Unnoticed but Necessary

Now therefore the wheat and barley, oil and wine, of which my lord has spoken, let him send to his servants. (II Chronicles 2:15 ESV)

Unnoticed but Necessary

King Solomon sent meals to those who were cutting and preparing wood to build the temple.  Obviously, the wood itself, after being cut, placed, and decorated was the more obvious resource.

But the wood would never have been given to the temple if Solomon had not fed the workers.

When the temple was seen, everyone noticed the UP FRONT and SHINY parts of the temple.  But behind the scenes was much work, many offerings, hard labor, generous donations, and unseen activities.

Solomon was imitating God in this action.

As active as He is in sunrises, salvation stories, and lives saved… He is ALSO active behind the scenes.  Holding atoms together.  Keeping planets and stars in gravitic orbit.  Moving hearts.  Changing minds.  Fixing broken relationships.  Giving second chances.  Teaching about love.  Being patient. 

His work behind the scends does not get as many headlines.

But it is just as necessary.

Try to praise Him for the behind the scenes, as well as the loud and obvious.

Good and Rich

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,

and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; (Isaiah 55:1,2 ESV)

Good and Rich

The restaurant was called The 1913 Room.  And it was the fanciest restaurant I had ever (or have probably since) visited. 

I do not remember the bill, but it was very, very, very expensive.

But within a few hours, I was hungry again.  That is the inevitable and unfortunate nature of physical food.  It can be good, but it is temporary.  It can be rich, but the need to repeat makes it unaffordable.

But the Gospel is food that is good, on the level of God’s post-creation decree, that “it is GOOD.”  The food of the gospel is the absolute perfect wonder of heavenly eternal life. 

The Gospel is food that is rich, on the level of God’s glorious invaluable blessings of heaven.  The food of the gospel is the unimaginable blessings of heavenly eternal life.

The meat you eat tomorrow will fade away.  The drink you imbibe tomorrow will fade away.  The things we consume are just that:  consumed.

But come to Jesus… that your soul may live, forever!

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“Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into field or vineyard. We will not drink the water of a well. We will go by the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.” But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. (Numbers 21:22,23 ESV)

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“Mine” is one of the first words many toddlers learn.  It is also one of the worst words we use, at any age.

The king of Sihon thought that his fields, vineyards, and wells were HIS.  But they were not.  They belonged, like ALL things, to Jahweh, God.  Moses promised that when traveling through Sihon’s territory, they would not take what the king claimed.  But Sihon refused.  Not only did he not offer to help the wanderers, but he would not allow Israel to even come close.

Sihon paid a terrible price.

And we should take note.

The owner of the cattle on a thousand hills, God, did not put those fields, vineyards, and wells into Sihon’s stewardship merely for Sihon’s benefit.  God placed those parts of HIS “cattle” in the place where they could be used to help and bless others.  Sihon missed that.

We sometimes pray, when in need, “Lord, You own the cattle  on a thousand hills… please aid me with some of those ‘cattle.’  And that is a good prayer.

But are we not also in Sihon’s shoes?  And do we not also act like Sihon?  Hording what the Owner has put into our care?

He has given us fields, vineyards, and wells so that we can bless and help others.

There are wanderers nearby… you know what to do.

Sweet Words

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. (Proverbs 16:24 ESV)

Sweet Words

A GPS that I used many years ago had a variety of voices available.  As a lark, we once set the voice to mimic the host of the TV show,  The Weakest Link.  She sounded curt, sharp, and almost angry.  Instead of saying, “YOU are the weakest link!”  she pronounced, “YOU have missed your turn!”, “In 100 meters, YOU must turn left!”

It made us laugh, but admittedly it also made me uncomfortable.

It did not take me long to change the voice to a kindly Southern gentleman.  “I am so sorry, suh… but you should cahnsider a U-Turn…”

Both voices imparted the same information.  But they spoke with different attitudes.

Our words, our information, our discussions can be gracious or angry.  We always have the option to speak kindly or impatiently.  We can talk in friendly tones, or the tones of an enemy.

And it is more than just how it makes someone feel.

Somehow, those gracious words are actually good for the soul!  And Christians are all about soul improvement.

Winsome words are perhaps connections to the sanctified parts of our soul.  Because our Savior is winsome.

Words that are thoughtful, and well-purposed are perhaps connections to the sanctified parts of our soul. Because our Savior is thoughtful and well-purposed.

Words that are welcoming and inviting are perhaps connections to the sanctified parts of our soul.  Because our Savior is thoughtful and well-purposed.

Our words are a pathway to Jesus.  Make them sweet.

