Come Let us Worship, Day 10, December 10

I’ve already blogged about the topic of Christmas greetings, suggesting that “God be with you, might be very appropriate.  But there is another greeting that is familiar in the Gospels:

Matthew 1:20 (ESV) ²⁰ But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:13 (ESV) ¹³ But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

Luke 1:30 (ESV) ³⁰ And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Luke 2:10 (ESV) ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Rational, realistic apprehension is part of human existence.  But there is a reality that changes our focus.  Not by denying what is real, but by focusing on what is of greater significance.  It's kind of like going to work with a headache and dropping an anvil on your toe.  Suddenly you head doesn't hurt as much!  When we look at the more significant truth of "fear not" its takes the sting out to the lesser truth of real fear.

Here's the more significant truth: Jesus Christ came to earth to take the bite out of fear.  Thus, the Christmas greeting to all is "fear not."   There are 3 mammoth fears that Christ addresses:

 

#1.   A fear we all have is a fear of suffering. My mother once told me that she wasn’t scared to die, she just didn't like the idea of dying.  We all avoid suffering as much as we can.  Pain is painful. 

Jesus Christ came to earth and lived a perfect life.  Yet as He faced His most painful event, the Cross, He said to His disciples: ““Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1–3, ESV) .

Today, those of us who have trusted Christ, are on, what Bunyan would call, a journey to the Celestial City.  Christ has prepared a place for us.   It is so magnificent, words cannot express it's glory.  In fact when the Apostle Paul considered the suffering of this life in comparison, he wrote, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,” (2 Corinthians 4:17, ESV).  Paul's not minimizing our pain, nor marginalizing it.  Paul is saying that the suffering of this life compared to the eternal wonders of Heaven can only be described as "light" and "momentary".

#2.   Another fear we have is regarding the consequences of our wrongdoing.  Each one of us knows in the depths of our hearts that someday we will face God.  The Bible says, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,” (Hebrews 9:27, ESV).  We know God has to be just and fair; and we know we have sinned.  Jesus came to deal with that fear.  The Bible teaches us “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:17, ESV).  Through His life and death, Jesus has made full provision for our salvation from God's judgment.

#3.   Lastly, the worst enemy of all is death.  Death is the result of sin.  Death will likely come to all of us.  But Jesus Christ came to destroy death.  The Apostle Paul signaled this truth when he wrote, ““O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55–57, ESV). Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,” (John 11:25, ESV).

Truly we can say, as Christians, "Fear not."  Suffering has hope. Judgment has no condemnation. Death has no sting.  In the Christmas carol, 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' we sing this stanza:

"Fear not, then," said the angel,
"Let nothing you affright;
This day is born a Savior
Of a pure virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in him
From Satan's power and might."

"Ponder what could happen if Christians began to greet others with alternative biblical phrases. What might people think, and how might they respond, to a reassuring 'Fear not!'?"[1]

Father, the song of Christmas is “fear not”.  What beautiful melodies to our ears! We live in a world where fear is rational and real.  Yet Christ comes to us at this Season of the year and reminds us to “fear not”.  The gift of Christ at Christmas is “fear not”.  The opposite of fear is not fearlessness, but faith.  Enlarge our faith.  Enable us to trust you more.  Thank you that you came to relay our fears. 

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[1] Wiersbe, Warren W.; Wiersbe, David W. (2012-10-01). C Is for Christmas: The History, Personalities, and Meaning of Christ's Birth (p. 83). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Come Let us Worship, Day 9, December 9

"What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?", is the title of an excellent book, written by the late Dr. James Kennedy.  Dr. Kennedy writes,

"But Jesus Christ, the greatest man who ever lived, changed virtually every aspect of human life – and most people don't know it.  The greatest tragedy of the Christmas holiday each year is not so much its commercialization (gross as that is), but its trivialization."[1]

In this book of 250 or so pages, Dr. Kennedy validates and verifies that Jesus Christ and the Church He birthed "has made more changes on earth for the good than any other movement of force in history."[2] Some of the initiatives that were inaugurated by the Christian Church are shown to be:

