tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15504461995742773252024-03-16T09:04:42.037+01:00Blessed to be a blessingParticipating in God's purpose and passion to save the lostBlessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.comBlogger667125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-44484989223343608322024-03-16T09:04:00.001+01:002024-03-16T09:04:03.183+01:00Credentials for Service<p>Psalm 36:5-12 John 13:1-17</p><p>Credentials for Service</p><p>Dwight L. Moody apparently once said: “The measure of a person is not how many servants he has, but how many people he serves.” Years ago, a friend of mine who went to seminary in Germany told me of an incident that occurred when their septic tank overflowed due to a blockage. Evidently, the person in charge of maintenance was on leave, so as a student, he reported it to the principal’s office. Later, when he returned to the men’s bathrooms, he was pleasantly surprised to see a man hard at work, ankle-deep in the sludge, unplugging the drain with his hands and then washing away the muck. His surprise, however, quickly turned to shame as he saw who it was who was cleaning up the mess. It was the principal of the seminary. </p><p>Needless to say, my friend never forgot his lesson in humility. Now, I think that Jesus taught a similar lesson to his disciples in our Gospel passage for today.</p><p>John tells us that the incident took place the day before the Passover…in other words, the Day of Preparation on the 14th of Nissan. Scholars have struggled to correlate John’s timeframe with that of the synoptic Gospels as he seems to place the Last Supper on the evening before the actual Passover, apparently one whole day too early for the slaughtering of the lambs. However, Exodus 12:6 states that the ritual killing of the lamb could take place “between the two evenings”, in other words, sometime between the sunset that would start the Day of Preparation and the following sunset that would start the day of the Passover. </p><p>It is also true that the Pharisees and the people from Galilee counted days from sunrise to sunrise while the Sadducees and the people of Judea counted days from sunset to sunset, so it is possible that Jesus and his Galilean disciples celebrated the Passover a day before those holding to the Judean calendar. </p><p>Others have asserted that due to the sheer volume of pilgrims, the priests out of necessity began to slaughter the lambs a day earlier so that all could be ready for the Feast. Whatever the case may have been, all these explanations allow for Jesus to have been crucified at the same time as lambs were being slaughtered in the Temple.</p><p>According to verse one, the foot-washing incident was a direct result of Jesus knowing that his hour had now come. So, there must be some link between Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice on the cross and this action of washing his disciples’ feet. It was because of what he knew that he now did what he did. Bear that in mind as we work our way through this passage.</p><p>Chapters 13-17 are what we would call a Farewell Discourse, very much like the latter part of Deuteronomy and other final wills and testaments found in Scripture. The most important point made throughout this discourse is Jesus’ love for his own. John tells us that his love is constant, unchanging, and permanent. His love was not based on the performance of his disciples…if it were, his love would be impossible. </p><p>Our kind of love is so unlike our Lord’s love. Our love is very often performance-oriented, and we tend to mercilessly reject those who do not measure up to our expectations. Even our love for God tends to be subject to his performance…whether or not he has given us what we desire or what we expect him to give. As such our love for God or for others is a poor symbol of his love. As C. S. Lewis has said: “On the whole, God’s love for us is a much safer subject to think about than our love for him.” </p><p>Never make the mistake of measuring God’s love by the actions of another human being, whether they are believers or not. God’s love cannot be fathomed or measured. As the Psalmist says: “Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD. How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalms 36:5-7) God’s love for you is infinitely deeper than anything you could ever imagine.</p><p>And so we should never lose sight of Jesus’s love for us, even during our most desperate moments. His disciples were about to face the most stressful time of their lives…a time when every one of them thought God had abandoned and forsaken them. But they, like us, could not see into the future…even though he had told them repeatedly about the resurrection, their finite minds could not see beyond the cross…they could not understand that in three days the battle against Satan and sin and death would be won. </p><p>So, don’t measure his love for you by events or by circumstances, whether good or bad. Besides, adverse circumstances are often there because of his love. So rather believe him when he says that he loves all of his own even to the very end.</p><p>The act of washing the feet of his disciples was a physical parable, a significant symbol, if you will, demonstrating the love of God revealed on the cross. There are five points in verses 2 through 5 that we need to examine to understand why Jesus washed their feet.</p><p>Firstly, we need to understand when this took place. John tells us that it happened “during supper”, not before supper. The custom at the time was for guests to have their feet washed on entry to the home by a servant, then at least one hand had to be washed for appetisers, and then both hands for the main course. Now, even though the text does not explicitly tell us that there was no one to wash their feet, it may be that as the disciples had been arguing about who was to be greatest in the kingdom before this meal (according to Luke 22:24) none of them were willing to assume the role of this foot-washing servant. Nevertheless, my point is, these washings of feet and hands usually took place before supper, not during supper.</p><p>Secondly, we need to understand whose feet were washed. John seems to indicate that all the disciples were present at this time, including Judas. So, think about this. Jesus knew that the devil had already put it in the heart of Judas to betray him and yet he still washed his feet. In fact, if any of the disciples ought to have objected to Jesus washing their feet it ought to have been Judas, not Peter! But we will look at Judas later. Let it suffice to say here that Jesus applied this sign to all his disciples to serve as both a blessing and a curse.</p><p>Thirdly, we need to understand the basis for this action. John tells us that Jesus performed this action because he knew that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he knew he would soon be returning to the Father. Verse 3 says: “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper…he laid aside his outer garments and taking a towel tied it around his waist”…and then he washed his disciples’ feet. So, his action of foot-washing must somehow relate to this “knowing”. </p><p>Interestingly, we see similar words used at the ascension (when Jesus was about to return to the Father) in Matthew 28:18-20. There Jesus said that all authority in both heaven and earth has been given to him. But it is the command that follows this statement that is of interest to us. Because God the Father had given Jesus supreme authority over all things and because Jesus was about to go back to the Father, he now commissioned his disciples to do to others as he had done to them…to make disciples as he had made them disciples. </p><p>As the wording is very similar, it is possible that what Jesus did in the foot-washing incident somehow ties in with his command before his ascension…or his going back to God…especially since he commanded them after the washing to do what he had done.</p><p>Fourthly, we need to understand the role taken on by Jesus, not only here but at his incarnation. His entire life was one of sacrificial servanthood. He came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. If this act of foot-washing was to serve as an example to his followers, as he states it should, then anyone who claims to follow him should be like him – a servant to others. </p><p>And then fifthly, in the light of all these previous points, we need to understand what Jesus was actually doing. Was this merely an act of hospitality overlooked by the disciples and therefore designed to embarrass them? Did it happen during the meal because Jesus was waiting patiently for someone to swallow their pride and perform the demeaning task? Or is there something more to this action?</p><p>Perhaps we should start by understanding a tradition about feet and the ground. In Genesis 3:17-19 God told Adam that the ground would be cursed because of his sin. For this reason, shoes were worn not only to protect the feet but also to prevent contact with what was considered cursed. This is why several biblical characters were told to remove their shoes when coming into the presence of God because his presence hallowed the ground on which they were standing. This is also the same imagery behind the act of shaking the dust off the feet when leaving an inhospitable village…it was a symbolic gesture that indicated that the person departing did not leave behind a blessing.</p><p>But, I think, there is an even greater meaning behind the foot-washing. In Exodus 30:17-21, God told Moses to command the priests to wash their hands and their feet before approaching the altar or before they could perform their priestly duties. Is it possible that Jesus was doing something similar here? They were about to be appointed to be disciple-makers of the nations…witnesses to Jesus’ victory on the cross…the final sacrifice on the altar, so to speak. Perhaps this is what Isaiah had in mind when he wrote, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘your God reigns!’” (Isaiah 52:7) </p><p>So, if we put all these images together, we see that the foot-washing event was at once a cleansing to and for service – it was a call, an equipping, a consecration, and a commissioning of the disciples to the ministry of servanthood.</p><p>As such, this act symbolised a significant heritage for the disciples…a symbol which Peter misunderstood. It has been said that the measure of a servant-like attitude is how you act when you are treated like a servant…but I think it is equally true in how you react to being served. Peter’s pride would not allow him to submit to the humble service of his Lord. Indeed, there is no parallel in ancient sources of any authority figure doing menial work like this, so one can understand his discomfort. </p><p>Nevertheless, in my humble opinion, Jesus’ reply to Peter’s objection indicates that the washing had a deeper significance than purely customary hospitality. This is, of course, not Peter’s first objection nor will it be his last, as once again he seems to have had the wrong end of the stick, but notice what Jesus said to him. “If I do not wash you, you have no share or part with me.” He does not say Peter would have no part of him or no part in him, but no part with him. </p><p>Why did Jesus use this preposition here? I think the answer lies in his reply to Peter’s characteristic overreaction. The washing was not a sign of regeneration – they were already proverbially ‘clean’. Rather, I think it was a sign of commissioning. Jesus declared Peter, and all the disciples except Judas, to be clean already. According to John 6:70, even before he called his disciples, Jesus knew which one would betray him. So, like the priests in the Old Testament, Peter and the others were considered clean or set apart by virtue of their position and their calling to serve. Still, their feet needed to be washed before they could serve.</p><p>To summarize: I believe that here Jesus was commissioning Peter and the others to a life of service, as followers of their servant king. This is why Jesus used the preposition with. Peter had a part with Jesus as a co-worker – as a bearer of his light, his love, and his life to a lost world. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Gd0iGqDvWkb-_7lzB8ArcLRlfY4vO50iA7IWYIweFniG-cZbVSfgoCj-sy2c4_GFwSJ7uyhIUk0cv1VyaZHOvpOWUZBOVTwAdqlC_qzxR5MFu1Y_73nPSHAm1wH4NOk3Mwsjr_6tNJcBMP2AvdReSB2FI7ImRGIPPVDACj0Akm1o-09hH6y-CNa9bat3/s2048/IMG_4710.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Gd0iGqDvWkb-_7lzB8ArcLRlfY4vO50iA7IWYIweFniG-cZbVSfgoCj-sy2c4_GFwSJ7uyhIUk0cv1VyaZHOvpOWUZBOVTwAdqlC_qzxR5MFu1Y_73nPSHAm1wH4NOk3Mwsjr_6tNJcBMP2AvdReSB2FI7ImRGIPPVDACj0Akm1o-09hH6y-CNa9bat3/s320/IMG_4710.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>Now, of course, as I said earlier, if there was one who should have objected to the application of this sign, it was Judas. John tells us that he had already made up his mind to betray Jesus. So, he did have a part to play, but his role would be radically different to that of the other disciples because he had no part with Jesus. </p><p>In verses 12-17, Jesus proceeded to reveal the significant meaning of this humble action. Even though the disciples correctly identified Jesus as Lord, they failed to understand his concept of leadership. He came to serve…to give his life as a ransom for many. That’s the credential for leadership in his kingdom. The greatest is the one who serves.</p><p>And I believe we make a big mistake if we think that it is the simple re-enacting of this foot-washing episode that Jesus wants his followers to mimic. That’s not what this is all about. Rather, it is doing whatever service is required in any given situation. </p><p>What will destroy any church is a lack of sacrificial love for God and a lack of sacrificial love for others. Like Judas Iscariot, many in the Church throughout the ages have received the outward signs of grace while harbouring satanic tendencies in their hearts. The measure of a healthy church is not based on how many members they have, but rather on how many members use their God-given gifts for the benefit of all. </p><p>Jesus commissioned the disciples to a ministry of service. What I have done to you, he said, you too must do to each other. This message echoes down through the centuries and applies to each successive generation. </p><p>So, if you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.</p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2024</p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-23750772189985767442024-03-15T21:59:00.000+01:002024-03-15T21:59:02.065+01:00Interview: Johannes van der Bijl on his upcoming Narrative Commentary of Galatians<div class="et_post_meta_wrapper" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><h1 class="entry-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #353535; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif; font-size: 40px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px 0px 0.5rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Interview: Johannes van der Bijl on his upcoming Narrative Commentary of Galatians</h1><p class="post-meta" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 6px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">by <span class="author vcard" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://samsusa.org/author/brendan-kimbrough/" rel="author" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Posts by Brendan Kimbrough">Brendan Kimbrough</a></span> | <span class="published" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Mar 14, 2024</span> | <a href="https://samsusa.org/category/discipleship/" rel="category tag" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Discipleship</a>, <a href="https://samsusa.org/category/europe/netherlands/" rel="category tag" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Netherlands</a>, <a href="https://samsusa.org/category/sams-missionaries/" rel="category tag" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">SAMS Missionaries</a></p><img alt="" class=" lazyloaded" data-sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 1080px, 100vw" data-src="https://samsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Galatians-cover-image_promo-565x675.jpg" data-srcset="https://samsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Galatians-cover-image_promo-565x675.jpg 1080w, https://samsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Galatians-cover-image_promo-480x741.jpg 480w" height="675" sizes="(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 1080px, 100vw" src="https://samsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Galatians-cover-image_promo-565x675.jpg" srcset="https://samsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Galatians-cover-image_promo-565x675.jpg 1080w, https://samsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Galatians-cover-image_promo-480x741.jpg 480w" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; opacity: 1; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; transition: opacity 400ms ease 0ms; vertical-align: middle;" width="1080" /></div><div class="entry-content" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 30px 0px 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-full wp-image-14092 lazyloaded" data-sizes="(max-width: 405px) 100vw, 405px" data-src="https://samsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/van-der-bijlsjpeg.jpeg" data-srcset="https://samsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/van-der-bijlsjpeg.jpeg 405w, https://samsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/van-der-bijlsjpeg-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://samsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/van-der-bijlsjpeg-150x150.jpeg 150w" decoding="async" height="405" sizes="(max-width: 405px) 100vw, 405px" src="https://samsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/van-der-bijlsjpeg.jpeg" srcset="https://samsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/van-der-bijlsjpeg.jpeg 405w, https://samsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/van-der-bijlsjpeg-300x300.jpeg 300w, https://samsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/van-der-bijlsjpeg-150x150.jpeg 150w" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; float: right; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 0px 15px; max-width: 100%; opacity: 1; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; transition: opacity 400ms ease 0ms; vertical-align: middle;" width="405" />Johannes Vanderbijl is an ordained Anglican priest and SAMS Missionary serving along with his wife, Louise, in the Netherlands, at Christ Church, Heiloo. He has been earnestly writing over the last four years about the life of Simon Peter with two published books to date that have been well received: </em><a href="https://langhamliterature.org/books/breakfast-on-the-beach" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0051ba; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Breakfast on the Beach</em></a> (Langham Publishing: 2021)<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"> and </em><a href="https://langhamliterature.org/books/for-the-life-of-the-world" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0051ba; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">For the Life of the World</em></a> (Langham Publishing: 2022)<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">. </em><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Both books focus on Peter’s ministry of making disciples using Jesus’ four-fold method of discipleship. The books are written chronologically, and Johann situates these early disciples’ lives in the real world, the day-to-day, nitty-gritty of their lived experience.</em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">What follows is an interview with Johann Vanderbijl about his most recent book, a narrative commentary of Galatians, and how it and his other books relate to discipleship.</em></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Johann, thank you for taking the time to discuss your upcoming book. You are focusing your first in a series of commentaries on the Apostle Paul and his Letter to the Galatians, but you have written it in a narrative style. Why did you choose to start with Galatians, and why a narrative style?</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">After writing in a narrative style about Simon Peter in my first two books, Langham asked if I would consider writing about Paul in the same manner. I’ll be honest – I’ve struggled with Paul all my life. I saw Paul as the John Wayne of the New Testament: a tough guy who never does anything wrong, a ‘cowboys-don’t-cry’ kind of person, whereas Peter was far more relatable to me—more expressive and emotional—hence why I felt I could write about Peter.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">So, I thought, how am I going to approach this with Paul? As I was contemplating and praying, I had the idea: why not tell Paul’s story using his letters chronologically? Thus, I draw from what we are told about Paul in Acts and elsewhere, using anything that could describe Paul at that moment. I incorporate elements from his other epistles and utilize his own language as I compose these books. This volume is the first in a series of commentaries, and Galatians was his initial letter; hence, I chose to start with Galatians.