Good Food

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it. (Proverbs 15:17 ESV)

Good Food

Many arguments arise about what “GOOD FOOD” really is.  Some enjoy McDonald’s, some enjoy Filet Mignon, some enjoy kale, some enjoy strawberries, some enjoy creamed cheese on celery, some enjoy spaghetti, with our without meatballs.

Some enjoy herbs… some enjoy a fattened ox.

But what makes such foods good or not-good is not the food itself.

But rather the community in which it is consumed.  The relationship with those we eat with.  The context of the meal.  The love of family, friends, and fellow believers.

And the best food of all, in that way, is the food we eat celebrating our Lord’s Supper… because therein we are united and uniting in Christ Jesus.  Together.  Because of His love.

East with those who share Christ’s love… and even raw radishes are eaten with joy.

Opportunities

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31 ESV)

Opportunities

We tend to think that only MAJESTIC things can give glory to God.  We tend to think that only EARTH-SHAKING things can give glory to God.  We tend to think that only HEADLINE-MAKING things can give glory to God.

But we can give glory to God when we do mundane things like eating and drinking.

Those everyday, unnoticed, un-marqueed, un trumpet-announced things like taking a bite of pizza, or drinking a sip of tea, unsweetened or sweetened.

That is why Paul adds the phrase, “whatever you do.”

God is big enough to take glory from us in every situation.

He gave us life, so everything we do can be directed at His glory.

He saved us, so everything we do can be directed at His glory.

He protects us, provides for us, guides us, teaches us, strengthens us, and enables us.  So everything we do can be directed at His glory.

Praise God for your next hamburger… or your next glass of water.

Tomorrow

And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood.  Of clean animals, and of animals that are not clean, and of birds, and of everything that creeps on the ground,  two and two, male and female, went into the ark with Noah, as God had commanded Noah. (Genesis 7:7-9 ESV)

Tomorrow

The Mayflower Pilgrims did not just pack today’s food as they boarded their westbound ship. They brought flour, seeds, and breeding animals.

The Roman Legions travelled with backpacks full of bread, wagons filled with flour, and herds of food-animals (most often, sheep).

Noah was on the ark for around a year.  We can easily imagine ark-rooms filled with flour, dried fruit, and meats.

But God also packed the ark with animals, two by two. 

Those animals were brought because God was providing for the future of His people, not only the present.

We might not plan well for the future, but God does.  We might not think beyond the next meal, but God does.  We might not be prepared for tomorrow’s unknown… but God has it firmly in mind, in reality, and in place.

We see His planning in the thread of the Messiah from Genesis to Matthew 1.  Things that took care of God’s people on a given day, were also part of God’s established plan for tomorrow. 

Moses’ Pentateuch was great for the wandering and settling Israelites… but the Scriptures were also a necessary part of God’s peoples’ future.  Moses was a two by two animal.

David was a great King for Israel… but David also was a necessary part of Israel’s future.  He was a two by two animal.

The prophet Isaiah’s words were great for Judah… but Isaiah’s words were also a necessary part of Israel’s future.  Those words were two by two animals.

God has prepared for OUR future, too.  God the Father is our future as well as our present.  God the Son is our future as well as our present.  God the Spirit is a Future as well as our present.

God has prepared for us.

Sacrifice

Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground.  In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. (Genesis 4:2-4 ESV)

Sacrifice

Two offerings… it is difficult to see why God was pleased with Abel’s sacrifice, and dissatisfied with Cain’s.  We know that the discrepancy exists because of this verse: By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain (Hebrews 11:4 ESV). SOMETHING about Cain’s offering was not as pleasing to God as Abel’s offering.

From the book of Hebrews, the difference has to do with faith.  Not saving faith, necessarily.  But faith that God will help.  Faith that God would keep His promises, and keep His people alive. 

Cain’s offering certainly involved work, but it was the work of a season or two.  Abel’s offering likely involved the work of years.  Animals take longer to develop than wheat.  Cain’s offering was a portion, probably leaving plenty to eat, and plenty to plant next year.  Abel’s offering was the firstborn, and was risking future generations of flocks.

This food-filled story reminds us that what we give back to God is not important to Him because of the monetary value.  But rather, He is pleased with our trusting sacrifice.  Our faithful sacrifice.  Our hopeful sacrifice.  Our dependent-on-HIM sacrifice.

The love He has taught us through His sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, shows us how to give to Him.  Give to God without fear of consequence, without uncertainty for our future, without jealousy of others’ gifts.

Give unabashedly, enthusiastically, and joyfully.

One Job

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.  And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:15,17 ESV)

One Job

We say it to the road worker who paints a crooked line: You had ONE job!

We say it to the road worker who paints a crooked line on the highway: Youi had ONE job!