·         Hospitals in the Middle Ages

·         The world's greatest universities were started by Christians

·         Education and literacy for the public

·         Representative government

·         Civil liberties including the abolition of slavery

·         The elevation of women

·         Benevolent and charitable societies

·         Codifying and writing many of the world's languages

Of course if the world was changed for the better through arts, entertainment, healthcare, education and science that is a wonderful thing.  But there is something far better than that.  Paul, the Apostle of Jesus wrote these words: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15, ESV)

What if Jesus had not been born? The ultimate answer is this: sinners would not be saved. Saved from what?  The Bible says that Jesus is the One “who delivers us from the wrath to come.”^[3]  John, the Apostle wrote: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36, ESV). 

The wrath of God is a divine response to human sin and disobedience. “The Old Testament prophets often wrote of a day in the future, the "day of wrath" (Zephaniah 1:14-15). God’s wrath against sin and disobedience is perfectly justified because His plan for mankind is holy and perfect, just as God Himself is holy and perfect.”[4] God remains just to forgive sinners who trust in His Son because Christ took God’s wrath upon Himself when He died in our place on the cross (Romans 5:6–11).  If you are a Christian then you have this comfort that “God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1 Thessalonians 5:9, ESV).

Father, if Jesus had not come, we would all be destined for wrath and hopelessness.  Thank you for the mercy of your salvation.  Thank you for the grace of eternal life.  “Christ-mass” is a festival a celebration, and truly it can be, if we have placed our faith in You – and You alone for salvation.  Thank you for coming.

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[1] Kennedy, D. James, What If Jesus Had Never Been Born, Nelson Books, Nashville Tnn., 2001, Page 1

[2] Ibid, Page 3

^[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Th 1:10). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

[4] https://www.gotquestions.org/wrath-of-God.html

Come Let Us Worship, Day 8, December 8

The recent and seemingly never ending debate about Christmas is, just what do you call it?Facebook memes and discussion revolves around “Merry Christmas” and/or “Happy Holidays”.   The essential message of Christmas, although cumbersome to put on a store window, is simply this: “Immanuel, God with us!” Thus we read: Matthew 1:22–23 (ESV)

²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ²³ “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Perhaps an alternative greeting could be, “May God be with you”?    Immanuel (Hebrew: עִמָּנוּאֵל meaning, "God with us"; also Romanised Emmanuel, Imanu'el) is a Hebrew name which appears in the prophecy of Isaiah.  The ungodly King of Israel brought God’s discipline upon the nation in that God ordained the oppression of Syria.  The promise of a child born of a virgin, named Immanuel was a sign of promise. King Ahaz had put his hope in human resources, but God called him and the nation to trust God himself.  The birth of this child was a sign confirming the promises of God., particularly to preserve and protect Israel.

From the beginning of time, the greatest blessing was the dwelling of God with His people.  The famous Aaronic blessing articulates that in profound fashion.

““Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”” (Numbers 6:23–27, ESV)

It was the hope of Israel that God would dwell with His people (see Isaiah 60:18-20. Ezekiel 48:35, Revelation 21:23, etc.). Of course the Apostle John reminds us of this reality when he writes:

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, ESV)

“No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.” (John 1:18, ESV)

Further promises in Scripture remind us that as Christians are busy proclaiming the Gospel, God is with them (Matthew 28:20) and in fact the future of the New Heaven and New Earth is a future of God dwelling with His people.

So …. May God be with you!!!

Father, as we consider these words we are so aware that in Christ and by your Spirit you are with us.  Even in your exaltation you have not left us orphans but through the Comforter, you are as real, as real can be.  We trust not in feelings or fantasy.  We trust in your promises to never leave nor forsake us.  May others know of this mercy through faith in your Son, Immanuel.

Come Let us Worship, Day 7, December 7

In the Christmas story we read these familiar words: “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:4–7, ESV).

