Looking Ahead

When you begin a new year you often look ahead but it is also helpful to look back and remember what God has done. Samuel did this when he set up a memorial stone and called it Ebenezer saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us."

Knowledge 2

Knowledge is one of the key words of 2 Peter. So what is it we are to know?
First, we must have a Biblical world view. This comes by knowing the truths of the Old Testament, especially the first eleven chapters of Genesis. This tells us where we came from (creation), what went wrong (the fall) and what God is doing to set it right (redemption).
Second, we need to know the Gospel. This is explained for us in 1 Corinthians 15:3,4. Christ died for our sins, He was buried, He rose again and He appeared in the flesh.
Third, we need to know essential doctrines: The infallibility of Scripture, the deity of Christ, the Virgin Birth and the miracles of Christ, Christ’s substitutionary death and Christ’s physical resurrection and eventual return.

Knowledge

I am not a Greek scholar but I do know that there are three different Greek words for knowledge. The first is "oida" which is cognitive head knowledge which we might translate as "to see". The second is "gnosko" which is experienced knowledge or the act of believing. The third is "epignosko" which means full knowledge both experienced and believed.
Peter begins by using the word "epignosko" when he says, "Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." 2 Peter 1:2 It is the same word that Paul uses in Romans 1:28 when he says "since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God".
Peter uses the word "gnosko" at the end of his letter, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!" 2 Peter 3:18. This is the same word that Paul uses in Romans 10:2, "For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge."
Peter reminds his readers that they have this full knowledge that is both revealed and experienced and at the end of his letter he tells them that they must continue to grow in that knowledge.
Tomorrow I want to write about those things that we are to know, the epignosko of the Christian faith.

Bookends

Next Sunday morning I am going to start a new series on the book of 2 Peter. One of the key words in the book is knowledge. The book begins, "Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." 2 Peter 1:2 and ends, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." 2 Peter 3:18
The knowledge that Peter is referring to here is not just knowing about something but to have a firm conviction based upon truth. Peter is concerned that his readers know the truth of God's Word in their lives.

Appollo 8

It was 40 years ago tonight that this was broadcast from Appollo 8. I cannot imagine that happening today.

His Name

"For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
When I read what the child, the son would be called I cannot help but think of the Trinity. The Wonderful Counselor reminds me of the Holy Spirit; the Mighty God and Everlasting Father speaks of the Father while the Prince of Peace is the son. At Christmas time we often divorce the son as a child from the God head but we need to remember that He is God, God incarnate.

Worship

This morning I read the following from J. I. Packer's book, Knowing Christianity.

"Christian worship takes place only where there is knowledge of the biblical truths of creation and redemption and of the Jesus of the New Testmade made real to us by the Holy Spirit."

The Government Shall be upon HIs Shoulder

Someone named Gayle Erwin wrote the following:

What might such a government look like? First of all, it would look like its king. Politicians of this day look for what they can get from you. Jesus looks for what He can do for you.

Leaders of this day surround themselves with servants. Jesus surrounds us with His servanthood.

Leaders of this day use their power to build their empire. Jesus uses his power to wash our feet and make us clean and comfortable.

Leaders of this day trade their influence for money. God so loved that he gave . . .

Generals of this day need regular wars to keep their weapons and skills up to date and insure their own advancement. Jesus brings peace and rest to hearts.

The higher the plane of importance one reaches in this world, the more inaccessible he becomes. Jesus was Emanuel, “God with us.”

Leaders of this day are desperate to be seen and heard. Jesus sought anonymity so He could be useful.

Obviously, Jesus is not in charge of the halls of Washington, London, Moscow, Baghdad, Paris or Bonn. So, how can we ever believe the “government will be upon His shoulders”?

Actually, His government shows its workings in wonderful ways. Whenever I see someone who miraculously leaves a life of drugs or alcohol and is restored to his family and work, I can see that he is now governed by God.

Whenever I see loving Christians gently caring for orphans and those rejected by family, I know I am watching people governed by God.

Whenever I see people eagerly learning the Bible and joyously praising, I know who the governor is.

Whenever I see people give up lucrative careers simply to go and share the Good News of Jesus, I know they are governed by God.

When I see pastors carefully teach and lead the flock God has given them, I know they are getting signals from the great King.

When I see people leave family to live and teach in distant lands because they love the people who have not heard, I know they are governed by God.

So, indeed, the government is alive and working. Often silently, mostly unseen. We can be and are, by choice, governed by God. Hope and joy and peace and rest cover its subjects. Justice, mercy and grace, amazingly coexist. I like this Kingdom. The borders are open. Come on in.

A Child is Born, A Son is Given - 2

Isaiah speaks as if this is an event that has already happened. When Isaiah prophesied about the birth of the Messiah he did not see it as a future event that may or may not happen but he saw it as an event that was so certain that it was as if it had already happened.

A Child is Born, A Son is Given

Isaiah 9:6 says "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given."
When Jesus came into this world He came as a human, He came as a baby. As a baby He had to be born. But He was also divine and as God He was not born but given. This verse speaks of both His humanity (He was born as a child) and His divinity (as a son He was given). Jesus never ceased to be God but He did become God incarnate, God in the flesh.

Why a Manger?

The following was written by my friend Ethel.

Why a Manger?

This Christmas Stop, and ask yourself, why Jesus, God's only Son our King, was born in a Manger? Ask yourself, who was Jesus sent to replace?

Jesus was sent to replace, the Sheep, the Cattle, and even the Dove. They were being sacrificed, daily in the Temple.

King Solomon, sacrificed thousands of sheep, goats, and bulls, when he dedicated his Temple.

God sent Jesus His Son to replace the sacrifice of the animals and even the dove. Jesus blood was shed once and only once for our sins. That is why God let Him be born in their home, a manger.

May God bless you, as you remember the special gift that God sent to you, over two thousand years ago. He sent His Son Jesus, so that we might have eternal life.

I pray that you will find, Piece, Joy, and Love, in the New Year, as you worship Jesus, “GOD'S MANGER GIFT”

Why a Carpenter?

“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” Matthew 13:55 (NIV)

When God sent His Son into the world as a baby He chose Mary and Joseph to be the guardians of this special gift to the world. He could have chosen anyone as the father but He chose Joseph, the carpenter. As Jesus grew up in that home He learned the trade of a carpenter from His father. Jesus became a carpenter Himself but He was known as the carpenter’s son.

Jesus could have chosen any profession at all. He could have been a shepherd because He is known as the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd and the Chief Shepherd. He could have chosen to be a fisherman, most of His disciples were fishermen and He told them that He would make them fishers of men. He could have been a teacher or a farmer or a merchant. He was a teacher and many came to hear His teaching. He told many parables about farming and merchants. However, He chose to be a carpenter.

Why a carpenter? First, He was obedient as a Son and followed His father’s teaching. He did not come to go against the status quo but to show obedience by following it. He became a carpenter because His father was a carpenter.

Second, He wanted to show the value of work. He did not just put value of teaching or fishing but He showed us that all work is valuable when it is done for the Master.

However, I think the real reason He became a carpenter is because carpenters have the ability to take an ordinary piece of wood and make something beautiful from the wood. They design the product whether it is a piece of furniture or a boat or a house. They carefully mark the material and cut the pieces. The pieces are then carefully put together according to the plan. The product is not finished when the last nail is driven because the article needs to be sanded, stained and polished until it has a beautiful finish.

The Carpenter has a plan for our lives. That plan is unique to us. He wants to take the raw materials and cut away the parts that He cannot use. He wants to shape us and fashion us according to His plan. He then takes the sandpaper of life and rubs away all the rough edges until we are smooth. He then finishes the project by applying the stain and the polish.

