I GOT THE BREAD COVERED.

There's a story in Matthew's Gospel that has been playing over and over in my head since we covered it this past Sunday. There's something about its simplicity that really just cuts me. The story is brief. It's a quick little encounter - but I keep finding myself caught up in it. 

Its the story of Jesus and His disciples crossing back over from one side of Galilee on to the other (Matt. 16:5-12). They had all just left behind a very tense disagreement between Jesus and the religious leaders of Israel, but they had also just seen Jesus' great and miraculous display of power as He fed over 4,000 hungry families with just a few loaves of bread and some fish. Apparently, the disciples had forgotten to gather up some of that bread and bring it with them on their trek across the lake. They were concerned.

Jesus begins to teach them: "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees!" I imagine Him in the boat re-playing His argument with the Jewish religious leaders over and over in His head. Like those times after a huge disagreement at work or at home; walking away muttering incomprehensibly as you think of what you should or shouldn't have said. I imagine Jesus in the boat, quiet and reflective as He travels with His disciples across the calm wavy sea. "Careful," He tells them, "guard yourselves against what you just saw."

Then, the camera turns towards the disciples. Now, I really find this part of the story hilarious. You can picture Jesus finally emerging from His contemplation. He's ready now to teach them what has been on His heart since they've left for their journey. Words of wisdom. Bam! There it is, out there for the disciples. And what's their response? "Guys, guys! He knows about the bread! Quick what do we do? What do we say?"

There's something so absolutely ridiculous about their response, so absurd that it doesn't even actually make sense logically in response to what Jesus is saying. The only thing in common between the two is bread. Right over the disciples' heads go Jesus' words. Whoosh! *insert hand gesture of palm flying over the head here*

They're so concerned about the stupid bread that they've filtered everything Jesus is trying to teach them through their concerned preoccupation. Interesting. 

So here, Jesus turns to them as patiently as possible: "Seriously? ... I just fed 4,000 people with almost no bread, I fed 5,000 earlier on in the month from almost no bread ... here's a hint; I GOT THE BREAD COVERED!!! GIVE IT A REST!!! That's not what I'm talking about! I'm talking about what you just saw on the other side of the lake. Don't be like the Pharisees and Sadducees. They're like leaven and if you accept a bit of their teaching it will puff you up and it will ruin you."

And all the disciples go - "Ahhhhhhhh! Gotcha Jesus!" Light bulb. Bing! We have a winner. And so the story ends.  

-----

Now, two things from the story have stuck out to me and I haven't been able to shake them from my mind since. 

First off, Jesus' words: "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." This leaven was their teaching. This smug, self-righteous attitude of demand. Jesus, prove yourself to us and if you don't you couldn't possibly be who you say you are; you couldn't possibly be the Christ, the Son of God. There is this attitude in the Pharisees and the Sadducees, this heart of 'well we've exhausted all there is to know about God so its our job to judge you in light of all this knowledge.' Judgmental, skeptical, doubtful etc. This was their attitude. What's more, they cloaked this attitude behind religious language and debate. This apparently made it ok for them? 

No, Jesus cuts to the heart of that all. Do not judge, lest you wish to be judged. He cuts into the self-righteous behavior of these Pharisees and Sadducees. But what's even more interesting is the fact that He recognizes the possibility for even His own disciples to adopt that attitude and teaching in their walk with Him. They are in step with the Divine as they walk with Jesus - Jesus says careful lest you are puffed up as the Pharisees and Sadducees. Watch your pride. I am with you graciously - not meritoriously. Beware of the leaven. 

The second thing that stands out to me - and this is what I find so absolutely insightful about the story - is that the disciples were so preoccupied with the small, mundane issue of the lack of bread that they missed out on what Jesus was teaching them. Their preoccupation with the small things of life caused them to miss out on what God in Jesus was teaching them! 

Isn't this us? Don't we find ourselves worrying about such petty things that in the larger scale picture of our walk with Jesus, we miss out on what He's trying to share with us and teach us? Don't we look absurd and silly as we worry amongst ourselves over the next exam, the next pay-check, the next _________ while Jesus all the while is saying: "Here's a hint; I GOT THE BREAD COVERED!!! GIVE IT A REST!!!" We worry about all these things, we preoccupy ourselves with the bread in our lives' and in all that preoccupation we filter out Jesus and what He is trying to teach us. 

