“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
2 Corinthians 5:17
I believe in magic… well not magic like in Bewitched or Harry Potter, not even magic like David Copperfield. The magic I believe in - could, should be equated with the miracles of God’s movement on our lives and world - it is the power of Jesus to bring transformational newness to everyone and everything.
Leading up to this week’s passage Paul has been encouraging the Corinthian church and us by giving us a glimpse of eternity and reminds that because of all that Christ has done anyone and everyone that is in Him by faith have been made new. We experience transformational newness when we surrender our sin weary lives to the risen Savior. But transformational newness is more than just a change of heart for humans. Everywhere Jesus stepped while He was here was made new in some way. Everywhere His Spirit is allowed to work today is also made new in some way
Jesus didn’t just change lives, He transformed what religion had become, He created a radical change in the way people related to God. He encouraged transformational newness in the way people came together to worship God. He called the people out of the rituals and traditions that had grown out of the Law. He called them into community and relationship – with Him and with each other. Transformational newness isn’t a onetime thing; it is an ongoing process for us personally and for what is now known as the church.
I can imagine what those first gatherings must have looked like for the new followers of Jesus. Oh they probably sang the psalms they were familiar with, but I bet some new music was part of it. They gathered in homes, if they were lucky maybe one of the Apostles would be there and teach them personally or perhaps they listened to the latest letter from Paul. They shared a meal and talked about what God was doing in their lives and community. They no doubt shared their fears, tears and their celebrations. They cared for one another, it wasn’t “the leader’s” responsibility – it was everyone’s responsibility to care for each other and to care for those on the fringes of society too.
The Church has been renewing itself ever since, you see if we as individuals and as a community of believers to allow transformational newness happen on an ongoing basis, we get stuck in the muck and mire of ritual and tradition – it stops being about loving God and loving others.
The turning of the calendar page to a new year is a magical time; there is an expectation of change on the hearts and minds of people around the world. Let this be the moment we allow the power of Jesus to jump start transformational newness in our lives and in our churches.
I am a new creation, but I am not a finished creation – I need to keep experiencing His transformational newness and so do you. Let’s make the new year really new.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for the magic that is the power of Your movement in our lives and world. Thank you for making us new through Your Son Jesus. Show us the power of continually experiencing the power of transformational newness in our lives and in Your Church. As we are continually renewed may Your power shine through us into the lives of those who need You to make them new too. In the name of Jesus, who makes us new – Amen.
Friday, December 30, 2016
Monday, December 19, 2016
Where Science and Faith Collide
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.’…When they saw the star they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, and of incense and of myrrh.
Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11
“We three kings of Orient are. Bearing gifts we traverse afar…” These are the opening words of a much loved Christmas Carol. The real story is more interesting because it is a story of science and faith colliding. It is a story that has a much deeper meaning than we realize when we read it casually. It is a story we must read carefully and study to fill in the gaps.
The New International Version as seen in this week’s passage calls the travelers from the east Magi. The Message calls them a “Band of Scholars” and a number of versions call them “Wise Men”. We don’t how many there really were and we don’t even know for sure how far they have travelled. But we can piece the story together with some educated assumptions.
They were gentiles from somewhere east of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, but how far east? It appears it may have taken them as much as two years to arrive at the place they sought. What? You say – they appear in the Nativity scenes we set up. I know they are in mine too. But the passage clearly says “On coming to the house” Jesus was born in a manger, when these travelers arrive; the family is in a house. Read further along and at chapter 2, verse 16 Herod orders all male children two and under killed. They were men of science and perhaps experts in other disciplines as well. Wherever they were from it is likely they had access to the words of the Hebrew prophets – Daniel, Isaiah and others and (here’s the important part) that they believed what they had learned of the coming Messiah otherwise they would not have been looking for a sign signaling His birth. Then of course we know for sure they went to find this foretold King of the Jews, to worship Him and bring him gifts. When it was time to go they acted in obedience to the God of the universe and went home a different way.
So what does it all mean, how can we be encouraged by this. The whole story of the birth of the Savior is to show us that God loves all of us and wants to be in relationship with us. As we look back over the weeks of Advent remember – God chose an ordinary girl and her carpenter fiancé to parent His son. God sent the first birth announcement to shepherds working out in the fields and the only other visitors to the child we read about are the wise, gentile men who traveled a long way when their science collided with faith.
Being a follower of Jesus isn’t about having a crutch. Christianity isn’t a religion of ignorance. Following Jesus requires heart, soul and mind to work together. Following Jesus is what happens when we allow science and faith collides.
Merry Christmas!
