THE WAITING
Anna wondered whether she could last the distance. Her seven year marriage seemed a lifetime ago and at 84 plus she knew that her days were numbered. Yet she waited with expectation. Every day she went to the temple and worshipped. Her eyes scanned the visitors ... would this be the day when the redeemer came? (Lke 2:36-38)
Someone else waited. Time was passing but God had promised that he would see the deliverer before death closed his eyes. Something took him to the temple compound that day. Then he saw them. There was a mother, her man and a baby not long past the one month anniversary. Something tugged at his heart and he knew this was the moment – taking the child he embraced God’s salvation. As for himself, Simeon was now ready to die. (Lke 2:25-35)
What are we waiting for?
We habitually count down to all kinds of events and may even have a countdown timer on our computer. Weddings, births, holidays, graduations and retirements all give us a sense of expectation and thus we watch the days shrink. But, do you notice that the waiting is sometimes better than the getting? And so we ask ourselves: ‘What was that all about?”
Is it worth the wait?
Anna and Simeon were waiting for God to act. They didn’t know it, but their wait was for Jesus. He is the one whose coming marked the close of the waiting time and the start of the ‘now’ time. This was the ‘last days’ as the end-game of God’s big plans came to fruition. And thus the Christmas cradle led to the Easter Cross and the cancelling of sin’s penalty and power through the self-sacrifice of Jesus.
We call all this ‘advent’: the coming of God’s Son Jesus at Christmastime.
There is another waiting. Another coming. Another advent. And so the Bible speaks of Jesus coming a second time to bring the fullness of God’s salvation to those who are waiting for him (Heb 9:28). We wait for this advent by putting our faith in Jesus to reconnect us to God and by giving ourselves to a life of love for God and humanity. This kind of waiting means that we are always as ready as Anna and Simeon to welcome Jesus and that we have no fear of God’s judgement.
Jesus has come and is coming.
What are we waiting for?
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
HEROES OF THE FAITH – CLEMENT
Over the last few weeks we have met some Christian heroes of the second century: Polycarp, Felicitas and Justin. These all bore outward testimony to Jesus and were all martyred for his sake.
Meanwhile the church grew in numbers and in its geographical spread. This was a church like any other in history: an imperfect company of imperfect saints. Problems soon arose within local churches and required help.
The church at Corinth needed attention from the Apostle Paul for its problems in New Testament times. Further problems arose later in the first century. The ‘fitting and orderly way’ that Paul had commended to Corinth (1 Cor 14:50) fell apart. Some senior church leaders were summarily deposed and disorder threatened.
New of this reached Rome where Clement was the key leader. He is called ‘bishop’. This means that he was a senior local church leader rather than a modern-day regional bishop. This Clement may be the person mentioned in Philippians 4:3 and almost certainly knew the apostles Peter and Paul at Rome as a young man. He was born in the modern Ukraine and lived AD40-99.
Clement wrote to the troubled church in Corinth. ‘The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians’ was probably written in 96AD and is the first surviving Christian writing after the New Testament. It was read alongside Paul’s letters at Corinth as late as AD170.
Clement’s letter is warmly pastoral and has wise words for the church of any age as it faces disagreements and conflicts. Notice how he commends gentleness towards fellow-believers and points us towards Christ: …
Let us cleave, therefore, to those who cultivate peace with godliness. … For Christ is of those who are humble-minded and not of those who exalt themselves over the flock. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the sceptre of the majesty of God, did not come in the pomp of pride or arrogance … but in a lowly condition.
…. Let our whole body then be preserved in Christ Jesus and let everyone be subject to his neighbour.
It is inevitable that problems arise within churches. What matters is how we resolve them. Clement sets an example of decisive action, rather than dithering. He shows us the way of peacemaking that looks to Christ and bids us look not to our own interests but to that of the whole church.
Meanwhile the church grew in numbers and in its geographical spread. This was a church like any other in history: an imperfect company of imperfect saints. Problems soon arose within local churches and required help.
The church at Corinth needed attention from the Apostle Paul for its problems in New Testament times. Further problems arose later in the first century. The ‘fitting and orderly way’ that Paul had commended to Corinth (1 Cor 14:50) fell apart. Some senior church leaders were summarily deposed and disorder threatened.
