The Zombie Apocalypse, Oh wait, not really

Now from the sixth hour [noon] darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour [3 p.m.]… And JESUS cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up HIS spirit.  And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook; and the rocks were split, and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after HIS resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many.  Matthew 27:45,51-53 NASB

[Cue scary music] Darkness falls.  An innocent man hangs on a cross.  Religious symbols destroyed.  The earth quakes.  And dead people come out of the grave and head to the city.

Is it the Zombie Apocalypse?  No.  It’s just GOD destroying the enemy.  The last enemy that will be abolished is death (I Corinthians 15:26 NASB).

The death and resurrection of JESUS… I’m so familiar with it, have taught it so much, that I worry it has become too simple for me.  Something I say from rote without thinking?  JESUS died for my sins.  And HE rose again.  Yes, HE did.  It’s a personal thing.  Everyone must choose whether to make him LORD or reject him.

But then I read the verses on HIS resurrection and find these strange accounts.  Darkness.  Earthquakes.  The temple veil ripping.  And people, dead and buried, walking around.

What?

Death.  We live in a fallen world.  Death is common.  Death is promised to us.

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—Romans 5:12 NASB

We teach it to children, “death is a part of life.”  And so it is… now.  But not always.  It was not there in the beginning.  GOD created.  Adam and Eve were in fellowship with HIM.

There is a debate.  If Adam and Even hadn’t sinned, would there have been physical death?  Some say yes, others say no.  If no death, then what about overpopulation?  What about… what about the fact that we lived in a reality where death is so part of our being that it is impossible for us to imagine life without it?

Whatever might have happened, the reality today is there is death.  And it’s painful.  Either for the one dying, the loved ones grieving, or both.  But I talk of only physical death.

What about spiritual death?  We, as fallen humans, have an emptiness that only GOD can fill.  But we are not always able to recognize and identify it.  We fill it with everything but GOD.  But Adam and Eve knew.  They knew fellowship before and brokenness afterwards.

JESUS came and died on a cross.  A gruesome death.  A death of a criminal.  JESUS, who is part of the triune GOD, experienced physical death.  And separation from ONE whom HE had always had fellowship with.

Before anything.  Before any creation, time, thought, GOD was.  And is.  And will be.  Just like we cannot separate our minds from a life without death, we cannot understand a GOD who is not bound by time.

So before anything, the triune GOD was in fellowship.  And then HE created.  And HE grieved when HIS creation rebelled.  And HE stepped down and entered into HIS creation.  And HE died.

An amazing thing.  HE died.  But in death, like in everything else, HE was so much more than it.  Death could not keep its sticky paws on HIM.  We, fallen creatures who are bound to time and space and death and sin… found ONE who is not.  JESUS came from the grave because the grave could not hold him.  Resurrection.  Life.  Life everlasting.

No wonder the dead Christians got up and walked around.  They were resuscitated, for a while at least.  The dagger that CHRIST used to piece death---death that could not hold CHRIST—it overflowed.  A shaking of creation occurred.  Earthquakes.  Darkness.  Religious symbols being destroyed.  The ripping of the veil... granting access to GOD for all who come through CHRIST.  And the dead walking around.  Death pierced.  Death destroyed.

The zombie apocalypse?  An idea of not being fully dead but not fully alive either.  Undead.  Fallen humans writing about things we do not understand.  “If the grave cannot hold the dead then they must be zombies.”  Undead creatures roaming the night.

But as with all things pertaining to CHRIST, the grave could not hold the HIM.  And instead of being an undead being wondering the night, we have a GLORIOUS risen SAVIOR.  HE not only saved HIMSELF but will save all who come to HIM.

Unbelievable, some say.  Not possible, others say.  I don’t understand it, I say.  But I trust the ONE whom the grave could not keep.  Death is destroyed.  The "already" but the "not yet."  We are in limbo--death's destruction is not not fully realized, yet.  People still die.  But death’s days are numbered.  And I’m standing with the ONE who came out of that tomb in a glorified body.  The ONE who ate fish and appeared for forty days to witnesses.  The ONE who ascended into the sky.  The ONE who promised the HOLY SPIRIT and delivered on Pentecost.

