RESURRECTION POWER                                                       

What glorious music we have on Easter!  It is because Jesus Christ Rose from the grave that we can sing praises to our God, even when facing the uncertainties of tomorrow! 

Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 15:17,19 clearly states that: If there were no resurrection, we of all people should be most pitied.  If Christ wasn’t raised, then all you are doing is wandering about in the dark.*

Our faith would be null and void if Jesus were still in a tomb The Nicene and Apostle’s Creeds affirm: He was crucified under Pontius Pilate.  He suffered, died, and was buried.  On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures. (I Co. 15:3-4) Do we just recite those words?  Or is it something we BELIEVE?

Body of Executed Leader Missing!  (Read John 28:1-15)

Do you believe this Good News?  “Jesus Our Lord” has risen is at the center of Christian Faith.  Because Christ rose from the dead, as he had told his disciples, we know that what he said was true.  Because he rose, He Lives & Represents us to God the Father. 

Because he rose & defeated death, we know we also will be raised.  Matthew’s account is consistent with the other Gospels, (Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12,     John 20:1-18), although each focus on a different part.

Those who had given their lives to Jesus for three years were distraught, even though Jesus had told them multiple times what he would face, they had seen their Master tried as common criminal and crucified in the most humiliating way the Romans knew.  They failed to hear or believe that last part of what Jesus said:  Three days later he will rise!

Matthew writes that the women saw Jesus taken down from the cross and placed in a borrowed tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, which had never been used. Sundown on that day (Crucifixion), began the Jewish Sabbath, therefore the women did have time to properly prepare Jesus’ body with spices and ointments, as was their custom. Those women, who journeyed with Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem, spent that Sabbath mourning. The disciples, closets to Jesus, were huddled in the Upper Room, where they had eaten their last supper with Jesus, behind bolted doors, for fear of being arrested.

All hope was lost.  Their dreams shattered; their purpose of living gone.  You may have experienced a little of that on Good Friday.  At the earliest possible moment, as soon as the Sabbath ended, Saturday, at sunset, the women who had cared for Jesus and his disciples throughout the years of His ministry, purchased and prepared spices. The next morning, as light began to break the darkness, they left their secure homes & went to the tomb, prepared to anoint Jesus’s body with spices as an act of love and respect.

Matthew’s account of that Life Changing Morning, the Resurrection Power, is something that does not loose value with the current fickle fluctuations of Wall Street.  It is for those feeling spiritually dry & wanting a new vision of hope.

This amazing TRUE story chronicles what the disciples went through before fully realizing that Jesus was alive.  If you are reading about Jesus’ resurrection for the first time, you likely are having difficulty comprehending how the significance of the Resurrection Power is LIFE for YOU!

1.      At First the Story may seem a Fabrication. It is impossible to believe.  Let’s look at the facts. Women were concerned about who would roll the stone from the entrance to the tomb. The sealed stone+ was removed not so Jesus could get out. It was so Others could see he was not there. (Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, writes: Now there was about this time, Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works, - a teacher of such men as received the truth with pleasure.  He drew over to him both many Jews and many Gentiles.  He was (the) Christ, and when Pilate, as the suggestion of the principle men among us, had condemned him to the cross...*

2.     Checking out the Facts you may still be puzzled. The women who entered the tomb were alarmed when they saw an angel dressed in clothing white as snow (bight as lightning).  Don’t be afraid, he said, I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here.  He is risen from the dead!  Come see where the body was lying. Now go, tell his disciples (including Peter) that he is risen from the dead & he is going ahead of you to Galilee.  You will see him, just as he told you.  (Women were the first Eyewitness.) The women ran quickly from the tomb.  They were frightened but filled with joy.  They rushed to give the disciples the Good News.(Lk 24:11) But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it.  Notice it was Women who were the first to be Commissioned to tell the Good News!  

3.     It was when the Followers Encountered Jesus Personally that they were able ACCEPT the fact of the RESURRECTION.  Jesus appeared to Mary. (Jn. 20:11-18) Sensing another presence, she turned and saw Jesus but didn’t recognize Him.  Mary’s Grief & Assumptions blinded her from seeing Jesus.  Mary was looking in the wrong direction.  She was riveted on the tomb. When Jesus approached, she didn’t look at him but stared at the grave. 

     Josephus continued: Those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again on the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct today. *

The same may be true of us.  Many of us fail to see Jesus or Comprehend His presence, because we are wrapped up in our own assumptions & focused on other areas of life or bitterness/grief.  Some of us focus on the sorrow & tragedy we have experienced.  Others of us may be looking for answers in Philosophies or other religions.  Some of us are just hiding, not wanting to take any risks.  Mary was not thinking rationally. 

