Listening in on Father and Son...

Hebrews 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son,
    today I have begotten you”?

Or again,

“I will be to him a father,
    and he shall be to me a son”?

6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God's angels worship him.”

7 Of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels winds,
    and his ministers a flame of fire.”

8 But of the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
    the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
    with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”

10 And,

“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands;
11 they will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment,
12 like a robe you will roll them up,
    like a garment they will be changed.
But you are the same,
    and your years will have no end.”

13 And to which of the angels has he ever said,

“Sit at my right hand    until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

The classic introduction to Star Wars films comes from... Hebrews 1? Yes, those scrolling words that give us the background to the historical background of those stories reads much like Hebrews 1:1.  God has spoken - through creation, through His prophets and His Word, but now, in a much more comprehensible way, through His Son. But He has also spoken with His Son.  The chapter looks back to discussions they have had throughout history about the plan of salvation, with the Father calling the Son God, and commanding His angels to worship the Son as God, because indeed, He is every much God as the Son is: Perfect, Creator, Eternal, and on down the line of His characteristics. Like Father, like Son. They share the family name.  And reveal themselves to us, offering to adopt us into the family.  What a conversation, and Family, to be invited into!

Getting the message through...

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.  (II Timothy 2)
The Truth. Sometimes it seems so obvious to us and we wonder why people are not able to see it right in front of them.  Paul calls on us to do everything possible to "pass it on." First, we need to see it as a sacred trust, which He has allowed us to have the privilege of possessing and sharing with others. Then, we need to figure out the best way we can pass it on - both by demonstrating it, and by putting it into words. He gives three examples, hoping at least one "hits home" - the solider, the athlete, and the farmer. Each one keeps the goal in mind, be it a hill to conquer, a race to win, or a crop to harvest.  Each one also has a reward: a medal of honor, an Olympic wreath, or the fresh first share of the harvest.  We too have a goal and a reward: to pursue God's pleasure first, and to see the fruit of the gospel in our lives, and the lives of others. Let's make sure we let the message get through us today - in our example and our expression of the gospel to others.

Unstable!

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1)
We live in a world of instability - politically, morally, economically, spiritually.  There is a definite lack of wisdom.  If everyone is unstable, we are like dominoes waiting to fall and knock each other over.  As followers of Christ, we are called upon to be firmly grounded - stable, not doubting and drifting or bumbling around bouncing into others.  In fact, if we are stable, we can be used of God to help others get stable, so they do not fall.  What we need is a faith that overcomes our doubts and works through our fears.  That only comes when we humbly seek His wisdom and allow Him to be our stabilizing force.  Before you start your day (or even if you're in the thick of it!), pause, get your sea-legs, and ask for wisdom for what you have to do today. 

Negative Examples

6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.”8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (I Corinthians 10)
The Bible is full of instructional truth for life.  It is also full of bad examples to avoid.  And not just the pagan peoples of the world - even those who call themselves God's people.  Those who came out of slavery in Egypt had a lot to learn about following God. They wanted to take into the promised land their idolatry, immorality, and ingratitude, still expecting the blessings of their new life there.  Behind it all was a pride that said: "It won't happen to me. I will not fall prey to temptation and reap it's rewards." But it does happen. But it also does not need to happen, if we will humbly look to God, call for His help, and trust Him when He shows us the way out, and through, the temptation. Look at the negative examples. Commit yourself to not ending up that way. Admit you are helpless on your own.  Ask Him to show you the way.  He will bring you through.  

To Fear, and not to Fear

Luke 12:4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Jesus had just given warning about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and other religious leaders.  They held people captive in spiritual fear, as they made the rules about who was and was not worthy of the mercy and blessings of God.  Jesus said: "Stop fearing the wrong people! Start fearing God, and God alone." But what Christ was proposing was more than just switching objects of fear.  The ONE who is worthy and able to judge is also one who is loving and merciful and forgiving. He personally cares about even the seemingly unimportant and unworthy of His creation, like the sparrow.  He looks down, sees their needs, and supplies it.  In like manner, he looks down, sees our needs, and provides the forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life we need.  Fears calmed. We do not need to live up to anyone's expectations. We just need to humbly and gratefully receive what He offers, and when we do, it makes us invaluable; He will not just throw us away or sell us off.  So, let's get our fears in order and fear rightly, casting all our fears on Him, reverencing Him and releasing all fears into His care. 

"I'd Rather Die!"

21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.” (Acts 27)
We are told that one of people's greatest fears is that of public speaking.  So, it may seem like little comfort for God to have sent and angel to tell Paul: "Don't worry; you're not going to die. You just have to give a public speech before the most powerful man in the world in the capital of worldly authority."  Paul was on a ship with a bunch of unbelievers headed toward Rome. Everyone was looking at him like they had looked at Jonah: "What have you done to your God to make Him send us into such a terrible storm?"  Paul boldly spoke up to honor his God. He was going to trust His promises, and not be afraid to speak of him anywhere.  Perhaps the greatest fear of public speaking is that of testifying to the love and power of God in Christ. Satan is working hard to shut us up - not from the outside, but from the inside - through fear - fear of what people may say or do.  And though many have suffered for their testimony - even becoming martyrs, we need to remember Paul here.  The greater fear has the greater honor beyond it.  If we would "rather die" than speak up for Christ, then the greatest joy and honor we could experience is to do just that: speak up for Him.  Really.  What do we have to lose? More time suffering in a sin-struck world? Seeing an enemy of the cross become a soldier of Christ? It's worth it. 

"Be Not Afraid" - oops, Too Late!!!

8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” (Luke 1)
Luke presents Christ as the One Who casts out fear. Both here, and a little bit later in this same chapter when God sends His angel to Mary, His message is "be not afraid." The fact is: both were already afraid. The thrust of the message really is "Stop being Afraid!"  This was not some death angel or warning of great judgment: it was good news.  The same message is repeated when Jesus called His disciples, calmed the waters, and cured those filled with demons: reverential respect? Yes.  Repulsive fear? No.  On several more occasions, in this gospel and the others, people respond to Jesus with the same fear, and again He says: "Stop being afraid, o you of little faith."  Why did they keep on doubting in fear? Why do we?  May we fear a little less today, and trust Him a whole lot more.