New of this reached Rome where Clement was the key leader. He is called ‘bishop’. This means that he was a senior local church leader rather than a modern-day regional bishop. This Clement may be the person mentioned in Philippians 4:3 and almost certainly knew the apostles Peter and Paul at Rome as a young man. He was born in the modern Ukraine and lived AD40-99.
Clement wrote to the troubled church in Corinth. ‘The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians’ was probably written in 96AD and is the first surviving Christian writing after the New Testament. It was read alongside Paul’s letters at Corinth as late as AD170.
Clement’s letter is warmly pastoral and has wise words for the church of any age as it faces disagreements and conflicts. Notice how he commends gentleness towards fellow-believers and points us towards Christ: …
Let us cleave, therefore, to those who cultivate peace with godliness. … For Christ is of those who are humble-minded and not of those who exalt themselves over the flock. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the sceptre of the majesty of God, did not come in the pomp of pride or arrogance … but in a lowly condition.
…. Let our whole body then be preserved in Christ Jesus and let everyone be subject to his neighbour.
It is inevitable that problems arise within churches. What matters is how we resolve them. Clement sets an example of decisive action, rather than dithering. He shows us the way of peacemaking that looks to Christ and bids us look not to our own interests but to that of the whole church.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
HEROES OF THE FAITH – JUSTIN
Christian heroism comes in many forms. Some are heroes in missions, evangelism or care of the needy. Others are heroes of the Christian mind.
Justin (~ AD100-165) was born in Palestine of pagan parents. He pursued truth and meaning through Greek philosophy until his conversion to Christianity aged about 30. He writes: … I was delighted with the doctrines of Plato, and heard the Christians slandered, but at the same time saw them intrepid at the prospect of death … . These believers may not have matched the unconverted Justin in debate, but they clinched the argument with their deeds.
Do our lives commend Christ to his cultured critics?
Justin became a leading Christian scholar. He first taught in Ephesus where he argued for Christ against Jewish critics. Next stop was Rome. He spoke for Christ to the pagan philosophers and even the Roman Senate.
Do we use our pre-Christian strengths and contacts in the service of Christ?
Christianity sometimes has an uneasy relationship with philosophy. In part this is based on a misreading of the text: See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy (Col 2:8). Justin was one of the first to see that the problem is not with philosophy itself but with philosophy that denied Christ. He tried to take every thought captive (2 Cor 10:5) as he thought, spoke and wrote with a Christian intellect. Some of his views seem problematic today, but we should not miss the challenge to develop and express a world-engaging Christian mind.
Here is a sample of his robust writing: Hence we are called atheists. And we confess that we are atheists, so far as the gods of this kind are concerned, but not with respect to the most true God ….
Do we think as Christians on the issues of our day?
Do we speak as Christians in our public square?
Justin was not just words. His public arguments for Christianity brought him under surveillance. He was denounced for refusing to sacrifice to the local gods, scourged and beheaded. And that is why he is more commonly known as Justin Martyr.
Are we ready to confess Christ as Lord, whatever the consequences?
Justin (~ AD100-165) was born in Palestine of pagan parents. He pursued truth and meaning through Greek philosophy until his conversion to Christianity aged about 30. He writes: … I was delighted with the doctrines of Plato, and heard the Christians slandered, but at the same time saw them intrepid at the prospect of death … . These believers may not have matched the unconverted Justin in debate, but they clinched the argument with their deeds.
Do our lives commend Christ to his cultured critics?
Justin became a leading Christian scholar. He first taught in Ephesus where he argued for Christ against Jewish critics. Next stop was Rome. He spoke for Christ to the pagan philosophers and even the Roman Senate.
Do we use our pre-Christian strengths and contacts in the service of Christ?
Christianity sometimes has an uneasy relationship with philosophy. In part this is based on a misreading of the text: See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy (Col 2:8). Justin was one of the first to see that the problem is not with philosophy itself but with philosophy that denied Christ. He tried to take every thought captive (2 Cor 10:5) as he thought, spoke and wrote with a Christian intellect. Some of his views seem problematic today, but we should not miss the challenge to develop and express a world-engaging Christian mind.
Here is a sample of his robust writing: Hence we are called atheists. And we confess that we are atheists, so far as the gods of this kind are concerned, but not with respect to the most true God ….
