Matthew 2:16-18
This is not a story that we normally include in the Christmas pageant. It hasn't made it into too many Christmas carols. It isn't the scene on the front of many Christmas cards. I am struck by Herod's humanistic worldview. Maybe Matthew didn't intend for this but the narrative moves from angels to Herod blaming the Magi, as if he can't see God's hand in any of this and as if Herod alone can control the outcome.
We learn some more about Herod here. The power that he holds is tenuous and he feels very insecure - he is threatened by a baby or toddler. Of course, I don't completely understand the culture of the time. I do know that it was common practice for kings to completely erradicate the lineage of their rivals. However, the rest of the historical record makes it clear that Herod was especially desperate, insecure and ruthless.
Matthew again speaks to the legitimacy of Jesus' claim to the throne by showing how desperate Herod was to get rid of him and by tying the events of Jesus' life to prophecy. Matthew, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, sees the fulfillment of prophecy in the massacre of the innocents in Bethlehem and vicinity. Matthew includes the poetic prophecy in his account of the nativity: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." Makes it a bit hard to say "Merry Christmas" after that.
I am amazed at the depravity of humanity that can cause so much pain and hurt in the middle of something so good and wonderful. I shouldn't be - it's the theme of the story. We ruined the Garden and now we ruin the coming of the Messiah. At first it might seem hopeless but then I remember that God removed his Son from the area and hope is still alive. This story still brings up some hard questions, though.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Joseph's obedience
Matthew 2:13-15
I've noticed that, at least in the beginning of Jesus' story, Matthew focuses more on Joseph than on Mary. I wonder if this reflects the paternalistic society that Matthew was writing to - the line of the Messiah must descend through the males and so Matthew emphasizes his paternal lineage.
In this passage, we read again of Joseph and again he is seen as a righteous and obedient man. There doesn't seem to be any questions or objections against what the angel told him. Rather, there is instant obedience. I know that Joseph lived in a culture where dreams, visions and angels were more widely accepted but it is also true that there hadn't been much revelation for centuries and so the appearance of angels wasn't exactly ordinary. Yet Joseph obeys immediately (again) - the words suggest that he didn't wait until morning but immediately got up and began preparations to leave for Egypt.
There are so many reasons not to obey - he's leaving his home country, he's leaving his family, he's leaving his business, everything he's ever known. Plus he has a new family and the message came to him in a dream. So often I justify my own "stuck in a rut" ways because I am afraid to deviate from the path. I would justify my decision and sound very wise and logical but the truth is most of my decisions are based on fear - the fear of the unknown, fear of risk, fear of looking like a fool. God, give me the simple obedience of Joseph.
I've noticed that, at least in the beginning of Jesus' story, Matthew focuses more on Joseph than on Mary. I wonder if this reflects the paternalistic society that Matthew was writing to - the line of the Messiah must descend through the males and so Matthew emphasizes his paternal lineage.
In this passage, we read again of Joseph and again he is seen as a righteous and obedient man. There doesn't seem to be any questions or objections against what the angel told him. Rather, there is instant obedience. I know that Joseph lived in a culture where dreams, visions and angels were more widely accepted but it is also true that there hadn't been much revelation for centuries and so the appearance of angels wasn't exactly ordinary. Yet Joseph obeys immediately (again) - the words suggest that he didn't wait until morning but immediately got up and began preparations to leave for Egypt.
There are so many reasons not to obey - he's leaving his home country, he's leaving his family, he's leaving his business, everything he's ever known. Plus he has a new family and the message came to him in a dream. So often I justify my own "stuck in a rut" ways because I am afraid to deviate from the path. I would justify my decision and sound very wise and logical but the truth is most of my decisions are based on fear - the fear of the unknown, fear of risk, fear of looking like a fool. God, give me the simple obedience of Joseph.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
tale of two kings
Matthew 2:1-12
I think the idea of Jesus as King of the Jews or Messiah is going to be a theme through this book. My understanding is that Matthew wrote the book to prove to a Jewish audience that Jesus was the Messiah or the King. This is why Matthew is the only writer to include the visit from the Magi - visiting foreign dignitaries coming to pay their respects to the baby "crown prince".