We might fail to see the global significance to these words.  We might miss the fact that there were multitudes upon multitudes of minuscule particulars that enabled this birth to take place, when and where it did.  Hundreds of years prior, the Bible prophesied that the Christ-child be born in Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth.  That’s about 120 kilometers. That’s two days walking.  It was critical that they get to the place where the Messiah was to be born. Consider the military and political decisions that brought about a national ruler who decided to tax his world, at this time.  Think of the geopolitical maneuverings that put Caesar Augustus in power, just so this young couple would be motivated to go to Bethlehem, on time! “The time came for her to give birth.”

Rome occupied Israel. The reason for the census was for accurate taxation. The Jews hated taxes and hated giving taxes to the Romans. The Jews hated the Romans.  Rome was the enemy.  Rome had violated their freedom.

Solomon, that honored and wise King of Israel wrote, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1, ESV).  The Biblical record is clear: God is sovereign.  He rules over all.  Even kings and kingdoms are in the hand of Almighty God. Yes, a nation was occupied by a foreign army.  Its rulers demanded heavy burdens of taxation.  But within that context, God brought salvation. To echo the ancient words of Joseph, the prince of Egypt, he said, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20, ESV).

Someone has rightly affirmed that “all the mammoth political forces and all the giant industrial complexes, without their even knowing it, are being guided by God, not for their own sake but for the sake of God’s people.”   

Father it is an understatement to say that you are in control. The birth of our Lord is only one wonderful example of your providence and care over your people.  We bow before your sovereignty and exclaim with Thomas, "My Lord and my God."  We worship you.  

Come Let us Worship, Day 6, December 6

In Classical music, the most important combination of four instruments in performances that are regal and yet intimate is the string quartet.   String quartets most often consist of two violins, a viola, and a cello.  This expression of music comes from the 4 main registers of the human voice: soprano, alto, tenor and bass.  Individually quartet members most often have a limited range that fits well within their register and individually the sing what might be called counterpoint melodies.  Yet when combined in 4-part harmony they express a beauty and agreement that is indescribably appealing.

We know the Christmas story is one amazing story. But we also know that the Gospels in the New Testament deal with the story of the birth of Jesus in four very different – without contradicting each other. Let’s look at each of the parts:

Matthew.

Notice how Matthew starts: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matthew 1:1, ESV).  Matthew shows us the Savior as the fulfillment of the prophecies and hopes of the Hebrew Scriptures; and he shows us Jesus as the King of the Jews who has been given all authority in Heaven and Earth. He is Emmanuel, God with us.

Mark

Now Mark’s Gospel is different.  Mark starts with the last of the Old Testament prophets, John the Baptist.  John’s message was a message of repentance in preparation for the coming Savior.

“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”” (Mark 1:14–15, ESV). Mark reminds us to truly understand Jesus we need to repent.

Luke

Luke’s wonderful story shows Jesus pouring Himself into humanity, born among the poor and rejected, bringing a message of hope to those who will hear.  In theology this is called the Doctrine of Kenosis.  It is represented clearly for us in Philippians2:5–8.

John

For John, the beginning for Jesus was no beginning.  Jesus started in eternity – in heaven, where there is no beginning.  Jesus, the Word was in the beginning and was God. All that is created was created through Him.

So the four Gospels are like an amazing Gospel Quartet. They sing different harmonies yet blend to a beautiful rendition of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

      ·         Matthew sings bass and we hear of Jesus as the King of the Jews worthy of obedience and worship;

      ·         Luke sings the melody and gives us a very humane Savior that brings us Good News to the poor and rejected;  

      ·         Mark sings baritone.  He reveals to us that greatness is servant.  Jesus is the prime example of service, even to the death on a Cross for the sake of others; and

      ·         John sings tenor, exalting Jesus as God, who comes as the Word become flesh and this shines in the darkness to us salvation.

Father, your Word is presented with such harmony and unity. Lord may we hear the music of the Gospel this Christmas season; and may these Voices come alive in our mediation.  May you be glorified!