A Prayer
Father – what an incredible story plays out in Your Word, a story of creative majesty and eternal love so strong that it reaches through time to tap us on the shoulder and hugs us in a tight embrace when we turn. Thanks you for showing us through regular people – Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the gentile wise men – that you came to save all who see Your Son for who He is – the Savior of the world. May we allow His light to shine as we allow science and faith to collide. In the name of Jesus, who wise men and women still seek – Amen.
Matthew 2:1-2, 10-11
“We three kings of Orient are. Bearing gifts we traverse afar…” These are the opening words of a much loved Christmas Carol. The real story is more interesting because it is a story of science and faith colliding. It is a story that has a much deeper meaning than we realize when we read it casually. It is a story we must read carefully and study to fill in the gaps.
The New International Version as seen in this week’s passage calls the travelers from the east Magi. The Message calls them a “Band of Scholars” and a number of versions call them “Wise Men”. We don’t how many there really were and we don’t even know for sure how far they have travelled. But we can piece the story together with some educated assumptions.
They were gentiles from somewhere east of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, but how far east? It appears it may have taken them as much as two years to arrive at the place they sought. What? You say – they appear in the Nativity scenes we set up. I know they are in mine too. But the passage clearly says “On coming to the house” Jesus was born in a manger, when these travelers arrive; the family is in a house. Read further along and at chapter 2, verse 16 Herod orders all male children two and under killed. They were men of science and perhaps experts in other disciplines as well. Wherever they were from it is likely they had access to the words of the Hebrew prophets – Daniel, Isaiah and others and (here’s the important part) that they believed what they had learned of the coming Messiah otherwise they would not have been looking for a sign signaling His birth. Then of course we know for sure they went to find this foretold King of the Jews, to worship Him and bring him gifts. When it was time to go they acted in obedience to the God of the universe and went home a different way.
So what does it all mean, how can we be encouraged by this. The whole story of the birth of the Savior is to show us that God loves all of us and wants to be in relationship with us. As we look back over the weeks of Advent remember – God chose an ordinary girl and her carpenter fiancé to parent His son. God sent the first birth announcement to shepherds working out in the fields and the only other visitors to the child we read about are the wise, gentile men who traveled a long way when their science collided with faith.
Being a follower of Jesus isn’t about having a crutch. Christianity isn’t a religion of ignorance. Following Jesus requires heart, soul and mind to work together. Following Jesus is what happens when we allow science and faith collides.
Merry Christmas!
A Prayer
Father – what an incredible story plays out in Your Word, a story of creative majesty and eternal love so strong that it reaches through time to tap us on the shoulder and hugs us in a tight embrace when we turn. Thanks you for showing us through regular people – Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the gentile wise men – that you came to save all who see Your Son for who He is – the Savior of the world. May we allow His light to shine as we allow science and faith to collide. In the name of Jesus, who wise men and women still seek – Amen.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Of Shepherds and Angels
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.
Luke 2:10
The natural and the supernatural, light and dark, humble poverty and majestic royalty these are the things that come to mind as I read about the coming of the Savior. I love how the Scriptures no matter how familiar, can present something new to the heart and mind that is open to the working of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever considers the two shepherd kings we read about in these inspired pages – one natural, one supernatural. One occasionally prone to darkness, the other overflowing with light. Both – at least as their humanity goes had humble beginnings that lead to majestic royalty. Of course One was really royal from since before time.
David the first shepherd king, in one of the most beloved passages of Scripture calls the Lord his shepherd, acknowledging his need for the divine care only God could provide. Jesus, the incarnation of that same God David sang of identifies Himself as “the Good Shepherd” in John 10. Some often wonder why lowly shepherds were favored with the proclamation of the child’s birth, by an angel of the Lord no less and a supernatural concert. You see, while today we would understand that being a shepherd is an honest job, important to the care of a flock of sheep which no matter what era we are talking about would be valuable. To the Hebrew people who needed a spotless lamb to offer as a sacrifice, a shepherd would be responsible for making sure a proper beast was ready when needed. Yet in the days of Jesus’ birth, they weren’t respected by those who held a higher place in the community – ok let’s just say it, the religious leaders – because well when you are spending time with sheep, you tend to smell like sheep – you get the picture.
But, that doesn’t mean they didn’t know God, didn’t know His law, didn’t know that in the eyes of others they fell very short of His standards. That’s the point though – they lived in His creation, they cared for important creatures, they no doubt sang David psalm declaring that the Lord their God was their Shepherd. The angel and the supernatural choir came to these shepherds first because God knew they would respond with open hearts, hearts so open they would be filled with joy. Hearts so open that they would rush, without the fear of being rejected to see the child, lying in a manger surrounded by – I don’t know smelly sheep maybe.