It was when Jesus called Mary by name that she Recognized Him “Rabboni!”   (is the Hebrew for Teacher.) 

It was only when Jesus appeared to the Disciples that they believed, even if they didn’t fully comprehend.

What does it mean for us? Fact may direct our inquiry.  Jesus approaches each of us, inviting us to respond to his invitation.  It is when we Personally Meet Jesus that we are able to accept the fact of the resurrection and what it means for us.

 Jesus’ resurrection is key to the Christian Faith, because:

A. Just as Jesus said, he rose from the dead. We can be confident that He will accomplish all he promised.  We are not wandering about in the dark, because Christ was raised! (I Corinthians 15:19)*

     B.  Jesus’ bodily resurrection shows us that the Living Christ, is the Truth, the Life & Ruler of God’s Kingdom and alive now!

     C.  We can be certain of our resurrection because Jesus was resurrected. Death is not the end—there is future life (Eternal Life).

     D.  The divine power that brought Jesus back to life is God’s gift & available to us in brining the spiritually dead back to life.

     E.  The resurrection is the basis of our witness to the world. Like the disciples, the evidence is there. Why is it that some believe while other do not?  Why is it that viewing the same information leads to different conclusions?

Ultimately it goes back to what John wrote at the beginning and end and stressed throughout his Gospel, namely that some believed because they were ready and had a need in their life.  Those content with life—may think “Don’t upset my comfortable life.”  Those who have not thought of their lives being contrary to God’s will, may not be receptive to Jesus’ message of Promised “Full Life.” 

We who believe Jesus, do so because we trust the Scriptures. We who believe in Jesus’ resurrection do so because we believe those who told the story were eyewitness to Jesus.  We who have followed the Living Christ, do so because this story is true and that He commissioned us to take that Good News to all the world. Yes, it is still Good News.

Mary met Jesus, liberating her from her past, giving her New and Real Life.  It was May Magdalene who was given the joy of being the first to see the Risen Jesus.

Do you believe that Jesus was crucified and buried? If so, do you believe that he is still in the grave? Or Do you believe he was raised from the dead? 

If Jesus was raised from death, what are the implications for your life?  Paul wrote: “Jesus is the First Fruits.”   That is, each of us will be raised into God’s presence the same way Jesus was raised from the dead. This is the Heart of the Gospel.  Because Jesus was raised from death, those who believe in Him will recognize Him as their Risen Lord and Savior.

Where are you in your Stage of Belief?

Are You Personally Experiencing the Resurrection Power of Jesus, the Risen Lord?

I hope you have enjoyed these blogs this week. From his Triumphal Entry to his week publicly teaching and preparing his disciples for what was going to happen. Reading about his Trial resulting in his death on a Roman Cross and burial.  Today, you have learned why all this happened and how Jesus from the beginning told his disciples that on the "Third Day" he would rise from the grave.  We have also learned what all that means to us and how we are commissioned to tell others that "Jesus Is Alive!"

Mel Gipson has indicated he will be producing a movie about the Resurrection of Jesus," likely next year.  The Chosen will also be making a season 7 about Jesus' resurrection and the impact it had on his disciples.

*Scripture is quoted from The Message, version of the Bible.

+ The Works of Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews and a History of Jewish Wars ETC.

On The Vine: IT IS FINISHED

On The Vine: IT IS FINISHED:                                                                                         “IT IS FINISHED” How we say, “It is finished” expr...

                                                                              

                                  “The King’s Entrance”                                       

Everybody loves a parade, from the most simple to the most elaborate. It can be a Celebration of Victory, Advertisement or other event. When a sports team wins a national championship, the home town often has a parade through the city, with players on float. The fourth of July is commemorated with parades. On Thanksgiving, Macy's Department Store sponsors a parade and January 1, there is the Rose Parade.  All have both a commercial as well as a National Holiday reason for the parades.

             Jesus planned his entry into Jerusalem as a Deliberate and Dramatic Claim that he was the Messiah, the promised one.  (Read Mt. 21:1-11)

            Jesus had stopped people who wanted to call him Messiah.  It is not yet time for the Son of Man to be glorified, he said.

            This triumphal procession finally allowed his followers to express their pent-up excitement.  Word traveled through those who had come to Jerusalem as Pilgrims, like wildfire:  Jesus raised his friend Lazarus from the dead (Read John 11:1-46) and restored sight to the blind. (of which we read last week). Is he the Messiah? 

                                  

What do you know about this passage of Scripture? We commemorate this event on Palm Sunday.  This year it is on April 2, this coming Sunday.  