We may not like the cutting, nailing, gluing and sanding. We would like to go from the raw materials to the finished product without having to suffer the pain of the carpenter’s hand and tools. However, there is no shortcut to a fine piece of furniture and there is no shortcut to a holy life. God always has to take off the rough edges to make us beautiful.

Why Nazareth?

“And he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: ‘He will be called a Nazarene.’” Matthew 2:23 (NIV)

When Philip met Jesus he went to his friend, Nathaniel and told him that he had found the Messiah and He was the son of Joseph of Nazareth. Nathaniel’s response was one of disgust; “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” he asked. Philip’s only response was the invitation to come and see for himself.

Nazareth was considered a very lowly town. Someone said that if the earth was the footstool of God then Nazareth was the heel. No one had a high opinion of Nazareth and of course that meant that if you were from there then you were of no value.

However, all that changed. Nazareth today is regarded with reverence. It has been raised in status because it was the home of our Lord. No one ever expected that a carpenter’s son from Nazareth would be the Messiah. No one of any stature had ever come from Nazareth.

Why did God choose to have His Son raised in such an obscure and insignificant town? Why Nazareth?

Jesus came as a common man and as a common man he lived in a common town. There was no one who could say that He was superior because He had been born in Jerusalem or raised in a fine home. Jesus was like all the other common people. His family was poor. He lived in an insignificant village. He did ordinary work. He learned the Scriptures in the synagogue. He was a poor village boy. But all that changed when He revealed Himself and began His public ministry.

There are two reasons why He grew up in Nazareth. First, He identified with the common man, suffering the same hardships as anyone else. He came to save the lost and He came and dwelt among the lost.

Second, He shows that the ordinary is no longer ordinary when He is there. Nazareth would have been lost in antiquity except that it was the home of our Saviour. Today people all over the world know about Nazareth. God changes the ordinary into the special.

And He does that with mankind as well. He does not require that we are special. All He requires is that we come to Him. He can take the ordinary jars of clay that we are and make them something special because He dwells in those jars. We are special because we are Christ’s home.

Why Egypt?

‘When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."’ Matthew 2:13 (NIV)

Why did God send His Son to Egypt? The obvious answer is to protect Him from King Herod who wanted to kill Him? But why Egypt and not another neighbouring country?

Egypt is a picture of the world? God sent His Son into the world to save the world. In the same way God sent His Son into Egypt to save Him. God could have chosen another way to save the world but He choose to do it by sending His Son to be part of the world, to live in the world and to suffer and die in the world.

When the family of Jacob were suffering hardships in the Promised Land God sent them to Egypt so that they could survive the famine. However, His people got too comfortable living in Egypt so God sent them hardship but they still did not want to leave. They were comfortable living in the world and they didn’t want to leave the world. God had to send Moses to lead them out of the world and back to the Promised Land. Moses was unable to lead them into the Promised Land. He could lead them out of the world but it took Joshua, the saviour, to lead them into the Promised Land.

As the Israelites lived in Egypt and were reluctant to leave it so are we in the world. However, we do not need one leader to lead us out of the world and a different leader to lead us into the Promised Land. We have one Leader who can both lead us out of the world and into His promises. That leader is Jesus.

The picture of Jesus going down into Egypt and living there for a time before He returns to His home land is the picture of Jesus coming down into this world and living among us for thirty three years before He returned to His heavenly home. I am sure that Joseph and Mary were unaware of the significance of going down to Egypt and residing there.

Jesus never returned to Egypt after He returned with His parents. Jesus has never returned to this world after He left here to go to His heavenly home. However, unlike Egypt, Jesus will return someday to this world not to reside but to reign. This world will not be the same after He comes to reign. He will reign in righteousness, mercy and holiness and His glory will fill the whole earth.

God could have protected His Son in Bethlehem or sent Him to any place on this earth but He sent Him to Egypt. He sent His Son into the world to save the world. And as He called His Son out of Egypt He will call His people out of the world. We need to be ready to heed that call.

Why Anna?

“There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:36-38 (NIV)

When Joseph and Mary took the baby Jesus to the Temple to dedicate him as it was commanded in the law, there were two people who welcome him and knew that this baby was the Messiah. The first was a man named Simeon and the other was an elderly woman named Anna.

Anna was a prophetess from the tribe of Asher. She was eighty four years old and had been a widow most of her life. Her husband had died only seven years after they had been married. Since that time she was constantly in the Temple waiting for the Lord’s Messiah. At last she saw him and went immediately to Mary and Joseph and gave thanks to God for the baby. Anyone who would listen to her would be told about this baby who had come to redeem His people.

Anna was a prophetess from the tribe of Asher. When Jacob was dying he blessed his sons and he said that Asher would be a blessing to others. Many years were to pass before the blessing would completely come from the tribe of Asher and when it did, it came from the most unlikely of people, an elderly widow. Anna made it known to everyone who would listen that this child would be their redeemer.

The tribe of Asher had a dark time in their history. When they went into the land we are told that the tribe of Asher failed to possess their rightful possession. When the prophetess Deborah was called to lead the armies of Israel against the armies of Sisera the people of Asher did not support her. We do not know why they didn’t follow Deborah with the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun but maybe it was because they did not want a woman for a leader. Many years later it was a woman who brought honour to her tribe. God used Anna to make Asher a blessing as Jacob had prophesied so many years before.

We don’t know what happened to Anna after that encounter. She may have gone back to her home satisfied that she had seen the redemption of Israel and died a contented and fulfilled woman. She may have continued to bless others by telling them about this baby who would be the redeemer of the world. Whatever happened to her does not matter. Her very brief encounter with the King of kings forever established her place in history. God can use the most unusual of people.

I thank God for the elderly widows who take time to bless others. They write letters, they give money and they pray for people. Many missionaries would have to come home from the mission field if it wasn’t for the Annas of this world. May their tribe increase.

How Now Shall We Live?

I have just finished reading Chuck Colsons book, How Now Shall We Live? and it is a book that I would recommend to everyone. Though it is a lengthy book it is not a hard read. It is also a very timely book even though it was written a number of years ago.
He first deals with the opposing worldviews and how important it is for us as Christians to have a Biblical worldview. Therefore the first eleven chapters of Genesis are important as they tell us where we came from, what went wrong and what God is doing to redeem the world and creation. He then shows how we can be involved in the work of restoration.
In the last chapter he asks the question, "Can Christians really make a difference in the world?" I have just put together a book which each of my brothers and sisters helped to write about our parents. Though mom and dad were not earth movers they did make a difference. They have thirteen of their children and grandchildren that are involved or have been involved in ministry. Can Christians make a difference? My parents did.

Why Simeon?

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.” Luke 2:25-27 (NIV)

I wonder what Simeon had planned for that day. Maybe he planned to work in his garden or visit a friend or tend to a few jobs around his house that needed doing. Whatever his plans were, they were interrupted by the Holy Spirit. This was not the first time the Spirit had spoken to him. Earlier in his life the Spirit had given him the promise that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah.

As he entered the temple that day he wondered how he would know which baby would be the Messiah. How often we have had been told that someone would meet us at a bus station or an airport but we have never seen that person before. How will we know the one that is there to meet us? What will be the sign that will let us know that this is the one? It always happens that we do recognize the one. I am sure that the Holy Spirit prompted him saying “This is the One.”

We are not told how long Simeon had been looking for the Messiah. We are not told when he first heard the promise from the Holy Spirit. All we know that from that day onward he was always looking for the Messiah and when the baby came, he was ready.

Simeon is an example for us today. As Simeon looked forward to the first coming we are to look forward to the Second Advent. I am sure that as he waited he went about his usual daily routines. We are commanded to occupy until He comes. We are to live our lives but live them in expectancy. He could come at any time but He will come.