So, not only beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees - beware of the heart of worry and worldly preoccupation. He clothes the lilies, he will clothe you. Resign your worry in the heart of prayer. 

-----

It was a good Sunday in so far as I learned these lessons. I hope and pray we all can learn from this simple story; a journey with Jesus and His disciples.

//ExProfundis//

Tweet Tweet!

So, I follow N.T. Wright on Twitter. I know, I know ...  really nerdy move. 

Anyhow!

He 'tweeted' a quote from one of his books the other day that I have been thinking about all week. I found it pretty insightful. He says the following: 

"In worship, the church anticipates how things are going to be in that new day" 

Interesting. I think this is a pretty accurate and succinct summary of our Christian act of worship. I like this definition for two reasons: 

1. I believe it is properly eschatological. By that I mean it recognizes that worship is in a certain real sense an act of present hope for the future end of the age. Worship is an act in the present; confessing now in word, song and action the kingship/lordship of Christ. Yet, this lordship is presently hidden from the world at large - it is a secret, a mystery. The church is the community that sees the resurrected Jesus and proclaims His Lordship in word, song and action i.e., in worship. So in this sense, I think N.T. has, with great insight, recognized this future sense of the church's worship. It does now what will be done in that day; it recognizes here and now, what will be recognized then and there. 

2. I believe it also does away with the common misconception that worship is something we do ONLY on Sunday mornings. True, worship with the community is valuable beyond question. However, our whole lives are called as offerings unto the Lord (Rom. 12:1). Everything we do during the week - at work, at school, at home - is done in anticipation of that day. Worship is work done for the Kingdom in every aspect of life because it is done for the Lord that is coming; the resurrected Lord. 

I'd be interested to hear your take! Good? Bad? Reservations?

//ExProfundis//

 

 

Why Then This Darkness?

"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it" 

Light floods the dark and empty room; beams in the sad hopeless corners. What was lost to the eye now in plain view. 

Light.
Daybreak.
Morning.

As if from the dawn of the very first, he awakes. His eyes in eagerness open. Breathes in the breath of His creator and exhales the death of the past; a holy kiss.

Fresh.
Renewed.
Hopeful.

As if in anticipation, in childish naivety, he moves. His body free, with the rhythms of new life. Carefree and of no concern. 

Possibility.
Horizon.
Newness.

Into the darkness, the light shines. A sword through the death and decay; piercing and slaying. The death of death and the doing away of darkness. 

Victory.
Glory.
Celebration.

Yes, into the darkness, the light shines. 

But, why then this darkness still? I awoke. We awoke. Why then this darkness? Where now is your light to shine? Where now is your sword; your breath of life?

Why then this darkness still?

//ExProfundis//

 

Blowin' In The Wind

Can we ever really 'create' a Spirit-filled environment? Is it ever really possible for us to set things just right and then - because of the setting - be assured that the Spirit of God is among us? Or, maybe the better question is, can a man (pastor or layman) ever really revive a church when he comes to it? Is this within our grasp?

I do believe that many churches and church leaders answer all of these questions with a loud resounding YES! I confess, as well, to have been wooed and tempted many different times by them, often playing at the notion that I too should join the choir of singers and sing the high note in the affirmative. I too am tempted by the thought that it is our responsibility as Christians and especially as pastors to bring about God's Holy Spirit; to bring about powerful revival in the church and in the world.

However, if I understand what Jesus and the Scriptures say about the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the church, to answer these questions in the affirmative sets everything we know about Him backwards. For the Spirit comes at the sending of Jesus. He comes and the church is formed. Yes, the Spirit reveals and the church understands; the Spirit enlivens and the church is revived.

So I wonder if, in a way, our attempts to 'create' revival or 'establish' a community that is 'Spirit-filled' boils down to arrogance. Or perhaps, at worst, idolatry. 

