Names of the Son of God: King of kings and Lord of Lords

Revelation 19:11-16 paints a terrifying, yet encouraging picture of Jesus. We see Jesus as the conquering king in his return. He sits upon his white horse ready to bring just judgment. It this passage, John gives us several names for Jesus, but I just want to focus on the terms King of kings and Lord of lords.

If someone is the King of kings, it means that they are king over a vast domain. The King of kings means that He has leadership over other kings. It demonstrates Christ complete sovereignty over all. I think it also point to our roles as co-heirs with Christ, and the promise that believers will reign with Christ in his kingdom.

As Lord of lords, he is absolutely in control. He is in charge. He is the master above every master. It is to Christ that our first allegiance belongs.

When we worship Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of lords, we worship him as he is. We worship him in his sovereignty.

Names of God the Son: Advocate

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:1-2, NIV).

In this passage, John tells his "children" to put off sin. He states he is writing them so that they "will not sin." This expression sets the tone for all that follows. He wants them to understand that the norm is to actively avoid sin. But what about the anxiety that arises in the heart of a believer once they stumble into sin again (and again). John offers the cure.

He tells believers they have someone in their corner. Several translations use the term advocate in this verse. The NIV helps us to understand this particular term by saying "we have one who speaks to the Father on our behalf." Our Advocate speaks on our behalf.

Jesus speaks to the Father on our behalf. He brings us to the Father through his blood. His blood has put aside God's anger with our sins, and leaves us cleansed in the sight of God. Jesus stands before the Father, forever interceding for us.

We must keep in mind that Jesus is not the gentle Son speaking to a belligerent Father. No, it was the Father's will to save the world through the Son. The Son is the willing sacrifice, to a Father willing to honor his Son's gift. He loves us with an everlasting love.

When we fail in our struggle with sin, we have One who pleads on our behalf. He picks us up, cleans us off, and puts us back to work-all with the Father's blessing. So the next time you lose the battle against sin, remember that you have an advocate.

Loving Jesus

How does Jesus define love?

"If anyone loves Me he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. The one who doesn't love Me will not keep My words. The word that you hear is not Mine but is from the Father who sent Me" (John 14:23-24, HCSB).

It is easy to fall into the trap of seeing love a warm, fuzzy feelings. But love is more than that. Love is accepting a person for who they are. It's about meeting them on their terms. If I approach someone with from the standpoint of self-interest (what they can do for me), I'm not loving them. I may be attracted to them. I may feel pity for them.  I may be genuinely concerned for them, but none of those things in love.

Jesus says, "Here I am. Love me." And we are to love him more than anything else. Why? Because he created us, and by his grace, he redeemed us. He is worthy of our utmost love. All of our life and desires should be prioritized beneath the Lord.

Yet, I find myself failing to keep his word, time and again. I struggle with some of the most basic things. I cling to him in faith. I am confident that his love is greater than mine, and greater than I can imagine. I try to remind myself of it often, not so I can do as I please, but so that I will be more apt to do as the Lord pleases.

How do we love Jesus? By trusting his promises, and pursing his will. May God bless you and keep you.

Names of the Son of God: Immanuel

"All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel'--which means, 'God with us'" (Matt. 1:22-23, NIV).

What does it mean to be "with" someone? Even today we use the term with to express different things. There is a sense in which it express to be in the presence of it. It also means that to show support. Matthew wanted his readers to know that Jesus was "God with us."

To get a better picture of what God meant by saying the virgin's child would be called Immanuel, we have to understand the context from which the promise originated. Isaiah's prophecy comes out of the greater redemption story that is woven into the fabric of the Bible.

The hope of God with us started with broken fellowship. Adam and Eve were created to be image bearers for the glory of God. Adam's disobedience brought judgment and separation, and now all have sinned and fall short of God's glory. We don't bear the glory of God in the manner in which we were intended. In the fall, God is against us. We are by nature objects of wrath. Were it not for the grace of God, we wouldn't be able to approach him. In Christ, God is with us, for us.