We say to the last person to leave the building, who accidentally leaves the door unlocked: You had ONE job!

We say to the advertising agent who misspelled the company name:  You had ONE job!

Adam had one job:  Do not eat from THAT tree!

And he ate.

And so mankind needed the Messiah.

And lest we shake our collective fingers at that disobedient fruit eater… we would not do any better.  We would eat, too.  We would choose disobedience, too.  We would disobey.

In fact, we do.

And so we need the Messiah.

Now we have one new job.  Lean on Jesus.

Eat of Him… consume Him… fill ourselves with Him… embrace Him.

It’s a pretty good fruit, actually.

Work and Food

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. (Genesis 2:15 ESV)

Work

From the beginning, in the Garden of Eden, humans received the blessing of food through work.

The Garden of Eden was not a handout-location.  It COULD have been.  God could have done that.  But instead, God made a Garden… a food producing Garden.  And put Adam in it to work.

The result of work, before the fall ruined it… was food.  Good food.  Nutritious food.  Necessary food. 

And work is still good.  It still can produce food.  It still produces blessings.  In fact, work is the means God used then, and uses now, to produce blessings.

Blessings for the worker, AND blessings for others.  Because the food that comes from work is sharable, giftable, donatable, and used to help.

Adam was gifted the garden, and put to work. For God’s glory, for Adam’s benefit, soon for Eve’s benefit… and for the good of the world.

Work and food are already entwined.  Work and blessing are already entwined.  Work and love are already entwined.

Blessings

And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. (Genesis 1:11 ESV)

Blessings

Food is good.  Comfort food comforts.  Healthy food helps health.  Tasty food tastes delicious.  And here, partway through the creation week, God makes plants.

For two reasons, it seems.

First, for food.  These are foodish descriptions. 

But also for beauty.  Vegetation, plants, and trees are a blessing to look at, to observe, to experience.

God could have made blocks of protein and carbohydrates for food.  But instead He made these things.  God could have made blocks of matter without symmetry, color, or livelinesss.  But instead He made these things.

Even in every day things, God is amazing.

Food, Food, and Food

…and all ate the same spiritual food… (I Corinthians 10:3 ESV)

Food, Food, and Food

We all, every one, each one, corporately and independently, need food.  We consume food.  We use food. 

We might like food in different ways, flavors, and genres… but food is one of those common denominators of humanity.

It is no surprise that God refers to food often in Scripture.  Foodly things are common illustrations, metaphors, symbols, and teaching opportunities.

Because we all connect to food.

For the next while, we will examine Food in the Bible.

Let’s get hungry.

Weather Notice

Jubilee will not gather to worship today. Weather, weather, weather!

Us

Today... WE witness the nativity!

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14  “Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 2:1–20.

Beginnings

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ” (Mark 1:1-3 ESV)

Beginnings

I wonder if Mark quietly grinned as he wrote these opening words.  The word “beginning” seems to say, “HERE is where it all started.”  Read these words and we will begin to understand, to know, to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Even more, it seems that Mark is saying “HERE is where Christ Himself begins.”

But then Mark ties in what for his day, was THE prophet, Isaiah.  This Jesus that seemed to begin as later folk counted the years as counting down, to counting up, actually was known centuries before.  The gospel began back in the scrolls of God’s Word, not in Bethlehem.

And Mark also notes that Jesus was, is, and will be the Son of God.  That was nothing like the Greeks thought about gods having children (like Hercules, Achilles, or Athena).  God AND God’s Son are eternal.  Jesus Christ… the gospel… began before the beginning found in Genesis 1.

What begins is OUR part.  WE get to make Christ’s paths straight be bringing His straightness into our crooked world.  John the Baptist did.  Mark did.  All the players in the Nativity did.

When the eternal, infinite, unchanging God enters our time-world, our physical world, our touchable world, EVERY moment is a beginning.

It is Christmas Eve.  Back then, the worlds (both heaven and earth) were poised for a beginning.  It was a beginning that changed everything.

And yet that beginning happens again now.

It happens when we realize, admit, and embrace the fact that the beginning of everything is God, not our alarm clocks.  It happens when we comprehend, know, and apprehend that the beginning of everything is Jesus, not our calendar.  It happens when we notice joy, peace, and love because God is with us, Emmanuel, the King born in a dusty town.

Begin again.

One Way

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way… (Matthew 1:18 ESV)

One Way

One way streets seem to go against the American Way.  We unrealistically yearn for the Wild West when we drive.  We desire to drive where we want, when we want, and how we want.  When our desired destination is right over there,  it almost hurts that we have to drive blocks out of our way to get there.

One way is frustrating in more situations than driving.  Ever since Adam, we desire to live our lives OUR way.  Not God’s way.

