The stable and the manger attracts the littlest children. They crowd up and around the scene of Bethlehem. It is familiar to most of us who are older. It is new to many of them.
Wonder and understanding are mixed together and easily accepted by even the smallest among them. They have simple questions. "What is a baby doing in a wooden box filled with straw? . . . and why are the grown-ups standing there?" "Why are they carrying sticks?" "I wish I could have animals in my room like that." "Let me hold the sheep." "Can I pick up the camel?" "I want the baby." "Why is the star there?"
It is a simple story. Is there anyone who wouldn't like a story like that?
Are the events which are involved in the incarnation of God in Christ Jesus simple or are they complex?
The adults crowd up and gather around the scene of Bethlehem. It is familiar to many of us. Wonder and understanding are mixed together and easily accepted by some, not accepted at all by others. Some of us, perhaps, have learned too much of the wrong thing. Or, maybe, some of us have forgotten too much of the right thing.
We have either remembered, or we have forgotten that He is the source and the wellspring of all creation. The heavens declared His glory long before the angels declared His arrival. His written Word prepared the willing hearts for his coming. The stable and the manger spoke with silent eloquence of His humility and approachability. The invitation and attendance of the shepherds at His first crib revealed to them that they would soon be out of a job. Their job was to raise sheep for the sacrifice. . . His purpose was to be the Supreme and final sacrifice. . . the Lamb of God which would take away the sin of the world. Once and for all.
It is story so simple and attractive that little children, and people of faith, are drawn to it. "Read it to me again" they say. It is a complex and grand revelation that the erudite are confused by it, and they stumble over it, and are offended by it. It is a wonder of wonders.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Compassionate Counsel of John
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” I John 2:15-17
Every sin will fall into one of these three categories. Every moral failure will be a consequence of yielding to one of these three basic realms of temptation. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
The elder apostle John, in the twilight years of his ministry and of his life wrote passionately and kindly. He wrote with the burdened heart and the warning spirit of a grandfather who watches his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren trying to wade through the confusion and noise of life. He wanted them to make it. They must not fall. They must not fail.
When I read his brief epistles, I cannot help but take it personal. It is like a father talking with me. Though I am no longer young, I am not “home free” yet, and I cherish this kind of compassionate counsel.
These three verses are magnified in their importance when we compare them to the account of Jesus’ temptation recorded in Matthew 4. The three temptations that Jesus was faced with were these:
* ‘the lust of the flesh’ – in verse 3 Jesus was hungry from his extended fast. Satan tempted him to turn the stones to bread and satisfy his flesh.
* ‘the pride of life’ – in verses 5 and 6 Satan encouraged Jesus to cast himself down from the pinnacle of the temple and "wow" the people. Make a grand entrance and they will follow you anywhere.
* ‘the lust of the eye’ - in verses 8 and 9 Jesus was shown a fast motion view of all of the kingdoms of the world. "Look at all of this". "I will give you all of this, if only you will fall down and worship me." Jesus refused to yield to each of these three temptations. He answered and overcame them by the written word of God.
We read in Hebrews, "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16. There is nothing that we face or experience that Jesus did not face. He met those three basic temptations "head-on" and, without hesitation, dismissed them with the written Word of God.
Our temptations also are, in reality, rather simple. We inevitably complicate issues that would be better left in simple and basic form. John’s inspired admonition was simple. . . “love not the world.” “The world passes away.”
Why love that which has no lasting importance? Why surrender the everlasting love of the Lord Jesus Christ to grasp for something that is gone in a fleeting moment? Why sell your honor, your integrity, your purity of heart, or your clear conscience in the attempt to satisfy a profane appetite, an issue of pride, or a lustful eye?
Life is too short, heaven is too near and dear, and eternity is too long to forsake the counsel of the elder John, or to ignore the temptation of Jesus. If it was important to Jesus, and it was important to John, it certainly must be important to us.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” I John 2:15-17
Every sin will fall into one of these three categories. Every moral failure will be a consequence of yielding to one of these three basic realms of temptation. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
The elder apostle John, in the twilight years of his ministry and of his life wrote passionately and kindly. He wrote with the burdened heart and the warning spirit of a grandfather who watches his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren trying to wade through the confusion and noise of life. He wanted them to make it. They must not fall. They must not fail.
When I read his brief epistles, I cannot help but take it personal. It is like a father talking with me. Though I am no longer young, I am not “home free” yet, and I cherish this kind of compassionate counsel.
These three verses are magnified in their importance when we compare them to the account of Jesus’ temptation recorded in Matthew 4. The three temptations that Jesus was faced with were these:
* ‘the lust of the flesh’ – in verse 3 Jesus was hungry from his extended fast. Satan tempted him to turn the stones to bread and satisfy his flesh.