What does it mean for us today? Paul says, "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27). How is it that Christ is in us? John sheds some light on it. He states, "Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us" (1 John 3:24). Again he said, "We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit" (1 John 4:13). Christ is with us by the presence of the Spirit.

Jesus as Immanuel also means we have a future hope. The broken fellowship between man and God has been restored in Christ. John paints a beautiful picture:

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every teat from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for old order of things has passed away" (Rev. 21:3-4).

 There is coming a day when Immanuel, God with us, will be with us face to face. We will know as we are known. That is a glorious truth.

Names of God the Son: Messiah

"The woman said to Him, "I know the Messiah is coming" (who is called the Christ). "When He comes, He will explain everything to us." "I am He," Jesus told her, "the One speaking to you" (John 4:25-26, HCSB).

When we refer to Jesus as Jesus Christ, we are not saying that Jesus' last name is "Christ." Christ, or Messiah, is a title. It means that Jesus is God's Anointed One. Jesus didn't often speak of being the Messiah. It probably had to do with the Jewish expectations of a conquering king. Jesus' kingdom was bigger and more complicated than that.

Jesus is God's Anointed. But what does that mean? There were three types of people anointed in the Old Testament. The priest was to be anointed with oil (see Ex. 29:21 and Lev. 8:10-12). Sometimes, prophets were anointed (1 Kings 19:6). Kings were also anointed (1 Sam. 16:13). Jesus was, and is, God's Anointed Prophet (Acts 3:22-26), Priest (Heb. 4:15), and King(Matt. 27:11). Not surprisingly, Jesus is unique in this threefold anointing.

When we address Jesus as the Messiah or Christ, we are professing his roles as Prophet, Priest, and King. As Prophet, He makes the things of God the Father know to us. As Priest, He acts as mediator between us and God, reconciling us to God. As King, he rules the nations. When we call Jesus the Christ, we are expressing his unique relationship to God the Father.

The Names of God: Jesus

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21, HCSB).

The name, Jesus, is the a good place to start when discussing the names of God the Son. Jesus means that Yahweh saves or Yahweh is salvation. It stresses his connection to the God of the covenant and his role as the fulfillment of that covenant. The angel's explanation gives us a better understanding of what God intended by the name Jesus.

The context compels us to see Jesus as Savior, thus linking Jesus and Yahweh. The angel states "He will save" not "Yahweh will save through him." The divinely appointed name highlights Jesus' unique role as Savior. Yahweh, the Lord, alone is Savior. Yet, under the command of heaven, the angel announced that this child, Jesus, would save.

The angel's statement also highlights Jesus' divinity by listing the object of salvation. Joseph is told that Jesus would save his people. Even if we assume the angel meant that Jesus would save those who were of the same ethnicity (race), the overall context suggests Jesus' relationship to this people is more than just biological. The angel appears to be telling Joseph that Yahweh has come down to save his people. Matthew reminds his readers of this through his Old Testament quotations. Especially, when he says they shall call Mary's child Immanuel, which means God with us.

The angel also tells us what kind of Savior Jesus will be. Jesus saves his people from their sins. Sin has separated men from God, and they need forgiveness. Their lawlessness makes them the objects of God's wrath. In order to be reconciled to God, mankind needs someone who can deliver them. Only Jesus can save a lost and dying world.

So when we call on Jesus' name, we are proclaiming him as God and Savior. We are reminding ourselves of his role as our Savior. We are naming ourselves his people. Such a thought may not comfort some, but I'm glad I have a Savior who has rescued me from my sin.

Death Defying Power

Are you afraid of death? Why do you think people fear dying? Some might say it is the fear of the unknown. Other fear losing their loved ones. Others fear waiting judgment. How should we approach death as believers?