A note in my Bible says perhaps the shepherds got the word first “because they represented all who needed cleansing since Jesus was and is a king for all those humble enough to see their need for a Savior.” As followers of Christ we need to remember we are all works in progress – may we stay humble enough to hear the voices of Angels because our hearts are open for the message they carry.
More importantly and especially in this season of Advent, may our eyes be open to the modern day “shepherds” in our midst – the people on the fringe of our communities, the people some might look down their noses at if they stepped into the doors of our churches. They are there and they need to see and hear the good news of great joy.
Of shepherds and angels – which are you? Maybe, you are both. Maybe that’s a blessing.
A Prayer
Father – that we might have the humble spirits of those shepherds visited by Your angel. That we might by our actions more than anything announce Your Good News to those who really need you especially during this season. Thank you for showing us that it is when we recognize our need of a Savior that You can and will do amazing things with our lives. Help to remember that until we see you face to face, we are always in need of the grace and forgiveness our Shepherd King offers. In the name of Jesus, who is the Shepherd King – Amen.
Luke 2:10
The natural and the supernatural, light and dark, humble poverty and majestic royalty these are the things that come to mind as I read about the coming of the Savior. I love how the Scriptures no matter how familiar, can present something new to the heart and mind that is open to the working of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever considers the two shepherd kings we read about in these inspired pages – one natural, one supernatural. One occasionally prone to darkness, the other overflowing with light. Both – at least as their humanity goes had humble beginnings that lead to majestic royalty. Of course One was really royal from since before time.
David the first shepherd king, in one of the most beloved passages of Scripture calls the Lord his shepherd, acknowledging his need for the divine care only God could provide. Jesus, the incarnation of that same God David sang of identifies Himself as “the Good Shepherd” in John 10. Some often wonder why lowly shepherds were favored with the proclamation of the child’s birth, by an angel of the Lord no less and a supernatural concert. You see, while today we would understand that being a shepherd is an honest job, important to the care of a flock of sheep which no matter what era we are talking about would be valuable. To the Hebrew people who needed a spotless lamb to offer as a sacrifice, a shepherd would be responsible for making sure a proper beast was ready when needed. Yet in the days of Jesus’ birth, they weren’t respected by those who held a higher place in the community – ok let’s just say it, the religious leaders – because well when you are spending time with sheep, you tend to smell like sheep – you get the picture.
But, that doesn’t mean they didn’t know God, didn’t know His law, didn’t know that in the eyes of others they fell very short of His standards. That’s the point though – they lived in His creation, they cared for important creatures, they no doubt sang David psalm declaring that the Lord their God was their Shepherd. The angel and the supernatural choir came to these shepherds first because God knew they would respond with open hearts, hearts so open they would be filled with joy. Hearts so open that they would rush, without the fear of being rejected to see the child, lying in a manger surrounded by – I don’t know smelly sheep maybe.
A note in my Bible says perhaps the shepherds got the word first “because they represented all who needed cleansing since Jesus was and is a king for all those humble enough to see their need for a Savior.” As followers of Christ we need to remember we are all works in progress – may we stay humble enough to hear the voices of Angels because our hearts are open for the message they carry.
More importantly and especially in this season of Advent, may our eyes be open to the modern day “shepherds” in our midst – the people on the fringe of our communities, the people some might look down their noses at if they stepped into the doors of our churches. They are there and they need to see and hear the good news of great joy.
Of shepherds and angels – which are you? Maybe, you are both. Maybe that’s a blessing.
A Prayer
Father – that we might have the humble spirits of those shepherds visited by Your angel. That we might by our actions more than anything announce Your Good News to those who really need you especially during this season. Thank you for showing us that it is when we recognize our need of a Savior that You can and will do amazing things with our lives. Help to remember that until we see you face to face, we are always in need of the grace and forgiveness our Shepherd King offers. In the name of Jesus, who is the Shepherd King – Amen.
Monday, December 5, 2016
A Faith Filled Husband
“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 1:18
Mary was pledged to Joseph - in some translations the word betrothed or engaged is used. We need to understand this word in order to understand what the reality of Mary and Joseph’s situation here. In our modern world while getting engaged to be married is an exciting and often happy time – a modern engagement is not a binding promise – today engagements can be easily broken, it can be painful but it is still easy. In Joseph and Mary’s day being pledged, betrothed, engaged to be married was a binding contract – they were legally considered husband and wife even though the marriage bed had not been slept in yet.