The story is told about a soldier during the war who had been away for a long time. One day the soldiers got word that they would be going home. When the soldiers arrived at the dock there were wives and sweethearts there to meet them. As he looked over the crowd he did not see his wife. He gathered up his pack and went home. When he arrived home his wife met him at the door and said, “Oh, you are home, I have been waiting for you.”

“You may have been waiting for me,” he said, “but the other wives were waiting and watching.” Are we just waiting or are we waiting and watching? We need to be like Simeon who was both waiting and watching.

After he held the baby and prayed a blessing over him he said that he was then ready to go home. When Jesus comes again will we be ready to go home or will we have things that we must do first? When he comes it will be time to go home. Let us be ready.

Why Two Pigeons?

When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." Luke 2:22-24 (NIV)

Mary and Joseph were devout followers of their God. They had both showed their devotion early in Mary’s pregnancy. Mary told the angel that she would allow God to use her and Joseph had responded to the dreams in obedience. So when their Son was born they were careful to obey the instructions that were recorded by Moses in the Book of Leviticus. The instructions given by Moses were that when the days of purification of the mother were complete the parents were to bring a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon for a sin offering. However, if the family could not afford a lamb for a sin offering the provision was made that they could bring two young pigeons, one for a sin offering and one for a burnt offering.

Now Mary and Joseph were careful to fulfill all the requirements of the law but they could not afford to bring a lamb for a sin offering. I imagine that they were a poor family and having to leave Nazareth and travel to Bethlehem took all their savings. They had very little left for an offering but even though they could not afford a lamb they still came with their offering.

Many times people feel that they cannot afford to give an offering to the Lord so they feel justified in waiting until such a time that they are in a better financial situation. However, Scripture makes if very clear that we are to bring the first fruits to the Lord. Even though we are instructed to give in proportion to what we were given we are instructed to give whether we have little or much. God is not as concerned with the size of our gift as with the attitude of the heart.

When Mary and Joseph came to the temple with an offering of two pigeons they were letting everyone know that they were a poor family. They did not pretend to be something that they were not. They knew that there would be those who would look down upon them because they could not afford an offering like most new parents. They also knew that to be right in the eyes of their God was more important than what others thought of them.

There are many people today who feel that they must show to those around them that they are better than they really are or wealthier than they are. They will say that nothing is too good for their child but in reality they are more concerned with what others think of them than the child. If they were concerned with the welfare of the child they would make sure, like Mary and Joseph, to be obedient to the commands of God. By bringing two pigeons as an offering they were saying that their relationship with God was more important than their comfort or what others thought of them.
Jesus could have been born into any family and any situation He wished but He chose to be born into a poor peasant family. Many of the religious leaders of that day looked upon wealth as favour from God so if one was poor then they were less favourable to God. Jesus was willing to humble Himself and be born in the poorest of situations to show the world that God is no respecter of persons. Whether one is rich or poor is not the issue but whether one is obedient to the commands of God.

Why the Gifts?

“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 2:11 (NIV)

It may not be the right question to ask why the Magi brought gifts, after all, they were coming to visit a newborn King. It was only right that they have gifts for the new baby. The proper question might be, why these particular gifts? Why gold, incense and myrrh?

The gift of gold we can easily understand. This baby was born to be a king. Gold is the metal of kings. It was only proper that they acknowledge the kingship of this child by offering a gift of gold. Jesus was born to be the King of the Jews. The Magi came seeking a King. The first gift presented was a gift to confirm that truth.

When we read Luke’s Gospel we can understand why the second gift was a gift of incense. Throughout Scripture the smoke from the burning incense is used to illustrate the prayers of man rising to God. Jesus was born to be a priest and as a priest He makes intercession for the people. Jesus was born to intercede for us. He tells us in His prayer in John’s Gospel that He is praying for us. Jesus is not just a priest; He is the great High Priest. When He was born in Bethlehem there was no need for another priest. It was this second gift that acknowledges that Jesus came as the Son of Man.

The third gift was a gift of myrrh. Myrrh was the spices that were used in burial. What a strange gift to give to a baby. As the gift of incense looked beyond the cradle at the life of Jesus, the gift of myrrh looked beyond that life to His death. Jesus was born not to give us an example, though He does give us an example of how we should live, He was born to die. When the Magi presented this gift they acknowledge the fact that this baby had been born to die.

I wonder if the Magi truly understood the significance of the gifts they brought to this baby. I know they knew that He was born to be King but did they know that He was also born to be a priest and a Saviour? I don’t really think they understood the total significance but they acted in obedience to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

We are to bring gifts but what are the gifts that we are to bring? We can offer Him gold but He owns the gold in every mine. When we offer Him our gold we acknowledge that all we have belongs to Him. We are to offer Him our prayers, the gift of incense. Finally, we too must acknowledge the fact that we must offer Him our lives, the gift of myrrh. He has called us to die. He has called us to die to ourselves, our ambitions, our dreams and our plans. We are to take up our cross and follow Him, follow Him all the way to the cross. So often we offer Him trinkets and tokens instead of the gifts that He desires. He does not want our trinkets and token, He wants us as living sacrifice.

Why a Star?

“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."’ Matthew 2:2 (NIV)

When the Magi came from the east to see the newborn King they followed a star. Why did God choose to lead them by a star? After all a star only can be seen at night and they probably did their traveling in the daytime. So why a star? Was the star a morning star that was the last star to be seen before the sunlight of the day made it too bright to see any other stars? Maybe they got their direction from the star for the day and traveled throughout the day.

Now God could have led them by dreams or visions or even a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night but instead He chose to use a star. I would like to offer a couple of reasons that I can think of.

First of all I think that though this baby was born in the lowest of accommodations and only the humble shepherds came that night He was the creator and King of the universe and all universe was at his beck and call. The patriarch Joseph had a dream where the sun, moon and stars bowed down to him. If the sun, moon and stars would bow to Joseph wouldn’t all creation bow to the creator? I think the star shows that all of creation stood in awe that the God of the universe who would became a helpless baby.

But I think there is another reason. In Revelation 22:16 Jesus is described as the “bright morning star”. Numbers 24:17 says that a star will come out of Jacob. That was fulfilled in the birth and life of Jesus. The Magi were led by the star and we are led by the Star. That is why I think that the star that they saw was the bright morning star.

How did the Magi know to follow that star? How did they know that the star would lead them to a baby who was born to be king? They had diligently studied the scriptures; they had diligently studied the heavens and when the saw the star they knew that this was a sign from the God of the universe. Like the Magi of old we need to be diligent in our study of the scriptures and the study of the times so that we can have understanding and know the path that we are to take. God leads His children by many different means and we need to be open to His leading.

Peter says, “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19 (NIV)

Why Magi?

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.” Matthew 2:1 (NIV)

The first visitors that came to Jesus were the lowly shepherds. The next visitors that are recorded are the majestic magi from the east. Why was Jesus visited by the Magi? Some people have missed the fact that the visit from the magi was a few months and maybe even as much as a year and one half later. Joseph and Mary were still living in Bethlehem and they had moved from the stable and had taken up residence in a house.

Luke has always portrayed Jesus as the Son of Man. His key verse is that Jesus came to seek and to save those that were lost. He always showed Jesus as He identified with the common man. It was only fitting that he showed Jesus born in a simple setting with the common man coming to visit him.

However, Matthew showed Jesus as the King of the Jews. Matthew begins his gospel with the words, “A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David.” Matthew carefully shows that Jesus was a descendant of David and thus an heir to David’s throne. It was only fitting that the King should be visited by royalty. Jesus as the creator of the universe will one day rule as King of all creation. The Magi knew that He was a King so when they arrived in Judea they went immediately to Jerusalem which was the seat of power. Where else would a King be born other than in the Royal City? They went to the palace of King Herod thinking that it would be Herod’s son. When they inquired where the new King was Herod went into a panic. A king would be a threat to his power and he had to be found and destroyed.