Maybe, as we look to our pastors for revival - we are placing them in the very position of Jesus Christ our Lord - the One who truly sends His Spirit! Maybe those of us who pastor churches should learn to remove ourselves from the place where only the One True Man should stand and beg humbly for the Spirit in prayer. Maybe instead of trying to create a 'Spirit-filled environment' we should humbly look to see where it is that the wind of the Spirit blows and join Him where He is at work. Maybe we should stop laboring so diligently towards a task that is not given to us and instead trade it in for a faithful life of seeking and finding. Yes, human institutions need human maintenance - but God's church is not, and never will be, a purely human institution. Lord willing we can begin to learn our place in it rather than force ourselves upon it.

//Ex Profundis//

The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached

No posts for a long time. Apologies. I've been swamped here at church but finally it looks like I can breathe again and take a few swipes at the keyboard. Thank God!

I had been posting reflections on the Gospel of Matthew. That much I remember. If my memory serves me right the last post rounded off chapter 4 and left us hanging at chapter 5. Since then, though my studies through Matthew at church have proceeded all the way to chapter 8! So, I guess I'll have to type fast and sacrifice some of the trees for the forest.

The glue that has held Matthew's Gospel together thus far has been the message of a coming new kingdom; a kingdom in which God reigns as King over his creation. Jesus has been singled out as this One peculiar King - God in flesh - God with us; and yet the way He has begun to piece together His kingdom is quite unusual. Matthew 4 ended with a few quick vignettes in which we saw the beginnings of Christ's Kingdom breaking out into history. Chapters 5-7 (traditionally called the Sermon on the Mount) begin the first lengthy teachings of Jesus and shed some powerful light on the way that men and women are expected to live when God is their King. Take a look ...

-------------------------

Matthew  5-7 

I. A New Charter

Matthew often makes interesting theological points simply by locating Jesus' activity. For example, you remember the baptism He received at the Jordan. That baptism was reminiscent of Israel's 'baptism' at the Jordan i.e., their leaving behind the wilderness for a new promised land. Matthew makes a point to locate Jesus at the Jordan so that his reader can make this theological connection.

Similarly, by locating Jesus on a mountain, teaching with authority, Matthew means for us to remember Moses; not just Moses but all of the theological imagery he evokes!

Just as Moses brought Israel out of Egypt and into communion with God, so Jesus brings men and women out of their old lives and into God's Kingdom communion. Just as Moses gave Israel the law in order to teach the Jewish people a new way of life - one very different from that in Egypt; so Jesus gives men and women a new law, a charter, to teach them a way of life very different from the world's.

What we are hearing in the Sermon on the Mount then is a reeducation; teaching us how to live in a world where God is King. This is just like Israel's reeducation at Sinai. We are not brought out of the kingdom of this world into a vacuum. No. We are brought out of the world into a new Kingdom, a Kingdom in which God rules over us in Jesus Christ. 

Imagine, Matthew conjures all of these images up for us by simply locating Jesus on a mountain. Interesting.

II. Real Life Aliens!

As kids, we all imagined aliens to be strange pointy-eared green men. We imagined them wobbling around all wrinkly-like eating up all the leftovers from our Skittles ... friggin E.T!  What we never did picture as kids, was the possibility that we ourselves could become real life aliens in the here and now; but that is just what Jesus says here in the Sermon on the Mount!

As He makes His way through the message, He makes it clear that those who follow Him and live by His teachings will become real life, here and now aliens in this world. We will live amongst men and women who see our actions as foreign and other-worldly. Our way of life will be radically different from the lives lived in this world. People will look at us and be confused. Perhaps some will be afraid, others just dismissive - but whatever the reaction may be, the Sermon on the Mount makes it clear that when a man or woman lives with God as their King, the world will not understand them. 

III. Standing Around, Waiting ... 

Boston winters suck. They're cold, snowy and down-right annoying. I would suggest that's why everyone is so damn bitter out there, but anyways I digress. Boston winters suck .... 

I remember as a child living in Boston, having to wait around outside for my dad or mom to pick me up from school. Winters were the worst. All my friends and I would huddle up like old homeless men around a fire-filled trash can to wait impatiently (as 3rd graders tend to be) for our parents. Complaint after complaint we would shiver and wait ...

