE LINCOLN' WAS MISSED. EARLIER I MENTION BROTHER-LAWRENCE. AMID POTS AND PANS, VEGETABLES, AND DOUGH. BROTHER LAWRENCE, WHO FOUND GOD IN THE ORDINARY. HE DIDN'T QUIT LOOKING, DURING THOSE FORTY-YEARS IN THE MONASTERY KITCHEN. HE CALLED WHAT HE WAS DOING " PRACTICING THE PRESENCE OF GOD." LET NOT THE HUMDRUMNESS OF LIFE OR THE NEGATIVISM OF ANOTHER CHEAT US OUT OF THE WONDER OF OUR LORD'S BIRTH AND CELEBRATION. WATCH BE READY!
THERE IS A SMALL CHURCH IN ZICA, SERBIA, THAT HAS SEVEN DOORS, MANY MORE THAN ARE NEEDED FOR SUCH A SMALL BUILDING. OVER A PERIOD OF TWO HUNDRED YEARS, SEVEN SERBIAN KINGS WERE CROWNED IN THIS LITTLE CHURCH.
EACH TIME, THEY BUILT A NEW DOOR SO THAT THE NEWLY CROWNED KING COULD EMERGE FROM A DOORWAY THAT NO ONE HAD EVER USED BEFORE. CHRIST CAME TO EARTH THROUGH THE SAME DOORWAY WE ALL USED, THE WOMB OF A WOMEN. THOUGH HE WAS KING OF KINGS, HE CAME TO EARTH AS ALL HUMANS DO.
IT WAS MEANT TO SHOW US THAT HE INTENDED TO FULLY SHARE ARE HUMANITY.
SALVATION IS CLOSER TODAY THAN YESTERDAY. (AMEN!)
USING CRUISE CONTROL ALLOWS A DRIVER TO STOP WORRING ABOUT MAINTAINING A CONSTANT SPEED, AND TO CONCENTRATE ON OTHER THINGS. BUT WITH THAT AUTOMATION COMES A DANGER, THE DRIVER CAN EASILY GET TINTO TROUBLE, FORGETTING HOW FAST THE CAR IS GOING. AT SUCH SPEEDS, IT CAN BE DANGEROUS NOT TO BE PAYING ATTENTION. WHEN JESUS SPEAKS ON THIS SUNDAY GOSPEL TEXT ABOUT WHAT THE SECOND COMING WILL BE LIKE, HE COMPARES IT TO HOW PEOPLE LIVED IN THE DAYS OF NOAH. THEY WERE GOING ALONG WITH THEIR LIVES, DOING THEIR DAILY THINGS, LIVING ON CRUISE CONTOL, UNTIL THE FLOOD CAME. AND SWEPT THEM AWAY. IN THE SAME WAY, WHEN THE DAY OF THE LORD COMES, THERE WON'T BE PRIOR INDICATIOONS THAT SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO HAPPPEN. MOST PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE WHAT THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN DOING-GOING ALONG WITH THEIR LIVES ON CRUISE CONTROL, NOT PAYING MUCH ATTENTION. ONE SIGN OF FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS IS THAT THEY DO PAY ATTENTION. THEY ARE WATCHFUL AND READY WHEN THE SON-OF MAN COMES. THOSE WHO HAVE PUT SPIRITUAL MATTERS ON CRUISE CONTROL WILL BE LEFT, THOSE WHO REMAIN ENGAGED WITH GOD WILL BE TAKEN. BEING READY IS NOT A MATTER OF LIVING THAT MUCH DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHER PEOPLE, BUT SIMPLY BEING WATCHFUL AND AWAKE TO THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN THE WORLD. WHEN THE CHRIST APPEARS, THE FAITHFUL WILL RECOGNIZE HIM, AND BE TAKEN WITH HIM TO ETERNAL LIFE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD. THE FAITHFUL DO NOT LIVE ON CRUISE CONTROL, BUT SEEK OUT GOD IN WORD, PRAYERS, AND WORSHIP OF THE COMMUNITY; IN CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION; IN THE WATERS OF BAPTISM; AND IN THE LORD'S SUPPER. BY DOING THIS THEY WILL BE AWARE AND READY WHEN THE SON-OF MAN COMES EVEN THOUGH THEY DO NOT KNOW THE DAY AND THE HOUR, THIS TEXT IS USED FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT AND SPEAKS ABOUT THE ULTIMATE ADVENT, OR COMING OF JESUS CHRIST (AMEN).