Why Shepherds?

“And there were Shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” Luke 2:8 (NIV)

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem the only ones who were told about His birth were the lowly shepherds. The angel did not appear to the mayor or the rulers of the town. He did not appear to the wealthy land owners or the business men. The angel appeared to shepherds, the lowest of all citizens of Bethlehem.

I think that the shepherds were the first to know because the baby that was born would be the Lamb of God. Jesus came into the world to die a sacrificial death. No longer would people have to bring a lamb for a sacrifice. Jesus was the final sacrificial lamb. Shepherds had experienced the birth of a lamb many times. The normal rough outdoor men became tender when they were confronted with the birth of a helpless lamb.

I think the shepherds were the first to know because Jesus would be the Chief Shepherd. The leaders in the church are called under shepherds because they are under the One who is King and Head of the church. This helpless baby would one day rule the world. I think that these shepherds knew that the baby was to be one of them caring for the helpless sheep.

The shepherds did a most unusual thing when they heard from the angels. They left their sheep in the field and went to the Bethlehem. They knew that a lamb would be born in a stable so they went directly to the stable to find the baby. I don’t think that they discussed what would happen to the sheep if they left them. As unusual as it was for shepherds, they left the sheep on the hillside where they were vulnerable to the predators. In their hearts they knew that this baby was more important than the sheep and if what the angel had told them was true then the angels would protect their sheep.

One day Jesus taught His disciples about the Good Shepherd who would give his life for the sheep. I am sure that these shepherds were good shepherds who would risk their very lives for the sheep but the message from the angel compelled them to act in the most unusual manner. They were like the hirelings that Jesus described. They were like the hirelings in that they left their sheep but unlike the hirelings they left their sheep for a very different reason. The hirelings left the sheep because they valued their lives more than those of the sheep. These shepherds left their sheep because they valued the Lamb of God more than their sheep and their jobs.

And so it came to pass that the shepherds were the first to know about the Saviour’s birth. God does not do things in the expected ways. He is a God of surprises. We can learn that we do not have to have some noble standing or be wise in the eyes of the world to come to the Saviour. We can come as these shepherds came so many years ago.

Why a Stable?

“She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:7 (NIV)

When God chose to have his son born somewhere other than the inn have you ever wondered why He chose a stable instead of somewhere else? Why not a store or a carpenter’s shop? Maybe He could have been born in a private house or in a tent on the hillside among the shepherds. Instead of any of those places He was born in a stable.

Today we have a way of romancing the place of Jesus’ birth. We build crèches in our yards to hold the holy family. We have a trough with some hay and the baby lying in the hay. But the stable that Jesus was born in was just a barn. Cows, donkeys, sheep, horses, and chickens all lived in the barn. Barns are not very romantic. They smell of animal dung and usually they are very dirty. I imagine that it took Joseph time to clean a space for his wife to lie down to have the baby and then he cleaned out the manger so that she could place the baby in a makeshift bed. There was nothing romantic about the stable. If we visited the stable we would be careful where we stepped. We would be careful about breathing the foul air and we would not stay longer than we had to.

So why was He born in a stable? Why was His first bed a manger? Why were His first companions the farm animals?

First it showed the humble way that our God chose to enter the human race. He came as one of us. No one would accuse Him of taking advantage of His position. No one would say that they would trade birth places with Him. He came as a lowly human; the poorest of the poor.

Second His birth was unnoticed by others. No one expected a baby to be born in a barn. Calves and colts are born in barns but not babies. He came into the world and no one even suspected that the King and Creator of the universe was lying in a manger in a barn in Bethlehem.

But it also shows how His birth fulfilled prophecy. John tells us in his gospel that He came unto His own but His own didn’t receive Him. Isaiah tells us there was nothing beautiful about His birth and if we had seen Him we would have despised Him. He was just another poor baby born to poor parents. Probably He would remain a peasant like His parents. Why should anyone care about another peasant baby born into this world?

That stable was more than a barn. That stable was the birth place of a King. That stable was a birth place of the Saviour. God can take the humblest of places and make it a royal place when He comes to stay. The stable was just a stable until Jesus made it His birth place.

Why No Room?

“She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:7 (NIV)

He was the creator of the universe. Everything that existed was made by Him and for Him and yet when it came time for Him to be born into the human race there was no room to be found for Him. He could have been born in a castle but instead when the time came for Him to be born His parents couldn't’t even find a room in a simple hotel.

Why would God allow this to happen to His Son? Why did Mary have to suffer through the birth of her first child in such bleak surroundings? Was Joseph ashamed that he could not arrange better accommodation for his wife? I am sure that Joseph did the best he could but I am sure that the question of why ran through his mind as he went from door to door looking for a place to stay.

I am sure that as they traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem they had talked about where to stay. Joseph probably was confident that God would have gone before them to arrange a place for His Son to be born. What a surprise when they arrived in Bethlehem. I am sure he had some questions why God would allow such a thing to happen.

However, the picture that is given us is one that has been painted over and over again down through the generations that followed that first Christmas day. How often Jesus would come to a heart’s door only to be told that there was no room for Him. How often have homes, churches, governments, etc. had that same message, “Sorry, we have no room for you right now”. Jesus created us and by that simple act He owns us yet He will not barge into our lives uninvited. He patiently waits at the door of our hearts waiting for that invitation. We can invite Him in or like the innkeeper so long ago turn Him away with the message, “Sorry, we have no room for you right now”.

What if Herod had been the one that had knocked on that innkeeper’s door that night, do you think they would have found room for him? I am sure that the innkeeper would have made any adjustments possible so that the king would have a place to stay. He could then hang a sign over his door which proudly states, “King Herod stayed here!”

I wonder if the innkeeper ever knew who it was he turned away that day. I don’t think he would have done it because he was being malicious. I think he just didn’t know that he turned away the King and Creator of the universe. Even today many people don’t realize who they are turning away when they don’t invite Jesus into their lives. Like the innkeeper it isn’t done deliberately but rather carelessly. Our excuses may be many but on the day of reckoning all our excuses will not matter. Do you have room in your heart for Him today?

Why a Census?

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken on the entire Roman world.” Luke 2:1 (NIV)

Have you ever wondered why God allowed this census to take place? When He wanted Zachariah or Mary to know about the birth of their children He had sent the Angel Gabriel to give them the message. When He wanted Joseph to know that it was proper for him to take Mary as his wife or when he was to take the child to Egypt God spoke to Joseph in a dream. When Joseph had a dream he obeyed the message without a question. However, when God wanted His Son to be born in Bethlehem He did not use dreams or angels but rather He played musical fruit basket with the entire world.

Can you imagine the turmoil it caused when the Roman Emperor made such a decree? Families from all over the world had to pack up and travel to another part of the country so that they could register because they had been from there originally. They may not have lived there for years or maybe they had never lived there but the decree was the law and to disobey would mean fines or imprisonment. It was decreed and they had to obey.

Christians are quick to quote Romans 8:28 which tells us that we can know that all things work together for the good of God’s people. When the Scripture says that we can know it does not mean that we will necessary know the details but rather that we can have the confidence that it is in the sovereign plan of God.

All things did work for good. God had His Son born in Bethlehem as it was prophesied by Micah the prophet, but how many people knew that it was God’s intention to do it that way? Most of the people probably grumbled and complained about the government and the lack of concern for the people of the land. Most people endured the ordeal without thinking about a higher purpose.

Suppose there was a couple, maybe even an elderly couple, who had been originally from Galilee and had settled in Bethany. When the decree came they had to pack up their belongings and travel north to Galilee. It could have been a very difficult time for the elderly couple; one of them if not both could have been crippled and found the trip extremely painful. The wife may have said something like this, “Judah, why would God allow such a thing to happen? Surely He knows that we cannot afford to travel at this time. Surely He knows that we are not well. I do not understand why God would allow such a decree.”