I want to look at three brief case studies:

In Mark 5:35-43, we see Jesus raise Jairus' daughter from the dead. Jesus simply commands the dead girl to rise, and she does.

Luke 7:11-16 tells us about a funeral that Jesus stopped. Moved by compassion, Jesus speaks life back into a young man, and gives him back to his mother.

The account of Lazarus is more widely known. In John 11:1-43, we are told about the death and subsequent resuscitation of Lazarus. In this story, Lazarus had been dead four days and had began to smell. Yet, Jesus was able to call him out of the grave, as one would call a child from their bedroom.

There are at least three ways to view these stories. One way suggest they are myth. Some would say there is no truth to these stories. They are just legends told to make Jesus seem more powerful.  Another way to read this stories is to suggest there is a kernel of truth to them, either as moral bearing fables, or events of Jesus being in the right place at the right time and recognizing life where others saw death. The final way to approach them is as truth. We see three events where Jesus actually brought three individuals back to life.

If we accept these as truth, as I believe we should, then these stories encourage us to trust in Jesus. We are moved to ask why Jesus raised these individuals back to life. I propose four reasons:

1. To accomplish the Father's will (John 5:19-30)

2. To demonstrate his power over death (John 5:21, 28-30; 11:21-26), including his own death (John 8:31-33; 10:32-34; 14:12-26; John 10:18)

3. To engender faith (John 11:41-42)

4. To show compassion (John 7:11-16)

These stories offer us, in a very tangible way, a reminder that Jesus will one day call us forth from the grave. They teach us that Jesus has power even over death. So how should we respond?

1. Trust Jesus.

2. Meditate on his power (Jesus hasn't changed).

3. Meditate on the resurrection.

4. Rethink death.

5. Meditate on your mortality and immortality.

6. Live this life as preparation for the next one.

Compassionate, Willing, and Able

In Mark 1:40-45, we see Jesus interact with a man who had leprosy. The term translated leprosy does not necessarily refer to Hansen's Disease (the technical name for leprosy), but to any kind of skin disease. If one had a skin disease, that person was considered "unclean." In fact, Leviticus 13:1-46 expresses the law concerning skin diseases. Life for those with such skin diseases can be summed up with these instructions:

The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out, "Unclean! Unclean!" As long as he has the infection he remains unclean. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp (Lev. 13:45-26, NIV).

Two things jump out at me. First, they must live alone, that is to say, they cannot be a part of the community. Second, they must live outside the camp, that is to say, they have no part in the people of God. The physical illness points to a deeper spiritual reality. People in their natural state cannot approach God. They are alone and cut off. Just as the leper had to seek cleansing through a mediator (the priests), so, too, we approach Jesus the Mediator, to find cleansing.

As we witness Jesus interacting with the man, we learn a lot about Jesus. We learn that Jesus is compassionate, willing, and able. Although these truths seem so well known, we forget them on a practical level. Let's look at the man's request, Jesus' response, and the rest of the story.

The Man's Request

Disregarding Mosaic Law and social convention, this unnamed man approaches Jesus. In spite of the seeming impropriety, the man approaches with the right attitude. Three things stick out in his approach. First, note the humility. Mark states that he begged Jesus "on his knees." Next, note his desperation. He "begged" Jesus. Finally, note his confidence in Jesus. He states, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." There is no question in his mind that Jesus is capable of healing him.

In Mark 9:21-22, we see an interaction between Jesus and the father of a boy possessed by a demon. The man said to Jesus, "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." Jesus responded, "'If you can?' Everything is possible for him who believes." In Mark 9, Jesus rebuked the father's lack of faith. He did not rebuke the leper. He affirmed him.

Jesus' Response

Mark states, "Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched the man." It is easy to miss the significance of what Jesus did. This man wasn't supposed to get near another person, yet Jesus reached out and touched him. It may have been the first time in a long time that anyone had shown this man such tenderness. Jesus' compassion worked itself out in a practical way.

