Matthew: A Nazarene

And He came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, 
He shall be called a Nazarene.   

Matthew 2:23 [KJV]

I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and occasionally someone would call me a Phoenician.  To me, it was a rather odd name, and not one that I would ever call myself.  Here in my adopted home, I have heard the locals called Richmonders.  Just as silly, in my book.  I do not feel defined by my home town, and do not wish to be called a nickname based on my geographical location.

Sports teams – college or professional – carry the nickname tradition even further.  Teams are Bears, Trojans, Blackhawks, Falcons, Nuggets, etc. The geographical location of the team is attached to the nickname, but certainly does not define it.  The San Diego Rockets joined the NBA in 1967, but in 1971 they became the Houston Rockets; the Minneapolis Lakers changed to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1960.  Sometimes the franchise didn’t even keep the nickname when they changed real estate: The Boston Yanks became The New York Bulldogs became the Dallas Texans became the Baltimore Colts, who are now the Indianapolis Colts!

Matthew used the term “a Nazarene” to indicate that Jesus was from Nazareth.  His statement that this was a fulfillment of a prophecy has always piqued my interest, because the word “Nazareth” or “Nazarene” does not appear anywhere in the Old Testament.  Matthew must be referring to a prophecy that was lost, for it did not make it into the sacred canon.    

Jesus was not ashamed to claim his hometown in Galilee.  On the night He was betrayed, in the twilight of the Mt. of Olives, Jesus asked the rabble mob: “Who are you looking for?  What is his name?”  The crowd replied, “Jesus the Nazarene.”  Without hesitation, He answered:  “That’s Me.”

O sing a song of Nazareth, of sunny days of joy,

O sing of fragrant flowers’ breath, and of the sinless Boy.

For now the flowers of Nazareth in every heart may grow

Now spreads the fame of His dear name on all the winds that blow.

Isaiah/Matthew: My Servant

Behold My servant whom I have chosen; My beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased.  I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles.  A battered reed He will not break off, and a smoldering wick He will not put out, until He leads justice to victory. And in His name the Gentiles will hope. 
Isaiah 42/Matthew 12 [NAS]

Have you ever been really, really down?  Or worse, have you ever suffered from a deep depression – the thick black fog that immobilizes your brain, robbing you of energy, determination, and life?  Whether or not you have answered affirmatively to those two questions, I have a third one:  Have you ever experienced spiritual depression?

Spiritual depression envelops an individual in many different ways and at various times.  You get the feeling that God no longer cares – after all, how could He, considering what is going on in your life.  Perhaps you have suffered a personal tragedy, and you cannot stop the ferris wheel of your thoughts from repeating, “Why me?” or “So, where were You, God?”  Do you feel that your prayers come out of your mouth and drop straight to the floor – no where near ascending to the Father’s ears?  In your eyes, is your religion / belief / faith all a sham, considering what a loser / jerk / sinner you are?

I’ve been there more times than I care to admit.  I am rapidly spinning down a dark hole, and God is in another stratosphere somewhere, certainly not listening to me.  I have no vision, little faith, and only a tiny sliver of hope.  If this description fits you – today, yesterday, or tomorrow, our scripture holds a most precious promise.

God sent us His servant, His beloved, our Savior and Redeemer – not to condemn us, but to hold and heal us.  He promises that even if your belief in Him is bruised and battered by the brutality of life, He will not break you off.  If the fire of your faith is barely smoldering – He will not put you out.  He came to forge justice with mercy, compassion with forgiveness, healing with hope. Through His Spirit, His arms of love are enfolding you right now.  You may never understand the why's, but He has promised, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  [Hebrews 13:5]

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Luke: Son of Man

For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost. 
Luke 19:10 [NAS]

Son of Man – a Hebrew expression for “human being,” was Jesus’ favorite designation for himself.  It is recorded over 80 times in the four gospels.  No one else ever addressed Christ with this name; He applied it to Himself.  The title bore witness to the miracle whereby Creator and creature were united in one divine/human person: the merging of the Son of Man with the Son of God.

One day when Jesus walked with His disciples in Caesarea Philippi, He suddenly turned to them and asked, “Who do people say that the Son of man is?"  Some said “John the Baptist,” other said, “Elijah” while others stated, “Jeremiah.”  Jesus then turned it around on them and asked, “Ok – who do you say that I am?”  Peter jumped into the fray, firing off the perfect answer:  “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" [Matthew 16:13-16].

Son of God – Son of Man:  the perfect mix of humanity and deity.  How was that possible?  I have no clue. What I do know is that God in human flesh came looking for me...and for you.