But O how great was the warmth of my parents old run down Toyota Camry. Like a white horse down the hill of snow coming to the rescue I would wave my friends good-bye and hop into the heated comfortable car. Home Ronnie! (ok I never called my dad 'Ronnie' he probably would have killed me for that ... ) Anyways, I was safe. 

Now all this nostalgia is for a purpose, I promise. You see, when I read these words below - the words that conclude Jesus' Sermon on the Mount - I am reminded of the images of my youth. I find for myself an interesting point of connection:

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. 

// Matthew 7:24-27//

We're all, in some way shape or form, waiting for our dad. We're all sitting outside in the cold bitter winter of life. All of us are weathering the storms and anticipating the great and final storm; when our heavenly Father returns. Like impatient 3rd graders we're all waiting around, huddling up. 

But Jesus offers us a hope and an anchor, he offers us a foundation for life while we await that return and weather the winter storms of life. He offers Himself. He offers a lifestyle lived in obedience to His teachings made possible by the heavy cross He bore and the Spirit He extends. The Sermon on the Mount closes with a final offer to make Jesus and His teaching the foundation for your life and it leaves you and I with the hope of something much better than a run-down heated Toyota Camry. It offers us life in communion with the One True Living God. Creator of Heaven and Earth. Any other foundation would be, simply put, foolish. 

Read the Sermon on the Mount brothers and sisters. Read it and be changed by it. Amen. 

//Ex Profundis//

Hope in the Wilderness - II

Chapter 4

We left off in the wilderness and here pick up in the wilderness. A new man stands in the dry, desert land; vulnerable and in want. Jesus, our God in humble flesh, waits and prays and lives in the wilderness for us and is met by an old familiar foe; the adversary. Here in the wilderness, like Israel and Adam of old, the One True Man is tested and tried. See here in the wilderness, the King put to the test.

I. The King Put To The Test (Matthew 4:1-11)

Immediately after His baptism Jesus retreats to the wilderness and is tested there by Satan; the adversary of God's plan. While there is much in the text, for times sake, I'll hone in on one very intriguing aspect of the story. Its very interesting that all three temptations appeal to Jesus' use of power. Each of these temptations are an attempt by Satan to get Jesus to use His legitimate, God ordained power/authority selfishly. Each of these temptations play on Jesus' greatness and essentially say - prove it! You're the King? Really? Prove it with a fantastic display of power! So goes Satan's advance.

Yet, Jesus does not falter. He stands firm. In His reflection and meditation on the Scriptures - He remains true to God's mission for Him. Though His use of power will look strange and unusual, though it will be demonstrated in His going to the cross; He will stand firmly committed to it. He is the only One who can do this and He in fact does do it. He uses His power for the service of His people. He is the King who reigns from the cross. But we're getting ahead of ourselves here ... suffice it to say, I find it very interesting that Jesus is quite unwilling to use His power in ways that the world (and sometimes the church) would expect Him to. He has a very different idea of power and greatness.

With this ordeal finished, Jesus returns home prepared to start His ministry. Matthew gives us three interesting 'snapshots' of things to come in the following verses. Snapshots of the Kingdom.

II. Snapshots of the Kingdom (Matthew 4:12-25)

These three short stories (3:12-17|3:18-22|3:23-25) combine to give us a very exciting collage of the Kingdom life:

(3:12-17) - reminds us that the Kingdom comes as a light and a hope for those who are lost in darkness.

(3:18-22) - reminds us that the Kingdom creates witnesses; it calls men and women to participate in the new message of hope found in the King who establishes this Kingdom - Christ!

(3:23-25) - reminds us of the type of people whom Jesus and the Kingdom He brings benefits; the sick, helpless and outcasts of the world - those who recognize they need a King.

All of these small narrations combine to create a great introduction to the strange new world of the Kingdom. God has come as King in Jesus. His Kingdom has come to benefit the sick and hopeless members of society. The down-trodden and overlooked. Those who have been dealt with unjustly. He comes as savior - and he comes to put men to work for His Kingdom; to make them fishers of men. Being in the Kingdom means being put to work by Jesus. It means carrying out what He came to do for the people He came to do it for. An interesting and difficult challenge for the church today and those who call on the name Jesus as Lord.