The contrast between the two kings is pretty huge: King Herod jealously and madly trying to hang on to his power at any cost and King Jesus, innocent and hardly able to hold on to anything. I think that Matthew may also be trying to portray Jesus as a legitimate threat to Herod's reign, proving again that he really is the Messiah and King of the Jews.
The journey of the Magi is interesting to me. We have no idea where they came from (lots of speculation but the Bible doesn't make it clear) or how long they travelled (again, lots of speculation - Herod ends up killing the baby boys two years and younger therefore the star must have been visible for two years) or even how many of them travelled together (just because three gifts were presented we assume that there were three magi). I imagine it must have been easy to give up the journey at times. I imagine that they probably faced some ridicule along the way - I mean they were chasing a star! I imagine that they must have questioned their own sanity at times. But they never gave up. The knowledge I have of the King and the kingdom is much more than what the magi had to go on and yet I do not think that I seek the King and the kingdom with the same determination and focus. "Where is the King?... I have come to worship him."
I think the idea of Jesus as King of the Jews or Messiah is going to be a theme through this book. My understanding is that Matthew wrote the book to prove to a Jewish audience that Jesus was the Messiah or the King. This is why Matthew is the only writer to include the visit from the Magi - visiting foreign dignitaries coming to pay their respects to the baby "crown prince".
The contrast between the two kings is pretty huge: King Herod jealously and madly trying to hang on to his power at any cost and King Jesus, innocent and hardly able to hold on to anything. I think that Matthew may also be trying to portray Jesus as a legitimate threat to Herod's reign, proving again that he really is the Messiah and King of the Jews.
The journey of the Magi is interesting to me. We have no idea where they came from (lots of speculation but the Bible doesn't make it clear) or how long they travelled (again, lots of speculation - Herod ends up killing the baby boys two years and younger therefore the star must have been visible for two years) or even how many of them travelled together (just because three gifts were presented we assume that there were three magi). I imagine it must have been easy to give up the journey at times. I imagine that they probably faced some ridicule along the way - I mean they were chasing a star! I imagine that they must have questioned their own sanity at times. But they never gave up. The knowledge I have of the King and the kingdom is much more than what the magi had to go on and yet I do not think that I seek the King and the kingdom with the same determination and focus. "Where is the King?... I have come to worship him."
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Christmas in September
Matthew 1:18-25
In the first three verses after the genealogy, the Trinity is mentioned: "the birth of Jesus the Messiah", "pregnant through the Holy Spirit", and "angel of the Lord". Of course the divinity of Jesus is one of the big questions that is addressed in his lifetime and beyond but it seems as if Matthew is making it clear that something new happened that involved the whole God-head. It gives the sense that all of heaven is involved in this story.
I think that it is also significant that the Holy Spirit plays such a prominent role in the birth of Christ. I tend to focus more on the Father and the Son and the dynamics of that relationship. I must not forget that the Holy Spirit was intimately involved in the story right from the beginning. I wonder if God knew that the role of the Spirit would be downplayed on the one hand and overly emphasized on the other. It's interesting to me that the Spirit is mentioned at the very beginning of the OT (moving on the surface of the waters) and the very beginning of the NT.
Joseph is also an interesting figure for me that often seems to fade into the background of the story but plays such a unique role. He should really be the hero and example for so many men who are acting as a dad to children who are not his own! What I learn from Joseph in this passage is that even when I do things with as pure motives and with a desire to what is right in terms of the law and what is right in terms of people, I still may be wrong. Joseph's desire was a good one: uphold the law by not marrying Mary but not exposing her to public ridicule or worse. However, his decision was still not the one that God wanted him to make. This gives me comfort at the same time: God did not condemn Joseph for trying to do what was right (even though it was wrong) but revealed to him the right path to take. In my quest to do what is right, I can move forward with confidence knowing that God will correct me where I am wrong.