Hosanna to the Son of David! (“Save Us!) – was associated with a Military Parade. The crowd received Jesus as a King.  Jesus boldly rode in as King of Peace and the crowd joyfully joined him.  

1.     Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly because he knew what he would face that week.

2.     Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly because he knew what others saw as defeat would be victory.

3.     Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly as a model for our lives.

We say, Without the Cross, there would be no resurrection.  The Eastern Orthodox say: Without the resurrection there would be no cross. (Think about that statement. Repeat it aloud.)

What did Jesus do and say that: Dramatically claimed he was the Messiah? “God’s Anointed King.” The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem was predicted 500 years earlier:  Rejoice, O people of Zion!  Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem!  Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey's colt.  (Zechariah 9:9)

Jesus sent two disciples to get a colt with the password:  The Lord needs them now. He chose a colt rather than a horse, because a horse was associated with military victory.  Jesus came with a message of peace. He chose a colt on which no one had ever ridden.  God had instructed that any animal used for anything Sacred, such as carrying the ark of the covenant, in which the Law was kept, would not have been used for work. (I Samuel 6:7)

                                                              

Jesus demonstrated he was Lord of the Universe when he rode the unbroken colt. I learned in Colombia, South America, in the Sinu region, where my wife, Eugenia, grew up and were donkeys and burros are used for transportation, an important lesson. The colt would go nowhere without the mother.  Thus, Matthew indicates that when Jesus mounted the colt, the donkey was along side of it.  Rarely, are two animals depicted in painting of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.  

Jesus wanted to change perceptions and expectations. Garments placed on the colt rather than a saddle. Jesus did not come as a warring king on a horse, but as gentle and peaceful King on a colt.

Garments were placed on the ground by those watching the procession.  We use red carpets to honor dignitaries. They used their own cloaks and leafy branches to form a carpet. The Gospel of John says:  A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. (John 12:12-13) Jerusalem is at an elevation where palm trees don't grow.  It was the custom of pilgrims to bring or buy palm branches to be used as temporary shellers in which to live while in Jerusalem.  If that is so, they took that which was their shelter and placed it on the ground in honor of the Messiah.  

Psalm 118:25-26 , was a "Psalm of Assent," sung by pilgrims as they approached the Temple in Jerusalem.  Oh Lord, save us; grant us success. From the Temple pilgrims heard:  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  From the house of the Lord we bless you. (Psalm 118:6)

The Gospel of Luke records a poignant moment As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.  He said, "If you, even you, had known on this day what would bring peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes...because you did not recognize the time of God's Coming. (Lk. 19:41-44) 

Three things which will help us live Triumphantly in God’s Grace are:

1.      Jesus is Lord, not just over nature but every area of life.

2.      Jesus radically changed the image of the Messiah.  The Jews were expecting a military conqueror that would overthrow the Roman Power.  

3.   He was the King of peace!  Jesus came as Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Everlasting Father...(Isaiah 9:6) Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem because he knew that despite appearances, he would end the week victoriously.

Jesus showed courage extending his last appeal of love.  Hosanna!

Read Matthew 21:12-17.  This is one of the reasons, Jesus was arrested, tried and turned over to the Gentiles (Roman Government), scourged (beaten) and condemned to death on a Roman cross.  Remember, Jesus had told his disciples, three times, that these things would occur when he arrived in Jerusalem. What did they forget would happen?

This coming week I encourage you read a portion of the next chapters, in Matthew, each day.  Notice how Jesus openly taught in the Temple area. On Thursday read:  Matthew 26.  What do we do, as a result of this event? Friday read: Matthew 27. Why do you think this Day is called "Good Friday?"

I have decided to write two more blogs this week one for Good Friday entitled:  "It Is Finished" and another one for Easter entitled: "Resurrection Power."  

Remember, Jesus entered Jerusalem Triumphantly because he knew, that despite appearances, he would end the week victoriously!  

What did the disciples forget?  Why do we end this coming week in Celebration?  On Sunday read:  Matthew 28:1-15

During Lent did you follow Jesus to Jerusalem to complete the reason he came to this earth, in the form of a baby?  If so, "Who is Jesus?"  In your own words, state who Jesus is.  Is He Lord of Your Life?

I will post Good Friday's blog in the middle of the week and Easter's on Saturday.

Who Am I?

                                                  

                                           WHO AM I?

                                           (Psalm 139,  I Peter 2:9)

Every child, at some time asks:  "who am I?"
Think of a specific child, maybe who asked you
that question.  Write down your answer.
Who first told you who you were?
Who first said: "you are a good for nothing."
          "you can’t do anything right," or
          "you will never amount to anything." 
Was it your parents when they scolded you for misbehaving?
Was it a teacher, frustrated with your lack of improvement?