Yes.  My SAVIOR has risen indeed.  For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that HE shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.  Job 19:25 KJV

On my tombstone I want written... this promise…

My flesh may be destroyed, yet from my flesh I will see GOD.  Job 19:26

Enough said.

Psalm 39: If You Can’t Say Something Nice…

I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle, while the wicked are in my presence.” I was dumb and silent, I refrained even from good; and my sorrow grew worse. Psalm 39:1-2 NASB

I say it, especially as a parent.  “If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all.”  Curious.  I thought for sure that I was quoting the Bible.  I’m sure it’s in there.  Probably in the book of Hezekiah, right around the verse about “cleanliness is next to godliness.”

But I can’t find it now.  And maybe never will.  Where does that leave me?  After all, “if I can’t say something nice, then I should be quiet.”  Right?  Keeps me out of trouble.

Evidentially, that’s what the Psalmist decided to do.  Guard his ways, so he won’t mess up, especially with the wicked circling around… I told myself, “I’ll be careful not to sin by what I say, and I’ll muzzle my mouth when evil people are near.” I kept completely silent, but it did no good, and I hurt even worse. Psalm 39:1-2 CEV

It did no good and the NASB takes it a step further and says I refrained even from good.  The whole point of staying quiet when nothing nice can be said is to avoid conflict, right?  In today’s world, it’s important to be nice, not to hurt someone’s feelings, right?

But did the Psalmist avoid conflict?  Maybe outwardly… My heart became hot within me.  As I mused, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue; Psalm 39:3 ESV

Ah, finally, a word.  He will speak.  He cannot stay quiet any longer.

“Please, LORD, show me my future.  Will I soon be gone?  You made my life short, so brief that the time means nothing to you. Human life is but a breath, and it disappears like a shadow.  Our struggles are senseless; we store up more and more, without ever knowing who will get it all.  What am I waiting for? I depend on you, LORD! Save me from my sins.  Don’t let fools sneer at me.  YOU treated me like this, and I kept silent, not saying a word.” Psalm 39:4-9 CEV

Hmm, okay, I’ll admit it, I’m confused.  The first few verses talk of staying silent especially with the enemy around.  “I’m being spiritual and guarding my ways.  I’ll be quiet even though I see evil all around me.  I don’t want to sin!”  But it comes to a point where the burning inside is so hot, he can’t stay quiet.  He speaks out.  Against his enemy?  Against the injustices in the world?  Against GOD?  WHAT?  He cries to GOD.  All right.  He is writing a Psalm in the Bible, I’ll grant that he’s more spiritual than I am.  Crying to GOD might not have been my first choice. 

The Psalmist cries to GOD for help.  And then what?  He blames GOD for his current situation.  Really?   Because it is THOU who hast done it says the NASB (verse 9b).

What kind of relationship does this person have with the Creator of the Universe that he cries out to GOD for help and then blames HIM for the situation?  Who has that kind of relationship with GOD?  The text tells me.  At first, he tried to stay quiet. Then the calls out to the ONE who he knows can handle it.  But even more so Both bad and good things come by the command of the Most High GOD.  Lamentations 3:38 NCV.

WHAT?  Good and bad from GOD?  But James clearly says When people are tempted, they should not says, “GOD is tempting me.” Evil cannot tempt GOD, and GOD HIMSELF does not tempt anyone (1:13 NCV).

But yet the Psalmist continues on “Won’t YOU stop punishing me? YOU have worn me down.  YOU punish us severely because of our sins.  Like a moth, YOU destroy what we treasure most.  We are as frail as a breath.” Psalm 39:10-11 CEV

Blaming GOD for his situation?  Crying out that GOD is destroying what he treasures most?  WAIT!  Maybe it’s a clue.  We are to love the LORD your GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:5 NASB.  If we love GOD, then what we treasure most (GOD) cannot be destroyed.

JESUS said it best:  “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:19-21 NASB).