Judah may have replied, “I know Esther but God is in control, He has all things in His hand. I am sure He has a purpose and if He wanted us to know He would have told us.”

We too need to understand that “all things do work together for good” but we may have to accept it by faith. Our faith is our knowing. God does not have to explain His actions to us. Someday we may understand but perhaps we will not understand until we get to heaven and then it will not matter any more.

Books, books and more books

Someone said that the Postmodern age is a time of images and not reading but you would never know that by the number of books that are being printed. Today it is more difficult than ever to find the right reading material. You cannot trust the publishers. Once publishers such as Word or Zondervan were solid evangelical publishers but today you cannot be sure.
Though the years from Malachi to Matthew are called silent years there was much writing going on. There are the twelve books of the Apocrypha but there were many others as well. Many of these writings are good historical sources but others have a great deal of error. Much like today.

Why Dreams?

Why Dreams?

“An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.” Matthew 1:20; 2:12, 13, 19, 24 (NIV)

Why did the Lord communicate with Joseph and the Magi in dreams? Instead of sending an angel to speak to them directly as He did with Zachariah and Mary he chose to speak to Joseph and the Magi in dreams. When the Lord spoke to Zachariah he was ministering in the Temple. When the Lord spoke to Mary she was sitting in her house but when He spoke to Joseph he was asleep.

I think that one of the reasons why God spoke to Joseph through dreams was because Joseph was a very hard working and busy man. He did not have time for interruptions by people who claimed to be angels. He worked hard and slept deeply and he was not use to having dreams. He went to bed tired and slept too deeply to dream. When he dreamed he knew it was something special. In his dream he knew that it was an angel and he was quick to obey the Word of the Lord by the angel.

Today we often dream about things that are loosely connected with the activities of the day. Our dreams are usually foolish versions of those activities. However, in Joseph’s time dreams were different. Men did not dream very often and when they did they knew that it was something significant. Remember Joseph’s dreams concerning his brothers and Jacob’s dream about the staircase to heaven. Daniel also had dreams that had major significance. Dreams were to be regarded seriously. Joseph may have been able to say that the visitor to his shop was just another person but he could not deny that the one in his dream was really an angel.

We need to remember that God is not tied to any set method. Sometimes He may speak to us through His Word, other times through one of His servants and at other times through dreams and visions. However, one thing is certain; if God speaks to us through dreams or other people He will never contradict His Word. We can always check the validity of the message with the Word of God. Joseph knew the Word and he knew that the angel’s message in the dream was in keeping with the Word.

The Magi were different. They were used to having dreams and having them interrupted for them by the wise men in their country. They knew the significance of dreams so when they had the dream about not returning to Herod they knew that it was a message from the Lord.

God will speak to us through His Word but He also speaks to us through others. If we are to know the truth of their message then we have to be students of the Word. After all, God will not contradict His Word.

Why Joseph?

“Joseph her husband was a righteous man.” Matthew 1:19a (NIV)

Joseph had a problem. The girl he was to marry was pregnant and he knew that it was not his child. They had never had sexual relations. His only conclusion was that she had been with another man and in the eyes of the Jewish law she was an adulterer and the law says that she should be stoned.

As he thought about what to do he came to only one conclusion. To be fair to Mary and to be obedient to the law he would do the honourable thing and “put her away quietly”. To be betrothed was more than what we called being engaged. It was as binding as the marriage itself.

Joseph is described as a righteous man. He obeyed the law but he had a compassionate heart. He was righteous but he was not a mystic. He was a hard working carpenter who often went to bed tired and slept very soundly. He wasn’t given to dreams and he never put much stock in people who claimed that God had spoken to them either audibly or by a dream. God had revealed Himself through His Word and that was sufficient for him.

That night he had a dream. It was no usual dream. In his dream an angel stood before him and gave him assurance that Mary’s pregnancy was not due to immorality but because God Himself had placed the seed within her. Joseph accepted this dream as coming from God Himself, he may have had fears but the angel had told him not to be afraid. The angel told him that the baby would be a son and His name would be Jesus because He would be the Saviour of the world. When Joseph woke up he did everything that the angel had told him in the dream. What he didn’t know was that in the next few months the Lord would often speak to him in dreams.

Why did God choose Joseph to be the guardian of His Son? I believe it was because Joseph was a righteous man who would obey the law meticulously but he was also a compassionate man. He did not want to bring shame upon the law of God but he also wanted to treat Mary with kindness and compassion. His heart for God and his heart for others made him the man that would be able to teach the child Jesus. I often wonder what he thought as he looked upon the child and knew that this child that was learning from him was actually the One that had created the universe. He was the one that Joseph worshipped yet here He was learning obedience from Joseph, a simple carpenter.

Why did God choose Joseph? It was because God could trust Joseph with the most precious gift of all, His One and Only Son.

400 Years

Those of us who have read the Bible all our lives are very use to the change from the Old to the New Testament but imagine that you have picked up the Bible for the first time. You have followed the story line of the Old Testament and then you turn the page and begin reading in Matthew. Who are the Pharisee, Sadducee's, Scribes? What happened to Persia and now why are the Romans in charge? What happened to the small temple and why is there now a large beautiful temple? What are synagogues? What about Galilee and Samaria? When you think about it it is a completely different world. 400 years is a long time and much can happen.

My Glorious Brothers

One of my favourite novels is a novel by Howard fast written sixty years ago. It is the story of the Maccabees and their fight against Antiochus Epiphanies. The story is told from the perspective of Simeon, the only existing brother, the others having been killed in their battles against the oppressors. My copy of the book is falling apart but I cannot find another copy so I will continue to hang onto mine.

Why Mary?

“But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God.’” Luke 1:30 (NIV)

It was the dream of every young woman in Israel that they would be chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. But Mary was barely a teenager and her wedding date was still years in the future. She had been promised to an older, stable man, a carpenter named Joseph who she had only met a few times. It would be a good marriage. Her parents had chosen her husband carefully.

Suddenly there was a man in front of her. This was no ordinary man; there was something different about him. When he spoke, the first words he said were not to be afraid. He told her he was Gabriel, the archangel who had a special message for her. He then told her that she had been chosen to be the mother of the Messiah.

There were a number of reasons why she was fearful. First, there was a man who claimed to be an angel with a message from God standing before her. Second, the angel told her that she would be the mother of the Messiah. She did not know how this could be; after all she was not yet married and had never had sexual relations with any man. When she dreamed of becoming the mother of the Messiah it would be through the normal relationships of husband and wife. What would her family think? They would be ashamed that their daughter was pregnant before she was married. What would Joseph think? Would he make a public spectacle of her as the law demanded? The angel assured her that it was true; the seed in her was planted there by the Holy Spirit. The angel’s words calmed her spirit and she responded in a positive, submissive manner.

Why was Mary chosen? There were thousands of young virgins in Israel at that time so why was Mary chosen over all the others? I do not believe that it was by chance that God choose her that day. I do not believe it was because she would be divine as many believe about her today. She was just an ordinary peasant girl but as God had told Samuel many years before, “Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks upon the heart.”

Mary was chosen because she had an obedient submissive heart. She loved her God unconditionally. She would be faithful to her husband. She would teach her children the things of God. She would love that baby, nurture that baby, and help that baby grow in body, soul and spirit. She was chosen because she was willing to be used of God.

What would Mary think of the place that many people put her in today? I am sure that she would be shocked and upset that they would place her equal with or greater than her son. He was the Saviour. She needed a Saviour just as you and I need a Saviour. She should be honoured but never worshipped. She should be loved but not prayed to as an intercessor. She was nothing more than a humble peasant girl who was willing to be used by God.