The man knew that his healing hinged on Jesus' willingness. The man was confident that Jesus could heal him. However, he was uncertain as to whether or not Jesus would want to help him. Many of us approach God with the same question in mind. Is God willing? Jesus said, "I am willing!"

Confidence with Jesus' ability should strengthen our confidence in his willingness. He has given many great and precious promises. He calls us to ask of him. He continually demonstrates throughout Scripture and history that he is willing to help those who seek him. This account is no different. Jesus makes the man clean with a word. He is still willing to cleanse those who come to him in repentance and faith.

The Rest of the Story

Just as in the gospel, this story contains an exchange. Jesus walks in the leper's sandals, so to speak. Although Jesus doesn't become unclean, he experiences the leper's separation and loneliness. Because of the leper's disobedience, Jesus must remain outside the town in lonely places. I am reminded of what Paul said, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor. 5:21, NIV).

As the author of Hebrews said,

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet without sin. Let us then approach him with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb. 4:15-16, NIV).

Jesus invites us to approach him with boldness. If people will seek him while he may be found, they will make the same discovery the leper did: Jesus is still compassionate, willing, and able.

Jesus: Man of Authority

In Mark 1:21-34, Mark stress the authority of Jesus. This passage is structured to leave us in awe of Jesus. Mark presents Jesus as a teacher, an exorcist, and a healer.

Mark emphasizes Jesus' work as a teacher. He is presented as an authoritative teacher. His teaching is contrasted with the scribes and Pharisees. He left the crowds amazed.

Mark talks about Jesus as an exorcist. A demon possessed man approached Jesus during his teaching. With obvious authority, Jesus silences and casts out the demon. The work in casting out demons is an extension of his teaching and an expression of his authority. Jesus was able to bind the "strong man" (see Matt. 12:29; Luke 11:21-22).

Mark also deals with Jesus' healing ministry. Jesus shows the crowds compassion as he heals their various diseases. He worked late until the night healing them as they came.

Principles

• Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth.
• There are real, personal, evil, spiritual beings (capable of "possessing" people) present and active in the world today. 
• Demon possession means a person is under the controlling influence of demons.
• Jesus has authority over evil spirits.
• No elaborate rituals are necessary to drive out demons, but I wouldn't try it without obedient faith in Jesus Christ.
• Demons know who Jesus is and they fear him!
• Jesus is concerned about the helpless and harassed. 
• There is a difference between illness (mental and physical) and demon possession.

Answer the Call

I often wonder what the disciples must have felt when they met Jesus. Reading about the calling of the first disciples in Mark 1:16-20 has me wondering anew. How did they know it was the right thing to do? They were being asked to leave everything they knew, to follow a carpenter turned rabbi. (Yes, we know he was much more, but did they?)

In Mark 1:14-15, Jesus offers people keys to the kingdom. He tells them to "repent and believe the good news." Freedom had drawn near to man, he need only to take it as it was offered. Jesus was calling folks to come near.

With Peter, Andrew, James, and John it was different. He called them to come follow him. He offered to make them fishers of men. Did they understand the significance of that? Surely, they must have understood it (at least in part) because they followed him.

His call was a call to follow whatever the cost. They left behind nearly everything they knew. James and John even left their father on the boat.

I can't imagine what they were thinking. I have tried, but with no success. All I know is what it was like when I heard the call of Jesus. I didn't see him, nor did I hear him. But I heard that call to repent-to change my mind. It was a call to abandon my hatred for God, and my disbelief. It was a call to change directions in my life. And in an unbelieving heart, faith sprang to life in an instant. I heard the call, and I had to answer it.

Maybe I know a little bit about what it was like for the disciples. When the Lord captures your heart, you don't think about all the unimportant stuff. You just think about the grace that has overflowed to you. He calls and you go-just to be near him.

Jesus is calling us all to follow him. Have you answered the call?