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">One aspect of my approach is to portray Paul’s childhood, drawing partly from speculation based on some of his previous statements—that he hailed from a family of Pharisees, came from Tarsus, and was taught by Gamaliel, etc. I piece these details together in a conversational form. Sometimes, for example, he converses with Barnabas, while at other times, I incorporate the leaders of the church in Antioch because they were sent out by the Church there. Therefore, the leaders respond to the news they received from the Galatians about the Jewish Christians who had gone there, demanding that they become Jews before becoming Christians. All of this is presented in a conversational style.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">What were some of your key takeaways of Galatians?</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">I am currently writing on First and Second Thessalonians, which have more of a typical Greek style and structure, whereas Galatians feels like an explosion. It reads like a massive rant; Paul hardly greets them before exclaiming, ‘You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?!’ You can sense the emotion, making it a tough book to start with.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">I also found that some parts of Galatians don’t flow smoothly because Paul jumps around in his writing. Consequently, I felt the need to fill in some gaps by explaining what he was saying, especially when there was an Old Testament background. In those instances, I would have another character say, “In other words, you are saying…” This approach mirrors other commentaries where a narrator would clarify statements. Since this is a narrative commentary, another character addresses Paul’s statements, shaping how I write it.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">As I mentioned before, I always saw Paul as a kind of John Wayne, a super-masculine character. However, I’ve changed my perspective. While I still see him as masculine, of course, I now perceive a lot more emotion from him, especially as I read his other letters. He weeps over those who do not believe, he struggles and longs for Timothy and the Thessalonians. So, my opinion of him has evolved; I now see a much more tender side to this man. The anger he exhibits in Galatians stems from genuine concern for them. It’s essential to remember that Paul was an ancient Middle Eastern man who expressed emotions like rejoicing, and I try to reflect that cultural context appropriately in certain points of the letter.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">A narrative style seems very accessible to everyday Christians. Did you have them in mind when you wrote this commentary?</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">The interesting thing is that when I began writing this, I had oral learners in mind. I thought of places like Gambela (<em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">before the Netherlands, Johann and Louise served in Gambela, Ethiopia, where Johann was Dean and Principal at St. Frumentius Anglican Theological College</em>), and other remote areas in Africa. However, it turns out that young Americans have been deeply moved by my narrative books. Some even suggest that Americans are increasingly becoming oral learners, and there seems to be evidence for that.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Here in the Netherlands, people are also reading it because they enjoy stories – they read novels. Whether they believe it is another matter; they may not read the Bible at all, but they will read a story about Peter’s or Paul’s life and ministry.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Another audience I had in mind was those who would never travel to the Middle East. I think of Christians in South Sudan or Ethiopia who, despite their desire to better understand the Bible, are unlikely to travel to Israel, let alone Greece or Rome. Therefore, I wanted to depict Galatians in story form, with as much detail as possible. There are many aspects in the Gospels and the epistles that are specific to certain geographical locations and are taken for granted by Christian authors, making it difficult for someone sitting in Africa to fully grasp. That’s why I endeavor to paint a vivid picture of a particular setting or describe everyday elements like what they might have been drinking, the aroma of cooking, or the light from the burning oil lamp.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">You’ve said before that one of your overarching aims in your writing is to help the church to be better disciple-makers. Why does that seem to be such a challenge now, do you think?</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Part of the issue is that we’re accustomed to certain methods that no longer yield the same results. We rely too heavily on outdated approaches. The way people engage with truth has evolved. For example, street evangelism in the Netherlands isn’t effective anymore. Here, it’s more of a gradual process. You spend time with friends, discussing mundane topics like the weather or pets. Then, eventually, someone might inquire about your occupation, and that’s when the door opens slightly.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">However, you don’t rush in; you proceed cautiously, gradually introducing discussions about faith through storytelling. Why? Because everyone can connect with stories, and it’s less intimidating. I share personal narratives interwoven with Jesus to create opportunities for deeper conversations. It’s about establishing rapport and slowly dismantling barriers. That’s essentially what I aim to achieve in my books and now with the Galatians commentary. They are approachable, readable, and as readers engage with them, they encounter truth in narrative form.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Another factor is the lack of familiarity with Scripture, which is why I write my books – to reconnect people with the Bible through storytelling. However, I believe the issue runs deeper. Many individuals decide to follow Jesus without truly grasping the implications. When we evangelize, our primary focus is often on winning souls, neglecting to convey the profound transformation that following Jesus entails. Jesus frequently emphasized the cost of discipleship to prospective followers. Starting the journey of discipleship on the wrong footing can make the entire journey much more challenging.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">It is evident, Johann, that there is a common motivation between your writing and the time you spend with others, wouldn’t you say?</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Whether it’s the preparation you invest in writing or spending time with others, it’s all part of a journey. Jesus spent at least three years walking with his disciples before the crucifixion, prompting us to ask: are we truly willing to invest in a small group of individuals until they can replicate our efforts? That’s the essence I glean from the Gospels. Jesus invested time in his disciples, gradually preparing them to carry on his work. It took three years before he felt confident leaving them, instructing them to teach others to do the same.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Paul exemplifies this approach as well. He traveled with disciples like Timothy and Silas, walking alongside them on their journey. Nowadays, however, it often feels more like a microwave process: quick and superficial. We focus on conversions, then pass new believers on to pastors, saying, “They’re your responsibility now.”</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">In my parish, I’m endeavoring to shift this mindset. I’m teaching parishioners that each of them is a disciple-maker, capable of ministering without constant reliance on the pastor. This aligns with Paul’s emphasis on pastors equipping members to do the work of ministry. The hierarchical model of a professional priesthood has, in many cases, hindered disciple-making. Ordinary Christians are God’s vessels for connecting with diverse individuals. Each person’s journey is unique, requiring tailored approaches to sharing the gospel.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">I don’t consider myself special because of seminary training. Anyone can engage in disciple-making if they’re willing to learn how to share their story and the story of Jesus. Therefore, we prioritize training our members in storytelling. In my preaching, teaching, and writing, I strive to present the truth of the gospel through storytelling, encouraging people to walk with Jesus.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Johann, thank you for taking the time to sit down and talk.</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Galatians: A Life in Letters</em> by Johannes W.H. van der Bijl, <a href="https://langhamliterature.org/author-bio?author_id=11109" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0051ba; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Langham Publishing.</a> Available online through multiple sellers at the end of March.</p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://give.samsusa.org/missionary/johann-and-louise-vanderbijl" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0051ba; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;">Johannes and Louise van der Bijl Missionary profile </a></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1em; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-14096 alignnone lazyloaded" data-src="https://samsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/back-cover-of-Galatians-664x1024.jpg" decoding="async" height="1024" src="https://samsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/back-cover-of-Galatians-664x1024.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; opacity: 1; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; transition: opacity 400ms ease 0ms; vertical-align: middle;" width="664" /></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1rem; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p></div><div class="et_post_meta_wrapper" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"><section id="comment-wrap" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-top: 75px;"><div class="nocomments" id="comment-section" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div class="comment-respond" id="respond" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 17px 0px 0px; text-size-adjust: 100%; vertical-align: baseline;"></div></section></div>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-28543373610808921412024-03-12T10:49:00.003+01:002024-03-12T10:49:36.577+01:00URGENT APPEAL<center style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_-4326683548735988266bodyTable" style="background-color: #fafafa; border-collapse: collapse; height: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" id="m_-4326683548735988266bodyCell" style="border-top: 0px; height: 2037.11px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; width: 1003.97px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4326683548735988266templateContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px; max-width: 600px !important; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td id="m_-4326683548735988266templatePreheader" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; border-bottom: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4326683548735988266mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fsamsusa.org%252Fjohann-and-louise-vanderbijl%252F%26xid%3D6d48cb9843%26uid%3D94485477%26iid%3D0f53e90f87%26pool%3Dcts%26v%3D2%26c%3D1710236739%26h%3Db287ca64b1147fa2379a94d8d6bb6ed35ce535a742210f74f920f83cb2523aa6&source=gmail&ust=1710323152259000&usg=AOvVaw174CckLYTFP2-OVNyqKE15" href="https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsamsusa.org%2Fjohann-and-louise-vanderbijl%2F&xid=6d48cb9843&uid=94485477&iid=0f53e90f87&pool=cts&v=2&c=1710236739&h=b287ca64b1147fa2379a94d8d6bb6ed35ce535a742210f74f920f83cb2523aa6" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" class="m_-4326683548735988266mcnImage CToWUd" data-bit="iit" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NZgAeTKaHUdF9HVVyrs40wY9NrePQkJxDqcX1NRyXLjyWDOXWNIVVBXnOFCFuUsTzVCXer362sn6Rl9KvSWUXx-WyPtD2rFvwmBGi1OnpFbmegLXRv6rTlVgEAho4xzppGbUGo6AcY1R_SYmM5T__iDeaWfwUI5Wft3=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f/images/3583f3ff-f193-db5f-108d-6dbf81eedd69.jpeg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 1200px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="m_-4326683548735988266mcnTextContent" style="color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 9px; word-break: break-word;" valign="top" width="564"><h1 style="color: #202020; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, times, "times new roman", serif;">Johann and Louise: Training Disciples to Make Disciples in the Netherlands</span></h1></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td id="m_-4326683548735988266templateHeader" style="background: none center center / cover no-repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4326683548735988266mcnDividerBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; min-width: 100%; padding: 18px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 4px solid rgb(43, 170, 223); min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px;"></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_-4326683548735988266templateColumns" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_-4326683548735988266templateBody" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 0px; width: 400px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4326683548735988266mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td class="m_-4326683548735988266mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; word-break: break-word;" valign="top">In my last newsletter, I said that we may need to replace our old sound system soon. Well, this Sunday, part of the system gave up the ghost. We had no sound, and we could not livestream the service either. This is sad as we use this system for all our outreaches and also as a service to shut-ins and supporters of the church abroad.<br /><br />We need this equipment urgently as we have our Children’s Easter Outreach program on April 1, our Men’s Day Outreach on April 6 and 7 (which we would love to record and livestream), and our Women’s Retreat on June 1.<br /><br />Our estimates range from 3,500 to 5,000 euros, depending on the quality of the equipment. This would include a small laptop for the PowerPoint, a USB hub, an Odyssey FZ1116WDLX rack-table combo (we need the lockable table for security reasons), microphones and receivers, speakers, plugs and cables.<br /><br />Would you please prayerfully consider donating to this cause? You can send tax-deductible donations to SAMS for our project account, but please do stipulate that it is for the sound equipment so that we know what is for outreach expenses and what is for the sound system.<br /><br />Thank you for your love and support. We are truly grateful.<br />Blessings<br />Johann and Louise</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_-4326683548735988266templateSidebar" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 0px; width: 200px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-left: 9px; padding-right: 9px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-left: 9px; 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They then worked in Southern Africa, serving in seven southern African countries, while continuing to work with the Diocese of Egypt, North Africa through engaging in a disciple making movement in order to grow the body of Christ. They are now serving in Heiloo, the Netherlands.</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-4326683548735988266mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fsams-usa.org%26xid%3D6d48cb9843%26uid%3D94485477%26iid%3D0f53e90f87%26pool%3Dcts%26v%3D2%26c%3D1710236739%26h%3D1d3ec97ce4946267a5209f8d2ae1b1e4bd0662875bf8aa98ac05788742a25634&source=gmail&ust=1710323152260000&usg=AOvVaw0Mq2cv9n1QdmlqhzamsV9O" href="https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsams-usa.org&xid=6d48cb9843&uid=94485477&iid=0f53e90f87&pool=cts&v=2&c=1710236739&h=1d3ec97ce4946267a5209f8d2ae1b1e4bd0662875bf8aa98ac05788742a25634" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" class="m_-4326683548735988266mcnImage CToWUd" data-bit="iit" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_Nawc58K1RrcMTUSIH9-7UFdoM34UitKXcxn_rQ6HxgA5m3yb0D_zKZDc56i7nYa9sJhmT6XdEFjOUtFxqfA_O03pVUa8zDFiMPFNHw83Sw5qSxEmNj_Oq1XKibDa653DmevghccUygtIE99HQpu-pZsEScbM0tT-SmbY1C5=s0-d-e1-ft#https://gallery.mailchimp.com/80a03a600fc29bf6487d4c539/images/ab969d59-7a5f-40c3-9dce-da1c3346cfb3.jpg" style="border: 0px; 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height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Mailchimp Email Marketing" width="137" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></center>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-52329883533917914982024-03-08T15:10:00.001+01:002024-03-08T15:10:14.531+01:00Seeing and Believing<p>Isaiah 53:1-12 John 12:37-50</p><p>Seeing and Believing</p><p>Lucy Edwards lost her vision at the age of just 17. As you can imagine, at first, she struggled to come to terms with her profound loss, but that did not stop her from pursuing a career in the media world. And then, at the age of 27, she did something rather remarkable. She embarked on what she described as a life-changing Safari in Kenya, where she used her remaining senses to rebuild her memories of what she was hearing, smelling, and touching. The conservationists helped her by describing in detail what the animals looked like, how they moved, what they were eating, and how they were reacting to her presence. </p><p>Now the reason I just told you her story is that while Lucy is a person who is blind, she is also a person who is determined not to allow this disability to stop her from ‘seeing’ the beauty all around her. While it is true that she is unable to see with her physical eyes, she resolved not to resign herself to a life in darkness, believing that she could make herself see again and, in so many ways, she did and does.</p><p>In stark contrast to a woman committed to overcoming the impossible, we have those who saw Jesus do so many signs and yet they still did not believe in him. Despite the logical and the obvious, they persistently refused to believe that Jesus was who he claimed to be. You need to remember, that these people had witnessed first-hand, amongst other things, the healing of a man born blind, the raising of a decomposing corpse, as well as the fulfilment of numerous biblical prophecies. They had also heard the teaching of Jesus and could easily have compared what he taught with what they knew the Scriptures said, just like Lucy compared what she heard, smelt, and felt with what she could remember when she did have sight. But they did not do that, did they? They had eyes but did not see…they had ears but did not hear. </p><p>Now, this was not a new concept in biblical history. Remember the Pharoah in the Exodus? We are told repeatedly that his heart was hardened…the agency of the hardening seemingly both God and Pharoah himself. In Exodus 10:7 Pharoah’s servants are driven to despair by their king’s refusal to listen to reason. “How long shall this man be a snare to us?” they cry out in exasperation. “Let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God. Do you not yet understand that Egypt is ruined?” They were amazed by the Pharoah’s stubborn resistance to the obvious. Jesus likewise was often driven to distraction by the blindness of his listeners. “O faithless and twisted generation! How long am I to be with you?” he once asked his disciples. “How long am I to bear with you?”</p><p>And then there are similar statements made about God’s people in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and other prophets. Rebellious people, blind people, deaf people. Having said that, I cannot help but wonder how many times he has made similar statements about us. We have the truth as they had the truth. We have his Word and they had his Word. But do we believe it? Really believe it? Or more importantly, do we do it? </p><p>It is interesting to note that John tells us here that this rejection of the truth was a fulfilment of what had been foretold by the prophet Isaiah. In chapter 53:1 the prophet wrote: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” And then John added another quotation from Isaiah 6:10 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn and be healed.”</p><p>With these two quotations, John seemingly draws back the curtain to reveal the real reason behind the illogical blindness of these unbelieving Jews. The first passage John used here is considered by many to be the messianic passage. Isaiah 53. As one reads through that passage one cannot help but ask how anyone could read it and miss the vivid description of Jesus’ life and ministry. But John gives us the answer. They could not see or hear because God had blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts to prevent them from seeing and understanding. </p><p>In Matthew 13:10-17 the disciples asked Jesus why he spoke to the crowds in parables. In his answer, Jesus quoted the very same verse John used here, prefacing the quotation with this statement: “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” It appears that access to heaven is not a matter of human choice, but rather a matter of divine decree. </p><p>You see, God controls all things, including the hearts and minds of human beings. As Proverbs 21:1 says: “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.” Even our words are subject to God’s order. An interesting and, in many ways, a humorous example is Balaam who on numerous occasions in Numbers 23 admits his inability to say anything not ordained by God. “How can I curse whom God has not cursed,” he said in verse 8. “And how can I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced?” </p><p>Think about what that means concerning anyone or anything trying to curse you. </p><p>Again, in verse 19, Balaam said, “God is not a man that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfil it? Behold, I received a command to bless: he has blessed, and I cannot revoke it.”