The second thing I learn from Joseph is the importance of immediate obedience. Joseph has the vision of the angel and, when he wakes up, he does what the angel told him to do. There was no waiting - the very next morning Joseph completes the marriage. I think this is an indication of what Joseph wanted to do and how much he loved and wanted to be with Mary but it is also an indication of his openess to the will of God. Immediate obedience? That's not so much a marker of my life. I wish it was.
In the first three verses after the genealogy, the Trinity is mentioned: "the birth of Jesus the Messiah", "pregnant through the Holy Spirit", and "angel of the Lord". Of course the divinity of Jesus is one of the big questions that is addressed in his lifetime and beyond but it seems as if Matthew is making it clear that something new happened that involved the whole God-head. It gives the sense that all of heaven is involved in this story.
I think that it is also significant that the Holy Spirit plays such a prominent role in the birth of Christ. I tend to focus more on the Father and the Son and the dynamics of that relationship. I must not forget that the Holy Spirit was intimately involved in the story right from the beginning. I wonder if God knew that the role of the Spirit would be downplayed on the one hand and overly emphasized on the other. It's interesting to me that the Spirit is mentioned at the very beginning of the OT (moving on the surface of the waters) and the very beginning of the NT.
Joseph is also an interesting figure for me that often seems to fade into the background of the story but plays such a unique role. He should really be the hero and example for so many men who are acting as a dad to children who are not his own! What I learn from Joseph in this passage is that even when I do things with as pure motives and with a desire to what is right in terms of the law and what is right in terms of people, I still may be wrong. Joseph's desire was a good one: uphold the law by not marrying Mary but not exposing her to public ridicule or worse. However, his decision was still not the one that God wanted him to make. This gives me comfort at the same time: God did not condemn Joseph for trying to do what was right (even though it was wrong) but revealed to him the right path to take. In my quest to do what is right, I can move forward with confidence knowing that God will correct me where I am wrong.
The second thing I learn from Joseph is the importance of immediate obedience. Joseph has the vision of the angel and, when he wakes up, he does what the angel told him to do. There was no waiting - the very next morning Joseph completes the marriage. I think this is an indication of what Joseph wanted to do and how much he loved and wanted to be with Mary but it is also an indication of his openess to the will of God. Immediate obedience? That's not so much a marker of my life. I wish it was.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Roots
Matthew 1:1-17
This whole passage is a list of the ancestors of Jesus. Matthew, the author of the book (although he doesn't take credit anywhere that I know of), has divided the genealogy into three lists of fourteen generations. This is likely a literary device more than an accurate division (but I could be wrong about that). I know that seven in the Bible often references completeness or holiness so perhaps Matthew is saying that the genealogy of Jesus is complete or whole.
Matthew also includes the names of two women and references another without mentioning her name. The names of the two women he includes are foreigners (Rahab and Ruth) and the one he references was involved in adultery with King David. He also mentions Mary at the end of the passage as being the husband of Joseph and the mother of Jesus. It is interesting to me that he doesn't name Bathsheba and that, besides Mary, all the women mentioned are quite closely connected to David.
I can't think of much practical application from this passage. It does remind me of the sovreignty of God: even in the failings of so many of the people included in this list, God was at work to bring out the human lineage of the Messiah according to the prophecies that were made. Even though Satan tried desperately to corrupt the royal line, God preserved his people so that his plan would be fulfilled. If God's plan is to draw people to himself, I can move past my failures with humble confidence and continue my ministry without stress or fear. God's plan depends on God and not on my efforts. This doesn't excuse me from working hard and making plans. It doesn't excuse my sin and failure. It just means that I don't have to be defeated by my failure and that I don't have to take the responsibility of success on myself. God, help me to be faithful to what you have called me to do and to take responsibility for what you have given me - nothing more and nothing less.