AS CHRISTIANS WE BELIEVE THAT HISTORY IS GOING SOMEWHERE. IT'S NOT LIKE A CHILD'S HAMSTER SPINNING ON ITS CIRCULAR TREADMILL, GOING NOWHERE. NOR IS HISTORY LIKE THE WINDING DOWN OF A GREAT COSMIC TIMEPIECE. HISTORY IS MOVING ITS GOD-DESIGNED, GOD-TIMED COMPLETION WHEN CHRIST SHALL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER. THE CHRISTIAN MUST ACCEPT THE NECESSITY OF LIVING IN THE TENSION BETWEEN KNOWING THE CERTAINTY OF CHRIST COMING AND NOT KNOWING WHEN. WHAT DO WE DO WITH TENSION? WE LET IT STRETCH OUR AWARENESS THAT WE MUST WATCH AND BE READY. MAYBE THIS IS WHY THE SEASON OF ADVENT, THE FOUR WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, EMERGED IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. PERHAPS THEY KNEW CENTURIES AGO THAT IT MIGHT TAKE FOUR WEEKS TO PREPARE FOR TRUE WORSHIP OF THE BETHLEHEM BABE. WE HAVE A YEARLY REHEARSAL TO PRACTICE OUR WATCHFULNESS AND READINESS. THESE PRACTICES CAN NOT ONLY CONVINCE BUT ALSO CONDITION US TO BE READY WHEN THE FINAL DAY ON GOD'S CALENDER ARRIVES. THE GENERAL, TIMELESS TEACHING OF OUR TEXT, WATCHING AND BEING READY, HELPS US CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS. THERE ARE THREE CUES WHICH WILL BECOME A SENTENCE SUMMARY ON HOW WE MIGHT BE READY.
AS JESUS SPOKE OF THE ORDNINARY: " THAT DAY AND HOUR NO ONE KNOWS," HE REACHED BACK IN HOLY HISTORY TO REMIND US OF THE DAYS OF NOAH. THE NEIGHBORS OF NOAH WERE BUSY WITH THE ROUTINES OF LIFE.-EATING, DRINKING, MARRYING, AND GIVING IN MARRIAGE.
THEY WERE NOT PREPARED AND THEY WERE SWEPT AWAY WHEN THE WATERS ROSE.
THAT'S HOW IT WILL BE, JESUS CONTINUED, WHEN HE RETURNS. HE SAID, " TWO MEN WILL BE IN THE FIELD, ONE IS TAKEN AND ONE IS LEFT. TWO WOMEN WILL BE GRINDING AT THE MILL; ONE IS TAKEN ONE IS LEFT."
NOTHING COULD HAVE BEEN MORE COMMON PLACE THAN MEN WORKING IN THE FIELD, ONE IS TAKEN AND ONE, ONE IS LEFT, TWO WOMEN WILL BE GRINDING AT THE MILL, ONE IS TAKEN, ONE IS LEFT."
THEN AND NOW THE CHOICE AND THE CHALLENGE IS TO FIND IN SUCH ORDINARINESS THE PATH TO MEANINGFUL LIFE WITH CHRIST. JUST AS JESUS FIRST CAME TO US DURING THE COMMON PLACE OF A BUSY, WORKADAY WORLD.
SOME NOTICE HIM; OTHERS DO NOT. ONE WILL REEIVE HIM; ANOTHER WILL NOT EVEN BE AWARE OF HIS PRESENCE. ONE PERSON MAY KNOW FULFILLMENT, JOY, ETERNAL LIFE, AND ANOTHER WILL BE UNBLESSED AND UNHONERED.