The Beloved Son

I find Mark's abbreviated version of the baptism and temptation of Christ fascinating. He writes with such economy, but has so much to say. In Mark 1:9-13, we see God's favor resting on Jesus. In fact, Mark allows us to see the Trinity in communion as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit appear together following baptism of Christ. We see the love the Trinity shares as we look at this brief passage. We see the Son entering the water to please his Father, the Spirit descending on the Son to empower him for his mission, and the Father proclaiming his love to the Son.

In the Father's statement, we see his approval of the Son. Jesus is the "Beloved" Son. The Father is "well pleased" with him. We are told that Jesus witnesses the rending of the heavens as the Father came to confirm his sonship. Jesus was given the tools to succeed in the face of his upcoming temptation. His sonship would by questioned by Satan, but not by the Father. No, the Father was pleased with his Son.

Although Jesus was tested in the wilderness, he did not succumb. He remained faithful to his Father, just as his Father knew he would. In spite of the dangers he faced, he would not entrust himself to another. Jesus lived only to do the Father's will. His faithfulness was reward by a time of refreshing through the care of angels.

In Jesus, we stand before the Father as children who please him. As his children, he strengthens us against the temptations we face. But even when we fall to temptation, Christ's obedience never falters. He holds us in his perfection. He is the sole source of our righteousness. We should hear the Father's praise of Jesus, and we should rejoice. The Father's has never been (nor will never be) displeased with the Son.

Some Good News

Good news is hard to come by these days. In a 30 minute report, there seems to be a lifetime of bad news. We all yearn for good news. Throughout human history, humanity longs for good news. Mark tells us some good news in his Gospel. It's good news that centers on Jesus. In Mark 1:1-8, we see several reasons that message of Jesus is truly good news.

1. Jesus is the subject of the gospel (literally "good news"). The message is about Jesus. The narrative focuses on his person and work.

2. Jesus is God's Anointed. The term "Christ" or "Messiah" means anointed. In the Old Testament, there were three offices to which people were anointed: prophet, priest, and king. Until Jesus, no one had been all three. Jesus is Prophet, Priest, and King. As Prophet he reveals God to his people, as Priest he sacrificed himself to redeem God's people, and as King he reigns over God's kingdom.

3. His is the Son of God. This term stresses the unique relationship Jesus has to the Father. It demonstrates his divinity.

4. He is the subject of prophecy. Most scholars point out two prophecies in Mark 1:2-3, they are Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3. The Scriptures that Mark quotes are of the Lord speaking of himself, but as Mark quotes them they are the Father speaking to the Son. These, too, point to Jesus' divinity.

5. Jesus brings the offer of forgiveness to the repentant. If the message of Jesus' forerunner, John, was a call to repentance with a promise of forgiveness, it is logical to conclude that Jesus provides that forgiveness to those who turn to him.

6. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit. John's baptism was important, but not eternal. John couldn't change a person's heart with water. However, Jesus can and does change a person's heart through the indwelling of the Spirit.

The message of Christ is life changing. It has the power to transform anyone who receives it in faith. I hope this good news is transforming your life, too.

The Hero of the Day

While watching a couple of reruns yesterday, I found a common thread.  The shows were based on different concepts, but each had a hero as a central figure.  In one show, Stargate Atlantis, one of the main characters, John Shepherd repeatedly risks his life to save others.  In the other show, Quantum Leap, Sam Beckett goes from life to life setting right what once went wrong.  The two characters function as messiahs or saviors. 

Both men have a clear sense of right and wrong, both are willing to risk life and limb to see right overcome wrong.  Even though both seem to possess a definite moral compass, they also have their faults and their flaws.  They make mistakes.  In a world that has grown increasingly relativistic, where what's right for you is right for you, but what is right for me is right for me, people are increasingly uncomfortable with a flawless hero.  They just can't relate.