Do we think as Christians on the issues of our day?
Do we speak as Christians in our public square?
Justin was not just words. His public arguments for Christianity brought him under surveillance. He was denounced for refusing to sacrifice to the local gods, scourged and beheaded. And that is why he is more commonly known as Justin Martyr.
Are we ready to confess Christ as Lord, whatever the consequences?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Just wondering
Just wondering ..
Why the streets are 'All decked out' just now but there's hardly any mention of Christ-mas?
Why its okay for finance companies to proselytize aggressively on the streets but its not okay to send a prisoner a pastoral letter with a minister's message, prayer points and Bible readings?
Why the streets are 'All decked out' just now but there's hardly any mention of Christ-mas?
Why its okay for finance companies to proselytize aggressively on the streets but its not okay to send a prisoner a pastoral letter with a minister's message, prayer points and Bible readings?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
HEROES OF THE FAITH – THE FILIAL BOND
One of the worst fears of many parents is to attend our own child’s funeral. But what if you watched your seven sons die before your eyes because you were Christians and also knew that you were next?
Would we stay loyal to Christ?
Felicitas was a wealthy Christian widow who lived in Rome. She was born in AD101, had seven sons. Many people were converted through her charitable deeds. These deeds and the conversions attracted attention. Pagan priests complained against her to Emperor Marcus Aurelius and a trial date was set.
Are our lives so distinctly Christian as to attract attention and even hostility for Christ’s sake?
A public official tried to persuade Felicitas and her sons to abandon Christ. He failed. According to tradition, the first son was whipped and pressed with weights until he died. The next two had their brains beaten out with clubs. The next was thrown from a height to his death. The last three sons were beheaded. As each son died, Felicitas was offered the pardon of her own life if she renounced Christ. She refused. And so, aged 65, this Christian widow was beheaded with the same sword that was used against her youngest sons.
What price would we pay for Jesus?
Our families can be causes of division in the faith and even Jesus had troubled family relationships at times (eg Mat 10:34-38; 12:47-50). However, for most of us, our families are the one group of people who we can count on to stand by us in all circumstances and to love us at all times.
Imagine then the feelings of Felicitas as her sons suffered on her account. Had she renounced her Lord, they, and she, may well have lived. Instead, like Mary, her soul was pierced on their account (Lke2:35). This mother was made of an inner steel that was tougher than the sword used against her sons and herself.
How firm is our resolve to maintain our confession in Jesus?
Few of us are likely to be tested in the manner of Felicitas. However, we will all be tested if we are faithful to the Lord. May we be as resolute as this noble hero of the faith and keep Jesus in absolute first place in our lives.
Would we stay loyal to Christ?
Felicitas was a wealthy Christian widow who lived in Rome. She was born in AD101, had seven sons. Many people were converted through her charitable deeds. These deeds and the conversions attracted attention. Pagan priests complained against her to Emperor Marcus Aurelius and a trial date was set.
Are our lives so distinctly Christian as to attract attention and even hostility for Christ’s sake?
A public official tried to persuade Felicitas and her sons to abandon Christ. He failed. According to tradition, the first son was whipped and pressed with weights until he died. The next two had their brains beaten out with clubs. The next was thrown from a height to his death. The last three sons were beheaded. As each son died, Felicitas was offered the pardon of her own life if she renounced Christ. She refused. And so, aged 65, this Christian widow was beheaded with the same sword that was used against her youngest sons.
What price would we pay for Jesus?
Our families can be causes of division in the faith and even Jesus had troubled family relationships at times (eg Mat 10:34-38; 12:47-50). However, for most of us, our families are the one group of people who we can count on to stand by us in all circumstances and to love us at all times.
Imagine then the feelings of Felicitas as her sons suffered on her account. Had she renounced her Lord, they, and she, may well have lived. Instead, like Mary, her soul was pierced on their account (Lke2:35). This mother was made of an inner steel that was tougher than the sword used against her sons and herself.
How firm is our resolve to maintain our confession in Jesus?
Few of us are likely to be tested in the manner of Felicitas. However, we will all be tested if we are faithful to the Lord. May we be as resolute as this noble hero of the faith and keep Jesus in absolute first place in our lives.
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