Amazing Grace! 

How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now am found

`Twas blind, but now I see.

Matthew: Friend of Sinners

John came neither eating or drinking, and they say, “He hath a devil.”  The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, "Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.  Matthew 11:18-19 [KJV]

This conversation of Jesus with His disciples always makes me chuckle.  It reminds me of one of my father’s favorite sayings, ”You’re damned if you do, and you’re damned if you don’t!”  John the Baptist led an austere life – living alone in the desert wilderness, only coming before the people to preach, teach and baptize.  His sole message was the repentance of the people, for “the kingdom of God is at hand.”  One would think that the religious leaders of Israel would be thrilled with his preaching, but their reaction to the baptizer was decidedly negative. John was calling for a change in the lives of the people, including the scribes and Pharisees – a message they did not want to hear.

Jesus also spent his time preaching and teaching.  He did not baptize, however, just as the Baptist did not heal.  Jesus was vastly different from John in his acceptance of social norms.  He lived among the people, called ordinary men to be his daily companions, and attended weddings, funerals, and great feasts. He accepted invitations to dine in the homes of tax collectors and politicians.  What was the religious leaders’ reaction to this more social teacher?  They regarded Him as far more dangerous than John, and despised His teachings as well.

What really brings a smile to my face is the fact that the spiritual leaders of Israel labeled Jesus a “friend of sinners,” – a contemptuous insult in their eyes.  They believed their own lives to be above reproach – sinless, if you will.  I have no such delusions.  I am a sinner in need of salvation, and the thought that my precious Savior is also my Friend gives me strength, courage and joy.

Jesus! What a Friend for sinners!  Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me, 
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Hallelujah! What a Savior!  Hallelujah! What a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving, He is with me to the end.

Matthew: My Beloved Son

And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon Him; And lo, a voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”     

Matthew 3:16-17 [KJV]

I grew up in a family with a complicated dynamic.  My mother very much ruled the roost and was difficult to please.  I spent most of my adolescent, teenage and college years trying to win her approval.  Her repeated statement to me:  “When you learn…, When you do…,  When you see…,  When you are… whatever it was she felt was appropriate, then and only then would I be OK in her eyes.  Suffice it to say that I rarely received that approbation.

This passage in Matthew details the baptism of Jesus:  the Messiah coming to His cousin, John the Baptist, to join the hundreds of others who had flocked to the wilderness to be baptized by John.  The Gospels of Mark and John give a more richly detailed account of the baptism and its aftermath; Matthew’s account is matter-of-fact and short.  It contains, however, the portion of the story that holds the greatest impact for me.

The scene of Jesus at the Jordan River occurred at the very beginning of his ministry, and just prior to the 40-day fast in the wilderness, where He met Satan mano-a-mano.  Nothing about Jesus’ life here on earth would ever be easy – scorn and rejection would be a daily diet.  Friends were few and flighty.  Support system?  Hmmm…not so much. How in the world would He face the pressure of His daily mission?

Our text provides the answer:  As Jesus rose from the waters of the Jordan River, the Holy Spirit descended “as a dove” and rested on His shoulder.  Then a voice out of the highest heaven – the voice of His Father – exclaimed, “This is MY Son and I am very pleased with Him.”   

When Jesus came to Jordan to be baptized by John,

He did not come for pardon, but as God’s Holy One.

So when the dove descended on him, the Holy One

The hidden years had ended – the age of grace begun.

Matthew: We have Seen His Star in the East...

When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.  On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage.

Matthew 2:9-11a [NRSV]

Pageants and Christmas go together like the proverbial horse and carriage.  Little children can tell the Nativity story in ways that touch hearts – open hearts as well as stone-cold ones.  We had a pageant this year for our family Christmas Eve service.   The combination of Joseph, Mary and 6 little donkeys, an innkeeperess, two shepherds and four fine sheep, three kings with three small camels, and a very fine angel brought smiles to the faces and tears to the eyes. Interwoven with a great narrator and the singing of favorite carols,  it was an evening of warmth and joy.

There is one kink in the standard pageant story, however.  It is for sure and certain that the wise men from the East [the three kings; the magi] did not show up at the manger. The brilliant star broke forth in the night sky at the time of the Messiah’s birth.  The star was a signal to the magi that the baby King had been born.  Their journey on camels over hundreds of miles of desert terrain did not happen overnight.  Matthew indicates that they came into a house—not a stable, and found a child—not a baby.  When the kings do not return to Herod, he sends out his soldiers to “…Bethlehem and all the coast thereof” to slay all of the male children two years of age and under.  How did he arrive at the time-line of two years?  It was ..according to the time he [Herod] had learned from the wise men.