The world knows it needs a hero or heroes.  We can recognize that something in the world isn't they way it's supposed to be.  When we hear about children being molested, or young women being trafficked as sex slaves, or husbands beating their wives, or lives being destroyed by drugs and alcohol; something deep within us groans for justice.  We wish that something would make the world a better place.  We want someone to come in and rescue us.

We want that someone to be like us, but not just like us.  We want them to understand our struggles, but to rise above them.  We wanted them to have tasted temptation, but to still be able to resist it.  We want a hero who is stronger, smarter, and braver than we are, but we don't want him to judge us for our weakness, foolishness, or timidness.  He (or she in a lot of modern stories) has to be able to do what we cannot.

Some heroes are superhuman, some just represent the best of humanity.  The superhuman hero is, generally, otherworldly such as an alien or angelic being; or they are of this world, but advanced.  They advancement comes through mutation, scientific misadventure, or contact with the otherworldly.  Those who are neither otherworldly nor advanced are still above average.  Characters like Batman, John Shepherd, and Sam Beckett are intelligent, clever, and intuitive.  They instinctively know when something is wrong.  Their spidey-senses tingle (without actually possessing spidey-sense).  These heroes seem to be a contradictory pairing of invulnerability and vulnerability, strength and weakness, selfish and self-sacrificing.  We know even before they do that they will do the right thing.

It should make us overly curious that literature, movies, and television is littered with heroes.  The presence of them in our imaginations, and the longing for them in our hearts tells us that these images are ingrained in the human experience.  We were meant to have these desires, because we are in need of rescue.  Evolutionists would say that these instincts are their to propel us toward keeping our species alive.  We are programmed to look for heroes to rescue us.  However, if survival of the fittest was all that mattered, we would want to be hero, not follow one.  Looking for someone outside of ourselves to rescue us doesn't ensure the survival of a species, it diminishes it.

But if man exists for something greater than the survival of his species, then looking for a rescuer does indeed preserve mankind.  We sense that we need rescue, because on a subconscious level we understand all is not as it should be. We know that we need someone to step in and set things right again. 

All these other heroes are shadows of the One True Hero: Jesus Christ.  He alone is able to step into our world and make things right.  We long for heroes, because our souls long for him (even though we don't always understand this).  The author of Hebrews reminds us, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16).

So the next time your watching t.v. or a movie or reading a good book, and you find your heart unable to contain its excitement at the victory of the hero, just remember something.  Remember than another hero, the True Hero, attained victory long ago when he died on the cross and rose from the dead.  Jesus Christ is the rescuer you need, every other hero exists to help you remember that.

Broken Beyond Repair?

Have you ever been overwhelmed by a profound sense of being broken?  I'm not speaking of kind of broken spoken of by David in Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."  I mean do you ever feel like you are damaged goods.  Do you look at the shards of your life, and find them overwhelming.

While sitting in a meeting tonight, it hit me tonight.  For a brief and intensely uncomfortable moment, I felt broken beyond repair.  It felt like I was only fit for the garbage pile.  I felt childhood wounds burst open with a pus-like flow of negative emotions.  Memories cauterized by time were ripped open, scars, long healed, were opened anew as well.  In that moment, I felt like a shattered vase.

The truth is we are all broken.  You may not feel it, but you are.  The whole human race is in ruins.  Sin has ruined our fair race, and enslaved us to brokenness.  As Paul states, "We have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23).  We are all broken, and are only fit for destruction.

However, destruction is not the desire of God's heart.  Peter states, "the Lord . . . is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance"  (2 Pet. 3:9, ESV).  Even though we should receive death, because of the sin in our lives, God in his grace welcomes us to come to him through Jesus Christ the Son (see Rom. 6:23).  As we reflect on the brokenness sin has inflicted in our lives, it is easy to say with Paul, "Wretched man that I am! Who will save me from this body of death?" (Rom 7:24, ESV).

If we will cry out in earnestness with Paul we can share in his consolation: "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!  So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.  There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 7:25-8:1, ESV).