</p><p>So, it would appear that the unbelieving Jews rejected Jesus because it was preordained by God for the purpose of his glory. The same can be said about the plagues in Egypt. The hardening of Pharoah’s heart led to the Egyptians knowing that there was but one true God and that was the God of the Hebrews. (Exodus 9:15-16; Romans 9:16-18) If God had not repeatedly hardened Pharaoh, there would have been no lengthy series of plagues, nor the Red Sea crossing, and consequently, there would have been no proof of God’s supremacy. Likewise, if the Jewish leaders had not rejected Jesus, he would never have been crucified…but the crucifixion of the Lamb of God was preordained before the foundation of the world which includes those who would be guilty of his murder. (Revelation 13:8)</p><p>But there is another side to this coin that we must acknowledge if we are to be true to Scripture and that is while it does say that God hardened Pharoah’s heart it also says that Pharoah hardened his own heart. Paul also flips the coin over when he says in 2 Thessalonians 2:10&12 concerning those who are perishing “…they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore, God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” If we place these passages, and others, side by side, it seems that divine hardening and self-hardening are intertwined. Is God’s action primary and initiatory or is his action based on the refusal of a human being to love the truth and so be saved? </p><p>Clearly, Christianity is the most reasonable faith and should be understood by all reasonable people, but without the discerning ability given by the Holy Spirit, no one can truly find God and respond to his revelation purely employing human reason. Jesus said that there was only one sin that could never be forgiven and that was the sin against the Holy Spirit (Mark 3:22–30; Matthew 12:22–32) because it is only through the Holy Spirit that we can understand and respond to truth. Reject him, quench him, grieve him, and you are rendered unable to see what is plainly true. It is the wilful blindness of some that is unpardonable.</p><p>So, the answer to the question of who hardens the heart, God or people, seems to be both, but who is primary and who is secondary ought to be left well alone in the realm of mystery. Like the end of time, this is something our Father alone knows for certain.</p><p>But John reveals in verses 42-43 that there is another level to blindness than outright rejection…this is a blindness that acknowledges sight and yet succumbs to blindness because of fear. These men, despite concluding that Jesus matched the biblical criteria for messiahship, refused to confess him for fear of losing face, because “they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God”. Peer pressure can render some people blind if they value their position, their power, their popularity, or even their traditions more than they love the truth.</p><p>In “Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus”, Nabeel Qureshi recounts his struggle to accept Jesus due to the strong ties he had with his devout Muslim family. He felt torn between his love and loyalty to his family’s belief and his growing conviction about Jesus. This internal conflict was a significant part of his journey towards embracing Christianity. In many cultures, there is a strong expectation to always look, act, and be like everyone else. For instance, to be Japanese means one is a Buddhist and a Shintoist; it's an inseparable part of the culture.</p><p>So, once again we see the interaction between revelation and reason. A person may be able to correctly deduce that what Scripture says is true, but unless the Holy Spirit makes it possible for that person to respond, they will not because they cannot. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:14, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”</p><p>Also in this passage, John reveals to us the acceptable measure of surrender to the Lord. It is either all or nothing at all. Jesus said that a man cannot serve two masters. (Matthew 6:24). If we are not with him, we are against him. (Matthew 12:30) This competitor for our allegiance can be either love for praise or self-love or a love of material things…whatever this love is it is a rival, and the Lord God will not tolerate any rival. (Nahum 1:2) There can be no compromise. He is either Lord of your life or something else is…</p><p>One of the major stumbling blocks for the unbelieving Jews was that they could not comprehend that Jesus and the Father were one. In verse 44 Jesus made it clear that to believe in him was the exact same thing as to believe in the Father. Stated the other way around, to not believe in one is to not believe in the other. Then in verse 45, Jesus said that to see him was to see the Father. This was the same message he would deliver to Philip a day later when Philip asked him to reveal the Father to them. “Have I been with you so long,” Jesus said, “and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” In other words, Jesus is the full revelation of the Father…if you want to see God, look at Jesus.</p><p>Then in verse 50, he said that to hear him was to hear the Father. “What I say,” Jesus said, “I say as the Father told me.” There is no division in the Word. Jesus is the final revelation of the Father. As the author to the Hebrews said in his opening chapter, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” (Hebrews 1:1-3a) Jesus was the revealing light of the Old Testament…the images and prophecies all come to life in him. Obviously, the patriarchs and prophets who foretold his coming did not see him with the same clarity with which he was now revealed, but there is no argument between the testaments. Jesus emphatically stated that he had not come to abrogate the Law and the prophets but to confirm and fulfil it. There is only one God, one word, one truth…</p><p>The fourth and final thing Jesus touched on here was rejection. To reject him was to reject God the Father. If they are one, then it goes without saying that to deny the one is to deny the other. The mystery of the Trinity has been a stumbling block to many, not just to these unbelieving Jews, and will, no doubt, continue to be a source of discomfort, but Scripture neither defends nor seeks to prove the doctrine…it simply presents it as truth.</p><p>But what is interesting here is that Jesus does not present himself as the judge here, but rather his words. It is the words Jesus spoke that will judge those who have chosen to reject him. The words of Jesus were the words of the Father and therefore what he said did not contradict what had been written…even some of the leaders saw that although they would never admit it for fear of embarrassment on one level or another. </p><p>And therein lies the tragedy in this passage. Before them stood the God they thought they believed in. Before them stood the Word they studied and strove to observe. And yet, when they met him face to face and when they heard his voice, they could not see him nor hear him. They were blind and deaf. They would not recognise him because they could not. </p><p>What does this mean for us as we seek to make Jesus known to those who do not yet know him? It means that we should not feel poorly about our evangelism strategy if people do not respond positively to our message. After all Jesus said and did they still did not believe, not because Jesus presented the message deficiently, but because they were blind and deaf. They could not believe because their hearts were hard. Nothing has changed. People still don’t hear because they don’t want to hear. But you are still to sow the seed of truth, regardless of the ground that it falls on. You may sow, another may water, and yet another may reap, but it is God who grants the growth. </p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2024</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DuDcMMBFjgSe3pOkMzW1SDAFXDslr3i6gMNZjpT_Jm_bMlocueC3CstHXL5FLKNM3qNvpLHwLLQVAuRINl7Lc2URyywERoyW75NxiFMZEmY_8IqXm7_cmPwDSoeY9KIg9LU7zwTRGFoo5kNOWNFvfF5oQRSeXZTioKEXaOCtBnWGhMdd2lZVztxN3Azs/s4032/IMG_4852.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2195" data-original-width="4032" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DuDcMMBFjgSe3pOkMzW1SDAFXDslr3i6gMNZjpT_Jm_bMlocueC3CstHXL5FLKNM3qNvpLHwLLQVAuRINl7Lc2URyywERoyW75NxiFMZEmY_8IqXm7_cmPwDSoeY9KIg9LU7zwTRGFoo5kNOWNFvfF5oQRSeXZTioKEXaOCtBnWGhMdd2lZVztxN3Azs/w640-h347/IMG_4852.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-43994287078883320862024-03-03T11:18:00.003+01:002024-03-03T11:18:28.802+01:00February Newsletter 2024<center style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_3044366898816577620bodyTable" style="background-color: #fafafa; border-collapse: collapse; height: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" id="m_3044366898816577620bodyCell" style="border-top: 0px; height: 4132.44px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; width: 1004.02px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_3044366898816577620templateContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px; max-width: 600px !important; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td id="m_3044366898816577620templatePreheader" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; border-bottom: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_3044366898816577620mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fsamsusa.org%252Fjohann-and-louise-vanderbijl%252F%26xid%3Df8bba58891%26uid%3D94485477%26iid%3D59e9ed4824%26pool%3Dcts%26v%3D2%26c%3D1709460841%26h%3Dd443c3b3b10c369a7212c0da4ff4473e5867cfcad132173309cdb04cac95db5c&source=gmail&ust=1709547255296000&usg=AOvVaw3vKvzT6FoFLkmGJM8RP9Pb" href="https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsamsusa.org%2Fjohann-and-louise-vanderbijl%2F&xid=f8bba58891&uid=94485477&iid=59e9ed4824&pool=cts&v=2&c=1709460841&h=d443c3b3b10c369a7212c0da4ff4473e5867cfcad132173309cdb04cac95db5c" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" class="m_3044366898816577620mcnImage CToWUd" data-bit="iit" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NY4Qk1Dag2w7HaSeSa_66CgOfLlSdGU2ZNsda-ALxarn1QOak41iLOJsiH4hf44NtVnERmCynNqwvBkGBreFIWTWh7fA-0yWL_t81RksqsjuiK8cfjMFpXZ73hfXFFQVRD7MNDrG-SRrUIOk8GMXuUa0SjIaztzQCy7=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f/images/95e1eeb3-0968-5bf5-da80-2a0b780a251b.jpeg" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 1024px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="m_3044366898816577620mcnTextContent" style="color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 9px; word-break: break-word;" valign="top" width="564"><h1 style="color: #202020; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, times, "times new roman", serif;">Johann and Louise: Training Disciples to Make Disciples in the Netherlands</span></h1></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td id="m_3044366898816577620templateHeader" style="background: none center center / cover no-repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_3044366898816577620mcnDividerBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; min-width: 100%; padding: 18px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 4px solid rgb(43, 170, 223); min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px;"></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_3044366898816577620templateColumns" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_3044366898816577620templateBody" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 0px; width: 400px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_3044366898816577620mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td class="m_3044366898816577620mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; word-break: break-word;" valign="top">People have often asked me why I write books. My answer is usually very simple. Ever since I came to know Jesus in 1980, I have sought to make him known in any and every way I can. <br /><br />Up until the publishing of Breakfast on the Beach, my ministry had followed more conventional avenues…preaching, teaching evangelising, and discipling. But when the J-Life Africa leaders began to urge me to make my stories about Simon Peter’s development as a disciple more accessible in areas I could not visit, I decided to write. This was during the first lockdown so I had time to do all the research necessary and to write a story about Simon Peter using a chronological approach to the Gospels. Since then, I have received letters from places I did not know existed, telling me how the books have touched and changed lives. The rest is, as they say, history.<br /><br />While the books are available for sale on several bookseller platforms, we often give them away to our parishioners and other missionaries. <br /><br />This March, my third <img align="right" class="CToWUd a6T" data-bit="iit" height="308" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NZyM5rYPACYUOegFT6MvZ7F4nLiywDCn7RvKSsVtmks9RvQRAUbBt0duUNv2tZvsYKvPFosj78x7-G0m3IeAc6QS0CLbnxxNxiW6iYRnEpcjOsBTppVSeatBm2hyoIA4B4MX-VksbZ1BgtJ1MdTpJuoLJwMSCCclOY6=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f/images/60abe46e-e91f-81dc-eef0-e2b74490e2c9.jpeg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; height: 308px; margin: 0px; outline: none; width: 200px;" tabindex="0" width="200" />book, but the first in a series on the life and letters of Paul, will be published once again, by Langham Publishing. This series will explore Paul’s life through what was recorded in Acts and elsewhere as well as in his letters in story form. This narrative commentary style is designed to help especially oral preference learners concretise concepts that would otherwise be too abstract. But if “Breakfast on the Beach” and “For the Life of the World” have taught me anything, it is everyone enjoys a good story. <br /> <br />The past few months have been very busy. Louise flew down to South Africa after her mum had a rather serious fall and seemed to be deteriorating rapidly. However, even though she is still quite frail, she has recovered enough to sit up in a chair for a while. While Louise was at her mum’s bedside, we had a death in the parish. As you can imagine, emotions were rather raw for a while. <br /><br />I have made good headway with the next book on 1&2 Thessalonians. Langham has given me a June deadline, so I need to get cracking. The research that goes into these books is huge. I must read so many books and articles about customs and practices etc before I write anything. For instance, it took me a whole morning to figure out how Lydia could invite four men to stay in her home without compromising her position in the community. But thankfully, I am back in Corinth and the letter writing has begun!<br /><br />Christ Church, Heiloo is doing well. We are working through the Gospel of John on Sundays. You can find my sermons here: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmissionsbloging.blogspot.com%252F%26xid%3Df8bba58891%26uid%3D94485477%26iid%3D59e9ed4824%26pool%3Dcts%26v%3D2%26c%3D1709460841%26h%3Df90f288a376889e889fbdd7d453a30a35571d421478fe523f28237b830c4d40d&source=gmail&ust=1709547255296000&usg=AOvVaw18lkThArgn-LvDsMojmEzH" href="https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmissionsbloging.blogspot.com%2F&xid=f8bba58891&uid=94485477&iid=59e9ed4824&pool=cts&v=2&c=1709460841&h=f90f288a376889e889fbdd7d453a30a35571d421478fe523f28237b830c4d40d" style="color: #2baadf;" target="_blank">https://missionsbloging.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />On New Year's Eve, we baptised three candidates, two of whom came to Church as a result of watching The Chosen. Never limit our God!<br /><br />Our three women’s bible study groups and our men’s group will be studying 1&2 Thessalonians this Spring and Summer. Please pray for our several informal get-togethers where members invite their non-Christian friends and colleagues to attend, our Good Friday Stations of the Cross service, and our Children’s Easter Egg Hunt luncheon outreach (1 April). <br /><br />Our annual Men’s Day (6 April) is open to believers and non-believers and the invitation is extended to other Anglican churches nearby. Attendance is free so we must raise funds for all expenses. View our invitation here: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fchristchurchheiloo.wixsite.com%252Fmens-day%253Ffbclid%253DIwAR2rYxtmxN2VpYDQhHhieDzB-fImJJngQhsbxg_kCHTRBIA13bGLQ-GN2hs%25C2%25A0%26xid%3Df8bba58891%26uid%3D94485477%26iid%3D59e9ed4824%26pool%3Dcts%26v%3D2%26c%3D1709460841%26h%3D2df959cf57d413f91228124446f16dbfab17951849ca78a9b598e0c9f4f309c9&source=gmail&ust=1709547255296000&usg=AOvVaw1qBSkCysUe7YI66te98ikq" href="https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchristchurchheiloo.wixsite.com%2Fmens-day%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2rYxtmxN2VpYDQhHhieDzB-fImJJngQhsbxg_kCHTRBIA13bGLQ-GN2hs%C2%A0&xid=f8bba58891&uid=94485477&iid=59e9ed4824&pool=cts&v=2&c=1709460841&h=2df959cf57d413f91228124446f16dbfab17951849ca78a9b598e0c9f4f309c9" style="color: #2baadf;" target="_blank">https://<wbr></wbr>christchurchheiloo.wixsite.<wbr></wbr>com/mens-day?fbclid=<wbr></wbr>IwAR2rYxtmxN2VpYDQhHhieDzB-<wbr></wbr>fImJJngQhsbxg_kCHTRBIA13bGLQ-<wbr></wbr>GN2hs </a><br /><br />We also have a small outreach to missionaries and other Christian workers either by Zoom chats or by hosting them in a small flat at the back of the church house. Most missionaries cannot afford to go on a holiday away, so we do this service free of charge. <br /><br />Our monthly support goes up and down, but the Lord is faithful as are you and so we reach our goals each month. Some supporters have donated generously to our special project fund that helps to pay for all our outreaches. We are investigating new sound equipment as the current equipment is acting up – it was all second-hand to begin with – and we want to continue with our online ministry as folks watch our services from all over the world. If you sense the Lord leading you to help with this urgent need, please earmark your gifts for our special project account, but label them “For Sound Equipment” so we may use the funds correctly. <br /><br />As always, we are ever so thankful for your support in this multifaceted ministry of ours. We consider you as essential workers with us. While we may have different callings, we all work together for the upbuilding of our Lord’s kingdom.<br /><br />We are grateful.<br />Blessings<br />Johann and Louise<div><img align="center" class="CToWUd a6T" data-bit="iit" height="100" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NZoxE5W6E5x2-SSWiepv-jW--i5SCmtOKggJIwaQp6A6DLQjkIO8I5Xj8sv8PVVOldExpSNXdaxOXdv9oxq141gLYrxLRmamXBCNfxJM96sxeNW2EQvV0RkijmV6raV4oMBsUx-2tKn-9367GSfWXIXDLcXeMHOL2GZ=s0-d-e1-ft#https://mcusercontent.com/02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f/images/8500092b-48bf-3b99-a5e9-873395332ac7.jpeg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 100px; margin: 0px; outline: none; width: 200px;" tabindex="0" width="200" /></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_3044366898816577620templateSidebar" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 0px; width: 200px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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They then worked in Southern Africa, serving in seven southern African countries, while continuing to work with the Diocese of Egypt, North Africa through engaging in a disciple making movement in order to grow the body of Christ. They are now serving in Heiloo, the Netherlands.</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_3044366898816577620mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fsams-usa.org%26xid%3Df8bba58891%26uid%3D94485477%26iid%3D59e9ed4824%26pool%3Dcts%26v%3D2%26c%3D1709460841%26h%3Dd01a24292129dca0b0e987ae523ef7c54229125044dabb6df4040412a167b4ce&source=gmail&ust=1709547255296000&usg=AOvVaw3dMLK3AUsGkjux6MoUzceL" href="https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsams-usa.org&xid=f8bba58891&uid=94485477&iid=59e9ed4824&pool=cts&v=2&c=1709460841&h=d01a24292129dca0b0e987ae523ef7c54229125044dabb6df4040412a167b4ce" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" class="m_3044366898816577620mcnImage CToWUd" data-bit="iit" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_Nawc58K1RrcMTUSIH9-7UFdoM34UitKXcxn_rQ6HxgA5m3yb0D_zKZDc56i7nYa9sJhmT6XdEFjOUtFxqfA_O03pVUa8zDFiMPFNHw83Sw5qSxEmNj_Oq1XKibDa653DmevghccUygtIE99HQpu-pZsEScbM0tT-SmbY1C5=s0-d-e1-ft#https://gallery.mailchimp.com/80a03a600fc29bf6487d4c539/images/ab969d59-7a5f-40c3-9dce-da1c3346cfb3.jpg" style="border: 0px; 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font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_3044366898816577620canspamBarWrapper" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-top: 20px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_3044366898816577620canspamBar" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; text-align: center;" valign="top">This email was sent to <a href="mailto:Vanderbijl@gmail.com" style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64) !important;" target="_blank">Vanderbijl@gmail.com</a><br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://samsusa.us18.list-manage.com/about?u%3D02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f%26id%3Dfcee6d6a7f%26e%3D__test_email__%26c%3D59e9ed4824&source=gmail&ust=1709547255297000&usg=AOvVaw1KzK4nXTT-6-9dc04GXgOW" href="https://samsusa.us18.list-manage.com/about?u=02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f&id=fcee6d6a7f&e=__test_email__&c=59e9ed4824" style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64) !important;" target="_blank"><em>why did I get this?