It was a wonderful/horrible time:  a brilliant star guided three kings to the toddler Jesus; an insanely jealous king ordered the slaughter of hundreds of possible messiahs.  The Magi found their Savior.  Herod lost his soul.

So bring Him incense, myrrh and gold

Come, peasant, king, to own Him,

The King of kings salvation brings

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

John: God gave...

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes on Him may not perish, but may have eternal life.”  John 3:16 [NRSV]

Merry Christmas!

Luke: The Baby

And this shall be a sign for you: You will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  Luke 2:12

What do I want for Christmas?

I want to kneel in Bethlehem,

the air thick with alleluias,

the angels singing

that God is born among us.

In the light of the star,

I want to see them come,

the wise ones and the humble.

I want to see them come

bearing whatever they treasure

to lay at the feet

of Him who gives His life.

What do I want for Christmas?

To see in that stable

the whole world kneeling in thanks

for a promise kept:

New life.

For in His nativity

We find ours. 

Ann Weems

from Kneeling in Bethlehem

Luke: This Child

And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, 
“Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”    

Luke 2:34-35

The affluent and educated were deemed to be a cut above the rest of the rabble.  The poor and uneducated were the dust upon which the mighty trod.  The religious and affluent were the highest caste of all – holy and powerful, rich and arrogant.  In their own eyes, their lives, their leadership, their holiness was beyond question.  The Pharisee’s control over the people was both mystic and political.  Their days were filled with political maneuvers to enhance their position.

Enter Simeon – an elderly man whom the Bible describes as “just and devout.”  He spent his days in the temple praying for the promised Messiah.  He was filled with the Spirit, and had received a vision that he would “not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”   His relationship with the Lord was such that this promise was a living reality to him.  His faith would not be disappointed.

Enter Mary and Joseph.  They came to the temple with their newborn son to “do for Him after the custom of the law.”  When they entered the sanctuary, Simeon was there waiting. Instantly recognizing the Child, he took the baby in his arms and proclaimed: “Now, Lord, you may let your servant go in peace, according to Your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation.”  Turning to Mary, Simeon prophesied regarding the life and influence of this Child:

• This Child would be the catalyst for the fall and rise of many in Israel.
• This Child would be opposed and eventually rejected
• This Child would rip through the hypocrisy, so that the inner thoughts of many would be revealed

Looking directly at Mary, Simeon then revealed that her own heart would be ripped apart as though pierced with a sword.  If you think about it, that was a huge social gaffe – to spit out such a bleak picture of the future to that young mother.  The aged prophet cared nothing for convention or political correctness.  His motivation was the Spirit.  His words were seared into Mary's soul, ready as a source of understanding and courage as she gave her life to raise this Child.

What Child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthem sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.

Haste, haste to bring Him laud

The babe, the son of Mary.

Luke: Redeemer

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.  At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Israel.  [Luke 2:36,38 NRSV]

The definition of the Hebrew word for “redeem” is: to ransom, to buy back, to purchase, to free by paying ransom.”  My first introduction to the concept of “redemption” had nothing to do with religion – and everything to do with green stamps!!  My mother was a veteran S&H Green Stamp collector.  We spent many an hour as a family licking the emerald stamps and pressing them into the pages of collection booklets.  When we had a bundle of books ready, it was time to go to the S&H Redemption store.  We would choose a new item that we wanted, then make our redemption “payment” in stamp books. Most of the time we chose what Mom wanted.   Toward the end of the year, however, she would show us the S&H catalog and ask what toys we would be interested in having.  Then she would go to the S&H center herself – to purchase Christmas gifts that we couldn’t possibly afford otherwise.

There is always payment of some kind in a ransom deal.  In fact, in some areas of the world – particularly the Middle East, kidnapping-for-ransom is a thriving industry.  The bad guy takes someone that you love [or a political pawn].  In order to get them back alive, you must make a payment (a very large, life-changing fee). As usual, God’s concept of redemption is a bit different.

God created the human race to live a full, abundant life in constant companionship with their Creator.  When sin entered the equation, Satan said, “Oops, sorry there, God.  You are no longer ruler of this realm.  These people belong to me!”   Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, came to earth to buy us back.  The payment?  His life for ours.

Redeemed!  How I love to proclaim it,

Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb

Redeemed through His infinite mercy,

His child, and forever, I am.

