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.

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

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.

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

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//