</em></a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://samsusa.us18.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u%3D02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f%26id%3Dfcee6d6a7f%26t%3Db%26e%3D__test_email__%26c%3D59e9ed4824&source=gmail&ust=1709547255297000&usg=AOvVaw2FD75eOeAFBJ3FMRSR9QD9" href="https://samsusa.us18.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f&id=fcee6d6a7f&t=b&e=__test_email__&c=59e9ed4824" style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64) !important;" target="_blank">unsubscribe from this list</a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://samsusa.us18.list-manage.com/profile?u%3D02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f%26id%3Dfcee6d6a7f%26e%3D__test_email__%26c%3D59e9ed4824&source=gmail&ust=1709547255297000&usg=AOvVaw0AwTwUQKPFcn5SI2yXbcAX" href="https://samsusa.us18.list-manage.com/profile?u=02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f&id=fcee6d6a7f&e=__test_email__&c=59e9ed4824" style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64) !important;" target="_blank">update subscription preferences</a><br />SAMS-USA · PO Box 399 · Ambridge, PA 15003-0399 · USA<br /><br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://login.mailchimp.com/signup/email-referral/?aid%3D02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f&source=gmail&ust=1709547255297000&usg=AOvVaw0XXlyFjXeDc6_Nk-s0awH4" href="https://login.mailchimp.com/signup/email-referral/?aid=02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" height="53" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/meips/ADKq_NYHg4A_eO7AtG2QRqvAXzod1lc-zhGxWkINfTAEdUnrhQkN76wHuKQ97nGFQ-5vf80adDglQ1guSBAh-SyNyGEFZXq-JR7wz_k_C8p6bc9ga6YG-9fw-J6eWwcUfw=s0-d-e1-ft#https://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/monkey_rewards/intuit-mc-rewards-2.png" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Mailchimp Email Marketing" width="137" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></center>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-9397370958658893932024-02-29T16:20:00.010+01:002024-02-29T16:24:08.992+01:00Talk for the Funeral Service of one of our parishioners at Christ Church, Heiloo.<p>Talk for the Funeral Service of one of our parishioners at Christ Church, Heiloo.</p><p>Reading: John 14:1-3</p><p>Physical contact is such an important part of our lives as human beings, isn’t it? We are physical beings, and we know and are known through our senses. When this physical contact is broken in any way, we find ourselves in a state of crisis. But when death is the cause of this broken contact, the crisis is severe. We use words like mourning, sorrow, and grief to describe the sensation of emotional upheaval, but nothing can describe that feeling of utter helplessness, loneliness, and emptiness that we experience when a loved one dies. In one way, it can be depicted as having some unseen torturer ripping you open and tearing you apart.</p><p>But it is this human need for contact that presents us with one of our biggest difficulties when it comes to dealing with death, and that is our own physical mindedness. We think mostly in terms of what we can experience with our senses. But death forces us to acknowledge another aspect to life that transcends the physical, and that is the spiritual. Death compels us to exercise another usually untrained sense….our spiritual sense.</p><p>As Jesus tried to prepare his disciples for what would most certainly be one of the most distressing days of their lives, he spoke about this need for contact. He told them that they should not be unsettled, because in God’s house (and please note that this word is singular) there are many rooms (and this word is plural). One house, with many rooms. A vast house, to be sure, but still only one house that can accommodate many. </p><p>Then he added that what he was about to do for them on the cross would secure for them a place in this house so that where he would be they would be also. True, the contact would take on another form, especially after he was removed from them at the ascension, but it would not be broken. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEfe1WL8JttycJdrS_lWNAjoB6JdCmak7M-GtTXTbsTRX8-htvyDkrvovc7YSgmQDn2kz_-iwb6yYckI5sQtwBKETMNl1zK1eWCcAHEFj2XlwmbJId4UOHdeoFABFcMQBke6_3y3Hgteq3RwbPb-2ikJGD3G1eXFzA0IBIs2inAO_AMqZ-vEjgToeG4-A/s4032/IMG-8308.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEfe1WL8JttycJdrS_lWNAjoB6JdCmak7M-GtTXTbsTRX8-htvyDkrvovc7YSgmQDn2kz_-iwb6yYckI5sQtwBKETMNl1zK1eWCcAHEFj2XlwmbJId4UOHdeoFABFcMQBke6_3y3Hgteq3RwbPb-2ikJGD3G1eXFzA0IBIs2inAO_AMqZ-vEjgToeG4-A/s320/IMG-8308.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Many years after these events, Paul attempted to describe this unbroken contact by saying that when God made us alive together with Christ, he raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Jesus. In other words, all believers from the moment they put their faith and trust in Jesus move into God’s one singular house. </p><p>As followers of Jesus, we believe that he died for us so that whether we are in this physical body or not, we will always remain in him. There is only one Body of Christ. There is only one Church. There is only one sheepfold. There is only one house. Once we are in that house, we may shift from one room to another or one side of the house to the other…we may discard the physical to be clothed with the spiritual…we may change from what is visible to what is not visible…but we always remain in Jesus. </p><p>Yes, physical contact may be broken, but an eternal contact that can never be broken was already irreversibly established when XXXX gained admittance to that one house. To quote the words of the angels to the women when they stood weeping at the empty tomb…do not seek the living among the dead. While we may mourn the loss of what is physical, we find our hope in embracing what is immortal. In one sense, XXXX has not left. If you are in God’s house, you are never closer to XXXX than when you are worshipping at the feet of Jesus. </p><p> Jesus said: “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” John 6:37</p><p>Let us pray:</p><p>Almighty God, grant us, with all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, the fullness of life in your eternal and everlasting glory, and, with all your beloved children, to receive the crown of life promised to all who share in the victory of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.</p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-34281402863352868172024-02-28T18:39:00.000+01:002024-02-28T18:39:00.400+01:00The Price for Life<p>Psalm 89:1-2, 14-18 Hebrews 2:14-18 John 12:20-36</p><p>The Price for Life</p><p>A lot of people, at least in the West, have a tendency to take life for granted. We face few significant threats, and, for the most part, that which we consider catastrophic could be more accurately labelled an inconvenience. Only a small number of us genuinely grasp and appreciate the value of life. </p><p>Unfortunately, this tendency is also present in our expression of Christianity. How many of us truly appreciate the full reality of what it cost to grant us this gracious and free salvation that is ours in Jesus?</p><p>In our Gospel passage for today, Jesus spoke straightforwardly about the cost of redemption. And yet, even as he contemplated the horror that lay before him, he was more concerned that those around him understood enough to be able to respond appropriately. The central theme of his teaching here is the main purpose of his incarnation, namely that he took upon himself the form of a human so that he might give us life through his death.</p><p>In verses 20-26, Jesus laid down the principle of substitutionary atonement…one dying instead of or on behalf of others. Using a kernel of wheat as an illustration, he parabolically revealed what he was about to do. </p><p>Jesus told this parable because “some Greeks” requested an audience with him. Now, the word John used here indicates that these people were most likely proselytes of pure Greek extraction. Strangely, they approached Philip first possibly because his name was Greek. But, if you recall, when Jesus sent the disciples out, he instructed them not to go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:5), which is probably why Philip first went to Andrew before approaching Jesus. He needed some “backup”. </p><p>This request from the Greeks seemed to have been a signal for Jesus that the climax of his ministry or, as he called it, “his hour” had finally come. Why? Well, I think it is because his atoning death would benefit all nations and the fact that the group seeking an audience with him were Greeks and not Jews of Judea, Galilee, or the Diaspora heralded the beginning of the new era in which both Jew and Gentile alike would worship God side by side in spirit and in truth. In a certain sense, this confirmed what the Pharisees had said in verse 19: “Look, the whole world has gone after him!”</p><p>Now as we have already observed, these Greeks were hesitant if not uncertain in their approach. They first came to Philip and not directly to Jesus. This may indicate a respect for the Jewish social custom of not associating with non-Jews. If you recall, the Roman Centurion also showed this kind of thoughtfulness when he considered himself unworthy of having Jesus enter his “unclean” house to heal his servant. (Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10) </p><p>However, the synoptic Gospels insert a second cleansing of the temple at this point. This is significant because the selling of the sacrificial animals and the exchanging of currency took place in the Court of the Gentiles. And so, these Greek “God-fearers” would have been prevented from entering the space for prayer. So, it may be that they sought an audience with Jesus because he was the one who had cleared the designated area so that they might enter freely to worship. </p><p>Why John did not include the second cleansing of the Temple is anyone’s guess but if we insert that dramatic confrontation at this point it explains this sudden request for a meeting between Gentiles and this whip-wielding Jewish Messiah. His action opened the way for them to worship God, and his words recalled the prophetic utterance of Isaiah (56:7): “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”</p><p>Nevertheless, as I said earlier, their approach signified to Jesus that his hour to be glorified had come, and so he responded to this request with a parable concerning the immense cost of securing an entrance, not just into the Court of the Gentiles or even into the Temple itself, but into the Kingdom of God. Portraying himself as a kernel of wheat, Jesus said that as long as he remained alive in his present incarnate state, the new creation could not be launched. Just as one single seed remains a single seed until it is buried in the ground, sacrificing itself in a sense so that it might be transformed into a plant that would produce many more seeds, so Jesus indicated that his death was purposefully designed to bring to life “seeds” (re)born from him.</p><p>This sacrificial act of Jesus is a principle we are urged to imitate. As John said in his first Epistle, “By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. AND we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16) Imagine if all who call themselves followers of Jesus were to live according to this principle? Laying down our lives for others just as Jesus laid down his life for us.</p><p>In the book of Revelation, John described the first followers of Jesus as those who conquered the accuser of the brethren “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (Revelation 12:11 ESV) Like their Lord, they laid down their lives so that others might share in the salvation given to them through Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross. </p><p>But does this sacrificial living, encouraged and demonstrated in the New Testament, accurately describe our behaviour in the modern Church? Does it cost us something…anything at all…to follow Jesus or are we more like the world, doing a good job of looking out for number one? Me, myself, and I.</p><p>Do we perhaps love our life on this earth a little too much? Jesus lived to give…do we live to get? If I were to stand next to Jesus right now, how would I measure up? Am I like him in any way at all? </p><p>But even though self-sacrifice seems to be a high price to pay, it also offers a great blessing. While we may be called upon to serve Jesus by following in his footsteps so that we might quite literally be wherever he may be, we are told here that if we do this we will be honoured and valued by the Father. Perhaps this is what Paul meant when he said in Ephesians 2:4-6, “God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ…and raised us up together, and made us sit in the heavenly place in Christ Jesus.” Being raised together with him means being honoured together with him too. </p><p>A price was paid so that we might live in and through Jesus, and we too ought to be prepared to pay an equal price so that others might share in this sacrificial yet free gift of life. But surely the benefits far outweigh the cost.</p><p>True, it wasn’t easy for Jesus to face the cross. As he realised that his hour had arrived, the full force of the horrors that awaited him hit him like a freight train. The betrayal, desertion, and denial of his closest friends…an unjust trial…the mocking, the brutal beatings, the scourging, and then finally, the excruciating pain of death by crucifixion while he absorbed and annulled the weight of the curse for sin…it is possible that all these things came flooding into his mind at this moment, and he was deeply disturbed. </p><p>The next few sentences seem to be a short form of verbal self-deliberation followed by a public declaration. “I am overwhelmed by terrifying thoughts,” Jesus seemed to say to himself. “How then should I respond to this debilitating fear? Should I pray for the Father to deliver me from this? No, I can’t do that because I came into this world to die for it…it would negate the entire reason for the incarnation. I would be like a kernel of wheat preserved but not sown. So no, I will rather say, Father, glorify your name!” </p><p>Jesus’ deliberation here would be repeated once more in the Garden of Gethsemane. “Father, if it is your will, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) In both instances, there was a desperate cry of anguish before a bold declaration of obedient surrender.</p><p>Here the purpose of his life overrides his terror-filled agony. Jesus demonstrated the principle he had just revealed. He did not love his life above all else…rather he willingly gave it up as a ransom for many. And it is this self-sacrificial act that brings glory to God.</p><p>The voice from heaven, mistaken by some in the crowd for thunder or the voice of an angel, assured him that his sacrifice would achieve the divine design…that his death would fulfil the promise made by God to overturn the effects of the Fall (Genesis 3:15). However, Jesus indicated that this voice was in reality, not for his benefit, but for theirs. </p><p>In many ways, even today his struggles here may help us when we are deliberating difficult decisions in our lives. As Jesus had previously warned his disciples if he was persecuted, they too would be persecuted, and we are told by Early Church historians and traditions that all but one of the disciples were martyred for their faith. The suffering of Jesus addresses our own.</p><p>In his first Epistle, Peter tells us that it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. And then he compared our suffering with the suffering of Jesus who also suffered as a just man so that he might bring us to God. (1 Peter 3:17-18) </p><p>Now, in one sense, of course, we can never compare our suffering to the suffering of Jesus. Nevertheless, one of the goals of suffering does create a favourable comparison. Jesus’ goal was the glory of God. Suffering because of our faith in Jesus also glorifies God as it is a declaration to both the visible and the invisible world that our love for God is greater than our love for what this world has to offer. </p><p>It has often been said that it was the bravely borne suffering of the First Century Christians that brought many spectators in the Colosseum to faith in Jesus. In his Apologeticus, Tertullian wrote: “We multiply when you reap us. The blood of Christians is seed,” perhaps an allusion to our Lord’s use of a wheat kernel as an illustration.</p><p>Nevertheless, it is a good question for us to ponder. What is primary in my life? Is God glorified in everything I say and do?</p><p>Now, because this voice from heaven sanctioned not only the teaching ministry of Jesus but also his ministry of reconciliation through his vicarious substitutionary death, his disciples especially needed to understand that the sudden and unexpected transition from the enthronement anticipated the day before in the triumphal entry, to his actual enthronement on an instrument of execution a few days later, was not a defeat or a mistake, but a fulfilment of the divine purpose and plan. “Now,” Jesus said, “is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” </p><p>What would soon take place on the cross was nothing less than the restoration of the world to its rightful state. The ruler of this world, Satan the usurper, would be overthrown, publicly disgraced, and disarmed at the cross. (Colossians 2:15) The death of Jesus on the cross signifies not a judgement, but the judgement of all time as the consequence is a total takeover. </p><p>As John wrote in his first epistle, “For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8) The author to the Hebrews took it a step further when he said in 2:14-15, “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared in the same, that through death he might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”</p><p>As far as I can see, according to the testimony of Scripture, Satan was defeated and cast out at the cross. Now, this victory holds both a blessing and a curse. Because the cross itself was at once the decisive moment in which judgment was rendered on sin and on Satan, as well as the deciding moment of judgment in which subjects would be drawn to Jesus, it follows that the one who absorbed the curse thus voiding it of its power, becomes the judge of all. Again, as the author of Hebrews says in 1:3, “…when he had by himself purged our sins, (he) sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Not only was Satan defeated at the cross…not only did the expunging of our sins take place at the very same time…but also, because of the cross, Jesus was enthroned as King and as Judge over all. </p><p>And so, it is because of this overwhelming victory that all humanity indeed is drawn to stand before Jesus the righteous Judge. As he said in Matthew 25:31-46, it is as he sits on his glorious throne that all nations will be gathered to him for judgement. It is the cross that separates the sheep from the goats. </p><p>That Jesus meant that this would take place through his death on the cross is confirmed not only by John’s comment in verse 33, but also by the misguided statements of the Jews. They could not understand the concept of a dying deliverer because they had been led to believe that the Messiah would be a warrior king who would remain forever. Of course, this is true as ultimately Jesus does reign for all eternity, but his ascension to the throne was to take place through the cross.</p><p>Ignoring their questions, Jesus responded rather with a promise that contained both a warning as well as a reward. “You are going to have the light just a little while longer,” he said. “Walk while you have the light before darkness overtakes you.” </p><p>Now, the image of a light that is different to that which radiates from the sun and other planets originates in Genesis 1:3 where light is created before the creation of the cosmic luminaries. This light appears to be something other than what we would consider “natural” because in Exodus 10:21 and following, during the 9th plague in Egypt, God provided light to the Israelites while the rest of the land languished in a supernaturally thick darkness. Again, in Exodus 14:19-20 the presence of God depicted in a Pillar of Cloud by day and Fire by night came between the fleeing Israelites and the pursuing Egyptians and throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side. </p><p>Then the prophets also spoke of a coming deliverer in terms of a light that would ultimately overcome the darkness and thereby bring salvation to the Gentiles. John applied this directly to Jesus in the opening chapters of both his Gospel as well as his first Epistle. </p><p>So, we can safely say that ‘walking in the light’ is not a New Testament concept. Often the Old Testament prophets exhorted and encouraged God’s people to walk in the light of the Lord so that they might not be engulfed by the darkness which would come because of the Lord’s withdrawal of his presence due to their sins. And this is precisely the same picture Jesus sketched here for his listeners. The light stood before them and (if I may borrow Exodus terminology here) if they refused to follow him out of bondage, they would remain enslaved in the darkness. That was the warning.</p><p>But the reward was for those who put their trust in the light and followed him. They would become “children of light”. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, those who walk in the light of Jesus reflect him. Those who follow him become like him. In Matthew 5:14, the one who referred to himself as the light of the world applied the very same imagery to his disciples. “You,” he said, “are the light of the world.” In other words, people ought to see Jesus reflected in and through us. </p><p>But this wonderful reward is a result of selflessly giving up what we will for what God wills, just as Jesus gave up his will so that he might fulfil the Father’s will. Jesus purchased this reward for us at the cost of his precious life…and we are called upon to follow in his footsteps. So, we ought to love God more than our lives. </p><p>Jesus’ purpose was to lay down his life for us…our purpose is similar and yet different. While we cannot provide atonement for sin, we can “sacrifice” our lives or give up what we want for our lives, so that others might embrace the atonement we have received through Jesus. This was not easy for Jesus, and it will not be easy for us either. </p><p>He openly asked God to save him from that very thing that would secure our salvation if it were possible. But even as he faced horrors we cannot begin to imagine with our finite minds, he obediently accepted and surrendered to the task and, as Hebrews 12:2 tells us, “for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame”. And because of his obedience even unto death on the cross, he subsequently was elevated to the right hand of the throne of God, drawing his children up with him.</p><p>As those who both walk in the light and are children of the light, we too have a responsibility to take his light into the darkness of this world, regardless of what it might cost us. We are not only called to repent and believe in Jesus…we are not only called to trust and love him…we are also called to follow him, to be like him, to reflect him, and to be conformed to his image.</p><p>And so, dearest beloved brethren, let us put our absolute trust in the light so that we might be children of light.</p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2024</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNn6Bzyg_JAVSUSCPBcg5t98wg2v1ho5JnF8OA4aHK9a5Kxpr0QjFslt7JdtV_BNQj8MjR9pjAGDVed7rej4302grqgcsu4w1rx3SFXNV-dG3SdNFDBAdol3ZV8JrCnh4YqLdU2pLsCWdhNBDLKGHYgGyahsH-JAnORb8b6tN-WTXkQbc9r0D0PWDwEjCs/s3481/IMG_5285.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2272" data-original-width="3481" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNn6Bzyg_JAVSUSCPBcg5t98wg2v1ho5JnF8OA4aHK9a5Kxpr0QjFslt7JdtV_BNQj8MjR9pjAGDVed7rej4302grqgcsu4w1rx3SFXNV-dG3SdNFDBAdol3ZV8JrCnh4YqLdU2pLsCWdhNBDLKGHYgGyahsH-JAnORb8b6tN-WTXkQbc9r0D0PWDwEjCs/w668-h261/IMG_5285.jpeg" width="668" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-86097757652773036182024-02-07T09:41:00.003+01:002024-02-07T10:17:17.563+01:00Dealing with Personal Contradictions<p> Jeremiah 2:1-13 John 12:9-19</p><p>Dealing with Personal Contradictions</p><p>In his book, The God Who is There, Dr Francis Schaefer told a story about the late contemporary American Composer by the name of John Cage. Mr Cage evidently believed that the universe is impersonal by nature and that it originated only through pure chance. In an attempt to live consistently with his personal philosophy, Cage pioneered a form of composition called “indeterminacy” in which some parts of the work are left open to chance or to the interpreter's individual imagination. He used, among other things, the tossing of coins and the rolling of dice to ensure that no personal element entered into the final product. The result is music that has little to no form or structure and, for the most part, no appeal. (<a href="https://youtu.be/XlBo7_3EXqk?si=0cf-_iQ0RAqiAkG2 . https://youtu.be/Rlyf9_gkP1A?si=urfKzbRj5mqErXDb">https://youtu.be/XlBo7_3EXqk?si=0cf-_iQ0RAqiAkG2 https://youtu.be/Rlyf9_gkP1A?si=urfKzbRj5mqErXDb</a>).</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBq4GiokkeEYS91QURwDuWX4rRUfGhmcBBOpqE29623AOdw8zCE_uwN6c3sxeJSsWLpRkrU-B5N-LSSyWPaz_9b_MqAjOtui383ZAHDXF-p1rHnVB1b5jRqeM_PCPMU9ALsR9BxzNPQ1ISUkVVzW1C0NHdriJkVBOcIZy88ZlcHGdFDIVadLMXN-RfntHC/s4032/IMG_4854.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBq4GiokkeEYS91QURwDuWX4rRUfGhmcBBOpqE29623AOdw8zCE_uwN6c3sxeJSsWLpRkrU-B5N-LSSyWPaz_9b_MqAjOtui383ZAHDXF-p1rHnVB1b5jRqeM_PCPMU9ALsR9BxzNPQ1ISUkVVzW1C0NHdriJkVBOcIZy88ZlcHGdFDIVadLMXN-RfntHC/s320/IMG_4854.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Now what is interesting about this gentleman is that although his professional life accurately reflected his philosophy, his personal life did not. One of his favourite pastime activities was mycology, the study of fungi and mushrooms. But because of the potentially lethal results of ingesting the wrong sort of mushroom, he could not approach this activity on a purely by-chance basis. Concerning this personal contradiction, he apparently said that he became aware that if he approached mushrooms in the spirit of chance operations, he would die.<p></p><p>John Cage believed one thing but practised another. Faced with the certainty of creation, he chose to ignore the obvious signs of ordered design in the universe and stubbornly clung to his own novel theory. You may well ask, how was he able to live with such a glaring personal contradiction? Surely, if he had seriously reflected on this incongruity, he would have had to admit his inconsistency and change his theory. But well-entrenched presuppositions tend to override any attempt at serious reflection because the alternative has already been rejected outright without any form of proper investigation. </p><p>True, most people live with contradictions in their personal lives, some major, some minor. So, it is not a question of whether or not we have them in our lives, but rather what we do with them when they are discovered. In our Gospel passage for today, we have three main responses to having our contradictions exposed by the truth: the removal or the avoidance of truth, the recognition and re-evaluation of truth, and the rejection of truth.</p><p>As we have already seen, the Chief Priests and Pharisees had decided Jesus was dangerous and that he was leading the people in a direction that was potentially harmful to them. Consequently, they began to plot against him, to eliminate him. But while they entertained thoughts of murder in their heart, Jesus did something that brought them face to face with a question that demanded an answer. If Jesus was a liar or a deluded lunatic or yet another megalomanic revolutionary, then how could they explain the raising of Lazarus? Anyone in their right mind would think that this incomprehensible miracle would have brought them to their senses…that they would have been forced to reconsider their position and admit that they were wrong concerning their conclusions about Jesus. </p><p>But they didn’t do that, did they? Instead, when confronted with the truth, they simply ignored it by seeking to remove it…and so, even though it boggles the mind, they considered murdering Lazarus because his mere existence testified against them. Now we marvel at such a ludicrous decision, but how often haven’t we done something similar? We dogmatically defend our position in an argument, only to find that we are wrong…and then we either admit our mistake and change our opinion, or we attempt to avoid the person and/or the subject, which can be problematic depending on the level of the relationship. That’s how church hopping, and church splits happen. </p><p> Yet the strangest thing is that if we were able to question the Chief Priests about this conflict in their thinking, they would more than likely have denied that there was an inconsistency. No one likes to admit the discrepancies in their philosophy of life…no one enjoys admitting they are wrong, especially if they have really made an issue about it or hold a position of authority. Pride is one of the most difficult things for humans to deal with. But if we are ever to benefit from the truth, we will have to learn to eat humble pie often, because none of us are exempt from flaws and errors. </p><p>Think of how the lives of the Chief Priests would have changed had they confessed that their conclusions about Jesus were incorrect. If they had faced the truth with humility, they would have changed their opinions concerning him and would have come to a saving knowledge of his person. But sadly, they determined to remove whatever challenged them and to eliminate whoever exposed their ignorance and hardness of heart. </p><p>You can stop your ears all you like…you can run and hide…you can attempt to ignore or eradicate the truth…but truth will not be obliterated. Truth will come to light, as the Bard said. It will confront you again and again throughout your life and in the end, as you stand before the Throne of Judgement, truth will have to be acknowledged even if only through clenched teeth. And as John wrote in the Revelation, those who rejected the Way, the Truth, and the Life…"those who pierced him", to use his words, witnessed with their eyes his universal sovereignty when that which they endeavoured to protect and preserve was destroyed by the Roman forces in AD 70.</p><p>A better way to deal with truth is to recognise it for what it is and to re-evaluate your own present position in the light of that truth. When Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey, the crowds recalled the many great things he had said and done and concluded that he was the long-awaited Messiah, the King of Israel. But truth not put into practice soon becomes a stumbling block. It’s easy to believe something when it's simple and obvious and when you are in the majority. But the test of whether truth has been understood and integrated into your belief system is whether it will continue to govern your way of life when the going gets tough and you find that you are in the minority. </p><p>Many in this same crowd of enthusiastic participants turned quite nasty a few days later, didn’t they? Yes, some may still have clung to what they believed to be true, but if the reaction of the disciples at the arrest, trial, and crucifixion is any indication of the general response of the people, then that number was not very large.</p><p>However, it is possible to recognise and accept the truth, to lose that truth in a moment of strife or intense pressure, and yet to regain that truth after some recollection and reflection. This was true of the disciples, at least. Triumphantly, they marched by the side of the Master as he rode into Jerusalem. Confidently they openly acknowledged him and fearlessly supported him. Little did they know that they would be cowering behind locked doors only a few days later, having abandoned him or even denied him either by word or deed.</p><p>Yet, after the resurrection, when Jesus took them through the Scriptures, showing them the many things written about him from Genesis through to Malachi, they returned to the truth. For the first time after those awful three days, the confusing events surrounding what was surely the most stressful time of their lives, all made sense and they could once more embrace the truth and overcome their momentary unbelief. </p><p>Often, throughout the New Testament, we read that the authors remembered what had been written about Jesus and then they would quote the relevant passages to substantiate or validate the truth of what they were writing. By recalling the things written about Jesus as well as the things said by Jesus, and by reflecting on what he had done, they concluded that this man they had followed for three years was, in fact, God incarnate. </p><p>And this called for radical change in their thinking and their way of living…a hundred-and-eighty-degree turn in their philosophy of life. They had to discard all that they had learned and believed before to accept what they now knew to be true. To many Jews, a suffering and dying messiah was ludicrous…even though it is all over the Scriptures…so they invented their own ideas about who this messiah would be. </p><p>Most believed that he would be a warrior-king who would free them from the tyranny of Rome and re-establish the Davidic kingdom once more. Right up until the ascension, we see that even the disciples thought this was what he was going to do. Remember their question in Acts 1:6? “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” </p><p>I don’t think we realise how difficult it must have been for them to recognise the truth, let alone accept it! But that is why they needed the Holy Spirit to help them comprehend the truth and also have the wisdom and ability to articulate that truth in such a way as to make it understandable to those to whom they spoke and wrote. </p><p>That is why we too need the Holy Spirit. He substantiates and validates our testimony to the truth. His internal work turns even the most stubborn and wicked persons into humble believers…we see this in the Scriptures, but also in our lives and in the lives of other followers of Jesus. He convicts us of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He takes out the heart of stone and replaces it with a heart of flesh. He upholds us with a new and willing spirit. He gives us the power to be obedient. </p><p>Only God can change the hearts of people. If the Gospels teach us anything it is that no sign, no wonder, no miracle, no argument, or logic will ever turn a corrupt and wicked heart…only God can do that. So, when confronted with truth, it is only those who have been prepared or regenerated by the Holy Spirit who will believe. According to Paul, “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:14) And so even when faced with the impossible, these Chief Priests could not see the truth because the truth had no part in them. </p><p>And this leads to the final way folks deal with truth and that is rejection. One of the most tragic kinds of people in the Church are the lone crusaders. That’s where many splinter groups have come from. These folks somehow convince themselves that they alone are right in spite of the overwhelming historical and biblical evidence against them. Think of people like Joseph Smith, Jim Jones, or David Koresh. </p><p>But sadder still is the fact that these people always succeed in attracting followers because most of them tend to be rather persuasive and dynamic or they tend to be forceful, violent, unpredictable, and irrational and their followers fear them. The latter was certainly true of the Pharisees as those who disagreed with them were threatened with excommunication. As we saw in the case of the man born blind, there was no reasoning with them…you were either in or out. </p><p>And we have the same thing here…even though they saw that many of the people were persuaded by the raising of Lazarus, they dug in their heels and rejected the obvious. Same with the resurrection of Jesus. They chose to bribe the soldiers to lie about what they had witnessed rather than confess and change.</p><p>Throughout the book of Acts, these same men were confronted with the truth as taught by a growing body of believers. They were confronted with bold and determined witnessing. They were confronted with signs and wonders done by those who believed in the name of the one they had crucified. But what did they do? While some did believe, most of them rejected the truth. </p><p>Could they explain the healing of the man born blind? No. Could they explain the resurrection of Lazarus? No. Could they explain the resurrection of Jesus? No. Could they explain the changed lives of the disciples? No. On multiple occasions, they were faced with a contradiction in their philosophy of life, and they only had three options…removal or avoidance of the truth…removing the messenger of truth or moving themselves out of the way, which we would call ignoring the elephant in the room…re-evaluation of what they thought was the truth…or the outright deliberate rejection of the truth…facing it, acknowledging it, but consciously denying it anyway.</p><p>We also have the same three choices. The first and the last, removal and rejection, are relatively easy because they conform to our sinful and proud fallen nature, but they exact a very high price tag. The second is the more difficult path to follow as it demands great humility and self-discipline, but its rewards are peace and love and true joy. God’s ways are never easy for fallen humanity because they are contrary to what we want in life, but they are always the best. </p><p>You can live with contradiction if you suppress the truth as John Cage and many others have done. But who really wants to risk living a lie?</p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2024</p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-21077720989394285402024-02-02T11:07:00.002+01:002024-02-02T11:07:19.993+01:00Acceptable Service<p>Isaiah 1:11-17 Revelation 2:1-7 John 11:55-12:11</p><p>Acceptable Service</p><p>There are many stories of hypocrisy, treachery, and betrayal in the history of the world. From Genesis three onwards we are confronted by humanity’s uncanny ability to lie, cheat, and steal while maintaining an appearance of innocence…in this respect, we resemble the father of lies who can appear to be a messenger of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) more than we do the Father of truth in whom there is no darkness (1 John 1:5). </p><p>Sadly, this flaw can be found even in those who claim to be followers of the Way, the Truth, and the Life. From Cain’s feigned surprise when confronted by God for the murder of his brother…to Kings who were expected to live by the Law of God and who yet resisted and persecuted and executed Prophets…to Prophets who quite happily prophesied falsely in exchange for fame and fortune…to Priests who perverted God’s Law to suit their lucrative grip on political power…to many throughout the ages who chose to challenge, contradict, twist, or void God’s Word for the sake of personal gain. </p><p>Throughout the Gospels, Jesus often confronted the political and religious powers of his day exposing their practices by citing Scripture. Worship devoid of truth is meaningless because God is truth. The basic message to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7 was that although they possessed many virtues and it appeared that they had their act together doctrinally, they had lost their first love and consequently they were exhorted to repent and to do the works they did at first…in this case, it seems John was alluding to Jesus’ statement that if we truly loved Jesus we would keep his commandments (John 14:15)…love and obedience always go together. </p><p>So, the conflict between Jesus and the church in Ephesus then concerned their bizarre inconsistency. For all their religious purity and rigorous rules, they were in actuality not obeying God’s Word. Subsequently, as a church that claimed to be something they were not, their witness to Jesus was not faithful…in fact, they were nothing less than bold-faced liars and Jesus threatened to remove them as light-bearers because the light in them was no longer light, but darkness (Luke 11:35).</p><p>Unfortunately, people such as these often believe themselves to be right, and they will defend their position even to the point of duplicity and deception, defamation and betrayal, or when all else fails, murder. But surely the saddest part of it all is that this is not confined to those outside the Fellowship of Christ. While it was the Sanhedrin who plotted to kill Jesus, it was Judas who betrayed him to them. </p><p>Now, in our Gospel passage today, we have several contrasts between those who are light and those who are posing as light. </p><p>John informs us that many went up from the countryside to Jerusalem to be purified before the Passover. Timewise quite a lot had happened since Jesus left Jerusalem to go to Ephraim, but you will have to read the other Gospels to fill in these blanks. For instance, we know from the other Gospels that Jesus came to Bethany via Jericho where he had brought Zacchaeus back into the fold. Now obviously, the excitement concerning the resurrection of a decomposing corpse had not abated…if anything it had probably increased by word of mouth and the Chief Priests were contemplating the assassination of Lazarus as well as Jesus because his very existence preserved the problem of an unexplainable miracle by an unwanted messianic figure.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUcbUOxy9iqXRqh6quEtFBlgdWnAWRJh8rJy5DVg_amloQnaCiaFnr2EBKaP9-SCg74ISMHmdbYTVy77vb7aLWRbgLFK7cMpncK3zI5P_VP4kAnziVkXn9um_dsQkvJXp6zO5ltG4JcZcfrZG3rcvRtr0NwSm1Fau9wLQzV3s9E2WsrwSBNvA0QlNfFsB/s3004/IMG_4523.