If we place value on items that can be destroyed or stolen, then we will be miserable.  As the teacher in Ecclesiastes says “Useless!  Useless!  Completely useless!  Everything is completely useless!” (1:2 NCV).  A bit extreme but true.  Like the famous book, “Gone with the Wind.”

The LORD causes it to rain on the righteous and unrighteous (Matthew 5:45c).  As a follower, as a child of GOD, we will not escape pain.  And we will not escape correction from GOD because HE loves us (Proverbs 3:12).  Can we cry out to HIM?  Yes.  The Psalmist did.  The Psalmist was honest with his pain.  He blamed GOD.  But do we leave it there, blaming GOD?  No.  For the Psalmist finishes the chapter—

“Listen, LORD, to my prayer!  My eyes are flooded with tears, as I pray to you.  I am merely a stranger visiting your home as my ancestors did.  Stop being angry with me and let me smile again before I am dead and gone.” Psalm 39:12-13 CEV

I want a relationship like that with the LORD.  One where I can be honest.  One where I can cry out to HIM, blame HIM but then beg for answers to my prayers in the same breath.  A relationship of ups and downs but one where I know HE is with me no matter what.  Abraham is called a friend of GOD (James 2:23b).  Am I HIS friend?

Who’s your friend?  And how honest is the relationship?

Justice—Mercy—How Long, Oh LORD, how long?

“Though you build high like the eagle, though you set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD. Obadiah 4 NASB

This is a chilly statement from a prophetic book written to an ancient people.  It would be safe to assume these people weren’t friends with the LORD.  The vision of Obadiah.  Thus says the LORD GOD concerning Edom—and so begins the book of Obadiah tackling the people of Edom.

I wanted to challenge myself and write on an entire book in the Bible.  I love writing on single verses.  Short statements.  General ideas.  Expository writing.  “Shining a light on the original meaning.”  But as someone who not only loses the forest for the trees but the trees for the leaves, I thought it might be good to get out of my comfort zone.  Take a leap into unknown.  So I chose Obadiah.  It is the shortest book in the Old Testament.  Okay, I don’t want to leap too far my first time.

The vision of Obadiah… concerning Edom.  The Edomites.  Who are these strange people and why did they disappear from the planet?  (And why do I care?)  First things first.  Abraham had Isaac.  Yes, yes, I sound like a genealogy, therefore, I must be doing a history lesson.  Next thing you know, I’ll start using “begat” which signals a Biblical history lesson.  Isaac and Rebekah begat twin sons, Esau and Jacob.  GOD changed Jacob’s name to Israel.  And, presto change-o, the twelve tribes of Israel were birthed.  And thus comes into being the chosen people of GOD, through Jacob, aka Israel.

But what about Esau?  I’m glad you asked.  Esau’s kids were called the Edomites.  The Edomites and the Israelites were cousins.  And like all families, they had their ups and downs.  Jacob and Esau had a rocky relationship, if you recall your Bible history.  But amazingly, they did reconcile.  But Esau ran to meet him [Jacob], and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept (Genesis 33:4 NASB).

Fast forward a dozen, hundred, thousand years and ask “Oh Esau, it’s two thousand years later and do you know where your kids are?”  Yes, yes we do.  They are in the rocky mountain area Southeast of the Dead Sea (Israel is North and West of the Dead Sea).  Since they were cousins with Israel, they got along beautifully, right?  No border disputes, right?  I mean Jacob and Easu reconciled and because of that, all their kids were BFFs, right?

Wrong.  Not even close.  Obadiah 10-14 tells a chilling story of one brother’s sin to another.  Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever.  On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. Obadiah 10-11 ESV.

You were like one of them.  Israel has had its share of invaders.  And when the invaders came, what did Edom do?  Edom stood there and watched as foreigners entered Jerusalem and took what they wanted (part of 11 CEV).  Edom chose not to help.  I know it is evil to steal, murder, or destroy.  But to stand and watch as stealing, murdering and destruction occurs—is that evil?  Are they as guilty as the ones performing the actions?  Would it have made a difference?  Should they have done something?