So when Matthew describes Jesus’ birth, it is almost jolting to read him write, that there was A WAY in which the Incarnation took place.  Despite our desires, Jesus was not born in any old way.  Jesus was born in THIS way.

And when Christ teaches like that, He tells is that He is THE way, THE truth, and THE life. (John 14:6 ESV)

At Christmas time, when we read and consider THE Christmas Story, it is a grand time to re-center ourselves on CHRIST’S Way.  It is a grand time to divert ourselves from OUR way.

His way is THE way.  And HIS way is better than any other way.

The Gospel

 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:33-35 ESV)

The Gospel

I can put up with a lot of inconvenience, if bacon is part of the result.  I can endure a lot of exhaustion if a good night’s sleep is expected at the end.  I can keep on keeping on if the path leads to family, friends, and fellowship.

Simeon gives Mary a dire warning.  He tells her that her baby is going to suffer.  But the result would be worth it.  That baby, who was both God and man, would open the eyes and hearts of God’s people, and bring salvation.

When we read Simeon’s warning to Mary, we remember her sorrow at the cross.  We remember her sorrow when her people rejected Him.  We remember her sorrow as the baby that was so miraculously birthed was not the palace-dwelling prince He deserved to be, but the suffering servant.

But her sorrow was her price… not as big as Her son’s… not as big as the heavenly Father’s… not as big as all of God’s people’s added together…

But it was a price she was willing to pay.

For the gospel.

Announcements

he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:28-32 ESV)

Announcements

Many years ago, in a larger church, I was given the responsibility of making announcements before worship.  I took it both more seriously and less seriously than I should.  At times, I presented the announcements in poem, sometimes in song, and sometimes in funny accents or attempts at impressions.

But I soon learned, if I did not KNOW the subject of the announcement, that announcement would be empty, foolish, and probably incorrect.

The things we know, we announce.  And Simeon knew who the baby he held really was.  That baby was the Messiah, the long-awaited Savior, the incarnated second person of the Trinity.

And his announcement was:  Now I have seen everything.  Or at least, now I have seen everything important.

Because as a baby, as a young man, as a rabbi, as the Master, as the suffering servant, as the obedient One, as the sacrifice, as the consolation of God’s people, as the One who loves, as Jesus… was the most important One.

And that is an announcement that needs making.

Recently I was challenged to no longer say, “Merry Christmas.”  But instead to make announcements like Simeon’s.

Something like: “WOW, at this time of year we celebrate the necessary fact that God Himself became fully human, while remaining divine… and that He came to save sinners, destroy sin, and fix everything.  Come, and adore Him…  I hope THAT Messiah enters the homes and lives of everyone… and that falsehood and empty social religion diminish as HIS Kingdom grows!”

THAT is Merry Christmas!!!!

Expectations

“…he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”  And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.  And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed  (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:28-35 ESV)

Expectations

Sometimes I have a pretty good idea what is under the tree.  I’ve usually made my requests, dropped hints, and examined (from the legal distance in our house) the presents.

But even when I know, or THINK I know… the event is usually better than my expectations.

So it was for Simeon.  He knew the Messiah was coming.  He knew where the Messiah would be born, and that the child would be from a family who would bring the baby to the temple at the right time.  He knew what the Messiah was going to do.

But then… can you imagine Simeon’s face when he saw Jesus?

More than he expected.

Not physically, of course.  I hate to admit that usually a baby just looks like a baby.

But Simeon knew.  It had been revealed to him.  And it was more than he expected.

The same is true for us.  Whatever you expect from God… expect more!  At Christmas, of course… but always!

Done Waiting

And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.  And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38 ESV)

Done Waiting

I am waiting for a particular thing.  It involves a decision that some other folk are making, that will mean a great deal to me.  Every morning, I glance at texts.  Every day I check email.  Every day, I jump when the phone rings.

And while I am NOT mentioning it now, the time will come when I will mention it, talk about it, hum about it, post about it, write about it, and shout about it.

While it IS an important thing to me, it is not, however, of cosmic importance.

But Anna was waiting for something that really mattered.

And the moment she saw the Christ child, she spoke to everyone else who had been waiting, too.

Heat beats increased.  Mouths stretched into smiles.  Eyes sparkled.  And voices probably hummed and sang.

Because waiting for the Messiah was done!

Today, we are used to the Messiah.  So it does not seem so grand that the waiting is done.

But it IS grand, still.  We still wait for the absolute end of sin, because of the Messiah.  We sill wait for the end of every tear, because of the Messiah.  We still wait for hope to be fulfilled, joy to be irrefutable, and peace to reign, because of Jesus.

And so we can understand Anna… and rejoice with her.