Why at that time?

“But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law.” Galatians 4:4 (NIV)

Why was Jesus born when He was? Why not in our enlightened age with rapid transportation, instant communication and all the comforts of modern living? Why did the Apostle Paul tell us that the time had fully come? What was special about that time?

I think that God had prepared the world for the coming of His son. He had first prepared a people, then a language, and finally a government.

God’s people, the Jews, were often running after other gods and forsaking the God of Abraham. To prepare the people, God sent His people into exile and while they were in exile they learned the futility of worshipping other gods. They developed their synagogues as places of teaching the Word of God. When His people returned to the land they were ready to receive their Messiah. They needed a Saviour who would cleanse their hearts as the exile had cleansed their land.

God also prepared a language. After the Israelites had returned to their land the Greeks came into power under Alexander the Great. Alexander’s kingdom grew so rapidly that by the time he was thirty three years old he had conquered the entire known world. During that time he spread Greek culture and the Greek language. The Jews did not accept the culture but they embraced the language. It was into this language that the Scripture was translated that made it easy for everyone to understand.

Then God allowed the Romans to conquer the world and they brought into effect an efficient government that made it safe to travel anywhere in the world. They built roads and protected travelers.

God had a prepared people, a prepared language and a prepared government and when all these things were in place He sent His Son to be born in Bethlehem.

Today we have a prepared people, the church. God has called them out of the world to be part of His kingdom. He has a prepared language. Most of the world understands English and communication is quick and easy. However, this is not a time of peace. The world is ready for such a government and when it comes it will be the government of the antichrist. Then God will send His Son into the world a second time to gather His people home to Himself. Just as the First Advent was such a glorious event so will the Second Advent. We must be ready; we must be part of the prepared people.

1611

It is almost four hundred years since the King James Bible as we know it now came to us. The work had begun earlier but the official date is 1611. The preface of that edition had this paragraph:
"Truly (good Christian Reader) we never thought from the beginning, that we should need to make a new Translation, nor yet to make of a bad one a good one,...but to make a good one better, or out of many good ones, one principal good one, not justly to be excepted against, that hath been our endeavor."
That translation has been with us almost 400 years and it is still one of the most loved translations in the English language. Though many of us do not use the KJV as much today there are still many who do. The KJV made the Bible available to the common person.
Four hundred years is a long time for a translation to remain popular but imagine that if during that 400 years we didn't have any word from the Lord at all.

1837

I had a friend who did a workshop for the Mathematics Teachers over ten years ago. I invited him to stay over instead of flying back home that night but he told me that he wanted to get home as he and his wife had a new baby. When I asked him how many children he had he told me that this was their first. He was about 41 at the time. I remarked that he was a late bloomer and he told me that he came from a family of late bloomers. He then told me that his grandfather was born in 1837. He said that when his grandfather was 58 years old, in 1895, he had a son which was his father and when his father was 59 years old, in 1954, he had a son which was him. Imagine how different his grandfather's world in 1837 was to what his world in 1954.
This coming Sunday at our Sundays at Six we will be looking at the 400 silent years, the time between Malachi and Matthew. 400 years is a long time even in the ancient world. The difference between the world at the close of the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament is enormous.

Why Bethlehem?

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the class of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2 (NIV)

Bethlehem was a small insignificant town of maybe thirty five families and yet it was chosen to be the birth place of the greatest person ever born on this earth. It was located about fifteen miles south of Jerusalem. Everyone thought that the King should be born in the King David’s city but rather the King would be born in King David’s town.

When the shepherds went to the town to find the baby they did not have too much difficulty as there were only a few houses and stables. They just looked for one where there was a candle burning.

But why Bethlehem? It has been said that the stable where Jesus was born was the same place that Boaz had his threshing floor and it was there that Ruth came to lay at his feet. It was there Ruth and Boaz lived and it was there that Obed their son, Jesse their grandson and David his son were all born. The city grew more famous because it was the birth place and home of Israel’s greatest king, King David.

But that was not the only reason why Bethlehem was chosen to be the birth place of the King. Bethlehem means house of bread. It was during the time of Boaz that there were rich crops of grain growing around Bethlehem and it was there that flour was produced to feed many of the citizens of larger cities around them, maybe even Jerusalem even though Jerusalem did not belong to Israel during the time of Boaz. But it is of even greater significance that Jesus should be born in the “house of bread.” Jesus was known as the “Bread of Life.” Bethlehem may have been famous for producing the grain to make bread but it would be known for the birth place of the “Bread of Life.”

When we eat of the earthly bread we will have to come back again and again for more and more. That is why Jesus told the disciples that they were to pray that the Lord would give them their daily bread. However, when we feed on the “Bread of Life” we will never hunger again. He has promised to satisfy our hunger.

When the magi came to search for the baby king they went to the royal city of Jerusalem. The scribes searched the scriptures to find where the Messiah should be born and they found that Micah said he would come out of Bethlehem. So it was there that they found the King. Today we do not need to go to Bethlehem to find the Messiah. He is knocking at the door of our hearts. Will you let Him in? Do you have room in your heart for Jesus?

Why Christmas?

Have you ever wondered about Christmas? Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem and not in Jerusalem? Why did God speak to some people by angels and others in dreams? Why was Jesus born in a stable and not in a tool shed or a carpenter’s workshop? Why was Mary chosen to be His mother and Joseph His father? Why were His first visitors shepherds and why did the Magi bring Him those particular gifts and not the traditional baby gifts?

As I thought about these things I decided that I would look both into Scripture and outside of Scripture for my answers. In the next few pages I attempt to answer many of the questions why things happened the way they did and not some other way.

Jesus is unique in that He is God Immanuel. Not only was His life unique so was His birth. I hope and pray that these next few pages will make you appreciate the Christmas story even more. May we never lose the wonder of Christmas.

Immanuel

All throughout this study of the Tabernacle the word or name Immanuel has been in my mind. Isaiah said in 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." The name Immanuel means "God with us." Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." The word rest is "to set a tent over" or to Tabernacle. That was evident for the people in Moses' time when there was a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
In the end I thought of Chris Tomlin's song Jesus Messiah.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Lord willing, will be our final lesson in this series on the Tabernacle. One person wrote, "The most thought provoking for me in the study of the Tabernacle is the holiness of God. I stand more amazed than ever that God invites us to come to Him saying 'Abba Father'" Another wrote, "First of all I want to say how much we have learned these last few Sundays. The tabernacle has always been a fascinating subject for me, but how you have related it to Christ's being present in it has been a real eye opener. I knew the book of Hebrews referred to Christ being superior than the old system, but I see now that the old system was always about Christ."
It has always been my goal in teaching the Old Testament to show Christ. When Jesus talked with the disciples on the road He opened the Scripture and showed them that it spoke about Him.

The Church of the Perfect Storm

Before I make my comments about this book I would like to say two things:
First, I admire the zeal of the authors of this book in finding ways to reach their generation.
Second, I do not recommend this book. Why?
This book is about experience and not about truth. Like most post-modern writers they begin with the theory that language cannot render the truths about the world in an objective way so they fall back onto experience. However, the Word of God is about language and expressing truth in that language. Paul says, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" Romans 10:14
Alan Jamieson talks about leaving, getting away from the safety of the church. It is more than leaving the church because we want to experience something. It is not the church's fault but the people who make up the church including those that are leaving. What do we do when the old ways become dry and stale? It is not the time to abandon the truths but to remain. Dryness and staleness comes to all at one time or another but the key is to keep on keeping on.
Dries Lombaard says that what people want today is experiences and not words. The problem for Christians is that experiences must be base upon truth and truth is communicated by words. He also criticizes hierarchical structures and would throw it all away instead of setting it right. There are two distortions that come to mind. One is the dichotomy between the clergy and the laity in all things. The other is having no distinction between them.
Finally, the main reason I cannot recommend this book is found in the essay by Thomas Bandy on page 135. He writes, "The emerging human passion to be beside oneself reveals the yearning to be beyond oneself, to escape human limitations just enough to touch, or be touched by, the Holy. The fact that there is no consensus about the nature of that holy grail is unimportant. The conviction is all that matters."
One final thought. Most people will find this book difficult to read because in spite of the fact that the authors value experience over words they love to show off their ability to use words.

