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].
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
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].
SOON AFTER RETURNING TO JERUSALEM NEXT DAY, JESUS CLEANSED THE TEMPLE, [11:15-19. THE JEWS WERE DESECRATING IT. THEY CHARGED VISITORS TO JERUSALEM EXCESSIVE RATES TO CHANGE FOREIGN COINS INTO THE CURRENCY THEY NEEDED TO PAY THE DESIGNATED TEMPLE TAX AND TO BUY ANIMALS FOR SACRIFICE.; NO COIN WITH A IMAGE ON IT COULD BE USED IN THESE- TRANSACTION. FURTHERMORE, THEY CHARGED EXORBITANT AMOUNTS FOR THE BIRDS AND ANIMALS REQUIRED FOR SACRIFICIAL RITUALS. JESUS CURSING THE FIG TREE IS REPORTED IN PASSAGES WHICH STRADDLE THE CLEANSING INCIDENT [11: 12-14,20-21]. AND IS UNDERSTOOD IN THE LIGHT OF MICAH [7:1], THAT " ISRAEL'S SPIRITUAL LIFE IS AS PRODUCTIVE AS A USELESS FIG TREE. ITS ALL SHOW AND NO FRUIT!" DURINH HIS FINAL WEEK IN JERUSALEM, A NUMBER OF CONFRONTATIONS TOOK PLACE BETWEEN JESUS AND THE JEWISH LEADERS. IN THE FIRST, THE LEADERS OF THE NATION QUESTIONED ABOUT THE SOURCE OF HIS AUTHORITY; BRINGS TO MIND, WHEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH; QUESTION LUTHER, "BY WHOSE AUTHORITY HE QUESTION THEIR INDULDENCES, WHERE HE HELD UP A BIBLE: " GOD SAID IT I BELIEVE IT!
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!)
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