 In preparation for College, I was in an intensive plan,
 doing nine months of classes in seven months.
 This was because, in Latin America the school year runs from
 January through October. It also meant taking extra classes
 during vacation. I made the mistake of taking a biology
 course by correspondence. This was before classes on the
 Internet were available. Trying to learn, understand and apply
 biology, on my own was difficult. I had no lab for dissecting of
 frogs etc. Being on my own was a challenge. My grades were poor.
 I didn’t appreciate using vacation time for studying.
 I was not well motivated. I decided not to finish the class.
That coming January the Vice Principal of my High School,
 called me into the office and said:
           "Glen, you are a quitter and will never graduate."

When I received my Doctorate; one summer, while visiting
my parents in Guatemala, I went back to my school and
showed the Vice Principal my College, Seminary and
Doctorate diplomas. I said: "And you told me I would never
graduate." He replied: "I was simply trying to motivate you."
At that time, his statement did not motivate me. In fact, I felt like a failure.
I guess in retrospect, it was a motivation.
I wasn’t going to be told who I was by a vice principal.

In some schools, teachers can be ridged and more harmful than
encouraging to a student who doesn’t do exactly as the teacher
wants. Individuality may be lost. In her first year of teaching,
my wife, Jeannie, had the opportunity of starting two
departments: Spanish and Art. In her art class, she was trying to
teach students to draw their own hand, free style, without
looking at their paper.  As she walked around the class she
picked an example of what was good art and showed it to the
class. The student was a big, husky athlete who’s father was a
Sheriff. He was amazed that his drawing had been chosen.
Jeannie selected his piece because it was good. The benefit
was he was so appreciative that a teacher had affirmed him,
Jeannie knew if anyone would try harming her, this big
and strong student would defend her.

Was it a boss who asked for you to do a task over again
and "do it right this time!" Was it one of your children who
judged you as parentally inadequate?

At some time all of us have been told "you’re under-achieving,
under-giving, un-loving or un-caring. You’re not quite what the
Creator had in mind when you were made in God’s Image."
 
            O Lord, you have searched me and known me;
       You created my inmost being, you knit me together ...
             Search me, O God, and know my heart;
              test me and know my anxious thoughts
              See if there is any offensive way in me,
        and lead me in the way everlasting.  (Psalm 139)

        All we, like sheep, have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6)

       All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  (Romans 3:23)
                                                                                                                                          
St. Bernard wrote: "Every corner of my heart is a cage of
unclean birds." We all have learned well the litany of self-
condemnation, taught by the a world which says:
"you don’t live up to expectations or potential."
In other words, you are no good.

The Good News. written by Peter and demonstrated in baptism
is: "You were called out of darkness into God’s
marvelous light. Once you were not a people,
now you are the people God." (I Peter 2:10) 

Who tells you who you are?

You are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling
of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s
instruments to do his work and speak for him... (I Peter 2:9)

In baptism we are marked and sealed as Children of God and
given the privilege of sharing in Christ’s offices of priest,
prophet and king. Gentiles are admitted to status of Israel,
called as God’s holy people.
Baptism is the start of a journey towards commissioning. 
As Christians we are commissioned to do God’s work
speaking of the difference God has made in our lives.
 Jesus said: You are the light of the world.  Let your light shine ...
 Peter wrote Declare the wonderful deeds of the one who called
                    you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
 "Priesthood of all believers." This is who you are!

Who told you who you were?
Your parents, your children, your nation, your job,
your friends, your school, your bank account?

If you allow others to tell you who you are,
they will be happy to do so. But that is dangerous.

Through baptism, a Christian first and finally learns who
she or he is. It is a sacrament of Identity. Baptism asserts
rather than argues, it proclaims rather than explains, and
it involves rather than describes. When in desperation you
ask:  "Who in God’s name, am I?"

Each time we witness the sacrament of baptism it reminds
us of the water running down our head and hearing:
"I baptize you in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ..."

"You are in, God’s name, royalty, God’s own, claimed and
  ordained for God’s glorious and joyful work. 
 Therefore you had better get with it.

Unfortunately, baptism has become divisive, when,
the mode and purpose of baptism is discussed. "Unless one is baptized, one will never enter into God’s presence. Some see it as parents dedicating their child to God. Others say it is just a rite that has no major significance.
If these are true, why would Jesus have commanded us to
us to do something so utterly infective as baptism?