-----------------

A rejection of the common use of power and instead a use of that power for the benefit of those in need. That is the essential message of hope found in this fourth chapter of Matthew. Hope for strange people, from a strange place - but hope nonetheless. Hope in the Wilderness.

//Ex Profundis//

Hope in the Wilderness

Matthew 3

It has been too long since I've been able to post this study. We covered this chapter almost 3 weeks ago. Since then, much has changed. Some pain, some joy - some unanswered questions. Reading over chapter 3 again, I am reminded that life is full of pains, joys and unanswered questions. We need a leader to bring us into a new way of things. We need someone to bring us out of the wilderness of despair and into the promised land of milk and honey. We need Christ. We need our King.

Here we go ...

I. The Wilderness Baptizer (3:1-12)

Two points strike me as Matthew paints his portrait of John the Baptist:

First, the location of John's baptisms. Matthew has John baptizing the people of Israel in the Jordan just to the East; in the wilderness. I don't think Matthew means simply to locate John geographically. In fact, I think Matthew is actually making a very profound theological point about what's going on here. All throughout Matthew's Gospel so far geographical locations are mentioned to conjure up images of past events; events in Israel's history. I believe this is what's going on here.

Ages ago, Israel set out upon the Jordan leaving their wilderness wanderings behind. There in the wilderness God transformed a rugged nation of Egyptian slaves into a unique culture organized around God's rule; a theocracy. The nation went through great trial there in the wilderness; it was a time of intense soul-searching and discipline. But it was in the wilderness that God provided for His people and molded them into a community who could enter into His promised land. A community that looked radically different than those around it. A community ruled by YHWH.

As Israel stood before the Jordan with their new leader Joshua (which is by no simple co-incidence the Hebrew equivalent of Jesus' name; the Lord saves!) they stood at the threshold of a new life. A life lived under God's rule; in His land and under His laws. This is the same image that Matthew is conjuring up for his readers when he mentions the baptisms of John. John brings Israel back into the wilderness and sets them before the Jordan to prepare them for the coming of the new Joshua; the new leader who will lead His people into special communion with God. John prepares Israel for a new Jordan crossing. A crossing into the New Kingdom of God. This is the first point that strikes me when I read Matthew 3:1-12.

Second, the message of John the Baptist. The simple message: Repent. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

I believe that this two-fold message summarizes the rest of Matthew's Gospel in nuce. What we have in John's message (and later Jesus picks up the same message -4:17-) is a statement and a response to the statement. First, the statement that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand i.e. that God's rule is going to be established in a new and yet unheard of way. God is coming and He is coming as a King to His people. This is the statement. The response is that we must repent to enter into this Kingdom i.e., we must radically change our ideas, our morals, our whole way of life. In other words, to cross the Jordan into the land of milk and honey - we must turn away from the old and enter the new. When God comes as King - we become the subjects. In fact - and this may or may not make sense at first but I think if you reflect on it, it might haunt you and change you - in fact, the only possible way of life after God has come as our King is repentance; a way of life that is open to His changing it and redefining it.

At any rate, this is 3:1-12 in outline. While I could elaborate on more, these are the two points that strike me in this first chunk of narrative in Matthew 3.

II. The King in the Water (Matthew 3:13-17)

The second scene in Matthew 3 brings us to an unusually perplexing passage of Scripture. One that theologians and exegetes have grappled with over the centuries. A stumbling block for many, but the hope of life for those who understand it properly. Why would the Lord of Heaven and Earth submit to baptism? What does Jesus, King and Christ, have to repent of? Why is the King in the water?

In my opinion it makes the most sense to read this passage as Jesus' - and therefore God's - unwavering willingness to participate in full human experience. This is Jesus' way of claiming solidarity with humankind. In all His freedom, in all His power - He decides to enter fully into the human experiences of those He came to save. The one who does not need baptism in fact is baptized for us.

This may be unsettling, but it is in fact the best reading of the text. The Lord, the King, God's beloved Son humbles Himself and is baptized by His created servant John. He is willing to lead the way for humanity across the Jordan and He does this as one who understands fully the complexities of His human creation. He is in solidarity with it - He leads it as its King. - but He is in solidarity with it.

