Stop... and continue to follow...

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15)
Abram had chosen to accept God's offer and follow after Him, wherever He led. After awhile, he had some doubts. Had he made the right decision? Would God keep His promises? What actions should he take and decisions should he make now? As we approach a new year, we often do the same kind of questioning and soul-searching: Who can we trust? God brings to Abram and to us some words of comfort and calm: "I am your shield." He is our protector; He has our best in mind; we can and should continue to trust in and follow Him. He is "The Great I Am".  So as we head into the uncertainties of 2020, I choose to continue to follow. How about You? 

The Light God Sent to Lead the Way...

Exodus 13:21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.  
Christ came calling disciples to follow after Him. He came as the Light of the World to both show and make the way to God. It should come as no surprise when He sends a light show - both to the shepherds and to the wisemen - which makes them aware of His presence. That is what He had done in the Old Testament in leading His people. He gave a light to lead the way.  It's what we needed, in that we are down here fumbling around in the darkness on our own.  Now that Christ has come, we have seen a great Light.  And He has used light to draw both Jews and Gentiles to follow Him. May we not hide in darkness, but follow after the Light. 

From His Own Mouth

 Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.  
Why did Christ come to earth? The Prophets gave advanced notice in some passages like the one above; the Evangelists gave a picture in their Gospels; the writers of the Epistles did in their theological sections. But here is a statement Jesus applies specifically to Himself when he faces His own people in His hometown in the presence of God in the synagogue: He came to bring good news to those who are down and out; He came to heal the broken hearts; He came to free those who are caught up in slavery to sin; He has paid bail for those who are guilty. We all qualify, so He came for you and me. It's as if He is saying: "I came to free you." How will you respond?

What's in the Naming?

24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. (Matthew 1)
We are told extremely little about Joseph's activity in parenting Jesus, except for Him carrying out his responsibilities in dedicating Jesus and taking Him to the temple for special holy days. But what we do know is that He obeyed God: he did as commanded in naming Him "Jesus".  This simple detail shows a lot of faith in the message and in the Son. Joseph believed, accepted, and responded in appropriate fashion, setting for us the example of how we should respond to the coming of Christ. Such a response requires humility, accepting God's plan and setting aside our pride.  Letting someone else define plans for his son's life - from birth to childhood to livelihood and death - is no easy calling. But Joseph did it, stepping into the background, trusting in God. May we trust and follow in like manner.  

Christmas in the Rearview Mirror

 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. (Matthew 2)

For those who become upset when the visit of the Magi is included in the manger scene, I apologize. Yes, I know we are talking months later, but then again, how long does it take for the peace, joy and wonder of Christmas to become a distant memory in our minds or meditation in our hearts. Matthew is lead to reinforce the incarnation by including this series of events as his only "Christmas memory," (other than the angelic visit to Joseph.) So include it we must and should. It's not about the birth of the baby as much as the coming of the Son to the earth. That's what we need to be moved by and with. It is what God has done which should motivate our continued response. May it be so. May we not lose sight of Advent in our mirrors, or as we look for Him to come again. 

The Fog Has LIfted... The Light has come...

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it... 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own peo ple did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1)

Yesterday was a day when many in our region treaded cautiously because of fog that refused to lift.  It made the day seem dark and dreary.  But today we have light; the fog is gone.  The same is true because of the coming of Christ. He has always been there, just like every day we wake up the sun is there. He created the world and everything in it, including and beginning with light. Yet, during most of our existence, mankind has wallowed in the fog, in the darkness, due to sin.  When Christ came, the light has come back on. Yes, we do still have foggy days, and struggle with sin. But when we trust in Him, we become Children of God, children of light. The fog has lifted; the light had shone; peace and joy have come to earth.

God Shows Himself

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. (John 1)
God has always shown up. In fact, He is always around everywhere. But when God became man at the Incarnation of Christ, His light invaded and His coming exploded the skies, saying "Here I Am." What a plan! What a way of saying that God really does care about us, have a plan for us, and want a relationship with us.  God reveals Himself. He always has - in creation, through His prophets and people, and His Word. But when The Word became flesh and dwelt amoung us, that truth became so real, so tangible, so overwhelming, we are without excuse. God cares. He loves. He can do what needs to be done. Will we trust Him? Will we open up and receive Him? 

Time to Ponder, Wonder, and More...

18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2)
As I have been talking with people of all walks of life, a number have told me that this Christmas season they have a longer than usual break from their regular activity - longer times off from work or school.  It should give many more time to relax, and to ponder, to wonder, to reflect on what God has done in sending His Son. Having done so, we should be so overwhelmed we overflow with praise and testimony, letting it flow from our hearts and mouths, with those we are able to spend time with.  Take the time to wonder, to reflect, to ponder, and to share God's great love with others. 

The Proper Response...

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. (Luke 2, ESV)
The Shepherds. They heard; they went; they saw; they told.  They responded as God hoped and knew they would - the same way He wants all of us to. He wants us to hear the Good News that Christ has come, come to have faith in Him and the reason He came, see in Him our hope and salvation, then pass on this good news to everyone we possibly can.  But like many gifts, we are much better at receiving than giving. We are hoarders. That is something God has never intended for His blessings and gifts - especially for this Gift of Gifts. So let's not be too proud to receive His Gift, nor too selfish or lazy to not pass Him on.  