* ‘the pride of life’ – in verses 5 and 6 Satan encouraged Jesus to cast himself down from the pinnacle of the temple and "wow" the people. Make a grand entrance and they will follow you anywhere.
* ‘the lust of the eye’ - in verses 8 and 9 Jesus was shown a fast motion view of all of the kingdoms of the world. "Look at all of this". "I will give you all of this, if only you will fall down and worship me." Jesus refused to yield to each of these three temptations. He answered and overcame them by the written word of God.
We read in Hebrews, "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:14-16. There is nothing that we face or experience that Jesus did not face. He met those three basic temptations "head-on" and, without hesitation, dismissed them with the written Word of God.
Our temptations also are, in reality, rather simple. We inevitably complicate issues that would be better left in simple and basic form. John’s inspired admonition was simple. . . “love not the world.” “The world passes away.”
Why love that which has no lasting importance? Why surrender the everlasting love of the Lord Jesus Christ to grasp for something that is gone in a fleeting moment? Why sell your honor, your integrity, your purity of heart, or your clear conscience in the attempt to satisfy a profane appetite, an issue of pride, or a lustful eye?
Life is too short, heaven is too near and dear, and eternity is too long to forsake the counsel of the elder John, or to ignore the temptation of Jesus. If it was important to Jesus, and it was important to John, it certainly must be important to us.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Plans
The gate of a city was more than the entryway.
The gate of the city was the place where the city council met and determined plans and programs. It was where decisions were made and judgments were declared concerning the many issues that were brought before the leaders for settlement. It was the place where plans for defense from, as well as aggression toward, its enemies were drawn up. It was the place where the respected leaders of the city gathered to govern. Lot was one of those leaders who sat at the gate of the city of Sodom. (He is not the subject of this note however.)
Consider the following excerpt of Jesus’ conversation with his disciples. Then consider with confidence his reply to revelation.
He (Jesus) saith unto them, “But whom say ye that I am?”
And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
And Jesus answered and said unto him, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:15-19
It is no doubt that hell has plans for every church. Hell has plans for every home, every family and every person. The enemy plots, schemes, connives, orchestrates, and facilitates a plan to spoil every effort that is birthed in a righteous heart. The gates of hell are busy places. Hell has a plan for every life and an intent to spoil every Godly vision.
But Heaven also has a plan for every life, every home, every church, every preacher – known and unknown. Heaven has a plan for every young person, every small child, every unborn infant whose members are already written in a book. Heaven has heard -- and stored -- every prayer prayed, and weighed every grief endured. God knows, and God also has plans.
Jesus proclaimed to Peter and to the disciples in that close cluster of wonderers, that the plans that hell has made, the counsel that hell has gathered, and the conclusion it has come to, will not prevail against. . . will not, cannot, succeed against the church that is built on the revelation of the deity and the authority of Jesus Christ.
Whatever “new” plan hell conspires against the church cannot succeed. Those plans, however fearsome and traumatic they may appear, cannot succeed. (Hell has no new ideas. Every idea hell has is simply a regurgitated and re-packaged leftover of a former effort. Satan has no new tricks.) They will not prevail against a church that is founded on the revelation of who Jesus is and who we are. The authority that comes with the revelation of the Mighty God in Christ will prevail against any flood-tide of agnosticism, atheism, humanism, and the list goes on. (Many names, shades and nuances, but the same source.)
I like the word “shall”. Jesus did not say “might not”... “Perhaps not”... “Probably won’t” prevail against the church. He said “SHALL NOT prevail against the church.” We can stand with confidence in a shaky world.
The darkest council chambers are not hidden from the eyes of God. He knew what wicked kings said to themselves in their bedrooms. He who controls the winds can change the words of wickedness. He turned Balaam’s curse into blessing.
(Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
The gate of the city was the place where the city council met and determined plans and programs. It was where decisions were made and judgments were declared concerning the many issues that were brought before the leaders for settlement. It was the place where plans for defense from, as well as aggression toward, its enemies were drawn up. It was the place where the respected leaders of the city gathered to govern. Lot was one of those leaders who sat at the gate of the city of Sodom. (He is not the subject of this note however.)
Consider the following excerpt of Jesus’ conversation with his disciples. Then consider with confidence his reply to revelation.
He (Jesus) saith unto them, “But whom say ye that I am?”
And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
And Jesus answered and said unto him, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:15-19
It is no doubt that hell has plans for every church. Hell has plans for every home, every family and every person. The enemy plots, schemes, connives, orchestrates, and facilitates a plan to spoil every effort that is birthed in a righteous heart. The gates of hell are busy places. Hell has a plan for every life and an intent to spoil every Godly vision.