Luke: My Lord

In those days, Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb.  And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.  And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?” 

[Luke 1:39-43 NRSV]

Lord n. [ME - loaf keeper]

1 a person having great power and authority; ruler, master

I love to read about Tudor England.  The characters that populated 15^th-16^th century Britain are very vivid—almost overblown.  The king is the central figure of the monarchy, and all subjects call him, “My Lord King.”  This is a true statement, for all power was invested in the throne: the people were simply living pawns in the king’s chess game—especially those in his inner court.  At a whim, he could promote, demote, or cut off their head. You’d think people would be afraid to serve one who could destroy them at a moment’s notice.  Instead, the various families of the titled were constantly flocking, preening, fighting and posturing to win a place at court.  When the people acknowledged the king as “my Lord,” they were swearing fealty to Britain [land], to the throne [government], and to the human being who embodied the monarchy [king].

Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s home without warning.  No word of her pregnancy had spread all the way to her cousin.  However, when Elizabeth heard Mary’s welcome greeting, the child in her womb stirred vigorously—leaped for joy! Luke says that the Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth, and she broke out in praise and pronouncement, proclaiming Mary as the mother of my Lord.  With this statement, Elizabeth announced her fealty – fidelity, loyalty, allegiance and obedience – to the unborn child in Mary’s womb:  Jesus the Christ, the Messiah.

There's a tumult of joy o'er the wonderful birth,

For the virgin's sweet boy is the Lord of the earth.

Aye! The star rains its fire while the beautiful sing

For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King.

Matthew: King of the Jews

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews?  For we have seen His star in the east and are come to worship Him.   

Matthew 2:1-2

The religious leaders of Israel were well-acquainted with the prophecies that heralded the coming of the Messiah.  As soon as Herod demanded to know the when’s and where’s of the coming of another ruler, the priests just happened to have the scriptures right in front of them.  The prophet Micah said, “But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me One who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.”  [Micah 5:2 NRSV]  The prophet Balaam proclaimed:  “I see him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near – a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.”   [Numbers 24:17 NRSV]  If you are going to rule Israel with a scepter, then we are talking about a new King.  Herod did not look on such news with great favor!

The magi enter Jerusalem with all the pomp and splendor of eastern monarchs, following the star that they had researched in the writings of Balaam.  Their inquiry – "Where is He that is born King of the Jews."  We do not see this title again until the end of Jesus’ life.  After the mockery of a trial before the Sanhedrin, the religious leaders took Jesus to Pilate.  His question to Jesus:  “Are you the King of the Jews?”  Jesus replied, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”   Are you looking at me as a peasant teacher, or are you making the connection with my birth in Bethlehem?  Am I no one to you, or are you remembering the baby - God made flesh? Do you have a clue that the Messiah of the universe stands before you? Finally, Jesus answered, “I am a King, but my kingdom is not in this world.” 

Pilate was so shaken, so moved by this stranger before him. Could it be that he somehow knew of the stories of the Messiah in the manger?  We will never know, but when Pilate succumbed to political pressure and Jesus was crucified on a Roman cross, Pilate inscribed a sign that read:

JESUS OF NAZARETH

THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Alleluia, O how the angels sang,

Alleluia, how it rang!

And the stars were bright with a holy light:

`Twas the birthday of a King.

Luke: Savior

“…the angel said, “Do not be afraid.  Look, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” 
Luke 2:10-11 [NJB]

From childhood, my daughter Laci wanted to be a lifeguard..  The minute she reached the age qualification, she took the classes, got her credentials, and obtained a job at a summer camp in the Blue Ridge.  All of 15 years old, she split her time between lifeguarding at the camp lake, and working in the horse barn.  On the first day of the last week of camp, the teen girls were in the lake taking their swim tests.  There was a roped off section where the tests were being given, and the two lifeguards were inadvertently taking a break from watching, chatting with each other as the girls splashed around.  Laci was not on duty that day; dressed in boots, jeans, and a long-sleeve shirt, she was on the way to the horse barn to begin her work. Walking past the lake, she noticed first the chitchatting lifeguards; her second glance over the lake as a whole brought into focus a 13-year-old girl actively drowning in the middle of the lake.

Instinct and training took over instantly.  Laci took off on a run, jumping the wood fence, yelling as she went.  Diving into the lake fully-clothed, she swam as hard as she could toward the drowning girl. It was the only time in her lifeguard career that she was afraid she would not get there in time.  That would have been catastrophic; Laci did not have any lifeguard equipment with her, and it could have taken forever for divers to find the child at the bottom of the murky lake.  By God’s grace she reached the girl before she slipped back under again, and delivered her to the shore and the waiting staff.  Laci was a hero at camp for the rest of that week.  She was, however, much more than merely a hero.  She was the child’s savior; without thought to her own peril, she gave everything she had to save a child who could not save herself.