Two offerings

There were more than two different offerings but there are two that are very similar and most people do not see the difference. The first is the sin offering which deals with the principle of sin and the second is the trespass offering which deals with the practice of sin.
As Christians we need to understand the difference. Being forgiven of our sin, the sin principle if you wish, is a once and forever event while forgiveness of our sins is an ongoing process. Jesus died for both our sin and our sins. We must not reduce sin just to sinful acts. Even if we never committed a sinful act we were still born in sin and are guilty before a holy God.

The Tabernacle and Worship

The gate is the place of entry. No one can come to the Father but by Jesus.
The bronze altar is the place of reconciliation. We are reconciled to God by Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross.
The laver is the place of cleansing. We need to be cleansed, we need to cleansed by the blood that Jesus shed on the cross.
The lampstand is the place of light. Jesus said that He was the light of the world. He has translated us from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light.
The table is the place of fellowship. He is the bread of life. He desires t have fellowship with us.
The altar of incense is the place of prayer.
The Ark is the place of communion with God. He said, "I will met you there and commune with you between the cherubim."

Tabernacle books

Here are some of the books that I used in our study of the Tabernacle.

Now it is your turn

Next Sunday evening will be the last of our lessons on the Tabernacle. It has been a very rich study for me and I want to end these lessons by giving you a chance to do the following:
Express to all of us what you have learned about worship from the Tabernacle.
Ask any questions you wish about the Tabernacle. Mike and I will do our best to answer those questions. If you could send the questions ahead of time we would really appreciate it as it would give us more time to research our answers. Email me, post a question on this blog or give me a phone call. All questions and comments are welcome. Thanks for being part of this study.

Without Blemish

When the priests were chosen for ministry in the Tabernacle they had to be free from blemishes. They could not be crippled or blind or any other defect. If they had a defect they were still cared for as Levites but they were not able to serve in the Tabernacle.
Sometimes people want to serve God but they have blemishes that keep them from service. Maybe they have been unfaithful in their marriage or have a violated God's laws with other relationships. Sometimes a pedophile gets saved and wants to serve but there has to be restrictions on him. Some may say, "Where is the grace in this?" There is still grace, they were redeemed by grace, they stand blameless before God by grace but it is also important to keep away from any appearance of evil or anything that may bring shame upon the name of our God.

Old and New

Hebrews 9 and 10 give us a contrast between the old and new covenants. Under the old covenant atonement was in the earthly tabernacle but in the new covenant it is a more perfect tabernacle not made by human hands, not part of this creation. In the old covenant the blood was from bulls and goats but in the new covenant it is the blood of Christ that atones for the sin. Hebrews 10:1 tells us that the old covenant was imperfect but the new covenant is perfect. Hebrews 10:10, 11 tell us that the old covenant could never take away our sins but under the new covenant we are made holy by the blood of Christ. Under the old covenant the sacrifices had to be repeated again and again while under the new covenant the sacrifice is once and forever.
Finally, under the old covenant only the High Priest could pass through the veil into the holy of holies but under the new covenant the writer of Hebrews tells us that we have the boldness to enter into the Most Holy Place by the blood of Christ and the way has been made for us to enter through the veil. Why would anyone ever want to go back to the old when they have the new?

Not about us

Worship is about God and not about us. The role of the Priest was first to God. "Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins." Hebrews 5:1 The High Priest knew that it was not possible for a sinful man to approach an Holy God unless his sins were atoned for. That is why his first role was to offer sacrifices for sins, first for his and then for the people. "He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness." Hebrews 5:2 After this he had an overseeing role, first for the people and then for the process. He was able to deal gently with the people because he knew that God was merciful to him. But he also was a guardian of the process. No one could come to God unless they came in the prescribed way. Though we have access to God because of our High Priest Jesus Christ we still must come to the Father in the prescribed way, through the cross.

A Snapshot of Grace Revisited

When thinking about the High Priest I was reminded of an older post that I had written. I refer you back to The Accuser and the High Priest that I posted on the three days, June 3, 4,5 of 2008. Take time to read it again.

The Work or the Person

I know this is a theme I have written on before but it keeps coming back to me. As I was reading again about the furniture in the Tabernacle I was reminded that the brazen altar, the laver, the lampstand, the table of showbread and the altar of incense all speak about some aspect of Christ's work but the Ark speaks of His person. Now I know that you cannot really separate the Person of Christ from what He does but we must remember that what He does is because of who He is.

Ministers unto the Lord

"Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests." Exodus 28:1 Many times we look at ministers of the Gospel as ministers of a church but they are first ministers unto the Lord. It is not a career that they have chosen but they have been chosen for the ministry by the Lord. All too often churches look upon their ministers as their employees and therefore they are answerable to them. Ministers are accountable to their churches but they are answerable to their God. Two errors can happen. First, churches think that they can dictate to their ministers because they are their employees. Second, ministers think that they are not answerable to their churches as they are answerable only to God.

Keith Price

Last night we were studying the Holy of Holies. My friend Mike took us to 2 Corinthians 3 where Paul talks about the ever increasing glory. Whenever I hear this passage I think of Keith Price who taught us from that passage of Scripture. Keith Price has gone to be with the Lord but I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to hear that man preach.

My first time

Tonight my wife wrote the following for someone who presented this as Eleazar the High Priest.

Jehovah, Yahweh:
It is I, Eleazar, Your High Priest. I am asking that you would bless me and that I would receive favour in your sight as I present my first YOM KIPPUR offering to you. Amen

I am so apprehensive. This will be my first time to stand before Yahweh in the Holy of Holies since my father Aaron died. I am aware that my brothers paid with their lives by sinning before a Holy God. God has called my tribe and my family to be his priests and my father was the first. Now that the Day of Atonement is here I know that no detail can be overlooked.

I was anointed with holy oil on my head. The sacrificial blood was applied to my right ear, right thumb and right big toe. I have wholly consecrated myself to Yahweh and his service.

What a humbling experience it was to be washed in the Tabernacle laver from head to foot and then have the fine linen undergarments placed on me by the other priests. I pray that my life would be as pure as these white garments. What great care it takes in this dusty place to keep from getting soiled.

Now for the people. Ah, the people. Only Yahweh knows if they have truly observed this Special Sabbath. Only He knows if they have fasted from sundown to sundown and kept a day of solemn rest. He alone can judge His people in this regard and know if they are ready to keep YOM KIPPUR as a time to be free from their sins.

Although I saw my father keep this tradition, I am afraid that I will forget something or that my sacrifices will not be acceptable. My first offering must be for myself and the other priests. The second must be the choice of two goats. After we cast lots, then one will be sent into the wilderness as a “scapegoat” while the other will be sacrificed.

When I enter the Holy of Holies alone, it will be just Yahweh and me. I remember standing outside in the holy place while my father offered sacrifices. We would be silent and listen for the tinkling of the bells on the hem of his robe to know that he was still moving. Some priests suggested that the High Priest should have a rope tied to his ankle so that if he should die because of an unacceptable offering, then his body could be dragged out. I just want my offering to be acceptable to Yaweh and not have to worry about the rope.

I must have incense to burn to fill the room and cover the mercy seat as I pray for mercy for my people. The golden cherubim will watch as I sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the mercy seat.