What did they do while watching?  They rejoiced at the fall of their brother—Why did you celebrate when such a dreadful disaster struck your relatives?  Why were you so pleased when everyone in Judah was suffering (12 CEV)?  Youch, they celebrated?  Okay, so maybe their sin isn’t so bad.  They didn’t help, they just watched.  That’s bad but not as bad as helping the enemy, right?  They were afraid, maybe.  Yea, that sounds good.  They were in fear of their lives?  Edom, you helped when the invaders left, right?  They are MY people, and you were cruel to them.  You went through their towns, sneering and stealing what was left (13 CEV).

It’s so sad.  Edom.  Brothers to Israel.  Rejoicing at Israel’s destruction?  Looting what was left?  They did what they wanted because they thought they were safe.  GOD tells them: “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in the loftiness of your dwelling place, who say in your heart, ‘who will bring me down to earth?’” Obadiah 3 NASB

Okay, that’s Edom, not us.  I mean what does an old book written to a people who no longer exist mean for us today?  I think I might have a clue.  Have you ever asked, as the psalmists and prophets of old have asked “How long, O LORD, how long?”  We look around.  We see evil.  We see the enemy gaining ground.  Why is nothing done?

For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations.  As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head. Obadiah 15 ESV

Why doesn’t GOD administer justice now?  Why does HE wait?  What is HE waiting for?  The LORD is not slow about HIS promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.  2 Peter 3:9 NASB

GOD is just.  And HE is merciful.  HIS waiting is for those who don’t know HIM so they can know HIM.  HE desires reconciliation.  So HE waits.  But be warned, HE does administer justice.  Edom found out.

What happened to Edom?  Why have they disappeared from history?  Obadiah tells us.  The house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau stubble; they shall burn them and consume them, and there shall be no survivor for the house of Esau, for the LORD has spoken (Obadiah 18 ESV).  The rest of the book describes the division of land on who gets what.

Babylon and Edom were allies, at first.  Instead of joining with Israel--their cousin, and defending her, Edom chose Babylon.  The Babylonians rewarded Edom's alliance by destroying the Edomites.  The children of Esau ceased to exist in history.

What should we take from this lesson?  You surely don’t think much of GOD’s wonderful goodness or of HIS patience and willingness to put up with you.  Don’t you know that the reason GOD is good to you is because HE wants you to turn to HIM? Romans 2:4 CEV

 
Edom had the claim of being relatives with Israel—the chosen ones of GOD.  And that didn’t save them.  They did evil and were punished for it.  GOD knows what is happening.  HE saw the evil in the world then and HE sees it today.  HE waits—not because HE fears doing something.  HE waits because HE desires each person to reconcile with HIM.  But as we see with the Edomites, there is an end to HIS waiting.  The day of the LORD is near upon all nations.

Will you be reconciled with the FATHER or will you be in rebellion?

For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only SON, that whoever believes in HIM should not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16 ESV

Too Much of a Good Thing

The LORD’s dazzling glory then filled the temple, and the priests could not go in.
2 Chronicles 7:1b-2 CEV

For this post, I want to write on the goodness of GOD.  A simple topic but one I believe we all struggle with beneath the surface.  Or at least I struggle.  I hold that GOD is good.  That statement, GOD is good, is the definition of my being.  Because if I did not believe in the goodness of GOD, then everything else is a waste of time.  But this year I struggled.  Christmas cards.  I had to remove family and friends from my list because of their untimely deaths.  Or I had to send separate cards because of divorce or separation.  I look around and see pain and suffering.  The scattering of sheep.  And the enemy gaining ground.

And so I sit, thumbing through my Bible.  But I could only recall parts of verses and not where they were found.  I don’t even have a focus, just a vague idea of what I want to say.  GOD is good.  So I pull out my nifty Bible reference but where it has helped me so many times in the past, I could not find what I was searching for.  In desperation, I type phrases into several search engines.  Bingo.