This looks a lot like what's going on in the first chapter of Matthew. Interestingly, the conclusion there is the declaration - 'Immanuel' i.e., God with us. It is the same here in chapter three.

---------------

Again, I'll just post some light comments in the way of application but I will leave you to connect some of the dots in your own lives:

1. Jesus leads the way for us into a new and unwavering hope. A life and healed from the way we used to live; He leads us into His Kingdom.

2. This Kingdom is not without standards; living in it requires a complete transformation from an old way of life to a new. New ways of living, loving and thinking are needed to enter it. We need to repent of the old and jump across the Jordan towards this new way of life. Perhaps we'd call that a leap of faith? ...

3. This Kingdom was brought about by a King who understands the depths of our human experiences; a king who demonstrates His greatness and power by becoming lowly and weak on behalf of those He loves. He uses His Kingly power to serve man - again, should we not be picking up on Jesus' cue and drastically redefining our understanding of power and its use?

//Ex Profundis//

Why O Lord?

I've read somewhere a saying that goes something like: "a man is never really a man until he's cried at the pain of the world." I don't know where I read it or who wrote it - but I wholeheartedly agree with it.

This past weekend, I received the news that 15 year old Elizabeth left us behind to be with the Lord. After recovering from a brain tumor at the age of 10, she was diagnosed with Leukemia almost a year ago. She fought long and hard, but in the end she lost the fight.

If you knew her, words like hopeful, joyful and innocent wouldn't do her justice. She had a simple, child-like laugh that would turn your mood in an instant. Being greeted by her on a Sunday morning was a gracious gift from God. Never in my life have I ever seen someone who could share such joy in the midst of such extreme physical pain. It's as if God put her here amongst us to show us a different way of life - to show us what human beings are capable of when in child-like faith they walk with God; drinking from His well of life. I would love to say I have met many a Christian who lives as Elizabeth, but shamefully I would be lying if I said I had. She was unique. One of a kind.

In the most frustrated moments of a loss like this, I can not help but wonder why such difficult and horrible things happen to such beautiful, loving people. Why is it O Lord that the righteous suffer while the wicked gain? Why is it that the faithful struggle in pain and strive for comfort while the wicked enjoy the fruit of their evil and live life unhindered? Why O Lord ...

I would love to think that long thought and deep reflection could bring comforting answers. I would love to be able to say A happened because B. But sadly these are naive hopes. Hopes of a young boy - not of a man. No. Sometimes things simply don't make sense. Sometimes no amount of thinking or reasoning can provide an answer. Sometimes there just aren't any answers; only the hope of God's final resolution - the hope of Christ.

Arise O Lord! Lift up your hand O God!
Do not forget the helpless [...]
You O God do see trouble and grief;
You consider it to take it in hand.

- Psalm 10:12&14a-

//Ex Profundis//

Introducing Jesus - II

Matthew 2

A little over a year ago, I was shopping for an engagement ring for my beautiful wife Kelsey. I'll never forget the experience. It was foreign soil for me. Diamonds, settings, karats ... they might as well have been speaking Chinese. I was way out of my league - thank God she gave me pictures! I had a great jeweler and an awesome brother to accompany me. Needless to say, things went well. Almost six months into my marriage.

Anyways, what really intrigued me was the point where I got to pick out the diamond. I had never known the complexities and intricacies of gemology. No one diamond was alike; and for each diamond you observed, there were numerous cuts which revealed its beauty and gave it it's shine. To pick out the right diamond, you had to turn it and look at it from several different angles just to get a full-view that would give it justice. One look wouldn't do - you had to see it over and over again. It was absolutely captivating.

These past few chapters, Matthew has been functioning as a jeweler. As if handing a diamond to his audience - he presents Jesus; giving us different angles and views. As a jeweler presents his diamonds, so Matthew presents Jesus. We get a full-view of His identity in all its shining glory. One look won't do - we have to see Him over and over again from different angles and perspectives; and I promise you, when you see Him for what He is- its absolutely captivating.