Why shepherds?

I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. (John 10)
Shepherds sometimes got a bad rap. What kind of person would spend their life out on the hillside with dumb, dirty sheep? Were they anti-social? (think Moses when he fled from Egypt to keep sheep.) Were they trustworthy? (they had lots of time to spin more stories than wool...) What kind of people are shepherds? Humble, caring, self-sacrificing servants. Why would God send the angels to shepherds? They understood what kind of Man this was who was being sent, what He would go through, and the demands that would be placed upon Him.  He would be their Shepherd worth following. 

No Normal Lamb

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” (John 1)
John the Baptizer had a lot to say about Jesus Christ; he was, after all, the one sent as his forerunner to prepare the way for people to listen to Him. He began with this bold headline: "BEHOLD, THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKE AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD."  But that is not the end of it. He proclaims that Christ was before him not only in stature, but in time - even though John was born first. He also says that the Spirit would was with Christ in a far more powerful way. Finally, and foremost, he says that Jesus is the Son of God." That is the game-changer, which causes many to leave following John and start following Jesus - just the way God intended things to be.  This is no ordinary lamb. This is THE LAMB we have all been waiting for. 

The Sheep and the Lamb

6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
    we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
    yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
    and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,    so he opened not his mouth.

(Isaiah 53)

Why? Why did Jesus have to come and die?  Why was He the sacrificial Lamb? Because of sheep like you and me.  What a picture here of two kinds of sheep: One sinless and without blemish, being offered for all others: dirty, sinful and selfish.  What a fitting way for Him to come - to be visited by shepherds, to become The Good Shepherd, who knows what it is to be a sheep, a lamb. 

The Caring Shepherd

10 Behold, the Lord God comes with might,

    and his arm rules for him;

behold, his reward is with him,

    and his recompense before him.

11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd;

    he will gather the lambs in his arms;

he will carry them in his bosom,

    and gently lead those that are with young.

(Isaiah 40)

Shepherds are not slackers or slumpers.  They are strong, rugged, and... caring.  What a fitting imagery for God the Father and the Son. "The Lord is my Shepherd..." That is not some soft, whimpy statement, but one of confidence, strength and courage.  The Powerful Almighty is watching over me.  The same goes for the Son. He came to show He is providing, protecting, leading, and fighting off the stealer of souls, so we can go through life with confidence.  What a Good, Good shepherd. May we willingly and joyfully submit to Him. 

Our Sheepish Nature

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”  8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” 10 And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground.  (Genesis 4)

Abel's name to fame? He was a keeper of sheep. He understood what they need. He cared for them. He understood that we are stray sheep. Cain? Not so much. He did not understand what it meant to be a "keeper of sheep", to care for others, to look out for them, that he himself was a stray sheep. His reply to God indicates his sinful, selfish nature, as well as his disrespect for shepherds or "keeping" - caring about - others.  God hit the nail on the head with his question; He hit to the heart of the matter: Cain did not care; hate filled his heart; he wandered around doing whatever he wanted, without regard to the Great Shepherd or the other sheep.  May we not do the same. 

His Sheep

Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? 3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; 6 they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them. (Ezekiel 34)
I'm stuck on sheep.  Will be for a few days.  God has a heart for sheep. He knows them better than any other. He made them. He made us. He knows what we need. He has a heart to strenghten, heal, bring back, seek, feed, and guide us onto the right path.  That's why He sent His Son. Wow...

Repeat the Sounding Joy...

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

(Luke 2)

Think about it: this has to be the most often repeated section of scripture. Just as John 3:16 is the most repeated verse, this passage appears in almost every Christmas production presented year after year after year. If Linus repeats it at the climax in a Charlie Brown Christmas, it must be the classic Christmas passage!  It bears repeating time after time: Good News! Great Joy! Christ has come to earth to be our Savior! It's something we should never tire of hearing or repeating. 

Name-calling at Christmas...

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. (Matthew 2)
It's interesting to see how much name-calling goes on in the Advent accounts. The Child is called Immanuel, Jesus, Almighty God, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Star, Branch, numerous others names, and... a Nazarene. As we see this last term picked up in the Gospels, it is not always a flattering adjective.  Worse yet is the backstory behind it: Baby Jesus was not safe in Bethlehem of Judea. He was not a Nazarene by choice. But being one was important to His life and ministry. It was a name He willingly took on Himself, and He had a heart for Nazareth, even though they did not seem to have one for Him. But then, neither did His nation or this world.  Take the time, read the names, consider what they say about Jesus, the greatness of His character, and the depths of His love for us. 

How Far Would You Go?

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
(Matthew 2)
This passage is overwhelming. It tells us that people worldwide were watching and waiting fot the Messiah to come. These were willing to travel great distance to meet Him, while those in Jerusalem would not make the five mile trek. His fellow countrymen should have been those most excited, hopeful and responsive at His coming, but they wouldn't budge. He has come a long way to be here with us.  Will we acknowledge, accept and adore Him as He deserves? Will we go anywhere to praise and proclaim Him?