For the LORD is good; HIS lovingkindness [mercy] is everlasting.  And HIS faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:5 (NASB)

I have a start.  As with all my Bible studies, I look up the references listed in the center column of my Bible.  I find several more Psalm passages with basically the same sentence.  And then I come to Solomon.  Solomon quoted these Psalms during the dedication of the temple.  The building of the temple is done; that glorious first one.  Solomon prays a prayer (all of 2 Chronicles 6) and GOD’s glory, HIS Shekinah Glory fills the temple.

Glory.  Maybe I should write on the glory of GOD?  I still don’t have a focus on the goodness of GOD so I do a little research on glory.  Pulling out my Systematic Theology texts, I read about GOD’s glory.  In two volumes that could hurt my toe if dropped, there is one paragraph.  The root of the word glory is related to “weight” and “heaviness.”

Okay, on a personal note, that makes sense.  When I feel closest to GOD, most in HIS will, there is a heaviness in my being.  A weight or a burden that is desirable and yet uncomfortable.  I want to flee but also draw near.

Glory.  I want to do more research and then I realize that I’m rereading C.S. Lewis’s book “The Weight of Glory.”  The title says it all.

I decide to write on the glory of GOD.  So I go back to 2 Chronicles and read:

Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.  The priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD’s house.  2 Chronicles 7:1-2 NASB

Wait one minute.  The priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD’s house.  What?  The priests could not enter?  How is that even possible?  What does that mean?

Chronicles has many of the same stories as Kings so I flip to the corresponding history in Kings.

Suddenly a cloud filled the temple as the priests were leaving the most holy place.  The LORD’s glory was in the cloud, and the light from it was so bright that the priests could not stay inside to do their work.  I Kings 8:10-11 CEV

The light was so bright, the priests could not stay inside--GOD's glory.  As I type that, I think of Moses.  Wasn’t there a story where Moses was up on the mountain and when he came down, his face shined so brightly, the children of Israel had him wear a veil?  Hmm, yes… Exodus 34:29-35.  Wow, Moses had just come down with the second set of stone tablets (the first ones he broke in anger).  Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with GOD.  Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him (Exodus 34:29-30 ESV).

They had him wear a veil.  But when Moses went to talk with GOD or tell the people GOD’s word, he removed the veil.  Wow.  And that was only the reflected glory of GOD.  The children of Israel, who saw first hand GOD leading them out of Egypt, parting the Red Sea, could not face the reflected glory of GOD?

So what does that mean for us today?  GOD’s glory is so great that we cannot hope to approach?  HE did tell Moses that Moses could only see HIS back because Thou canst not see my face; for there shall no man see me, and live (Exodus 33:20 KJV).  We cannot stand in HIS presence?  Is there no hope?  Ah, it is coming together.  Bring in the New Testament.  JESUS said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the FATHER, but through ME.” (John 14:6 NASB)

GOD’s glory is dazzling.  None of us fallen humans can stand in HIS presence.  Goodness, the children of Israel couldn’t even stand the reflected presence of GOD in Moses.  There is no hope for us, EXCEPT through HIS SON.  The ONE HE sent to bring us to HIM.  JESUS.

And now back to the goodness of GOD.  What does a good GOD do when HIS children are out of fellowship with HIM?  Does HE bring about reconciliation?  Does HE send a WAY for HIS children to come to HIM?  Does HE give all that HE has in the hope that a few will come to HIM?

Yes.  Yes.  And yes.  JESUS said Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly FATHER feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they? (Matthew 6:26 ESV)

We are fallen yet we have value with the FATHER.  We had no hope but JESUS provided a WAY.  We flee from HIS glory but yet GOD still seeks us out, as a loving FATHER does.  As a GOD who is good does.

Instead of writing on the goodness of GOD, I need to write on our response to a good GOD.  What is my response to a GOD who is good?  Do we want to hide HIM under a veil?  Or do we let HIS reflected glory shine through us?  My hope and my desire is to shine…

Sometimes All It Takes is Obedience

Mary said, “I am the servant of the LORD.  Let this happen to me as you say!”  Then the angel went away.  Luke 1:38 NCV

If all our responses could be this one, the world would be a much different place.  [Sigh] But it’s not, so I’ll continue my blog.