The problem has been we misplaced the action of baptism.
God is the initiator and primary actor. We are the
responders. God says:
"you are my child, I have chosen you, you are royalty,
 you are commissioned, you are loved!"
 The key is that the commission comes after the indicative:
                                 You Are ...
 Jesus said to his disciples: You did not chose me
 but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and
 bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.  (John 15:16) 
 
When a parent says: "Make something of yourself."
implied is that the child is not worth much as she or he is.
Using God’s model, parents would affirm their love for
their child, believe in their child and would be with their
child as s/he makes plans for the future. The child’s
behavior, hopefully, would arise from a desire of being
who she or he is rather than more than fear of what
she or he might become.

Baptism does not say: "You can be God’s own if you do or
believe this." Baptism says: You are God’s own

When Charles III of England was crowned King, the coronation did not make him royalty, he already was. When the crown was placed on his head by the Archbishop of Canterbury, he was confirming who Charles III was, the next in line of a royal family.

 Peter, draws on two sources: Exodus 19:5-6, Isaiah 43:21
 for his text. God said to the liberated slaves, "you are no
 longer slaves. You are chosen, royalty, priests and my
 instruments." Those titles now apply to the New Israel,
 those who follow Jesus Christ. (You and Me.)

 There is a Baptismal font (See Above) in the Belmont Abbey College,
  North Carolina, made from a huge stone.  It was a stone
  many had rejected as worthless or painful as a font.
  For on that very stone, a little over a hundred years ago,
  black slaves stood to be sold to the highest bidder.
  Today, that stone has been hollowed out and serves
  Belmont Abbey as its baptismal font. An inscription on the
  font reads: "On this stone men were sold into slavery.
  From this stone men are now baptized into freedom.
                                        
This is an illustration of : The stone the builders rejected
  (Jesus of Nazareth) has become the capstone. (I Peter 2:8).

  One of my emails:  cpconthevine's meaning is:

  "Communicating the Power to Change"
   through Jesus who said: I AM the VINE ...
   The one who remains in me will bear much fruit.

   12 years ago, I had the opportunity of serving the
  American Church in Paris, as the Interim Associate Pastor.
  They had just refurbished a baptismal font and placed in the
  Narthex, entry into the sanctuary, rather than in the front,
  as a reminder of each of their own baptisms and how a
  pastor placed water on their head or dipped under the
  water saying: "I baptize you in the name of the
                          Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

  Baptism says: This person is God’s chosen, royalty
 "baptize them in affirmation of that identity."

 A ministry with youth and children called LOGOS:
 focuses on "Treating all children and youth as royalty
 for they are children of God, prince and princes".

 Not all royalty behaves appropriately. Some think that
 because they are royalty, (Prince Harry and Prince Andrew and women),
 they don’t always follow the rules, protocol or ethics.
 That doesn’t make them any less royal. So too with us,
 we don’t always live the way Jesus called us to live:
"Loving and serving one another, allowing the light of
 Christ to sine through us." That does not mean we are not
God’s Children, God’s Chosen, God’s Priests.

A child caught misbehaving when told by his father that he
would face punishment, drew himself up to his full four-
feet height and proudly said:.
            "You can’t touch me, I’m baptized"
There, was a young man who knew who he was.
He needed to learn that royalty carries responsibility.

One day at a place called Calvary, we who were nobodies,
became somebodies. Those who where no people became
God’s people. We became royalty.

Ricardo Motivan, Actor and Television personality died
eleven years ago. At the peak of his career, he suffered a
severe fall from a horse. The result was excruciating pain:
"felt like broken class," pain was so unbearable that it
halted his career. He asked:
             "Who in God’s name Am I?"
After much struggle and reflection he concluded:
                  "I was conceived in love
                                   and
             "knit together in my mother’s womb."

Jesus said: ( Matthew 10:30)
             Even the hairs on your head are numbered
So don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters & Papers From Prison:*
                              Who Am I?
"Who am I? They often tell me when I would step from my cell’s
confinement calmly, cheerfully, firmly,
like a squire from his country-house.
Who am I? They often tell me, those who talk to my warders
freely and friendly and clearly, as though it were mine to
command. Who am I? They also tell me.
I would bear the days of misfortune
equally, smilingly, proudly, like one accustomed to win.
Am I then really all that which other men tell of?
Or am I only what I know of myself,
restless and longing and sick, like a bird in a cage,
struggling for breath, as though hands were compressing
my throat, yearning for colours, for flowers, for the voices
of the birds, thirsting for words of
kindness,  neighbourliness, trembling with anger at
despotisms and petty humiliation, tossing in expectation of
great events, powerlessly trembling for friends at an
infinite distance, weary and empty at praying, at thinking,
at making faint, and ready to say farewell to it all?
                    Who am I? This or the other?         
Am I one person today, and tomorrow another?
Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,
and before myself a contemptibly woebegone weakling.
Or is something within me still like a beaten army,
fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved?
Who am I? They mock me, those lonely questions
of mine. Whoever I am, thou knowest, O God, I am thine.