When Yahweh has accepted me and my offering for the people, there is so much jubilation as first the priests in the tabernacle and then the entire nation realizes that their sins have been atoned for another year. The noise and cheering can be so loud that it is deafening after the silence of the Holy Place. Oh what a contrast! It is like coming from a tomb of death out into the open as if I had been resurrected. New life after atonement—what a thought! Will I feel that?

I feel the tension of preparing and taking part in this long and precise ceremony. I know that it is an honour to be part of the priesthood but the weight of this duty rests heavily on me.
Will Yahweh demand this Day of Atonement forever?
Will the blood of goats be forever demanded for our sins?
Will Yahweh ever provide another way to pay for the sins of his people?

I wonder.

Mercy Seat

Over the Ark of the covenant was the mercy seat. We are told that it was between the cherubim on the Mercy seat that God would commune with man. The New Testament word propitiation that is used in Romans 3:25 and I John is the same word. The word propitiation means the act of becoming favourably inclined. Romans uses the word to refer to Christ Jesus. He is our propitiation, our mercy seat, the place where we can commune with God.

The Law

The third item in the Ark according to Hebrews 9 was the Law written on two tablets of stone. This law has been the basis for criminal law for years but lately that has come under attack. We are no longer responsible for our actions but rather we are victims. Change society and we won't have crime. However, the Ten Commandments make it clear that we are responsible. The Law shows that we are sinners in need of a Saviour. Oliver Wendell Holmes began to shift the foundations from the justice that was ultimately derived from God's Law to social and economic polices proven scientifically to work best (according to Holmes). A century later we know that this does not work.

The Rod that Budded

The second item found in the Ark that is listed in Hebrews 9 is Aaron's rod that budded. The story of the rod is found in Numbers 16 and 17. The story is about rebellion against God's appointed leaders. One thing that is evident is that God will not tolerate rebellion. Saul discovered this when he took upon himself what God had told him was the responsibility of Samuel. Samuel gave this word to Saul from the Lord and that was that to obey is more important than sacrifice.
God reminded us through the story in Numbers is that He is the ultimate authority and He has given authority to certain men, men like Aaron.

Manna

In Hebrews 9:4 we read of the contents of the Ark. "This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant." The first item mentioned is the jar of manna. The manna of the wilderness is a picture of Christ, the "Bread of Life." No wonder God wanted it saved in the Ark of the covenant as a reminder that Christ is our life giver.

180 times.

In the description of the Tabernacle and its furnishings the Ark is mentioned 180 times. It was central to the Tabernacle and everything pointed to it. We sometimes treat God as if He was another person but the Israelites were taught that God had to be respected and thought of as holy. The Ark represented the holiness of God and every detail pointed to that holiness.
The Ark was to be moved in a particular way that was commanded by God. The poles for carrying the Ark were always in place and when it came time to move their camp the veil was taken down and used to cover the Ark. Then the priests could take the Ark by the poles upon the shoulders and carry the Ark.
When David first wanted to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem he did not take time to read what God commanded. Therefore when Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark he was struck dead. The Israelites had not treated the Ark with the respect that God demanded and Uzzah thought he could help God by keeping the Ark from falling.
Today we often don't treat God as a holy God but rather as our friend. One of the reasons I did not like the book The Shack was that it did not treat God as holy but made Him common. It is time that the church learned to respect the holiness of God.

Colours

In the ancient world the clothing had very little colour. Only the rich could afford dye to make different colours. That is why Joseph's coat was such a prized garment.
From the outside the Tabernacle was like any other tent but inside there it was rich in colour. The gate, the curtain and the veil all had blue, scarlet and purple colours in their design. The blue was the heavenly colour, scarlet the colour of blood which speaks of sacrifice and purple was the royal colour.

The Rope

I one time heard a preacher talking about the High Priest entering into the Holy of Holies. He talked about the preparation and then he said that he had a rope tied around his ankle so that if he died while in the Holy of Holies they could drag him out. I had heard that story so many times I believed it was part of Scripture but it is never mentioned in the Word of God.
Now it may be true that in years after Moses that they adopted the custom but it was not part of the original direction given by Moses to Aaron. It seems to me that it grew out of a spirit of fear rather than a spirit of trust. God desired that people would come to Him in the proper manner but not because of fear but because of grace.

Thanks Dale

Last Sunday afternoon my friend Dale painted the outline of the Tabernacle on the back lawn of our church. What was impressive was the size of the courtyard but when one looked at the size of the Tabernacle itself you were again surprised by the smallness of the Tabernacle when compared to the courtyard.
However, there was one small problem. Last Sunday was the day we changed back from Daylight Saving time to standard time and by the time church started in the evening it was too dark to see the outline.

House or furniture

When we were looking for a new house in Thunder Bay we found one that we really liked. The price was good, the location was great and it had the room we wanted. However, there was one problem. The living room was designed in such a way that there was no place to put the piano. We ended up rejecting that house and finally built one that suited our needs (and our piano).
Most people buy a house and then think about the furniture that goes into that house. But when God gave Moses the instructions for the Tabernacle He began with the Ark. The instructions were to build a sanctuary for the ark

Why Shouldn't God Love Me?

There is this tool for sharing the Gospel that begins with the line, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." The problem today is that the reaction of some people is what I stated in the title, "Why shouldn't God love me? Isn't that what God is suppose to do?" Gone is the idea of the wrath of God.
When the priests entered the Holy place they knew that God would judge them with death if they approached Him in the wrong or common way. God had prescribed how they should approach Him and they knew that they had to come to Him that way and that way only.
Yes, God is a God of love but He is also a God who judges sin and sinners. God does not love us because we are lovable but because He is God.

It is finally over

The race for the white house has finally ended and I think I am no different than most when I say I am glad that it is finally over.
There was much more at stake than just the presidency of the United States. The battle was over world views. Do we beleive that God of the Bible is the only true GOd or are we thinking that this life is all there is? The newly elected soon to be president may pretend to be religious and be "christian" but does he believe in the God of the Bible? The Bible says that there is only one way to approach Him and that is by the cross just as there was no way into the Holy of Holies except by the altar. We may not like all the blood and sacrifices but that was the way God said that sinful man could approach a holy God. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. We can try to sanitize religion but it is not the way to approach a holy God. He said, "When I see the blood I will pass over you."

Who or What?

I once heard a preacher say, "More than important than who God is, is what He does." I immediately reacted to that statement and after that I listened critically to him because his theology was suspect at best. The Ark represents who God is while the mercy seat what God does. There would not be a mercy seat without the Ark. Who God is determines what He does not the other way around.

Thanks Bob

Last night I was joined in the discussion on the Tabernacle by my brother-in-law Bob. We spent most of our time looking at the Table of Showbread. He referred to David when he was running from Saul and came to the priests at Nob. He asked for bread and all they had was the showbread. The priest made an interesting comment. He told David that he could have the bread to eat if he and his men were ceremonially clean. It was a striking reminder that it is only those with clean hands and a pure heart can enter into communion with God. As we come to the communion table we are to examine ourselves to make sure that we are ceremonially clean and then we are to eat. Our relationship with God does not depend upon what we do but on what He has done but our fellowship with Him can be marred by being unclean.

To show off the bread

A few weeks ago we gathered as a family for Thanksgiving dinner. The table was set and many remarked on the beauty of the table and its settings. However, it would have been silly if that is all the family came to do, that is, to admire the table and then go home. The setting of the table had a purpose and that was to feed those who gathered around the table.
The purpose of the table of showbread was not to be admired itself but to show off the bread. Similarly the Word of God is not to be admired but to be our daily food. But it doesn't stop there. It has an even greater purpose and that is to show off the Living Word, Jesus Christ our Saviour.