Mary was young and female—used to obeying.  That made it easier for her, right?  I mean, it’s harder for us with today’s problems.  Do I think that?  No, I disagree.  Yes, she was female and obedience was expected.  Outward obedience that is.  But what about the heart?  Just because a girl is outwardly obedient, does that mean her inner being says “yes”?  GOD spoke many times about outward obedience but inward rebellion.  HE desires obedience flowing from inward faith.  Not compliance due to coercion.

For I desire steadfast love [mercy] and not sacrifice, the knowledge of GOD rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6 ESV

Marrying age for Mary’s contemporaries was about thirteen to sixteen years old.  Young indeed.  Because Mary was young, would that make her immediately compliant?

Mark Twain once said… “When a child turns 12 you should put him in a barrel, nail the lid down and feed him through a knot hole. When he turns 16, plug the hole!"

I’m sure Mark Twain was alone in his thoughts on adolescence, right?  But I suppose the author to this quote agreed with him:  “Mothers of teenagers know why animals eat their young.”  And I guess the author of this one also agrees: “raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-o to a tree.”  In all honesty, any person who has spent a microsecond with a tween or teen immediately understands these sayings.

Adolescence is a survival game, for the parents as much as the child.  It was back then and it is today.  There are different challenges from then to now.  But one thing has remained constant--struggle.  It goes by different names but it is all the same: challenges, difficulties, turbulence.  Spent time with an adolescent?  Remember being one?

Cue Mary.  She walks into this turbulent time of life.  She’s engaged.  And an angel visits her with strange words.  Okay, an angel visiting her is strange enough. But he does tell her an odd thing.

And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the LORD is with you; blessed are you among women!”  But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying and considered what manner of greeting this was.  Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with GOD.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a SON, and shall call HIS name JESUS.  He will be great, and will be called the SON of the HIGHEST; and the LORD GOD will give HIM the throne of HIS father David.  And HE will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of HIS kingdom, there will be no end.”  Luke 1:28-34 NKJV

Mary has a conversation with Gabriel as to the whys and wherefores before she finally says “I am the servant of the LORD.  Let this happen to me as you say!”  Then the angel went away (Luke 1:38 NCV).

What does simple trust and obedience to GOD mean for us today?  Maybe it was a blessing Mary was young and didn’t fully understand what she would endure.  An engaged woman having a baby?  Not treated well (most were stoned—the heavy rock throwing kind).  But Mary trusted GOD without railing against HIM for the unfairness of what she would endure.  But as I type that, I realize I don’t fully understand what GOD has for me either.  Is that a blessing as well?  I hold firmly to the truth that GOD is good.  But do I trust HIM to bring the good to fruition?  Or do I settle for mediocrity now because I don’t want to endure the struggle for the really good that comes later on?

C.S. Lewis holds that people are too easily satisfied.  Yes, we settle for less because we cannot see the fullness to come.  Or we do not trust HIM to hold our best interests at heart.  Or we just get impatient.  “I want no bumpy ride, let me sit in the mud versus traveling to the beach.  Yes, the beach is great but I might hit a bump along the way…”

Mary trusted GOD.  She did not fully understand what was to come.  But she knew GOD wanted only good for her.  And she answered, simply “I am the servant of the LORD.  Let this happen to me as you say!”

If you believe GOD is good and wants only the best for you, then why not try Mary’s response today?  I am the servant of the LORD.  Let this happen to me as you say!

We interrupt this life to bring you… A KING!

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After HIS mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the HOLY SPIRIT.  Matthew 1:18 NKJV

People complain (myself included) that tragedy strikes at the worst time.  All right, I agree that if we had to pick, there is never a good time for tragedy.  “I’ll pass on tragedy today, but a double serving of mercy with a side of blessings and hint of protection thrown in” describes my consumer tainted Theology quite well.  But doesn’t it seem that when things are at their worst, even more is piled on?