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3004" data-original-width="2259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUcbUOxy9iqXRqh6quEtFBlgdWnAWRJh8rJy5DVg_amloQnaCiaFnr2EBKaP9-SCg74ISMHmdbYTVy77vb7aLWRbgLFK7cMpncK3zI5P_VP4kAnziVkXn9um_dsQkvJXp6zO5ltG4JcZcfrZG3rcvRtr0NwSm1Fau9wLQzV3s9E2WsrwSBNvA0QlNfFsB/s320/IMG_4523.jpeg" width="241" /></a></div>So, here comes the first contrast. The pilgrims, whom we are told were excitedly looking for Jesus, arrived early to be purified in the many pools for ritual cleansing located at the foot of the southern steps on the Temple Mount so that they might observe the holy festival. But at least some of those administering these rites of purification were themselves impure as they carried in their hearts thoughts and plans of hatred and murder. <p></p><p>Now, John tells us that Jesus arrived in Bethany six days before the Passover. That year Passover fell on the Sabbath, making it a special High Day (John 19:31). According to Judean reckoning (remember the Galileans counted days from sunrise to sunrise, while the people from Judea counted days from sunset to sunset) , this would have been the first day of the week, or Sunday as we call the day now. I believe this is significant because Jesus was arrested and tried on Thursday night (and early Friday morning) but he was crucified on the Friday, or the day of preparation, the day before the Passover when the lambs were being slaughtered. </p><p>He was then hurriedly bundled up in cloth and spices before sunset that Friday and he “rested” in the tomb that Saturday. Then shortly before sunrise on Sunday, the women, who had come to complete what had not been completed on Friday, were told by angels that he had risen from the dead. In other words, this feast recorded in our Gospel lesson for today, occurred exactly one week before the resurrection. </p><p>Is it possible that John was trying to draw our attention to the imagery of creation and the Exodus? Mankind had been created on the sixth day. God had “rested” from his creative labours on the seventh day. If we believe that the cross began the reversal of the effects of the Fall, it may be that John was following a recreation timetable here…a sort of final countdown, if you will. As humans were created on the sixth day, so they were recreated on the sixth day, at the same time when the people were remembering the night when the angel of death passed over all those who had the blood of the lamb daubed on the lintels of their doorways. </p><p>Once more, on the Sabbath God “rested” from his labours, but this time from the labour of recreation. Remember Jesus’ words on the cross, “it is finished”…words that may echo what was said of creation at its completion in Genesis 2:2. Jesus then rose again on the first day of the week to usher in this new beginning. The raising of Lazarus had served as a picture promise of this glorious reality. And, of course, one cannot miss the obvious table fellowship imagery. In six days’ time, Jesus would quite literally give his body and his blood to sustain the spiritual life of all his people. Together, they would then shortly feast again at the table of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.</p><p>But as important as the timeline and the recreation imagery may be, I think the main point of the immediate passage is to contrast those whose religion is purely external with those whose devotion wells up from an inward reality. Whereas the Sadducees and Pharisees went about their meaningless duties, harbouring hatred and murderous thoughts in their dark hearts, the followers of Jesus gathered around him to savour every moment and every word and to honour him as best they could.</p><p>It is interesting to note that John tells us how each one of our famous family from Bethany honoured their Lord and friend in different ways using their obvious gifts. God gives every one of us specific but different gifts. </p><p>Gifts such as cooking and cleaning and gardening can be every bit as spiritual as preaching and teaching – remember the craftsmen Bezalel and Oholiab who were filled with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. (Exodus 31:3-6) Their artistic craftmanship was a gift from God. And we are well pleasing to God when we use our gifts to honour him. </p><p>Martha, as we would expect, was serving. That was her gift. Lazarus, John tells us, was among those who were reclining with the Lord at the table, which, when we understand that this feast took place at the home of Simon the Leper according to Matthew 26:6-7 and Mark 14:3-9, means that he was as much a guest as Jesus. However, itinerant Rabbis were often invited to lecture at meals and so one would expect Lazarus to be there as a student or a disciple.</p><p>And then there was Mary. We know from Luke 10:38-42 that there was some friction between the sisters as Mary did not share the same practical homebuilding skills with Martha. That in itself is a lesson we would do well to learn. Just because someone does not possess the same gift as you, does not make their gift any less. But, as we learned from their respective responses to the Lord following the death of their brother, Mary was certainly the more sensitive and openly emotionally expressive of the two sisters. </p><p>Be that as it may, Mary’s form of devotion here is startingly sacrificial. Spikenard, which is also known as nard, muskroot, and nardin, has a woody, spicy, earthy fragrance. It is derived from a plant known as “Nardostachys Jatamansi”, a flowering plant of the Valerian family that grows in the Himalayas. It is mentioned in Mark 14:3-9 as an oil used by an unnamed woman to anoint Jesus before the crucifixion. It is also mentioned in the Song of Songs 4:14. It was used as incense in the Temple and in the preparation of bodies for burial. A pound or pint is about 473 millilitres or 324 grams or 12 ounces. A jar would normally contain no more than an ounce, so Mary would have been enormously extravagant here. </p><p>John tells us that this ointment was worth a year’s wages for an average worker so one is not surprised when Judas (as well as the other disciples according to the synoptic Gospels) criticises her apparent wastefulness. Many scholars believe that this jar of expensive perfume was a form of “life savings”. Assuming that she was not married as no husband is ever mentioned and the siblings appear to have been living together, should anything happen to Lazarus, the sisters would be left with nothing but their personal possessions. So, this jar of spikenard would then offer a form of security against poverty. </p><p>When you think about this it seems that the anointing was more than just devotion. It was a statement of faith. What she was pouring out on his feet was her insurance, if you will…her pension, as it were…her future. Like the widow in the temple treasury who gave all she had.</p><p>The contrast then with Judas (and the other disciples) is certainly a glaring one! On the one hand, we have Mary who gives all and then on the other hand we have Judas who is portrayed as one who habitually steals and who will ultimately betray his Lord. Another contrast will come four days later during another meal…an embarrassing scene where it seems none of the male disciples were willing to demean themselves by performing the task of a servant in washing the feet of the travellers. </p><p>Now this is quite a challenge for us who often only remember the great things people achieve. It seems that it is the apparent insignificant things…like the giving of a cup of cold water or performing the tasks considered beneath our dignity…it is the insignificant things that are remembered and valued by our Lord.</p><p>John mentions that the fragrance of the spikenard filled the whole house. Knowing John, we should not skip over this as a mere trivial observation. It may be that he was indicating that her sacrificial giving was a well-pleasing aroma to the Lord, like the burnt offerings in the Old Testament and the frequent use of this term by Paul referring to sacrificial giving and sacrificial living. Through Isaiah God made it clear to the preexilic community in Judea that the multitude of their sacrifices were meaningless and gave him no pleasure…the sweet-smelling incense was detestable to him…because their deeds were evil. Gifts given with incorrect motives are better not given at all. </p><p>But then comes the sad contrast. One of the many reasons I believe the Gospels are genuine is because of the inclusion of such embarrassing moments as these. The pseudo or apocryphal Gospels and letters never make the heroes look bad. But this event casts such a poor light on the male followers of Jesus that one marvels that they included it at all. </p><p>Remember, these men were disciples…they had walked with Jesus for three-plus years, and they had learned at his feet. It is amazing to think that they were just six days away from the crucifixion of the Lord…and what were they arguing about? Perfumed oil. But it is always the so-called little things that break up friendships and fellowship, isn’t it? That’s why Solomon warned us to catch “the little foxes” that destroy the vineyard (Song of Songs 2:15). If only we could major on the many important doctrinally central things we agree on, we would not tend to trip over the fewer or more peripheral things we disagree about! </p><p>But what is even more startling here is that they (Judas and the other disciples) condemned what their Lord had already accepted. Surely by now, they ought to have learned that their Master would have objected if he deemed the action inappropriate! But sadly, all too often the followers of Jesus think themselves more righteous than him! And so, they begrudged him this act of devotion with a pious reference to the poor, perhaps referring to the custom of giving to the poor on the evening of Passover.</p><p>But John reveals the true reason behind the objection…Judas was a thief and had been for some time. He had apparently, been given charge over the communal purse but he was lining his own pocket all along. When compared to Mary we see a man who had little faith in God’s provision. While she abandoned any thought of future security, quite literally pouring it out at Jesus’ feet, he was feathering his nest and we know exactly where that took him. </p><p>Now, Jesus’ reply to this objection is interesting. Firstly, he referred to what would be his hasty burial six days later, when there would not be time for such an anointing with oil, something none of them could have predicted…but somehow Mary’s action became prophetic. Did she have some sort of intuition? Had she discerned something the others did not? </p><p>It is quite possible that while Martha was bustling around in the kitchen, and while the men were arguing about position and authority in the kingdom, sometimes even callously in the context of Jesus’ statements regarding his betrayal, trial, execution, death, burial, and resurrection, Mary was listening at a deeper level and somehow perceived that something monumental was about to happen. </p><p>But then secondly, Jesus appeared to quote from Deuteronomy 15. Concerning giving generously to the poor, Jesus said “You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” Jesus was not saying that they should not give to the poor…but rather that they needed to balance priority and timing. </p><p>What Mary had done was more than a simple act of devotion…she had anointed Jesus for his burial…the only proper anointing he would get because of later haste. But I think there’s more to this than that. There are images of sacrifice here for sure, for both Mary and Jesus, but perhaps there is also a hint as to what would happen after his sacrificial death as the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. Unknown to her and everyone else in that room, Mary was anointing the future universal king. Her anointing pointed forward to his priestly royalty…to the fact that he was a sacrifice destined for exaltation via the suffering of his substitutionary death. </p><p>Everyone seemed to have missed all this…they all seemed to have missed the significance of this sacrificial act of devotion because their focus was elsewhere. The number of times the disciples were yet to stumble over the concept of servanthood rather than arrogance and swaggering remains to be examined in future sermons. </p><p>But to bring this home, one would have thought that by this time, with two centuries of church history behind us, we would have learned to be more like Jesus. But even today, pride seems to be more prevalent in the Church than humility. We just love to lord it over each other, don’t we? </p><p>In our Gospel passage for today, we have two sad examples…on the one hand, we have those who are reprobate despite their elaborate religious observances and then on the other hand, we have those who are followers of Jesus and yet are blinded by their own values and ambitions. Perhaps if we allowed the love of God, which he has poured out abundantly in our hearts, to direct us as it did Paul who viewed it as the supreme virtue, we would be more like Mary and less like the Sadducees, Pharisees, and, in this case, the disciples…especially Judas. Paul teaches us that if we do not love, our lives are as jarring as a clanging cymbal. Perhaps if we were less concerned with ourselves – if we were less concerned with always being right – crossing all our t’s and dotting all our i’s, we would be able to love each other as God has commanded us to love.</p><p>Giving up our pride may be as difficult and as risky as Mary’s sacrifice of her future investment. It will certainly render us more vulnerable to each other as Mary’s act made her vulnerable and exposed her to severe criticism and censure. But ultimately, we must ask ourselves a rather uncomfortable question: whom do I wish to impress? God or humanity? </p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2024</p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-90715280547271852592024-01-26T13:27:00.003+01:002024-01-26T13:27:58.882+01:00Profound Bindness<p>Psalm 94:8-11 2 Samuel 20:14-22 John 11:45-54</p><p>Profound Blindness</p><p>Have you ever discovered, right in the middle of a debate or a discussion or an argument, that you were wrong and yet you still chose to continue to defend your position? I'm ashamed to admit that I have done this in the past…more so when I was younger than now…but I still remember the day when I decided to make a concerted effort to stop doing that. To rather admit that I was wrong as soon as possible and apologise because I found that the longer you wait to concede the more difficult and painful it becomes for all concerned. </p><p>But have you ever wondered why people do this? I’m sure you have also been on the other end of such a discussion or perhaps you have been an exasperated witness. It is mind-boggling how people can still uphold their opinions when all logic is heaped up against them. Or worse when they base what they believe on how they feel! We all know that feelings can change with the weather or with a bad bit of steak! But besides that, how on earth can you argue with, “Yes, I know that is what the Scriptures say, but I feel, blah, blah, blah”? It’s enough to tear your hair out. Such people simply will not hear because they are not listening. Often such deliberations end in anger and things are said and done that may (or may not) be regretted later.</p><p>Now, last week we examined the possible reasons why Jesus allowed his dear friends to suffer such prolonged anguish and grief when he basically could have healed Lazarus even from a distance. The resurrection of a four-day-old, rotting corpse was an indisputable sign that Jesus was more than a good man, a virtuous teacher, or a mighty prophet. </p><p>Interestingly, just as an aside, some Jewish Rabbis believe that the soul of the deceased remains present for a while after death – some say until the burial or a few days after the burial (see Shabbat 152b). The soul is even believed to mourn over its discarded and decomposing body, at times even hanging around for a while because it feels homeless. Now you know where ghost stories come from! </p><p>But, as far as I know, no one ever contemplated the possibility of a soul returning to the body once the process of decay had set in because the body was no longer habitable. “According to Dr. Arpad A. Vass, a Senior Staff Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee in Forensic Anthropology, human decomposition begins around four minutes after a person dies and follows four stages: autolysis (or self-digestion) , bloat, active decay, and skeletonization.” </p><p>After four days, given the climate of that region, Lazarus would have been well on his way to stage three of this process which explains Martha’s horrified reaction to Jesus’ command to remove the heavy stone covering from the mouth of the cave or tomb. Resurrecting a person who had just died was one thing…resurrecting an actively decaying body was unthinkable. </p><p>And for this reason, many of those who witnessed the startling event believed in Jesus.</p><p>However, disturbingly, John tells us that some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Whether the intention was good or bad, we are not told, but this report sparked off a series of events that led to the murder of Jesus. </p><p>Now, as I said before, the raising of the decomposing corpse of Lazarus was an indisputable sign pointing to the nature of Jesus…no one had ever raised a rotting corpse before, so the miracle was undeniable. However, remember what Abraham said to the rich man in Sheol? “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”. As with Lazarus so also with Jesus…they would not believe…</p><p>But what I’d like for us to consider today is the reason why they would not believe. </p><p>So, let’s start with what the Sanhedrin had to say: “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” The fear expressed here is that they will either lose their position as rulers or lose the Temple itself or lose both as well as the nation as a whole. But why? What was the basis for this fear? </p><p>Well, the backstory here is long and complicated, so I will try my best to keep it simple and to the point. This fear really began with the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians. So many Judeans had believed that their God would not allow his Temple to be destroyed even though the prophets had warned them that because of their life choices and lifestyles, God had abandoned them as well as their city and their temple. They had abandoned God by not obeying his Word and therefore God had abandoned them. Now, for reasons we can’t go into now, they had erroneously believed that the destruction of the Temple meant their God had been defeated by the gods of the invaders. </p><p>Imagine their surprise when the prophet Ezekiel described to them what must be one of the most bizarre visions of all time. In his vision, Ezekiel saw God coming to his people in their place of exile, outside the Promised Land, on a mobile throne. Remember the wheels, the eyes, the angels etc? But while the vision might have been obscure and weird, the lesson was clear. God was enthroned above and over the universe and the God of the universe does not live in buildings made by humans. He is not like the false gods of the unbelievers. So, the destruction of the Temple was a sign of judgement on the people, not of the defeat of God. To the contrary. The destruction of the Temple meant that God was very much in control and would not be toyed with even by his own people. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBHDjPHPfis9l-jktjkgvv_qnXdHY7VBxX6wrU_ZhQVAKbH1zebAlXFt-nKHnaxG2quaKkOTbbD6zpf45zz6CrgrJGEWIGg8EgyjdPd4NQTgErxKzb3m67aMIlkyqBZ2y52qDAcRvpKfAP2MFqSq4g8iK54JYybyId7v4tGwbKeNHgDwQ0RwhO329HuuW/s4032/IMG_4579.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBHDjPHPfis9l-jktjkgvv_qnXdHY7VBxX6wrU_ZhQVAKbH1zebAlXFt-nKHnaxG2quaKkOTbbD6zpf45zz6CrgrJGEWIGg8EgyjdPd4NQTgErxKzb3m67aMIlkyqBZ2y52qDAcRvpKfAP2MFqSq4g8iK54JYybyId7v4tGwbKeNHgDwQ0RwhO329HuuW/s320/IMG_4579.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>However, when the exiles were allowed to return under the Persians, they were encouraged to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. Why? Well, because the City and the Temple were the unifying objects of the Jews. That’s what the major struggle between Sanballat on the one hand and Nehemiah and company on the other hand was all about. The Samarians, if you recall, had built a rival Temple on Mount Gerizim based on their understanding of the instructions in the Torah because they did not accept the writings and the prophets as Scripture and, consequently, they did not accept the Davidic dynasty nor the primacy of Jerusalem and its Temple. </p><p>Remember, before the exile, Judah was a monarchy under the Davidic kings, a dynasty with a claim to divine investiture, an investiture spelt out in the writings and the prophets, but not the Torah. And their reign was inextricably linked with Jerusalem, because it was the City of David, and also with the Temple which was built by his son Solomon. </p><p>So, any shift concerning the placement of the Temple was a shift in the locus of power and therefore a threat to Jewish identity. Jerusalem and the Temple were central to everything Jewish. So, it was imperative and inevitable that the Temple be rebuilt in Jerusalem. What was not rebuilt, however, was the Davidic monarchy. Various governors serving under the Persians and the Greeks ruled in their stead. The code of law declared by Ezra in the early 4th century BC served as the legal ideal of a theocratic state, but one ruled by priests rather than by kings.</p><p>Now, jumping ahead several years to the Greek period, the Greeks allowed the Jews to manage their own affairs, without much interference by the government, but leadership was given to the High Priest, not a king. Sometime in the first century BC, an historian by the name of Diodorus Siculus said that because of the Greeks, the Jews never had a king because authority over the people was regularly vested in whichever priest was regarded as superior to his colleagues in wisdom and virtue. </p><p>This form of government continued after the Maccabean revolt, and it was sealed by the eventual establishment of the Hasmonean Priest-Kings. The descendants of David all but faded into obscurity. </p><p>So, the emerging Jewish religion now had a sacred centre in Jerusalem that became the focus of regular pilgrimages and the beneficiary of generous gifts and taxes due to the sanctuary and its officials. That was a dramatic shift for people who thought that Judaism needed to be a Davidic kingdom. Many still believed the prophetic promises that God had made to his people that Israel was to be a kingdom ruled by Davidic kings sanctioned by God himself. However, at some point in time, many of the descendants of David moved to Alexandria in Egypt and stayed there. Those remaining in Judea and Galilee became labourers and tradesmen. </p><p>All of this further empowered the priests as they moved from being cultic officials to being wealthy politicians. They became the political leaders of Judaism, establishing themselves as a kingdom of priests, a term taken straight out of the book of Exodus, and they never relinquished that power from then on. Rather, they depicted themselves as the realization of God's purpose for Israel. But you may well ask, what about God's other prophetic promises regarding a future Davidic king? Well, that created national tension because some folks steadfastly believed that the Davidic Covenant still stood.