The angels singing over Bethlehem had far more than just a glorious melody to share with the startled shepherds.  They had news of great joy – to be shared by ALL the people:  In Bethlehem had been born their SAVIOR. The human race, drowning in the pitch-black ocean of sin, needed a strong arm and a mighty hand before they slipped away forever into eternal death.  Salvation had been promised in the Garden of Eden.  Its fulfillment was wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Good Christians, now rejoice, with heart, and soul and voice;

Now ye need not fear the grave, Jesus Christ was born to save.

Calls you one and calls you all to gain His everlasting hall.

Christ was born to save!  Christ was born to save!

Luke: Son of God

"How can this be?” Mary said. “I am still a virgin.”  The angel answered, “the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; for that reason, the holy child to be born will be called the Son of God.   

Luke 1:34-35 [REB]

I adored my father.  My mother always regarded me as something she owned (I am adopted); consequently, I was “hers,” and my brothers “belonged” to my dad.  It was, admittedly, an odd way to raise a family.  Dad had little in the way of formal education, yet he was the smartest man I’ve ever known. There were country proverbs and witty sayings sprinkled throughout his everyday speech—some handed down from his dad, some from Ben Franklin, some of them from his own imagination.  One of my favorites: “Two can live as cheaply as one, if one doesn’t eat and the other doesn’t wear clothes.”  As the years passed, these proverbs wound their way through my own conversations, and eventually, into the vocabulary of my children.  Although I legally left my maiden name behind a long time ago, in my heart of hearts, I am and always will be a Poulson—my father’s daughter..

In the Hebrew culture during Bible times, the custom for naming male infants included the baby’s given name as well as the father’s name.  In Matthew 16:17, Jesus refers to Peter as Simon Bar-jona.  “Bar” is Aramaic for son:  Simon, son of Jonah.  As unbelievable as it was to Mary (and to us?), Gabriel’s explanation of the mystery of conception made it clear that this Child would have a human mother and a divine Father.  Instead of being called Jesus Bar-joseph, Mary’s son would be called Jesus Bar-Jehovah.  He was the Christ, the Anointed one, the Messiah – the Son of God.

The foxes found rest and the birds their nest

In the shade of the forest tree.

But Thy couch was the sod, O thou Son of God

In the deserts of Galilee.

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,

There is room in my heart for Thee.

John: The Word, Part 3

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen His glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. From His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.   

John 1:14, 16 [NRSV]

I’ve taught kids for many years – in school, in churches, in festivals, and one-on-one as music students.  One thing I have learned during this time: if you spend enough time with a child, they will reveal who their parents are.  In heartwarming as well as unflattering ways, they are a portrait of their mother and/or father.  Jesus Himself said to Phillip: “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.” 

The Gospel writer waited until the 14^th verse to make known that the Word is Jesus Christ – the One who came and “lived among us.”  John spoke from experience rather than history – he lived with the Messiah for three years, sharing His life on a daily basis. And when it was all said and done, John’s testimony of God’s life and character was encapsulated in five words: “full of grace and truth.”   

Grace is kindness:  kindness we have not earned, that we do not deserve – kindness that is motivated solely by love.  John paints the verbal picture of Jesus being “full” of grace—compassion that infused His entire being.  Actually, I should use the description “overflowing,” for John proclaims in verse 16 that we have ALL received His grace – kindness upon kindness.  We have received it, not by our right, but by His love.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love. 

John: The Word, Part 2

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.  The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it.  There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.  John 1:4-5, 9 [NAS]

Yesterday I met for the first time with a new voice student.  She is the lead singer in a local band, and was seeking help with pitch problems:  she fairly frequently sang flat or sharp.  A recent recording of one of the band’s gigs convinced her that something had to be done about her voice.  The problem was not difficult to diagnose.  When she began to sing Amazing Grace for me, the song just sort of fell out of her mouth.  She didn’t have a “bad” voice; she actually had a rather nice vocal instrument.  The sound, however, had no

support, no energy, conviction or passion—no life!  She gave nothing of herself in her singing.  It was just “there.”