---------------

I. Jesus He's Our Promised King (2:1-23)

While the genealogy of chapter 1 set us up for this , Matthew 2 makes it clear - Jesus is our King. He's not just king over the people of Israel, but king over all humanity. Even pagan magi who come from the far-east recognize this Jesus as King. But what is interesting is that this king is so absolutely ... 'un-kingly'!

If you read chapter 2 its clear that there is a character contrast between Herod king of the Jews and Jesus king of humanity (including Herod). Herod is the epitome of what one would expect a king to look like. He has power. He has a kingly court with whom he has the capability to scheme and control in order to keep power and 'protect' the people. Herod is kingly.

But then there's Jesus, a child-king. Born in a remote city to a family of little repute. Not received in any royal fashion by his own people but instead crowned by pagans from the East. Jesus who has to flee from the power and rage of Herod to Egypt. Jesus, a king on the run. Quite ... 'un-kingly'

But you see, I think this is the very point that Matthew - and God for that matter - is making! That we have so misunderstood power and authority in this world that when God presents true human power and authority, when He sets up His King - the true King, we are taken so completely by surprise. He looks absolutely foreign to us. He is so 'un-kingly' because our ideas of true Kingship are so off the mark!

II. Jesus. The Great Recycler! (Matthew 2:1-23)

Its very interesting that all throughout chapter 2, Matthew highlights events in Jesus' childhood that were experienced in former days by Israel and it's leadership. Notice:

Wisdom from pagan nations comes to see King Jesus
||
The pagan Queen of Sheba comes to hear the wisdom of King Solomon

Jesus flees from hardship to Egypt
||
Jacob (Israel) flees from hardship to Egypt

Jesus flees Herod's power hungry jealous murder
||

Moses flees pharaoh's power hungry jealous murder

It's very interesting that Matthew sees in Jesus a sort of recycling of Israel's past experiences. That in Jesus, Matthew seems to think that all the past of Israel has been summed up and concluded; that Jesus is the embodiment and the perfection of what Israel should have been. Matthew seems to be saying that Jesus has culminated the Old and made things New. He's the great recycler!

This New thing that Jesus brings is the very Kingdom of God; but we're getting ahead of ourselves. John the Baptist is about to enter stage right and introduce this coming of the Kingdom. Until then we'll have to be content knowing that Jesus - in all His Kingly glory - as true humanity and as true divinity - culminates the Old and ushers the New Kingdom of God. This is Matthew's introduction. King forever, Lord of all. Amen!

---------------

When we discussed some of these things in our youth group two different points of connection were made. I'll just mention them briefly in hopes that they spark reflection in your own time:

1. Jesus drastically redefines our world's understanding of power and authority.

2. If Jesus brought the New Kingdom of God and closed out the Old way of the Law - it'll be hell trying to live by the Old. Interestingly probably quite a bit like what Paul was saying ... (Pssh! and people say Paul and Jesus don't agree ... )

//ExProfundis//

Introducing Jesus - I

Matthew 1

There is a technique in the musical world called 'counterpoint.' It is the interweaving of two melodies, at times quite conflicting, to produce a complex harmony of sounds. When executed properly, the product is absolutely beautiful! There is nothing quite like it. In fact, it still exists today; musical artists call it a 'mash-up' - but the technique is as old as Bach. There's nothing new under the sun ...

What I have found interesting in the opening chapters of Matthew - the first in particular, is that Matthew quite creatively crafts a 'counterpoint' of texts; a 'mash-up' if you will. He narrates events in such a way as to produce a beautiful harmony; one that attempts to do justice to the identity and person of Christ our Lord. He tells story after story; one on top of another. Each of them building upon the other. Sometimes these stories are quite difficult to reconcile as they stand next to each other - but in the end their differences complement each other and produce a beautiful harmony for all who will listen. The harmony and symphony of God made flesh. Immanuel.

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I. Jesus. He's One Of Us! (Matthew 1:1-17)

The opening words of Matthew are quite literally: "the book of the genesis of Jesus." Perhaps subtly indicating what will follow in the rest of the book; an account of the new creation brought about by Jesus; new beginnings.