I think that happens with the good as well.  Do we expect to receive GOD’s blessings?  I don’t.  I’m always shocked.  I pray.  I rail.  I cry out.  And when I receive a wonderful blessing from GOD, my response?  I’m not expecting it.  “Oh, hey, this is great, I guess YOU were listening.  Wow, imagine that.”  Oh, me of little faith.

Joseph was a carpenter, soon-to-be husband.  We know that his ancestor was King David—how cool is that!  But it didn’t help much in the money department.  How do I know?

And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest… And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons… Leviticus 12:6-8 KJV

When the baby was born, what did Mary and Joseph bring?  The Law of the LORD also says that parents have to offer a sacrifice, giving at least a pair of doves or two young pigeons.  So that is what Mary and Joseph did (Luke2:24 CEV).  Very poor indeed.

So Joseph was going about his life, wanting to get married, have a family.  BAM!  “Census time—register in your hometown.  It’s time to stand up and be counted.  Do it or die.”  So Joseph and Mary trotted off to Bethlehem.

Oh, and did I forget to mention that before they got married and left for Bethlehem, Joseph’s finance was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit?  The WORD is entirely too understated.  Found?  Like she was lost and then “she’s having the SON of GOD.  Yea!  It’s party time.”  Found, understatement, indeed.  Or this verse; And GOD said, Let there be light: and there was light (Genesis 1:3 KJV).  Really?  When I think on these verses and others, I can only say, really?  It just wasn’t that difficult for GOD to accomplish?  I guess not…

But enough with my digressions.  Joseph, going about his life, finding his finance pregnant with NOT his child, decides to get rid of her without the violence.  He’s trying to get his life back on track, such that it can be put back on track.  Does GOD help him?

While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the LORD cam to him in a dream.  The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the HOLY SPIRIT.  Go ahead and marry her.  Then after her baby is born, name HIM JESUS, because HE will save his people from their sins.  Matthew 1:20-21 CEV

No, GOD derails his life even further.  Does HE let Joseph put away a wife that is bearing a child that is NOT his?  No.  Joseph is called to raise that child.  The SON of GOD.  Will JESUS have a stamp on HIS forehead, proving to everyone that HE is the SON of GOD?  No.  Some believe.  Most do not.  Joseph, while being called to do GOD’s work, endures the pain of others believing he is a liar.  Just as others did not believe or understand JESUS.

And HE [JESUS] began to say to them, “Today, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”  So all bore witness to HIM, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of HIS mouth.  And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”  Luke 4:21-22 NKJV

Did Joseph understand the blessing that interrupted his normal life?  He probably didn’t have a clue.  Or maybe just a glimpse.  Why do I say that?  A twelve year old JESUS…

When his parents found HIM, they were amazed.  HIS mother said, “Son, why have you done this to us?  Your father and I have been very worried, and we have been searching for you!”  JESUS answered, “Why did you have to look for me?  Didn’t you know that I would be in MY FATHER’s house?”  But they did not understand what he meant.  Luke 2:48-50 CEV

The point to this post?  Joseph had his life interrupted by what appeared to be a tragedy.  A pregnant finance.  NOT his child.  And probably not on Joseph’s timetable.  Instead, it was the greatest blessing ever given.  JESUS.  HIS power will never end; peace will last forever.  HE will rule David’s kingdom and make it grow strong.  HE will always rule with honesty and justice.  The LORD All-Powerful will make certain that all of this is done.  Isaiah 9:7 CEV

No, I do not like tragedies.  But I do like blessings.  I need to keep my eyes open and be ready for when they come.  Will I let them derail my life or put me back on track with HIM?  GOD is good.  HE gave us the single greatest blessing ever known two thousand years ago.  But it did not end there.  HE promises us more blessings to come.

Will you be ready?

HIS Star

“Where is HE who has been born KING of the Jews? For we saw HIS star in the east and have come to worship HIM.”  Matthew 2:2 NASB

They followed a star to worship a baby.  They followed a star to worship the newborn KING.  What was it that caught their attention?  There are a lot of stars in the sky.  Yes, it was a new star.  But what was it?  I am fascinated with this verse.  HIS star.  A sign to herald HIS birth.  “Hey, hello, THE KING is born!  This is what we’ve been waiting for!” 