John makes the simple statement that in the Word was life – abundant, full of passion, pure, overflowing – a life so vivid, so glorious, so righteous that it became the Light of men.  The Old Testament prophets spoke repeatedly about a light that was to come:  “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined” Isaiah 9:2 [KJV].  The darkness of sin had completely blanketed the earth, smothering the hope and joy of its people.  The Word came to pierce through that darkness with the true Light – His own spotless character.

Today – Thursday, December 16, 2010, the world is again wrapped in the shadows of poverty, crime, disease, famine, drought, alienation, and death. What we need more than anything is the Light of life – the radiance of hope, joy, and peace. Jesus promised, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  John 10:10 [NIV]

Silent night, holy night, Son of God loves pure light;

Radiant beams from Thy holy face, 
With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth; Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth. 

John: The Word

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.   John 1:1-3 [NAS]

John begins his gospel account with the astounding introduction of The Word.  We learn four facts about this “Word” in the very first moments of communication:

• The Word was in the beginning of all time
• The Word was with God
• The Word was God
• The Word is the Creator of all things

Isn’t it fascinating that “The Word” was the creative force that “spoke” everything into existence?  The Psalmist proclaimed: By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host.  For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.  Psalm 33:6,9 [NAS]

How I wish I could somehow have been there – a tiny speck of cosmic dust, able to watch the amazing transformation of blackness and void into a fully functioning universe.  What overwhelming joy that must have brought the Word. 

I am an amateur photographer, someone who is still very much in the process of learning my craft.  I love to go out on a photo shoot.  A year or so ago I went with my dear friend Pat to a botanical garden near her home in North Carolina, camera in tow.  The experience was amazing.  Around every corner, in every nook and cranny, was a butterfly, a flower, a water fountain – I took over 300 photos that day.  The experience itself was exhilarating, but the real joy came when I processed the pictures.  There were plenty of “oo’s and ah’s” while we were in the garden admiring God’s creation, but for me as a photographer, finding a particularly spectacular shot among the hundreds taken was a cause for great celebration.  Look at that!!  I can’t believe I did that!

As the Word spoke the words of creation, however, building up layer by layer the awesome beauty that flooded from His mind, His motivation was not for His own satisfaction.  He was not, like me, triumphant that this shimmering world reflected His talent, His power, His creative imagination.  No, the grin on His face that day was for you… for me… for all the children who would romp and play in their beautiful new home.  The words of creation came from the depths of His heart—a heart overflowing with unconditional love.

Love is born! Come share in the wonder;

Love is God now asleep in the hay.

See the glow in the eyes of His mother;

What is the name her heart is saying?

Love is the name she whispers... Love. 

Luke: Jesus

Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.  Luke 1:30-31 [NRSV]

The name “Jesus” is the Latin form of the Hebrew Yeshûá, which is a form of Yehôshuá, “Joshua,” meaning “Yahweh [God] is salvation.”  Jesus was a common name in Bible times, and is a contemporary given-name today, particularly in the Hispanic culture - Jesús.  Even though “Jehovah is salvation” is the meaning of the name “Joshua,” it was one of the top ten American names given to male infants from 1994-2008.

It is interesting that God gave a common name to a peasant baby born in a crude animal shelter beside a small country inn in a little village out in the middle of nowhere.  Not exactly the way the world would expect royalty to arrive!

How should a King come?
Even a child knows the answer of course:
In a coach of gold with a pure white horse.
In the beautiful city in the prime of the day,
And the trumpets should cry and the crowds make way.
And the flags fly high in the morning sun,
And the people all cheer for the sovereign one.
And everyone knows that’s the way that it’s done.
That’s the way that a King should come

God had no interest in placing this baby among the rich and famous, the wealthy and elite.  They would have no need of Him.  No, this most uncommon Child with the common name was given to the common people.  He was, is, and forever will be our Savior.  

On a star filled night into Bethlehem
Rode a weary woman and a worried man.
And the only sound in the cobblestone street,
Was the shuffle and the ring of their donkey’s feet.
And a King lay hid in a virgin’s womb
And there were no crowds to see Him come.
At last in a barn in a manger of hay,
He came - and God incarnate lay.

Genesis, Psalms, Luke: Blessed

May His name be blessed forever, and endure in the sight of the sun.  In Him shall be blessed every race in the world, and all nations will call Him blessed.  Psalm 72:17 [NJB]

I love to trace interconnecting themes throughout the Bible.  So many prophecies of the Messiah found in the Old Testament find direct fulfillment in the verses of the New Testament.  Our verse today finds its heritage in the angel’s message to Abram in the book of Genesis.  It then points forward to a conversation with Mary in the Gospel of Luke.