Look at what you wrote to that child who asked:
Who Am I? Compare and contrast it to what you have, to
reading this.  How are they similar and different?
How can we treat the children in our homes and churches
more as Children of God? How can we more effectively
affirm them for who they are? 
How can we live with confidence in who we are?
                                                  
Whenever I went on a date with a girl, in High School,
my mother would say, as I left the house,
"Remember Who You Are?" The last thing my mother
said when I left home for college was:
"Remember Who You Are?" She wasn’t saying
"remember you are Glen Thorp, don’t do anything to
embarrass our family or you could undermine all we have
tried doing for God in Guatemala, with one inappropriate
act." She was simply reminding me that I was a Child of
God and to act accordingly.
Let your light shine so that others may see your good deeds
                 and glorify your Father in heaven.

In some Christians traditions it is the custom, when leaving a Sancturary to dip one's hands in the
baptism font and touch one's head with their wet fingers,
reminding themselves who they were and saying:
                      I am a Child of God ...

*Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison
  Macmillian, New York: 1967, p. 347-348

 

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FULFILLMENT

                                                                  

                           FULFILLMENT: “The Time Came”                                                                (Last in an Advent series entitled: “Prepare the Way”)                                  (Read Luke 2:1-20)

Everything has been leading up to this time: The Angel visitations, Making/Rounds. Zachariah, Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph, the songs of praise, the precious time Mary had with Elizabeth and the return trip to Nazareth. (Luke 1:39-56) The required return to Bethlehem – the city of David – for a census while Mary was in the ninth month of her pregnancy.  Finally, The Time Came: the child is born!

History was Made.  Fulfillment of all the prophesies, promises and expectations. Paul in Romans 5:6 writes: "At just the right time ...Right Time?" "God you must be kidding!"

Herod was the puppet king of the Empire of Rome. Caesar Augustus was the first Emperor of Rome ...Considered as a god.  Taxes were cruel, opposition was stamped out by the boot of Rome. Roads were built, and communication enabled.

 

Bethlehem God, through the Prophet (Micah 5:2), had said is from where the Messiah would come. Problem: Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth in Northern Israel. Bethlehem was in Southern Judah.

Caesar’s edict: ((Luke 2:1-4) What?  This was terrible timing.  Mary was about to give birth. Travel took several days. There was sufficient cause for Joseph to go to Bethlehem, but to bring a woman in her 9th month of pregnancy...?

When Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem, they found all the homes and Inn were full, "God now what?"

The stage was set.  God’s Perfect Timing in bring his Son into the world. We see how God used “strange means” in accomplishing His will. Little did the Emperor or King know that God used their tyrannical subjection and edict, which was a way of tagging, checking on each person and taking away their freedoms, was fulfilling God’s plan for humanity. God guided the whole thing.  

Pastor and Theologian John Calvin writes: “Men, then, must be blind when they are not willing to recognize, hear the Word of God, who marked His only Son, so He could be received without doubt as Him who was promised.” 

Each year we revisit this moment in history reflecting on the mystery of the incarnation: “entering into or becoming flesh.” “Incarnation is not just a beautiful idea or abstract theological truth. It Happened!” * It Happened then and it happens today as we live in relationship with Christ. Jesus Christ promised deliverance, not from Rome or any Government edicts but from Satan and sin.

When Joseph and Mary came as poor subjects to a pagan tyrant, Jesus born in Bethlehem, showed the Fulfillment of God’s Promises. God gave full certainty to His own people so that we would not doubt the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In the history which Luke recites, we learn how the Son of God emptied Himself of everything for our salvation clothing Himself in human flesh. Though Jesus was born in an obscure village in extreme poverty and without honor, He was magnified by Angeles from Paradise, honoring him and bearing the message of Christ’s birth to shepherds and through the heavens to Magi. 

Everyone’s response to the Good News is different. The shepherds couldn’t contain themselves, rushing to see what the angels had told them, unable to contain themselves, telling everyone of what they had seen and heard. Magi traveled for months to visit a newly born king. They brought gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Mt. 2:1-12  Mary treasured and pondered in her heart. (Lk. 2:19) Herod in jealousy and rage tried killing the "newborn king". (Mt. 2:16-18) 

Angeles: "Fear Not!  News of Great Joy!. Peace on earth to those on whom God’s favor rests." (Lk. 2:13-14) Peace and Joy are inseparable.  Peace with God comes through His Son who removed our sins by unmerited love. Good News, salvation comes through Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we may think: “If I am living as God has asked of me, why aren’t things going better?"  When facing discomfort or inconvenience and thinking we have misread God’s will.  