But Heaven also has a plan for every life, every home, every church, every preacher – known and unknown. Heaven has a plan for every young person, every small child, every unborn infant whose members are already written in a book. Heaven has heard -- and stored -- every prayer prayed, and weighed every grief endured. God knows, and God also has plans.
Jesus proclaimed to Peter and to the disciples in that close cluster of wonderers, that the plans that hell has made, the counsel that hell has gathered, and the conclusion it has come to, will not prevail against. . . will not, cannot, succeed against the church that is built on the revelation of the deity and the authority of Jesus Christ.
Whatever “new” plan hell conspires against the church cannot succeed. Those plans, however fearsome and traumatic they may appear, cannot succeed. (Hell has no new ideas. Every idea hell has is simply a regurgitated and re-packaged leftover of a former effort. Satan has no new tricks.) They will not prevail against a church that is founded on the revelation of who Jesus is and who we are. The authority that comes with the revelation of the Mighty God in Christ will prevail against any flood-tide of agnosticism, atheism, humanism, and the list goes on. (Many names, shades and nuances, but the same source.)
I like the word “shall”. Jesus did not say “might not”... “Perhaps not”... “Probably won’t” prevail against the church. He said “SHALL NOT prevail against the church.” We can stand with confidence in a shaky world.
The darkest council chambers are not hidden from the eyes of God. He knew what wicked kings said to themselves in their bedrooms. He who controls the winds can change the words of wickedness. He turned Balaam’s curse into blessing.
(Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Percentages
(John 3:30) He must increase, but I must decrease.
The speaker is John, the cousin of Jesus Christ and the 'Preparer of His way'. The one of whom Jesus said, "a prophet,yes, but more than a prophet".
John was aware of the rule of percentages. A "whole" is 100%. At least it was when I went to school. Full capacity is 100%. Complete is 100%. John understood that for Jesus to increase, he personally must decrease. There is not room for more of Jesus unless there is less of us. The more of us, the less of Him. The more of Him, the less of us.
John was the "friend of the bridegroom". This is a profound position and place of trust that John occupied. The closest thing to the "friend of the groom", is the "best man" in today's typical wedding entourage. In John's and Jesus' day however, the role was much more vital, detailed, and responsible. I will leave all of the detail for another space and another day.
Suffice it to say that John realized that, when he saw the arrival of Jesus Christ, and he understood that it was Jesus whom was to be the bridegroom of the church - the saviour of the Jews and then the entire world - he understood that his role and his time of being the "preparer of the way" was coming to a conclusion. And it did.
He knew that he must decrease so that Jesus could increase. That decrease included the sorrowful end of John, who was martyred for his uncompromising commitment to speaking the truth when it was not acceptable. For Jesus to increase in our lives, it will likewise cost us to yield and cast away something else.
In nearly every aspect of our lives we look for increase. Seldom do we think that we all have only 100% to work with. If one thing increases, something else must decrease.
I want more of Jesus and less of everything else. I don't know if any of us have the ability to accurately describe the true mathematical equation of our own lives. However, we would all do well to give it some thought and effort.
The speaker is John, the cousin of Jesus Christ and the 'Preparer of His way'. The one of whom Jesus said, "a prophet,yes, but more than a prophet".
John was aware of the rule of percentages. A "whole" is 100%. At least it was when I went to school. Full capacity is 100%. Complete is 100%. John understood that for Jesus to increase, he personally must decrease. There is not room for more of Jesus unless there is less of us. The more of us, the less of Him. The more of Him, the less of us.
John was the "friend of the bridegroom". This is a profound position and place of trust that John occupied. The closest thing to the "friend of the groom", is the "best man" in today's typical wedding entourage. In John's and Jesus' day however, the role was much more vital, detailed, and responsible. I will leave all of the detail for another space and another day.
Suffice it to say that John realized that, when he saw the arrival of Jesus Christ, and he understood that it was Jesus whom was to be the bridegroom of the church - the saviour of the Jews and then the entire world - he understood that his role and his time of being the "preparer of the way" was coming to a conclusion. And it did.
He knew that he must decrease so that Jesus could increase. That decrease included the sorrowful end of John, who was martyred for his uncompromising commitment to speaking the truth when it was not acceptable. For Jesus to increase in our lives, it will likewise cost us to yield and cast away something else.
In nearly every aspect of our lives we look for increase. Seldom do we think that we all have only 100% to work with. If one thing increases, something else must decrease.
I want more of Jesus and less of everything else. I don't know if any of us have the ability to accurately describe the true mathematical equation of our own lives. However, we would all do well to give it some thought and effort.
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