If you feel broken beyond repair, if your emotional scars feel ragged and fresh, if you yearn to put the pieces back together, then reach out, in faith, and cling to Christ Jesus.  Are you ready to place yourself in his hands and allow him to mend your brokenness?  He is able to transform the shards of your life into a work of beauty.

The Fall and the Rising of Many

"And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed'" (Luke 2:34-35, ESV).

The scene before us is rich and powerful.  Christ has been brought into the temple to be consecrated to the Lord (see Exodus 13:1-2; Lev. 12).  Here is family is greeted by a man, known to be righteous, devout, and filled with the Holy Spirit.  This man, Simeon, has been informed that he would not die until he had seen the Christ.  It appears that he was waiting for that promised to be fulfilled for quite some time.

The mention of the Spirit's presence in Simeon life is startling.  Although we are not generally startled by it.  We often read this passage in light of the rest of the New Testament, when we should be reading it within its cultural context.  For nearly 400 years the Israelites sat in silence, because the Lord would not send his Spirit to speak through a prophet.  The Spirit's return signaled something big.  It signaled the dawning of a new age.  The eternal King was about to be born and about to bring death's reign to and end.

Simeon must have been the topic of much discussion.  The people, no doubt, followed him around out of curiosity.  Those hungering and thirsting for God's redemptive work probably hung on his every word.  Those of a self-righteous bent probably saw him as a fanatic or a loon.  But no doubt he was known to the people of Israel (and others), or else Luke would have gave a more detailed explanation of who he was.

Simeon is drawn to the the temple by the Spirit.  As he scans the crowd, something deep inside of him recognizes the face of hope--the Lord of Life.  He rushes over to the family and takes the child in his arms.  He speaks over them a blessing and offers them a prophetic word, "This boy of yours will cause many to stumble, even as he his lifting others up.  He will be opposed, and you will suffer too, because he is going to expose the hearts of men."

Thus, in a few short words, Simeon gives us a glimpse of how Christ's life will unfold.  Many will fall away on account of him, but many will be raised up.  He will face opposition, and grief will be experienced by those who love him.  The hidden realities of the hearts would be exposed by Christ.

His prophetic word was fulfilled as we see in Luke's Gospel and the book of Acts.  However, the word has not ceased speaking.  Simeon was not only describing the 1st century response to Jesus, but the response of every generation.  The gospel still raises up those who believe it, and repels those who reject it.  Jesus is still revealing the hearts of men, through the witness of the Spirit, and he is still opposed by many.  Jesus shines a light into dark places, but the people love the darkness and hate the light.

Were Simeon here today, I believe he would ask us, "Where do you stand with Christ?"  Are we opposed to the message of Christ?  You might be saying, "Hey, I wish people a 'merry Christmas.'"  But are you living a life that points to the Christ of Christmas.  Are your holiday celebrations so filled with trees and lights and gifts, that you have missed the greater meaning of Christmas?  Christmas isn't just a time of love, family, and giving.  It is about God's love, that was demonstrated by sending his Son into the world, to offer up his life as a substitutionary atonement on our behalf.  Christmas is about the appeasement of God's wrath.  It is about having a place in the family of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  We rise or fall, because of Christ.  We either cling to him in faith, or we oppose him in disbelief.  We either hate our sin and leave the light, or we hate the Son and live in our sin.  Thus, Christmas means we have to pick a side: humble obedience to the Lord of Life, or prideful rebellion against the Light of the world.  Which side are you on?

Thinking About Jesus

"And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, 'This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased'" (Matt. 3:16-17, ESV).

It is hard to read this account, so close to Christmas, and not think of the implications. Jesus comes to John to be baptized. John, realizing who Jesus is wants to refuse, because his baptism is a baptism for repentance. John recognized the Jesus did not need to repent in order to be right with the Father. Jesus' baptism was a confirmation of John's ministry, a continuation of the parallels between Jesus and the nation of Israel, and the institution of the ordinance of baptism.