“The Timing is Not Right, Why Now?” Remember this couple headed to Bethlehem. God didn’t soften the bumpy road.  God strengthened Joseph and Mary. God didn’t provide a luxurious inn for Mary and Joseph. God brought His Son into the world in humble surroundings.                                                  

When we follow God, we are not guaranteed comfort and convenience. God does promises, not leave or forsake us and that everything has meaning in God’s plan. God will guide and provide for us as He did for Mary and Joseph. God is in charge.  “At Just the Right Time...”     

How has God become flesh in you? How do you respond to the Good News? As Mary, the Shepherds, the Magi or as Herod?

*(Shirley Gutherie)

    

TRUE GIFT

                                                                   

                                                          "TRUE GIFT"                                                            (Fourth in an Advent Series Entitled: "Prepare the Way")                                  (Titus 3:4-8, Isaiah 9:2-11*)    

                                  Song: Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

                                             You better watch out, you better
                                              not pout, you better not cry...
                                              Santa Claus is coming to town.
                                              He’s making a list and checking
                                              it twice ... to find out who’s been
                                              naughty or nice.
                                              Santa Claus is coming to town.

                                      He knows when you are sleeping,
                                      he knows when you are awake.
                                      He knows when you’ve been bad or good                                                    So be good for goodness' sake.
                                             Refrain:

The concept of reward is a great motivation for children to behave and do their chores.  But is it in direct contrast to the Message of Christmas. 

If you closely read the Scripture Lessons cited above, you heard the "Good News" is, "that in spite of humanities’ not being good, God gave us the greatest gift possible, Himself."

I am amazed at how a "positive" idea is turned into reward or punishment. I read the following:
"Last night's talk show host Jimmy Kimmel asked parents to submit videos of their children opening an early Christmas present.  However, to ensure that the children would give a disappointed reaction, Kimmel asked parents to give their children a ‘terrible’ gift.

Parents got creative with the prank, wrapping up overripe bananas, half-eaten sandwiches, hot dogs, batteries, and even a can of black beans.

In the submitted video footage, the children eagerly ripped open their presents only to find that they had been duped. The children were unimpressed with the gifts and offered unexpectedly hilarious reactions.

One child named Charlie squealed, ‘I don’t like this,’ after he unwrapped a half used bottle of juice. Another little boy cried after opening a pink activity book and said, ‘This is the worst present I ever got.’ One child asked for a refund while he threw a temper tantrum, running around his house screaming"- (Christian Post)

This reminded me of one of the many repeat Christmas Specials 

on T.V. entitled:  "The True Gift."
A young boy wakes up early on Christmas morning and dashes downstairs to get a sneak peek at his gift.   It was a sweatshirt ...
he had asked for skates.  He became so angry that wrote a note
to his parents that he was running away. He took the gifts he had made for his father and mother and threw them in the trash.

At that moment he was transported back to a Christmas in the sixth century Germany. There he met a lady who had chosen not to go with the Magi to visit the "Child King."   Her excuse: "I have to clean my house." She had been traveling through the centuries ... Christmas to Christmas, country to country seeking the meaning of the True Gift.  
The story continued ... as the woman and the boy experienced the various Christmas legends.  Each legend, in one way or another had a "Good Side," Father Christmas, St. Nicholas etc. who rewarded good behavior.  Each legend also had a "Bad Side."  Black Peter, who harangued bad behavior.

The boy was being punished (taught a lesson) for running away from home, the woman for giving excuses for not going to see the "Child King." 
After many experiences, the boy finally learns that the True Gift

is not what is given or received ...

                          it is the spirit in which the gift is given or received.

The Message of Christmas is that God came to this earth in the form of a baby ... offering life, forgiveness and hope. God does not offer this gift to only those who are good ... Rather it is offered to those who are bad.
As with any gift, one must accept it, open it and
use it, if one is to receive the full benefits of the gift.

God’s True Gift is what we celebrate this December 25.

We are not commemorating Christmas because
we are remembering some "myth or legend."
We commemorate a historical event that took place in "Time and Space." It is an event that gives us hope and allows us to experience God’s True Gift!

Advent is a time of focusing on the Hope of Christ’s birth and promised return. The central theme and declaration of the Good News/Gospel is:
God’s forgiving grace and peace experienced by those accepting
                  God’s True Gift.