</p><p>But then to complicate matters even further, when Pompey finally conquered Jerusalem, after years of friendly cooperation between the Jews and Rome, a puppet king by the name of Herod was installed to rule over the Jews. Now, Herod's ancestors were Edomites who had converted to Judaism, and his mother was Jewish, but although he had been raised as a Jew, he nevertheless was not widely accepted by the general population and so he married a Hasmonean princess to legitimize his claim to the throne. </p><p>But as Rome transitioned from a Republic to what eventually became an Empire, they soon became overlords and oppressors controlling the cooperative leaders of the Jews (the Herodians and the Sadducees especially) and destroying any form of opposition like the zealots and especially self-proclaimed messiahs. This created an atmosphere ripe for messianic fever. But what was this messiah going to be? A warrior liberator like Joshua? A priest-king like the Hasmonaeans? Or would he be a Davidic descendant? And what would that mean for those currently in positions of power?</p><p>So, you can imagine why things were a little tense in Jerusalem when a descendant of David was becoming more and more popular gaining an ever-expanding following. If there was an uprising among the people that would challenge Rome, the current leadership would be in deep trouble regardless of who won the day in the end. </p><p>However, we must remember that we are dealing with men who were steeped in the teachings of Scripture, so one would have expected their primary concern to be spiritual, but whenever the lines between political and religious entities are blurred the outcome is usually some form of compromise or outright rejection of biblical truth. So it is important to realise that the major concern of the Sanhedrin was about power and position and posterity, not truth. </p><p>Instead of acknowledging the signs for what they were and the Man for who he was, they feared that politically things could get out of hand. The High Priest at the time, Joseph ben Caiaphas (who held office from AD 18-36), had been appointed in AD 18 by the Roman prefect Valerius Gratus (who preceded Pontius Pilate) after his father-in-law, Annas had been deposed. So, the threat of deposition or removal from office hung over the heads of anyone whose action displeased Rome. </p><p>Consequently, their fear, then, was for their positions of power, the Temple that unified and controlled the people and served as a lucrative source of income, and the nation should they dare to rebel. Obviously, the zealous Maccabean blood had run cold by this time. The sad irony here is that the very thing they feared and sought to protect at all costs, became reality in AD 70 when Rome finally squelched the Jewish rebellion and razed Jerusalem to the ground. </p><p>Be that as it may, the Sanhedrin rallied together, and expressed their anxious thoughts one to another, hoping that someone would come up with a viable solution to their dilemma. It is instructive to note that there is no mention of divine consultation. No prayers, no Urim and Thummin, no lot, no ephod, no prophet…nothing. But their carnality did not stop God.</p><p>When Caiaphas unveiled his diabolical plan to remove their problem, John says that he inadvertently uttered a prophetic word from God. Like Balaam, he prophesied unconsciously. What he meant was that if they would sacrifice one man, they would demonstrate their zeal for the supremacy of Rome. Remember their statement at the trial before Pilate. When the pagan governor said to them “Here is your King!” they shouted back, “Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!” Stunned, Pilate asked, “Shall I crucify your King?” And what was the reply of the chief priests? “We have no king but Caesar!”</p><p>But Caiaphas’ recommendation was in direct violation of Exodus 23:7 where God warned, “Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked.” Likewise Proverbs 17:17 bluntly states, “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them are an abomination to the Lord.” So how did they get around this? Well, as you can imagine, there is quite a bit of debate about this, but some scholars believe that Caiaphas was citing a principle derived from the story found in our Old Testament lesson for today, about sacrificing one man (Sheba) to save the inhabitants of the city. The application of this principle in the context of saving a group of people, was that an individual might be sacrificed to save the whole. (The Talmudic concept of Yehareg ve’al ya’avor)</p><p>So, in the eyes of Caiaphas, Jesus was no less a worthless fellow than Sheba as his actions threatened them, the City, the Temple, and, indeed, in their opinion, the whole nation. But we must remember that they had been wanting to get rid of Jesus for a long time now, and what they had desired was now determined in council.</p><p>So, Jesus once more withdrew from the area to a town called Ephraim which, interestingly means “to be fruitful”. As we know, the death and resurrection of Jesus would be the first fruits of a global spiritual people of God. And so once more we see that even the evil decisions and deeds of wicked people are used by God to bring about his sovereign purposes. As the Early Church noted in their prayers in Acts 4, the actions of Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Chief Priests, and others all worked together in the crucifixion of Jesus to achieve the predetermined will of God. </p><p>Of course, this is nothing new…from Joseph’s brothers to Pharoah, from Nebuchadnezzar to Cyrus, from Caiaphas to Judas…God controls and overrides evil. The earth is the Lord’s, the Psalmist reminds us, and the fulness thereof…the world and those who dwell in it. The sovereignty of God is completely universal.</p><p>As such, our God can guarantee that all things work together for the good of those who love him. He instructs the nations. He rules over both the deceiver and the deceived. He establishes rulers and removes them from office as he wills. Indeed, as Proverbs 16:33 tells us, our God controls even the most arbitrary of actions such as the rolling of dice. “The lot is cast into the lap,” Solomon wrote, “but it’s every decision is from the Lord.” </p><p>That is why we can trust God, even in the face of overwhelming difficulty. We may not know how God will use all things for our benefit, but that is what faith is all about. If God could use the evil decisions of the Sanhedrin to bring about such a great salvation as is ours, then we can be assured that he will lead and guide us according to what he knows is best.</p><p>It is interesting to note at this point, that we no longer find any mention in John’s Gospel of more Jews believing in Jesus. It seems as if Jesus withdrew from public ministry to spend more time with his disciples, to go deeper with them, as it were, to prepare them for what was to come. The lesson for us as we reflect on this is that our God is extremely gracious in preparing us for future events and through His Word, he helps us to understand his ways regardless of circumstances. </p><p>Yes, it is sad that there are such things as unteachable people…people who will not acknowledge the truth even though it is presented as an irrefutable fact…such as the resurrection of a decomposing body. </p><p>In his book, City of God, (Book 2, Chapter 1) written between AD 413 and 426, Augustine said: “If people were humble enough to accept the clear evidence of truth without resisting it…those who express sound ideas would not need lengthy explanations to debunk baseless speculations. However, the prevailing and harmful mental weakness today hinders this, leading people to cling to unreasonable beliefs even after the truth is plainly demonstrated. This might be due to profound blindness or stubborn obstinacy, necessitating more elaborate discussions on already clear points, aiming to make the truths palatable even to those who choose to close their eyes. Yet, if we constantly respond to those who resist and speak against us, especially those who either can't grasp our arguments or stubbornly contradict, our discussions would become endless, fruitless, and burdensome.” </p><p>Sadly, it seems, not much has changed. However, we can rejoice knowing that God has a purpose in everything and with everyone he sends our way. Unlike the worldly counsel of humanity, we have a Word that has been challenged for centuries and yet has remained true. So, let us not be disheartened by adversity. We know the one who sits in heaven. </p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl</p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-69020783166188981162024-01-17T11:58:00.004+01:002024-01-21T14:27:45.989+01:00What's the Point?<p>Luke 16:19-31 Daniel 12:1-4. John 11:17-44</p><p>What’s the point?</p><p>In 1899, French Archeologist Carles Clermont-Ganneau published a report regarding, what he described as "Judaeo-Christian Sarcophagi", found in a tomb on the Mount of Offence, not far from Bethany. The Hebrew inscriptions present the names Martha, Eleazar (the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek Lazarus), and Mary, some with the sign of the cross. It is possible, although not certain, that these ossuaries contain, among others, the remains of the sisters Mary, and Martha, and their brother Lazarus. Dr Eleazar Lipa Sukenik, a scholar considered the greatest authority on Jewish ossuaries, believed this was a 1st Century Christian burial site and argued that the cross had become a sign for believers earlier than previously thought. Interesting, but not conclusive…</p><p>However, regardless of whether or not these ossuaries contain the remains of the famous family from Bethany, the fact is that despite the miracle of bodily resurrection described in our Gospel passage for today, all three of them died and all three of them were buried…or, in the case of Lazarus, the poor sod had to die all over again and be buried all over again and the mourners had to mourn all over again.</p><p>So, what was the point of this miracle? </p><p>Death is not a trivial matter for those dying nor for those watching them die. Let’s face it. Death is difficult to deal with, whether it be the death of a favourite pet, the death of a friend, of a grandparent, of a spouse, or the worst of them all, the death of a child. Why then create a situation that will lead to a repeat performance for this already traumatised family?</p><p>And we may well ask, what is life other than a long (or short) prelude to death? </p><p>No, the winter weather is not getting to me nor am I reading too many Russian plays.</p><p>Seriously, think about it. We are all going to die. There’s no escape plan other than if the Lord returns right now. </p><p>So, what’s the point of life? </p><p>It doesn’t matter how well-educated you are, how wealthy, how powerful, or how uneducated, poor, or weak, you are going to die. So, why not just die in the womb or, better still, not be conceived at all?</p><p>I’m not the first to ask such questions and I most certainly will not be the last. Job asked: “Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?” (Job 3:11) Jeremiah echoed this sentiment: “Why did I ever come out of the womb to see trouble and sorrow and to end my days in shame?” (Jeremiah 20:18) Or what about the cheery writer of Ecclesiastes? “A good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.”</p><p>So, what’s the point? Why resurrect a man who had already ended this pointless exercise of life and make him go through it again? </p><p>In my humble opinion, we move way too quickly through this passage, charging ahead to get to the “happy space”…dead man walking here…in this case, quite literally. “You see,” we say, “there was a reason for the delay!” And then we wax lyrical about persisting in prayer. </p><p>But what about the times when there is no end to the delay…when there is no healing or resurrection? When there are no answers, only questions?</p><p> And whether or not the delay ends, and whether or not the prayers are answered, what about the emotional struggles, doubts, fears, grief, anger, denial, bitter questions, hurt, tremendous pain, anguish, numbness, and shock? These are things we all go through and then there’s no rushing through to the happy place.</p><p>And then there’s another question we need to ask ourselves as we walk through this story, and that is the question: why are we, as followers of Jesus…as followers of the one who said he is the resurrection and the life…why are we so afraid of death? Some say we face the unknown alone and that that is what we fear, but are we alone in death? Is that what the Scriptures teach?</p><p>John tells us that by the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now, I had to help once with an autopsy of a man who had been dead for three days – not four – but it ranks in the top five most unpleasant things I have ever done in my life. You don’t get that smell out of your nostrils for days.</p><p>Now, typically in the 1st Century, the hands and feet of the deceased would be tied together with strips of cloth (as well as the chin to keep the mouth closed), and then the body would be wrapped up in a shroud with spices together with a separate square cloth for the head. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSZovMdwPz5rehTz22sSigbHyaoAiCQeAgqUZjNzCq5IXvWK_mVrCcvMfYq-O1JW7ne3spjele07OWpaFv5HZEKkihIRrFFaJ8AbFvV-TrFfLs3Zrroml3vzXG0z28bTy-gCoX9-DdXsZrzryMCS0e2pl8wqmOAaEO35tsd6Z8oNZgor-Uoe-Pjn8adnK/s4032/IMG_4414.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSZovMdwPz5rehTz22sSigbHyaoAiCQeAgqUZjNzCq5IXvWK_mVrCcvMfYq-O1JW7ne3spjele07OWpaFv5HZEKkihIRrFFaJ8AbFvV-TrFfLs3Zrroml3vzXG0z28bTy-gCoX9-DdXsZrzryMCS0e2pl8wqmOAaEO35tsd6Z8oNZgor-Uoe-Pjn8adnK/s320/IMG_4414.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br />The cadaver would then be laid out on a shelf and left to decompose for one year after which the family would return to collect the bones and put them in an ossuary to be placed in one of the niches along the inner wall. Mourning would last for seven days (called shivah) during which the family was cared for by the community. <p></p><p>How Martha knew that Jesus was coming and why Mary remained in the home is not known, but from what we know about Martha’s nature, she had to be active, so it is possible that she simply could not sit still like Mary, and she was, therefore, the more likely candidate of the two to be out and about. </p><p>The conversation between Martha and Jesus is interesting. Was her opening line a simple statement of fact or a statement of reproach? “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Many mourners are often “angry” with God for allowing their loved one to die and this anger manifests itself in various ways. </p><p>Be that as it may, she hastened to soften her remark with a statement that has puzzled scholars for years. “But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” </p><p>If one compares this statement with her astonishment and horror in verse 39, “Lord, by this time there will be an odour (or in the KJV “by this time he stinketh!) for he has been dead for four days!” – if you compare these two statements, Martha could not have meant that she was expecting a bodily resurrection. </p><p>More than likely, her understanding of the resurrection was based on various Old Testament passages such as the one we read in Daniel, that there would be a general resurrection of the righteous on the last day. This is what Jesus himself taught in John 6:39-40: “This is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”</p><p>So, whatever her initial statement of faith meant, it certainly did not include what happened. Perhaps she believed that Jesus was about to usher in the last day right then and there and thereby bring about the general resurrection, which, in one sense (depending on what you think is meant by the term “the last day”), she may not have been too far off the mark. Matthew (Matthew 27:52-53) does allude to some form of general resurrection at the time of Jesus’ own resurrection, but that’s another topic for another sermon. </p><p>Mary then came on the scene, repeating the same words as those of her sister, but with a greater degree of emotion. Now, the few verses that follow are very important. I think some followers of Jesus believe it is wrong to mourn or to grieve as, to them, it is a sign of unbelief. This is what some call “grief shaming” and it comes in many forms. </p><p>“You do believe they’ve gone to a better place, don’t you?” </p><p>“We should be rejoicing that it’s all over.” </p><p>“They wouldn’t want you to grieve.” </p><p>No. In the face of grief, the Word made flesh was silent. Instead, Jesus wept. Mary wept. The community wept. Paul instructs us to weep with those who weep. He says we mourn, not like those who have no hope, but we do mourn. No recrimination here. In fact, we should weep, because death was never meant to be. Death is the sign of everything that’s wrong with this world…it is a sign of the curse brought about by sin. </p><p>For Jesus, this must have been especially painful because he is the exact opposite of death. He is life. And so, death is still a sign that all is not as it should be. Only once we cross that threshold do we encounter life as it was intended to be. </p><p>This goes back to my initial opening statements. Why bring one who has already crossed over to real life back for a repeat performance? Why resurrect him? What’s the point?</p><p>Well, I believe that what Jesus was doing can be compared to the release of the captive in Plato’s Cave allegory. </p><p> Plato’s Cave allegory is a philosophical metaphor found in his work “The Republic.” It explores the concepts of reality and perception. In the allegory, prisoners are chained inside a dark cave, facing a wall where shadows of objects are projected by a fire behind them. The prisoners perceive these shadows as the only reality. But when one of the prisoners escapes and discovers the outside world, he realizes that the shadows are mere illusions. In Plato’s mind, the allegory represented the journey from ignorance to enlightenment and the philosopher’s duty to enlighten others.</p><p>So, what has this to do with the resurrection of Lazarus? Well, Martha and Mary were no different from any other human being…we are all material, and we think in terms of the material. Anything beyond the material is an abstraction and hard to comprehend. That’s why the biblical authors often used figures of speech and images to explain what they otherwise could not explain. Dragons and beasts and fruit trees and fountains.</p><p>Very few of us have been beyond the veil of death and lived to tell the tale. So, how do you make an abstract comment about “life after death” material? </p><p>Well, someone must leave the cave (in this case quite literally) and then come back…for all to see and hear and experience…</p><p>Just as an aside, I do think it strange that Lazarus did not write a book about his ordeal. “My trip to Sheol and back.” Or “What I saw in the Great Beyond.” Or “How I Survived Death.” Or “I went to Eternity and all I got was this Life back again.” Well, maybe it was because Someone else would write that book…</p><p>Nevertheless, I think that is why Jesus resurrected Lazarus. To make an abstract concrete and therefore understandable.</p><p>Now, before we move on to the actual resurrection, allow me to explain what I believe happened to Lazarus. According to various Old Testament texts, the dead all went to a collective place called Sheol or Hades or a resting place with the fathers. In a sense, one could call it a kind of waiting room.</p><p>This place was best described by Jesus in the “story” of Lazarus the beggar and the rich man in Luke 16:19-31. If you recall, Lazarus the beggar and the rich man both went to the same place after they had died, where they were awake and able to communicate. But while Lazarus was said to be in Abraham’s bosom, the rich man was in flames, the two distinct areas separated by an impassable gulf. </p><p> I do believe that this is where Jesus went at the time of his death, together with the two thieves, one on each side of the gulf. </p><p>Now, according to Matthew 27:52-53, at the resurrection of Jesus, a number of the folks from the righteous side (called “saints” or holy ones) rose with him from the dead and were seen doing a short walking tour of Jerusalem. </p><p>But the most important thing for us to note here is that this is the last reference to any collective place of the dead. From the resurrection on, according to several New Testament texts, death ushes followers of Jesus right into his presence. </p><p>For instance, in 2 Corinthians 5:8 Paul wrote: “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.… We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” Absent from the body, present with the Lord.</p><p>In other words, at the ditching of this earthly body, we are immediately escorted into the presence of Jesus in heaven. No more collective place of the dead. No more waiting room. After all, we are already in him, and we have the Lord and giver of life living in us even now.