So image the position Joseph found himself in, his wife is pregnant and he knows full well that the baby is not his. Would he believe her when she told him she was carrying a divine child? In those days the punishment for adultery was death. Joseph loved Mary, what a difficult place he found himself in. How hurt must he have been? The next verse in Matthew’s narrative says:
“Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly” (Matthew 1:19). He had in mind, he was thinking about, praying about what the course of action would be. Perhaps he had made a pros and cons list in his head of all the possible actions he could take. Joseph wanted to do the “right” thing.
As Joseph slept an angel visited him in a dream, addressed him by his full name and delivered to him a message from God that gave him the Lord’s preferred path – keep Mary as your wife, she has done nothing wrong, she has found favor with God and has acted obediently, in light of all the risk – the risk of losing you – in order to do what was asked of her. It is interesting that the angel didn’t say – your families will understand, your community will understand, everything will be wonderful if you do this. The angel just laid out what God would prefer Joseph to do (see Matthew 1:20-23).
When he woke from the dream because he was a righteous man and a faith filled husband, Joseph did as the Lord wanted he took Mary as his wife, he cared for her and honored the Child she carried. Were there whispers behind his back? Probably. Did his business suffer? No way to know for sure, but he taught Jesus the trade anyway. In the end he had the woman he loved, he had a family and he was favored by God to help bring up the Savior of the world, to teach Him a trade and what it means to be a faith filled man.
Mary saw the possibility of the impossible. Joseph understood the blessing of faith filled obedience. Together, with the Holy Spirit they brought the prophesied child into the world, so that we and the world could be saved.
Imagine if we all could see the possibility in the impossible and respond with faith filled obedience.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for the stories of faith filled obedience to you. What a revolutionary, risk taking way to live and to make a difference in our world. Lord be the courage we need to act like Joseph did. Help us not just in this season of Advent but every day to respond to others by acting in faith filled obedience to you. May our actions reflect your heart and bring you glory. In the name of Jesus, who also acted in faith filled obedience – Amen.
Matthew 1:18
Mary was pledged to Joseph - in some translations the word betrothed or engaged is used. We need to understand this word in order to understand what the reality of Mary and Joseph’s situation here. In our modern world while getting engaged to be married is an exciting and often happy time – a modern engagement is not a binding promise – today engagements can be easily broken, it can be painful but it is still easy. In Joseph and Mary’s day being pledged, betrothed, engaged to be married was a binding contract – they were legally considered husband and wife even though the marriage bed had not been slept in yet.
So image the position Joseph found himself in, his wife is pregnant and he knows full well that the baby is not his. Would he believe her when she told him she was carrying a divine child? In those days the punishment for adultery was death. Joseph loved Mary, what a difficult place he found himself in. How hurt must he have been? The next verse in Matthew’s narrative says:
“Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly” (Matthew 1:19). He had in mind, he was thinking about, praying about what the course of action would be. Perhaps he had made a pros and cons list in his head of all the possible actions he could take. Joseph wanted to do the “right” thing.
As Joseph slept an angel visited him in a dream, addressed him by his full name and delivered to him a message from God that gave him the Lord’s preferred path – keep Mary as your wife, she has done nothing wrong, she has found favor with God and has acted obediently, in light of all the risk – the risk of losing you – in order to do what was asked of her. It is interesting that the angel didn’t say – your families will understand, your community will understand, everything will be wonderful if you do this. The angel just laid out what God would prefer Joseph to do (see Matthew 1:20-23).
When he woke from the dream because he was a righteous man and a faith filled husband, Joseph did as the Lord wanted he took Mary as his wife, he cared for her and honored the Child she carried. Were there whispers behind his back? Probably. Did his business suffer? No way to know for sure, but he taught Jesus the trade anyway. In the end he had the woman he loved, he had a family and he was favored by God to help bring up the Savior of the world, to teach Him a trade and what it means to be a faith filled man.
Mary saw the possibility of the impossible. Joseph understood the blessing of faith filled obedience. Together, with the Holy Spirit they brought the prophesied child into the world, so that we and the world could be saved.
Imagine if we all could see the possibility in the impossible and respond with faith filled obedience.
A Prayer
Father – thank you for the stories of faith filled obedience to you. What a revolutionary, risk taking way to live and to make a difference in our world. Lord be the courage we need to act like Joseph did. Help us not just in this season of Advent but every day to respond to others by acting in faith filled obedience to you. May our actions reflect your heart and bring you glory. In the name of Jesus, who also acted in faith filled obedience – Amen.
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