This whole passage is a list of the ancestors of Jesus. Matthew, the author of the book (although he doesn't take credit anywhere that I know of), has divided the genealogy into three lists of fourteen generations. This is likely a literary device more than an accurate division (but I could be wrong about that). I know that seven in the Bible often references completeness or holiness so perhaps Matthew is saying that the genealogy of Jesus is complete or whole.
Matthew also includes the names of two women and references another without mentioning her name. The names of the two women he includes are foreigners (Rahab and Ruth) and the one he references was involved in adultery with King David. He also mentions Mary at the end of the passage as being the husband of Joseph and the mother of Jesus. It is interesting to me that he doesn't name Bathsheba and that, besides Mary, all the women mentioned are quite closely connected to David.
I can't think of much practical application from this passage. It does remind me of the sovreignty of God: even in the failings of so many of the people included in this list, God was at work to bring out the human lineage of the Messiah according to the prophecies that were made. Even though Satan tried desperately to corrupt the royal line, God preserved his people so that his plan would be fulfilled. If God's plan is to draw people to himself, I can move past my failures with humble confidence and continue my ministry without stress or fear. God's plan depends on God and not on my efforts. This doesn't excuse me from working hard and making plans. It doesn't excuse my sin and failure. It just means that I don't have to be defeated by my failure and that I don't have to take the responsibility of success on myself. God, help me to be faithful to what you have called me to do and to take responsibility for what you have given me - nothing more and nothing less.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
rebellion and lawlessness
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
Paul is addressing a false teaching, supposedly coming from him, which said that the Lord had already returned. Paul assures the church that the teaching did not come from him and that it is false. He reminds them that Christ will not return until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed. He gives no further information about the rebellion which causes me to conclude that it was common knowledge to the people of that time. He does give further information about the man of lawlessness: he will claim to be God, settining himself up in the temple of God.
This raises several questions for me: how literally are we supposed to take this passage? Does the man of lawlessness literally set himself up on the temple of God? The plain reading of this passage would indicate that Paul is talking about the temple in Jerusalem but that means that for Christ to return, the temple has to be rebuilt. I've always been taught that Christ's return was imminent but the temple is no where close to being built. Is Paul talking about another temple? Is the "day of the Lord" referring to something else besides the return of Christ? I don't think that's the answer since it is linked directly to the "coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him" (which sounds a lot like the rapture).
In my dispensationalist upbringing, the gathering of the saints takes place about 7 years before the literal thousand year rain of Christ. So, Christ comes and gathers his followers, taking them to heaven which sets in motion the Tribulation. Then the man of lawlessness is revealed, the rebellion occurs and, at the end of the Tribulation, Christ returns with his followers to defeat the man of lawlessness and his armies. However, Paul seems to see the two (Christ gathering the saints and the day of the Lord) as one and the same.
I don't have a lot of answers here. However, I would say that the theology of end times that I have been taught bears a second look.
Paul is addressing a false teaching, supposedly coming from him, which said that the Lord had already returned. Paul assures the church that the teaching did not come from him and that it is false. He reminds them that Christ will not return until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed. He gives no further information about the rebellion which causes me to conclude that it was common knowledge to the people of that time. He does give further information about the man of lawlessness: he will claim to be God, settining himself up in the temple of God.
This raises several questions for me: how literally are we supposed to take this passage? Does the man of lawlessness literally set himself up on the temple of God? The plain reading of this passage would indicate that Paul is talking about the temple in Jerusalem but that means that for Christ to return, the temple has to be rebuilt. I've always been taught that Christ's return was imminent but the temple is no where close to being built. Is Paul talking about another temple? Is the "day of the Lord" referring to something else besides the return of Christ? I don't think that's the answer since it is linked directly to the "coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him" (which sounds a lot like the rapture).
In my dispensationalist upbringing, the gathering of the saints takes place about 7 years before the literal thousand year rain of Christ. So, Christ comes and gathers his followers, taking them to heaven which sets in motion the Tribulation. Then the man of lawlessness is revealed, the rebellion occurs and, at the end of the Tribulation, Christ returns with his followers to defeat the man of lawlessness and his armies. However, Paul seems to see the two (Christ gathering the saints and the day of the Lord) as one and the same.