In Genesis 12:1-3 [NRSV], God calls Abram to leave his hometown and his people and journey to a land that God would reveal to him.  The Lord then promised:  I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.  I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.  Abraham was blessed by God, and all families of the earth would be blessed through him—the Messiah they waited for would come through the lineage of Abram, bring a blessing for “all families of the earth.”    

The Psalmist proclaims that the Savior’s coming would bless “every race in the world,” and reiterates that all nations would call Him blessed.  Fast forward to Mary’s visit to her pregnant cousin Elizabeth.  When Mary arrives at the house, Elizabeth declares that Mary is blessed, and the Child in her womb is blessed as well. At which point, Mary breaks out into song, proclaiming that all future generation would call her blessed.  As my dad would say, “That’s a whole lotta blessing goin’ on!” 

The best part of it all?  We are a portion of  "all families of the earth" who are immeasurably blessed through the coming of the Christ Child in the manger.  May you experience that blessing in your life today.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, 
And all that is within me bless His holy name!

Jeremiah: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.  In His days, Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.  Jeremiah 23:6-7 [KJV]

Have you ever tried to do something perfectly - without an error, mistake, gaffe, blunder, inaccuracy, blooper, faux pas, or fault?  Was your task faultless, unspoiled, flawless, faultless…perfect?    Hm...don’t think I have ever accomplished a perfect anything, even though I really try – being the perfectionist type and all.  When someone says, “Hey - you did your best, and that’s all anyone can do,” it really rubs me the wrong way.  I should be able to do it perfectly… shouldn’t I?

One of my mother’s favorite scriptures was Matthew 5:48: Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect [NRSV].  She got a lot of mileage out of that verse with her kids, and we in turn experienced endless failure.  “Be perfect?  Me?”  My mother had a million suggestions about how this could be accomplished.  I fell short on every one of them. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be perfect: it was, in fact, impossible for me to be so.

 Today’s verses from Jeremiah proclaims that the coming Messiah would be called The LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS!  In capitol letters, no less!  He is the Holy One, the sinless sacrifice, the perfect Son of God.   That is why Matthew urges us to, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”   His sinless life covers our tattered rags with a beautiful robe of white.  He is perfect, He is holy, He is our Savior.

Covered with His life, whiter than snow;

Fullness of His life then shall I know;

My life of scarlet, my sin and woe,

Covered with His life, whither than snow.

Haggai: The Desire of All Nations

For thus saith the Lord of Hosts, yet once a little while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the Desire of All Nations will come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of Hosts.  Haggai 2:6-7 [KJV]

When I was a little girl, one of my mother’s favorite Psalms was in chapter 37, verse 4:  Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  In my 5-year-old brain, that verse meant: “Love Jesus, and He’ll give you what you want.”  It took years for me to begin to understand that this verse was probably not talking about “getting” material things. 

This Christmastide, what does your soul desire? At times, my answer to that question is more like an endless laundry list than one specific thing.  I asked that question of Alan, and he gave me a three-pronged answer.  For his church, Alan desires a passion for recruiting young new members – not casually or randomly, but utilizing a “full court press,” as he called it.  For his family, Alan wishes them progress in their journey of faith, and good health.  For himself, he desires clarity on the treatment options/choices for his liver disease. Heartfelt desires!  Haggai emphatically states that the One to come would be the Desire – not just of one man or woman, but the encapsulation of the yearnings of an entire universe – the Desire of All Nations.  No one on earth can grant Alan his Christmas wishes. Only through the greatest Gift ever given to mankind can these desires become reality.

Jesu, Joy of man’s desiring,

Holy wisdom, love most bright.

Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring

Soar to uncreated light.

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zachariah: The BRANCH

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jessie, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.  And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.  Isaiah 11:1-2 [KJV]

I really like to garden, especially container gardening.  I love flowers of all kinds, and try to keep pots of something growing year around.  I was browsing my favorite nursery in November, taking advantage of the end of season sales, when I spotted a big begonia plant bursting with coral blooms.  Shiny dark green foliage fanned out two feet high by four feet across.  We are talking about a HUGE begonia plant, and the sign said: Final Sale/$10. Ten dollars??  Needless to say, the plant went home with me and found a premiere place in my living room to spread its wings.

The next morning, however, I was saddened to see that a small portion of my new beauty was wilted – dead, actually.  Either the trip home in the car or the presence of two curious cats separated a begonia branch from the main stem.  The result was immediate death.