In response to the Good News, Christians, wherever they go,
point to the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:2-7*), and live with
that hope and peace in their daily lives.

Hope is not a "wish." "I hope to receive ..."
Not hope "I will win the Powerball and $572 million."
Not hope (your favorite college team and your choice opponent)
will play in the 2023 Bowl Championship Game).
Not even hope "for world peace."
Hope is the certainty that God will do what God says.
Even as God fulfilled all the promises ... of which you read ...
when God came in the form of the baby named Jesus.

Titus 2:11-14:
God's readiness to give and forgive is now public.
Salvation's available for everyone! We're being shown how to
turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take
on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting
right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day
when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears.
He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark,
rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people
he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.

It is when we accept God’s True Gift that we experience the
Transforming Power of God’s Coming in human form (Incarnation).

Two Lessons:

I. Jesus liberated us from the power and penalty of our rebellion.

Jesus purifies us so that we may live as God’s special people.
Jesus enables us to live as God’s peaceful people in the world.
In Jesus we are recreated as New People – a New Creation. 
                                                           The Old is left behind.

II. In Jesus we:

A. Renounce those things Separating us from one another ...
           i.e.: lying, stealing, cheating, murder, adultery etc.
           Strangling us with trivia and things which do not last.ie:
           amassing nothing but material things, we must leave                       behind.

B. Acquire the shining virtues which: 
          - Marked Jesus’ life.
          - Brought light into darkness.
          - Allow us to live with prudence and reverence.

The dynamic of this new life is the expectation of Jesus’ return.
Advent is a time for preparing our lives and homes for the coming
of Jesus.  In one way, we should always be prepared for Jesus’
coming and promised return.

                 When Jesus comes, we will not be rewarded or
                  punished on whether we have been "naughty or nice."
                  We will be invited into God’s presence if we have
                  accepted God’s True Gift offered to us at:
                  The First Christmas and Good Friday."

                  God our Savior showed us his kindness and love,
                  He saved us, not because of the good things we did,
                  but because of his mercy.  (Titus 3:4-5)
　
When God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in,
he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing
to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it
new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit.
Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously.
God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given us
back our lives. And there's more life to come—an eternity of life!
You can count on this ... Take a firm stand on these matters so
that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the
essentials that are good for everyone.  (Titus 3:5b-8b)

We are still Naughty/Bad. We do not always live as God desires.
There still is injustice which leads to strife ... unrest ... selfishness...lack of peace.  So, while we wait for Jesus' promised return (the blessed hope) let us strife being God’s Hopeful and Peaceful People by demonstrating and living: The Reconciliation, Compassion and Justice we have received,

              God’s True Gift given to us in Immanuel: (God with us).

"Another story: "While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four-year-old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught, as a toddler, that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, ‘where's the line to see Jesus’? Becky Kelly inspired, wrote a song: Where’s The Line To See Jesus ...?"

        "Santa brought me presents, Jesus gave his life for me."
                       wheresthelinetoseejesus? (Video)

The True Gift: ... "Jesus gave his life for you."
Will you receive or reject that True Gift?

(I encourage you to watch "The Chosen" Christmas Show:  "Holy Night" on CW TV, this Saturday, December 23 at 7:00 pm.  

If not, record it and watch it later.  That way you can speed through the adds.  The story of Jesus' birth dramatically told is complemented with wonderful live Christmas music.)

(I am posting this early because this Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, is December 24 and also Christmas Eve.)

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* Isaiah 9:2-7 (All Scriptures are from The Message)
                                 The people who walked in darkness
                                         have seen a great light.
                        For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
                                       light! sunbursts of light!
                                    You repopulated the nation,
                                         you expanded its joy.
                              Oh, they're so glad in your presence!
                                                Festival joy!
                                   The joy of a great celebration,
                             sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
                        The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—
                              all their whips and cudgels and curses—
                              Is gone, done away with, a deliverance
       as surprising and sudden as Gideon's old victory over Midian.
                               The boots of all those invading troops,
                      along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
                                  Will be piled in a heap and burned,
                                       a fire that will burn for days!
                                 For a child has been born—for us!
                                          the gift of a son—for us!
                                                   He'll take over
                                          the running of the world.
                               His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
                                                    Strong God,
                                                  Eternal Father,
                                              Prince of Wholeness.
                                        His ruling authority will grow,
                    and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
                              He'll rule from the historic David throne
                                        over that promised kingdom.
                             He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing
                                                and keep it going
                                    With fair dealing and right living,
                                   beginning now and lasting always.
                                The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
                                                will do all this.