I don't have a lot of answers here. However, I would say that the theology of end times that I have been taught bears a second look.
Friday, August 1, 2008
made worthy and full of glory
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
As in almost all of Paul's letters, he includes his prayer for the church. Paul is concerned that the Thessalonians would be worthy of God's calling and that they would see fruit from their work and faith so that Jesus would be glorified in them and they would be glorified in Him. Paul picks up on his favourite theme: grace. The only way that Paul's prayer will be answered is because of the grace of God in Christ Jesus.
This prayer is packed! His first request is that they would be made worthy of the calling of God. This is obviously only by the grace of God and it is no wonder that Christ would be glorified if this prayer was answered - it would be a testament to his power and the completion of his work. The catch is that we are probably least worthy of the calling when we feel the most worthy of the calling. I saw Narnia: Caspian last night (I know, I'm behind in my movie watching - that's what having a child and living on one income will do to you) and the line that stood out to me was when Prince Caspian said, "I'm not sure that I'm ready." Aslan replied, "That's what makes me sure you are." The same goes for our calling - we are at our best and most worthy when we realize that we are not ready and not worthy because that forces us to lean and rely on the One who is and who can make us worthy.
The second request is that every desire for goodness and every deed prompted by faith would be brought to fruition. Can you imagine?! This ties closely to what the Psalm says about God giving me the desires of my heart and what Jesus says about asking for anything in his name. The key is at the beginning of the request: "by his power..." There seems to be two mindsets that people fall into: it is all up to me and my efforts or I can just sit back and do nothing because it is all up to God and by his strength. Paul agrees with both - work hard with a complete reliance on God's power. His power will bring to fruition my work as long as my work is motivated by my faith in God's power ("every deed promtped by faith").
The ultimate desire is the glory of Christ. I am only worthy of God's call when I am seeking Christ's glory and not my own. My deeds and desires will only be brought to fruition when they are motivated by Christ's glory and not my own. I must not serve myself. I must not even serve this church. I must serve Christ above all else. It is for Christ and his glory!
God, may this be true of me.
As in almost all of Paul's letters, he includes his prayer for the church. Paul is concerned that the Thessalonians would be worthy of God's calling and that they would see fruit from their work and faith so that Jesus would be glorified in them and they would be glorified in Him. Paul picks up on his favourite theme: grace. The only way that Paul's prayer will be answered is because of the grace of God in Christ Jesus.
This prayer is packed! His first request is that they would be made worthy of the calling of God. This is obviously only by the grace of God and it is no wonder that Christ would be glorified if this prayer was answered - it would be a testament to his power and the completion of his work. The catch is that we are probably least worthy of the calling when we feel the most worthy of the calling. I saw Narnia: Caspian last night (I know, I'm behind in my movie watching - that's what having a child and living on one income will do to you) and the line that stood out to me was when Prince Caspian said, "I'm not sure that I'm ready." Aslan replied, "That's what makes me sure you are." The same goes for our calling - we are at our best and most worthy when we realize that we are not ready and not worthy because that forces us to lean and rely on the One who is and who can make us worthy.
The second request is that every desire for goodness and every deed prompted by faith would be brought to fruition. Can you imagine?! This ties closely to what the Psalm says about God giving me the desires of my heart and what Jesus says about asking for anything in his name. The key is at the beginning of the request: "by his power..." There seems to be two mindsets that people fall into: it is all up to me and my efforts or I can just sit back and do nothing because it is all up to God and by his strength. Paul agrees with both - work hard with a complete reliance on God's power. His power will bring to fruition my work as long as my work is motivated by my faith in God's power ("every deed promtped by faith").
The ultimate desire is the glory of Christ. I am only worthy of God's call when I am seeking Christ's glory and not my own. My deeds and desires will only be brought to fruition when they are motivated by Christ's glory and not my own. I must not serve myself. I must not even serve this church. I must serve Christ above all else. It is for Christ and his glory!
God, may this be true of me.
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