ONE WILL BE TAKEN INTO CHRIST'S GLORY, ANOTHER WILL BE LEFT IN HIS FINAL PREOCCUPATION WITH"WHAT SHALL WE DO.
THIS STORY OF BROTHER NICHOLAS HERMAN-BROTHER LAWRENCE, AS HE WAS CALLED BY THOSE WHOM HE SERVED IN A MONASTERY IN SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY PARIS.
BROTHER LAWRENCE WAS A LAYMAN WHO SPENT FORTY- YEARS WORKING IN THE KITCHEN OF THIS MONASTERY. HE WAS QUIET, GENTLE CHRISTIAN WHO AT AGE OF EIGHTEEN WAS FOUND READY TO RECIEVE CHRIST. HIS EXPERIENCE WAS NOTHING MORE THAN SEEING A TREE STRIPPED OF ITS LEAVES IN WINTERTIME. YET BECAUSE HE WAS WATCHFUL, HE WAS READY TO HEAR GOD SPEAKING TO HIM THROUGH THIS ORDINARY, COMMONPLACE TREE. THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE, BROTHER LAWRENCE RECEIVED A HIGH VIEW OF THE POWER AND PROVIDENCE OF GOD.
THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE HE COMMITTED HIMSELF TO SERVE CHRIST IN THE WAY HE BELIEVED BEST.
THERE WAS A STORY OF A RURAL MAIL CARRIER ON HIS WEEKLY TRIP THROUGH HARDIN COUNTY, KENTUCKY. THE TIME WAS FEBUARY 18O9. A LOCAL MAN MET THE MAIL CARRIER AND ASKED WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE OUTSIDE WORLD. THE MAIL CARRIER TOLD ABOUT TROUBLE AGAIN BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN AND HE MENTION TALKS ABOUT A NATIONAL BANK. THE MAIL CARRIER RETURNED THE QUESTION: WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THESE PARTS?" THE LOCAL MAN ANSWERED, " SHUCKS, MISTER NOTHING EVER HAPPENS
BACK HERE. IN THE ORDINARINESS OF LIFE, THE MIRACLE OF BIRTH OF ABE LINCOLN' WAS MISSED. EARLIER I MENTION BROTHER-LAWRENCE. AMID POTS AND PANS, VEGETABLES, AND DOUGH. BROTHER LAWRENCE, WHO FOUND GOD IN THE ORDINARY. HE DIDN'T QUIT LOOKING, DURING THOSE FORTY-YEARS IN THE MONASTERY KITCHEN. HE CALLED WHAT HE WAS DOING " PRACTICING THE PRESENCE OF GOD." LET NOT THE HUMDRUMNESS OF LIFE OR THE NEGATIVISM OF ANOTHER CHEAT US OUT OF THE WONDER OF OUR LORD'S BIRTH AND CELEBRATION. WATCH BE READY!
THERE IS A SMALL CHURCH IN ZICA, SERBIA, THAT HAS SEVEN DOORS, MANY MORE THAN ARE NEEDED FOR SUCH A SMALL BUILDING. OVER A PERIOD OF TWO HUNDRED YEARS, SEVEN SERBIAN KINGS WERE CROWNED IN THIS LITTLE CHURCH.
EACH TIME, THEY BUILT A NEW DOOR SO THAT THE NEWLY CROWNED KING COULD EMERGE FROM A DOORWAY THAT NO ONE HAD EVER USED BEFORE. CHRIST CAME TO EARTH THROUGH THE SAME DOORWAY WE ALL USED, THE WOMB OF A WOMEN. THOUGH HE WAS KING OF KINGS, HE CAME TO EARTH AS ALL HUMANS DO.
IT WAS MEANT TO SHOW US THAT HE INTENDED TO FULLY SHARE ARE HUMANITY.
SALVATION IS CLOSER TODAY THAN YESTERDAY. (AMEN!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)