The star—a conjunction of Venus and Jupiter happened in 3-2 B.C.  Okay, we know they are planets, but would the ancient astrologers have known that?  And Halley’s comet swung by in 11 B.C.  Oh, wait, that’s a comet, not a star.  And why would they see a comet and say “Oh, hey, let’s travel to Israel to worship the new KING.”  Doesn’t explain HIS star too well.  And despite the errors in conversion from the Julian calendar to Gregorian, 11 B.C. is too early.  Johannes Kepler found that Mars, Jupiter and Saturn joined together in the constellation Pisces, around 7-6 B.C.  They say Pisces is normally associated with Israel.  Why Pisces (the two fish) and Israel?  I don’t know.  And another theory discusses Jupiter in conjunction with the star Regulus in 3 B.C.  Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo (the lion). 

“For there is no sorcery against Jacob, Nor any divination against Israel.  It must be said of Jacob and of Israel, ‘Oh, what GOD has done!’  Look, a people rises like a lioness, and lifts itself up like a lion; it shall not lie down until it devours the prey, and drinks the blood of the slain.” Numbers 23:23-24 NKJV

And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that HE can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5 ESV

HIS star.  But once again, talking about planets and stars in conjunction?  It says HIS star, not HIS planets or HIS planets and stars.  And it was new.  What would make it HIS star?  A star for the-already-but-not-yet King.  The Messiah.  GOD in the flesh—incarnate.  Henry Morris had an interesting theory, although there is not much evidence for it.  A supernova, an exploding star which can be seen for about a year, occurred in the constellation of the virgin, Virgo. 

The LORD himself will give you a miraculous sign.  The virgin is going to have a baby.  She will give birth to a son.  And he will be called IMMANUEL (Isaiah 7:14 NIrV).

What was HIS star?  I don’t know.  Theorizing is fun but let’s focus on what we know.  What do we know?  They were wise men—astrologers, sages, advisors, educated men.  They were mostly like from Persia.  There was more than one.  And they had their eyes open.  They were looking.

“Therefore I [JESUS] speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.  And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘hearing you will hear and not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull.  Their ears are hard of hearing.  And their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.’”  Matthew 13:13-15 NKJV

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  Matthew 7:7 NKJV

King Herod and the rest of his court were not looking.  They were caught flat footed when the wise men stopped by to pay their respects.  Herod gathered together the priests and scribes of Israel.  Herod asked them where the MESSIAH would be born.  They did not know HE had been born.  Did not know.  They did not see scripture had been fulfilled right in their backyard.

After listening to the king, they went on their way.  And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.  And going into the house they saw the CHILD with Mary HIS mother, and they fell down and worshipped HIM.  Then, opening their treasures, they offered HIM gifts, gold, and frankincense and myrrh.  And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.  Matthew 2:9-12 ESV

What do we know?  They brought three gifts.  Gold, a gift given to Kings.  Frankincense, a fragrance used by priests.  And Myrrh—a fragrance used in burial.  JESUS.  The KING of Kings.  The high PRIEST.  The ONE who defeated death.

What does it mean, HIS star?  There was a star.  It was HIS star.  It showed the way to a group who wanted to worship HIM.

I shall see HIM, but not now: I shall behold HIM, but not nigh: there shall come a STAR out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.  Numbers 24:17 KJV

GOD promised a messiah.  HE gave signs that told of fulfillment of HIS promise.  Those who were expectant and looking, saw the sign.  They believed the promises so they followed a star to worship a baby.  GOD in the flesh.

But seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 NASB

Today, we stand between two of HIS promises. We have the risen MESSIAH who ascended into Heaven after defeating death. But there is a promise of HIS second return. While we have the already (CHRIST has come) and the not-yet (HIS second coming), we are still called to seek HIM. Just like the wise men on that first Christmas, we need to be vigilant. Keep our eyes open. And be ready to move when the call come.