Come Let us Worship, Day 5, December 5

“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8, NIV)!

One of the consistent themes of evangelical Christianity is to reveal not only Bethlehem’s manger, but also Jerusalem’s cross. Paul seems to make this aspect of Christ’s ministry as most significant.  Dr. Gordon Fee writes, “As a human being “he humbled himself”; that is, in his human existence he chose, in obedience, to “take the lowest place” (etapeinōsen).^[1]   The subsequent participle describes the degree of humility expressed by Christ: becoming obedient to death. 

“There is an emphasis laid upon the manner of his dying, which had in it all the circumstances possible which are humbling: Even the death of the cross, a cursed, painful, and shameful death,—a death accursed by the law (Cursed is he that hangeth on a tree)—full of pain, the body nailed through the nervous parts (the hands and feet) and hanging with all its weight upon the cross,—and the death of a malefactor and a slave, not of a free-man,—exposed as a public spectacle.”^[2]

It’s not common to reference Christ’s death as obedience.  We think of his death in terms of what wicked men did to him.  We even think of his death as a substitute.  But Paul here, as he does in Romans 5:19, reveals Christ’s death as obedience. Christ saw his death as obedience to the Father’s will.

So as we celebrate Christmas, it isn’t just a time to reflect on the baby boy who was born in Bethlehem so long ago.  The Bible clearly calls us to consider his humility.  This is not a humility that simply resulted in God becoming a human baby.  Nor is it the obvious humility to be born in poverty and subjected to a meager existence of a Palestinian family.  No, this humility was an act of obedience that even led to the cross.

He was born to die for you and for me.

Father, what glorious wonder it is that you would send your Son to be our Savior.  What an amazing reality that He would be born to die. What glory that He would take on the consequence and penalty of my sin, under the Law so that sin’s curse would be vanquished.

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^[1] Fee, G. D. (1995). Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (p. 216). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

^[2] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 2324). Peabody: Hendrickson.

Come Let Us Worship, Day 4, December 4

Canadians spend a lot of money at Christmas time.  I have conducted counselling where I’ve seen it take 3 or more months for a family to recover from Christmas debt.  Last year in Canada it was estimated that a family would spend on the average of $650 per person at Christmas, with an additional $300 per person on extras, such as decorations and candy.  Canadians spend a lot of money at Christmas.

But in the philosophy of C.S. Lewis, perhaps that is not the real problem.  In Lewis’ sermon “The Weight of Glory”, he wrote:

“If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

Lewis might say if he were thinking down this road of Christmas extravaganzas, our problem is not that we spend too much, but perhaps too little.   Perhaps Lewis would say that Christians spend too little at Christmas.  Take this man:

““The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44, NIV)

A parable is a short story that communicates a spiritual truth to those who are enlightened by the Holy Spirit.  The clearest explanation of this parable of our Lord is that “the kingdom is worth sacrificing whatever is necessary in order to be a part of it.”[1] Parables are illustrations that often portray one point.  In this case Jesus is not implying that we earn “salvation; instead, the parable emphasizes the supreme value of the hidden treasure (the kingdom of heaven).”^[2]

Again, perhaps the problem is not that we spend too much.  We are half-hearted creatures fooling around with toys, presents, clothes, parties, decorations, food, etc.  We are far too easily pleased. Perhaps the stunning reality that God became man ought to capture our soul to such a degree that we would be willing to give all that we have to gain that union with Christ.  Or in the words of Paul:

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:7–8, NIV)

Father, how easy it is for us to cheapen who you are in Christ.  He who was so glorious emptied Himself into humanity and all our troubled existence, so that we who are so impoverished and needy might know Christ who is more glorious than anything on earth can express. “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11, NIV). May I not be satisfied with less.

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[1] Zondervan. NIV Zondervan Study Bible, Hardcover: Built on the Truth of Scripture and Centered on the Gospel Message (Kindle Location 224667). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

^[2] Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 1849). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.