At any rate, the list of family members rolls monotonously on. Abraham begat ... David begat ... Solomon begat ... etc. etc. We get the picture. People are begetting! But we miss the significance of Matthew's introduction if we don't pause to hear what He is saying in all this. You see, so many people hearing about Jesus for the first time would quite frankly be asking: "who the hell is this guy?!" Everyone is talking about Him, people are making fantastic claims about Him but ... who is He?! Matthew says, plain and simple: "He's one of us!" He comes out of our history. He dwells among us and takes up historical residence among our people. He is in the line of the kings, Son of David - but He is a man in the history of men. Jesus. He's one of us! Interesting. But remember - 'counterpoint.' We've only yet heard one phrase of the melody. There is more to complement it ...

II. Jesus. He's God With Us (Matthew 1:18-25)

The story continues with the narration of the Virgin Conception.

There's a very interesting contrast here between the previous text (the genealogy) and the text here. Whereas the previous text is an account of human begetting - stuck in the mundane cycle of human possibilities - this text is a bright light breaking through. The impossible becomes possible! What is impossible to man is possible to God! The text is clear to emphasize that Jesus is no simple product of human history; He isn't any man. No. The point is that He is what man could not produce! That is, or should be, the point of the Virgin Conception. What man could not produce, what man could not be, God in His Holy Spirit produces and becomes. This new One, this Jesus will save us. He will lead us out from our sins. He will be our just and faithful King.

But wait. One last thing. This King. This new creation. This Jesus. He is not just one of us. He is in fact God with us. Immanuel! He is the very presence of the Almighty among us in human history. He is true God; our hope and our Rock!When we are before Him, we are before God. When we worship Him, we are in fact worshiping God. In the very beginnings of Matthew, we have something quite similar to John's prologue - the Word eternal became flesh and dwelt among us. We have here the mystery and symphony of the incarnation and of the Gospel. Despite our sin and our unfaithfulness, God with us. Beautiful.

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So, when these two texts are read alongside each other, when the counterpoint is heard, we are introduced to Jesus the God-man; true God and true humanity. But we would do wrong to leave it in the past. We do not serve a dead Lord but a risen One; a living God. We serve Jesus who was, who is and who is to come! So we are introduced here in these opening chapters to the God who in Jesus Christ is willing to be for us today! Here. Now. The God who is willing to enter into the sin and injustice present in our current world and redeem it; make it new. We are dealing with a God who knows the suffering and pain of our humanity - and who offers a new alternative to humanity for those who listen. A humanity with God and a humanity of service.

For more on what that humanity will look like ... wait till Matthew 5. Until then.

//Ex Profundis//

The Beginning of a Journey

The youth group here at Glendale Nazarene has just begun a journey through the Gospel of Matthew. It's a journey that I hope will prove fruitful. One that I pray will change and transform us. A journey that I expect will prove difficult - but one I believe we must take. A journey with Jesus our King.

And in preparation for our study in Matthew, it struck me that it might be worthwhile to share insights from the text with the larger church community; or with whoever will hear them in general. I find myself processing much as I sit in the word and hear what God is saying to us in Matthew. It feels a bit selfish in a sense. So, why not have the community participate, critique and engage the things that pop-out from the text? Why not allow others to take the journey along with us? It might have the possibility of offering deeper insight. It may give me more material to bring into my study with the students I serve. It may even move you or others to see Jesus fresh; with new eyes. Either way, it struck me as a good idea.

So, each week I've decided I will post insights from the past week's message. They will be brief and hopefully thought-provoking. Feel free to comment, dialogue or even use what is posted. What's more - please join me in prayer as the journey in Matthew begins. God be with you.

//Ex Profundis//

Diapsalmata

Life.

Ever needed. Ever sought. Ever present.

Life.

Streams. Unhindered. Rushing.

Life.

What more? What less? What end?

Life.

What was. What is. What is to come.

Life.

Ever needed. Ever sought. Ever present.

O Brilliant Light of Life!

O merciless lover of our souls.

Flood us I ask.

Quench us I pray.

Enliven us.

Teach us to sing:

Death!

O you vicious menace death!

Where is thy victory?

Where O death is thy painful sting?

Salvation belongs to the Lord.

Life.

Ever needed. Ever sought. Ever present.

AMEN.

//Ex Profundis//