The Bible uses the agrarian concepts of stem, branch and root as a picture lesson in connectivity.  In the Old Testament, the coming Messiah is called the BRANCH, as well as the stem of Jessie and the root of Jesse. When Jesus walked the paths of this earth, He portrayed Himself as the Vine; we [His children] are the branches.  Each section is connected together into a complete plant.  Each segment imparts elements necessary to the life of the whole.  The same is true for the Christian.  The depth of our faith experience depends on our connection with Jesus Christ.  God alone provides the spiritual nourishment, strength and support that enable us to be a thriving bloom in the garden of the Lord.

Like a branch is to the vine,
So Your life's alive in mine.
Oh, let Your glory shine!

Malachi: Refiner

But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when he appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire…He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver.  And He will purify the sons of Levi…that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness.

Malachi 3:2-3 [NASB]

I love handbells!  I love playing them, teaching them, and listening to them.  Last week, one of my ringers in Kidz Bells asked me how the bells were made.  I explained to him that handbells are cast of pure bronze—a mixture of 80% copper and 20% tin.  After being heated to approximately 2,150° F, the molten metal is poured into sand molds. After the bronze has hardened, the sand is broken away. The raw bell casing is roto-blasted to remove burnt-in molding sand and scale, then sent to the lathe department, where the rotating bell is cut, drilled and endlessly sanded until it is shining spotlessly and perfectly tuned.

The Bible tells us that we humans are in need of a similar refining process.  Sin has transformed us into instruments that are rough, stained, and out of tune. Isaiah says that God refines us in the furnace of affliction [Isaiah 48:10].  Zechariah states that God’s people will be tried as gold is tried [Zech.13:9].  Job triumphantly proclaims, “He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I will come forth as gold.” [Job 23:10 NAS]  I don’t like to be spiritually cut or drilled, and the constant sanding of my character can be irritating, to say the least!  However, God promises me that it will be worth it, and I’m going to hold Him to it!

Pure and holy I would be,

Worthy of Your love for me.

Teach me while Your light is clear;

Change me while my heart is near.

Malachi: Sun of Righteousness

Unto you who fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings…

Malachi 4:2a [KJV]

Elizabeth Edwards died yesterday.  I felt a great sorrow, even though I do not know her, have never met her, nor had the opportunity to speak to her.  That being said, I have personally identified with the public and personal Elizabeth Edwards for many years. As a cancer survivor myself, I was saddened when her breast cancer returned in 2007, metastasized into her bones. I understood her pain when she was publicly humiliated by her cheating husband John—the beautiful man with the million dollar smile and an empty soul.  She has been a role model for bravery, integrity, courage and hope. 

When a reporter asked her how she had survived the last few years – how she continued to strive forward with grace and courage, she quoted these words from a Leonard Cohen song:

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering.
There is a crack in everything -
That's how the light gets in.

Our text today speaks of Jesus as the Sun of Righteousness, rising up out of the darkness with healing in His wings.  There are days when it seems as if the world is covered with a thick, smoky fog of conflict, illness and death.  Reports of acquaintances, friends, and loved ones freshly diagnosed with cancer, heart disease, or Alzheimer’s arrive far too frequently.  How much we need the presence of the Son in our lives – pushing back the darkness and restoring our wounded souls.

Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory,

Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy.

Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.

Malachi: Messenger of the Covenant

…And the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple,

even the Messenger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in.

Behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts.

Malachi 3:1b [KJV]

A covenant is a promise - pure and simple: an agreement between two or more parties to do something, or to not do something.  The marriage vow is a very common covenant in our society today. You and I pledge to love, honor and cherish one another until "death do us part," and we agree to a binding contract of marriage.  Unfortunately, today's divorce rates prove that this promise is one that is easily and carelessly broken.  Actually, society's track record of keeping any kind of promise is abysmal, tainting our ability to truly understand the meaning of an everlasting agreement.                     

A covenant of salvation was given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden:  "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel" (Gen. 3:15).  Ever since, mankind has looked forward to a Redeemer who would reverse the tide of evil. The covenant was repeated to Abraham when he was called by the Lord.  God promised: "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" [Gen. 12:3].  It would be through the seed of Abraham that the Savior would come.

When Zacharias’ speech was restored at the birth of his son, John, he proclaimed the soon fulfillment of the covenant.  “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” [Luke 1:68-69].   That promise was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ.  He came to give His life “as a ransom for many,” to satisfy the demands of the law, and open wide the gates of heaven.  The book of Jude proclaims that He is able to present us “faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.”  Praise His holy name!

Standing on the promises of Christ the King

Through eternal ages let His praises ring,

Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,

Standing on the promises of God.