The Father wants the crowd to understand that John was right; Jesus didn't need repentance. He was the sinless Son of God. The Father states, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." It is a statement of Jesus' innocense as well as a publicly expressed seal of approval upon the upcoming ministry of the Son. Many would reject Jesus' claim that he was the Son of God, but here the Father confirms it. Many would reject Jesus' ministry, claiming he was empowered by Satan to do the works he did, but here the Father states he is "well pleased" with Jesus.

As we gather this Christmas, around the tree or table, I hope we realize the true worth of the gift God has given by sending his beloved Son to die on our behalf. I hope that you have placed your trust in the One of whom God said he was "well pleased." Remember this Christmas (and everyday) the Jesus has purchased our way to God. After all the presents are unwrapped and the thank yous are said, don't forget to offer up thanks to God for the greatest gifts of all.

Patient Lord Jesus

I feel like a child again. When I was child I measured everything by my birthday. Halloween came a week after my birthday (Candy day was my favorite holiday). Thanksgiving would come about a month later. Then, two months to the day, we would open presents on Christmas Eve. Building up to my birthday I would say I want this, and this, and this, and this, and this, and this (you get the picture). I would often nag to open my birthday presents early. And if my parents made the mistake of telling me they already had my present, I would begin my Christmas wishlist. October 25th always started the same when I was a child: "Two more months to Christmas. I want this, and this, and this, and this, Oh, I didn't get that for my birthday, I want it for Christmas." Its a wonder my parents celebrated Christmas at all. I begged and pleaded, fussed and nagged, cried and pouted for two months solid in the hope that I would have everything I wanted and to get it early.

Little has changed since I was child. Now I nag Delia instead of my Mom. And sometimes I nag God. When we got the word that Sophia was out of PGN I was disheartened by the timetable they gave us. I began to say to God, "Sophia coming home on my birthday would sure be a good present." As if God hadn't showered an abundance of good gifts into my life everyday. My birthday drew closer and we hadn't gotten a call. I begin to think, "Sophia coming home for Halloween would sure be a treat." It was clever, but God isn't impressed with our cleverness.

Now I find myself daily asking, "Can I have her today? How about today? Wouldn't today be a good day to go get my little girl." I am reminded of two related sayings of Jesus. Matthew 7:11 states, "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him." Luke 18:7-8, "And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Jesus is reminding us that Our Heavenly Father is not a slacker. He is not some cosmic dead beat dad. He is not emotionally withdrawn. He is a passionate protector, provider, and caregiver. When we fail to trust him we doubt the Ever-Faithful, who cannot and would not break his covenant. The God who saw fit to bring Sophia into our lives, sees fit to say, "Wait child, wait." His wisdom is unquestionable, even if I struggle with it, because he sees all things. He is not withholding good from me. He doesn't withhold good things from his children, but delights to give them. However, he gives them in his time and in the way that best suits his purposes. Who are we to question him?

Several weeks ago I said (in a moment of discouragement) that if Sophia wasn't home before Thanksgiving I would have much to be thankful for and that I wouldn't celebrate the holiday. I was wrong. This year, maybe more than any other, I am, and will be continually, thankful for God's patience with me. The Sovereign Creator of the Universe, who redeemed me from the kingdom of darkness, has set me at His table and called me son. He has continually treated me with gentleness and grace. He has poured out, in abundance, gifts beyond measure. And time and time again, I only ask for more. By God's grace, and with his help, I hope to follow his patient example. I will wait for the fullness of time to come for my earthly reunion with my daughter, knowing in my heart that God will bring it to pass. I also know that even as now, my heart will continue to cry out until that moment we are together: "Today, Lord? Will it be Today?" I rest in his patient graciousness and know that he not only hears me, he loves me, and for that I will be eternally grateful.