</p><p>As to the raising of our discarded bodies at the end of time, that’s another sermon for another time…</p><p>But back to the story. Martha here revealed the limit of her grasp of what resurrection meant to her when Jesus told her to have the heavy stone covering removed from the mouth of the tomb. Unlike most 21st-century folks, she knew what the four-day-old corpse smelled like. But that was exactly the reason for the delay. Ultimately the “delay” was for the sake of God’s glory, but it also closed the door to any speculation about Lazarus just being in a coma or a deep sleep or that everyone had mistakenly thought he was dead. No way. No sleeping human smelled like that! </p><p>At this point, Jesus revealed that he had been conversing with the Father for quite a while already…no doubt ever since he first received news concerning Lazarus’ illness…and that his vocal prayer at the tomb was purely for the benefit of those around him at the time. The point was for the people to know and believe that Jesus was the resurrection and the life. They’d already seen him or at least heard about him resurrecting people who had just died, but this was on a whole different level. No one, not even the prophets of old had ever raised a rotting corpse.</p><p>The rest is, as they say, history. Lazarus was raised and what happened afterwards is the subject of next week’s sermon. </p><p>But, as David Ford says in his theological commentary on John, “The thrust of this chapter’s response to (the problem with belief in a loving God who yet lets people die) is to face the harsh facts of illness, death, and decomposition, and do justice to the realities of loss, grief, and anger while trusting that they do not have the last word. The relationship with the living Jesus in love and trust is more fundamental and embracing. Living in that trust and love can begin now, and the relationship with Jesus is not destroyed by physical death. Jesus himself does not avoid grief, danger, suffering, and death, but offers a life that has come through them and sustains others through them.” </p><p>The challenge for us who still live in a material world and think in material terms is to get beyond an abstract faith in Jesus and embrace him for who he is…the one who created us and who sustains us…the one who went through the portals of death as one of us so that he might annul the penalty and the curse once for all who believe in him. Jesus is not one story among many…he is the story. He is not an ideology or a philosophy…he is a person who can be and must be known.</p><p>So, my prayer for us today is for us to emerge from the cave, as it were, and to see Jesus for who he really is…the resurrection and the life. To see him crowned with glory and honour, seated at the right hand of God the Father. To leave behind the shadowy abstractions and to engage with the spiritual reality of life in him. </p><p>Yes, we will die…and it will not be easy for us or those around us as we go. But besides his clear promise to be with us always…we have the witness of countless believers in Jesus who have shared glimpses of what they have seen as they passed over the threshold into eternity…as that barrier that hinders us from seeing the reality that lies beyond death faded and allowed them to hear and see and experience that reality before passing into it, sharing their reactions with us in smiles and happy mumbles…so we know that Jesus is with us, even through the darkest valley of death.</p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2024</p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-58902573804353552782023-12-28T11:51:00.006+01:002023-12-28T11:51:30.576+01:00Inward or Outward?<p>Philippians 3:1-11 Luke 2:15-21</p><p>Inward or Outward?</p><p>At this time of year, many people make vain pronouncements which they call “New Year’s Resolutions”. Usually, these declarations involve something one has not done or something one should have done better during the past year. Then the so-called “new” year begins and for a while renewed effort and delusion work together to convince the person that they are succeeding until the busyness of life gets in the way. Reality heaves resolution overboard and the ship sails on.</p><p>Of course, resolutions have been around for centuries, in fact ever since Eve resolved to embrace a life of self-actualisation, deciding that she wanted to be her own god. Of course, failure to meet expectations and the realisation that perhaps the resolution was not such a good idea after all has been around for the same amount of time. </p><p>So, it is interesting to explore the rationale behind making such pronouncements. Aristotle (and here I hasten to insert an apology to Connie and other philosophy majors for my gross oversimplification) maintained that we become what we do and so he resolved to act right so that he might be right. Plato went in the exact opposite direction, perhaps after observing the repeated failure of his teacher. He believed that right action followed from right thinking and so he resolved to think right so that he might act right. </p><p>And then in 1826, in his book “The Physiology of Taste: Or Meditations on Transcendental Gastronomy with Recipes”, the French Lawyer Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin stated: “Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are,” an idea later incorporated into various food ads by Farmer Brown and KFC and shortened to something like “you look so good because you eat so good”. Just testing to see how many of you are still awake since Jurgens unequivocally gave you permission to sleep during my sermons. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSU6_fCcxunK6E3YnplYcpqXb9hGTcw3RALKswuG0aJXgcbe577hO24rMpsMnv6jSW5JizkmIo7oK0Dz-O868weHI1ID74mCuI_K3v7CCqMIWzFwB9vG63hnHqU4sQlawm94n_SFpcRyIM7mpYPzaj1cNG49QUHLLOWRHCBFmTpXg8KRmnQtU5KYILBHF/s4032/IMG_0790.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSU6_fCcxunK6E3YnplYcpqXb9hGTcw3RALKswuG0aJXgcbe577hO24rMpsMnv6jSW5JizkmIo7oK0Dz-O868weHI1ID74mCuI_K3v7CCqMIWzFwB9vG63hnHqU4sQlawm94n_SFpcRyIM7mpYPzaj1cNG49QUHLLOWRHCBFmTpXg8KRmnQtU5KYILBHF/s320/IMG_0790.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>But seriously, while there is some truth to what Aristotle and Plato and perhaps even Brillat-Savarin taught, they skipped over a very important detail…they all missed the essential and foundational fact that no human being appears to be able to act right or think right consistently. Even a cursory glance over the pages of history will confirm this. If we are honest, we will admit that despite our best resolutions we always seem to stumble and fall at some time or other. </p><p>Scripture gives us the reason for this universal dilemma. In Jeremiah 17:9 we are told that the heart (or the core of humankind) is corrupt, deceitful, and desperately wicked…and Proverbs 23:7 tells us that humans are outwardly what they are inwardly – in their heart or in their innermost being. </p><p>So, from the very outset, any unaided reason or resolution is doomed to failure. This is why Paul declared in Philippians 3:3 that we ought to have no confidence in the flesh. In other words, if we are going to make any kind of decision for change, we must start from a point of moral and ethical bankruptcy, looking for radical inner renovation from a source other than or outside of ourselves.</p><p>And, again at the risk of oversimplifying the matter, this is what the Good News is all about. God is in the heart exchange business. The prophet Ezekiel spoke about a time when God would take out the dead heart of stone and replace it with a living heart of flesh…but more than that. He promised to give us a new life – to fill us with his life-giving Holy Spirit…to take up residence within us…to come down upon us as he did on the Tabernacle and the Temple, and to dwell among us and in us – Immanuel – God IS with us…so that his Spirit might cause us to live as we were created to live…to walk in his statues and to keep his commandments to do them.</p><p>Biblically, what followers of Jesus do is a result of who we are in him…from what the prior grace of God makes us and allows and assists us to become. Consequently, any resolution we make as believers must be based upon what God has already done for us in Jesus. Any changes we need to make in our lives depend upon the divine aid of the Author and Finisher of our faith. Without him, even our best efforts are as useless as filthy rags. In short, if we are to succeed at life we must live out and practice and embrace what we are in him.</p><p>We can see this clearly in the life of Paul. The Apostle lived out what he was in Jesus and accordingly was not derailed by adverse circumstances. </p><p>Paul had been a rising star in Israel…schooled by the best and advancing well beyond his peers in religious fervour. He apparently moved in high circles, rubbing shoulders with the Jerusalem elite. He was so arrogantly sure of himself that he resolved to kill anyone who did not live according to his principles. </p><p>Then, in a single moment, everything he held to be of value was exposed as worthless. On the road to Damascus, Paul met the God he thought he knew, and his life was never the same again. </p><p>But then, once he had his life turned right side up and he wanted to tell the whole wide world about his eye-opening discovery, it seemed the whole wide world was not all that enthusiastic about the message…in fact, they were downright hostile. Suddenly, he found that the hunter had become the hunted and he had to defend himself, flee for his life, deal with rejection, misunderstanding, imprisonment, death threats, and actual attempts on his life. </p><p>Gone were the days amongst the elite…his former friends and colleagues were now his worst enemies. And, if that was not bad enough, he had to constantly deal with the waywardness of various church members. One of the reasons Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians from prison, was because he had received news that the church was being torn apart by two former female co-workers of his, Euodia and Syntyche…or as someone once renamed them, odious and so touchy. Their interpersonal disagreement was threatening the unity of the church! </p><p>It was in the context of his current imprisonment and this painful division that he took up his quill and wrote: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” You may well ask, how on earth could he write that given the circumstances? </p><p>I believe the key to Paul’s inner serenity was a radical inner renovation. He could resolve to rejoice because of what the grace of God had made him and was making him. His eyes were firmly fixed on what God intended him to be in Jesus…he considered all other things…even those things he once thought so very important…he considered them totally peripheral…they faded in the light of the glory that was his in Jesus. Circumstances hadn’t changed…if anything, they had got worse…but Paul, the person, had been progressively changing from the inside out since the time he first met Jesus. </p><p>And so, even though life was hard and harsh and even though he was disrupted and disturbed by the consequences of his shortcomings and the shortcomings of others, Paul could rejoice and tell the struggling church to rejoice with him because he knew what God had done and what God was doing…and that nothing in all creation could ever change that or derail that.</p><p>For Paul, all the many resolutions and restrictions and rituals from his past counted for nothing in comparison to knowing Jesus and the power of his resurrection. Participation in his sufferings and his death meant that he could rise in and with Jesus to life as it was meant to be. And that was worth more than all the riches this world could afford.</p><p>You see external observance means very little when there is an internal contradiction. This was our Lord’s contention with the Pharisees. He called them whitewashed tombs which appeared outwardly beautiful but inwardly filled with death and decay. And Paul had been one of them. In our Epistle reading, he listed his many accomplishments. But even the Old Testament pointed out that circumcision of the flesh without the circumcision of the heart meant nothing (Deuteronomy 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4; cf Romans 2:29). Jacob and Esau demonstrate that fact perfectly.</p><p>The outward is really nothing without the inward. You can make as many resolutions as you like this year, but if the Lord has not changed you and, indeed if he is not changing you day by day from the inside out, you might as well write your decisions in water. </p><p>Better to pray and ask God to graciously resolve to change and empower you to do his will…to love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love your neighbour as you love yourself. Things might get better, things might get worse, but you can be certain of one thing. Regardless of the circumstances, you will be able to rejoice in the Lord, because your focus will no longer be on yourself…rather your focus will be on the prize for which God has called you heavenward in Jesus. Your focus will be centred on his resolution to conform you to the image of Jesus. Once you make his will and his goal and his purpose more important than yours, you will gain the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. </p><p>If all the things the world strives for become as dung to you in comparison to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus and the power of his resurrection, then you will be fulfilled, and content come what may.</p><p>So, rather than making useless “New Year’s Resolutions” this year, compare the sides of the ledger of your life. Anything and everything you once highly valued on one side…and Jesus and his kingdom on the other side. The choice is simple…but never easy. May God in his grace grant you the inward conviction to choose to live as he would have you live outwardly.</p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2023</p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-50162152833520015102023-12-21T09:52:00.000+01:002023-12-21T09:52:03.085+01:00Defying all odds<p>Haggai 2:1-9 1 Peter 2:4-5; 9-10 John 1:1-14</p><p>Defying all odds</p><p>How does one pick up the pieces of a broken life? The rising astronomical numbers of poverty and war-related deaths around the globe stun the mind and one cannot help but wonder how those who have lost loved ones, friends, homes, and most if not all their possessions will ever manage to salvage the battered wreckage of their lives again. How will they rekindle meaning and purpose after their whole world has been ripped apart? How will they piece together the fragments of their shattered hopes and dreams when they reflect on what appears to be the futility of it all? Humanity only seems to make peace to break peace.</p><p>In our Old Testament reading for this Christmas Eve, we read about the struggles of the returning Jewish exiles living in the ruins of what had once been the thriving and prosperous city of Jerusalem. In chapter one, the prophet Haggai wrote about how he had to deal with the discouragement that threatened to destroy them religiously, economically, politically, and socially. The people had initially returned with great excitement and enthusiasm, but their expectations were soon reduced to rubble by the sheer magnitude of the devastation that greeted them. Most began to think that any form of rebuilding was pointless and so had given up and turned to a life of self-preservation…an attitude rebuked sharply by the prophet. “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your panelled houses, while this temple lies in ruins?” (Haggai 1:4)</p><p>He then challenged them to review their experience since they had returned. Had God blessed them? No, they had remained poverty-stricken despite their best individual efforts to gain personal wealth and stability. The solution was quite simple. If they were to rebuild anything, they had to unite and work together for the common good. To live in the shadow of grief and despair would restrict all forms of healthy recovery and growth. </p><p>The response to this challenge was a unanimous decision to band together and resume work on the rebuilding of that which was the focal point of their lives as the people of God. A building that served to remind them of God’s presence among them. </p><p>No doubt, a lot of preliminary work had to be done first…clearing the rubble, redressing usable stones, testing the safety of remaining walls and structures, and organising work teams to do the various tasks. In many ways, the same is necessary for emotional rebuilding. We must deal with the rubble cluttering our inner being. Some things must be removed before we can start the process of reconstruction. As painful as it is, there comes a time when one must dry all tears, take stock of the losses, and press on ahead. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDax6D6Avb1mQQcrnhqqnUC5x3V88ZWvcBrHf_oaoZWDCKMD_n7a7t1tptzr-B23_Eo8d_LftTkUCvz0FfzznIk9IUWK76xrGywrXDeWuSYZhSD9B9Rlg2ThXFTbtkJPi3Eh3NPdxQGxoSQT5_4B9RVVnWLRQRzh02uZOg3e-iiB-4AkKPM0dCaSwr20aZ/s4032/IMG_8202.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDax6D6Avb1mQQcrnhqqnUC5x3V88ZWvcBrHf_oaoZWDCKMD_n7a7t1tptzr-B23_Eo8d_LftTkUCvz0FfzznIk9IUWK76xrGywrXDeWuSYZhSD9B9Rlg2ThXFTbtkJPi3Eh3NPdxQGxoSQT5_4B9RVVnWLRQRzh02uZOg3e-iiB-4AkKPM0dCaSwr20aZ/s320/IMG_8202.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>The theme of Haggai’s second sermon is that despite snags and hassles and delays and disappointments, the people needed to remain focused…not to lose courage…to be strong. He first addressed the nostalgic…those who remembered Solomon’s Temple in all its former glory. He knew that nostalgia often produces negativity. A morbid and often unrealistic preoccupation with looking back over your shoulder can have a paralysing effect on life. </p><p>Nostalgia can also cause people to make disastrous decisions. Nostalgia can cause people to live in a fantasy world…to think that if they could only go back things would be better again…like the liberated Jews in the wilderness wanting to return to Egypt…or the liberated Jews in Haggai’s time wondering if giving up or even going back to Babylon would be a better option than trying to live in what must have seemed like a pipedream. </p><p>For the Jewish returnees, nostalgia confused the issue. “Look,” they seemed to say. “This new Temple can never measure up to the one we remember. We don’t have the resources needed to get the job done properly. It simply cannot be done.” Backwards gazing can very easily cloud the present and make the future seem dark and foreboding. </p><p>But Haggai’s message cast some light on their gloominess. “Be strong,” he said, echoing words spoken many centuries earlier as Israel faced the formidable task of taking the Promised Land. Two seemingly impossible situations and yet, in both cases, God promised that he was with them. Three times in this discourse God reminded them, “I am with you”. It is not by your effort, nor by your power or expertise or ingenuity or your resources, but by my Spirit. I will accomplish all I have promised. Trust me…believe me and move forward in faithful obedience.</p><p>This promise is repeated in the opening chapter of John’s Gospel. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt (or tabernacled or, if I may, “templed”) among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” How many times in the Gospels are we not reminded of his constant present and future abiding with us…even amid trial and trouble, suffering and sorrow, Jesus promised that he would be with us even to the end of the age. </p><p>Knowing that God is with us is enough reason to pluck up our courage, renew our determination and strengthen our conviction that he will not permit his cause to fail. We base our hope on God’s track record, as it were. Not only do we see his faithfulness in the Exodus, the Conquest, the Restoration, and, indeed, throughout the 2nd Temple Period, but we also see it in the life, death, resurrection, ascension, and crowning of our Lord Jesus Christ as the triumphant and universal Davidic King of kings. And we have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit as well as the continuing growth and expansion of the Church, despite severe persecution, oppression, resistance and, I dare say, despite ourselves.</p><p>Has God ever failed his people? Many thought he did as they struggled with frustration, and disillusionment, and despair. “How long, O Lord?” was and still is a frequently asked question. But Scripture and history testify to the fact that God has never deserted his people. </p><p>Through the prophet Haggai, God reminded his people that his covenant cannot be annulled by circumstances be they ever so bleak. “Work,” God said, “for I am with you…according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.”</p><p>In the final verses of his second message, Haggai gave the people a glimpse of God’s purpose and goal. Regardless of small beginnings, struggles, and setbacks, in the end, their efforts would not be in vain…God would prevail. Haggai portrayed the vindication of God’s people using an image of a global earthquake. Earthquakes are usually unexpected, devastating, and life-changing…there’s nothing like a massive shakeup to wake up humankind. Sad, but true.</p><p>But Haggai was not predicting a literal earthquake. What would shake the earth was not the earth itself, but rather the Messiah who, in the words of Simeon was destined for the rise and fall of many in Israel. His advent would change and has changed the world forever…nothing will ever be the same again. Immanuel. God is with us.</p><p>This messianic “upheaval” would result in a great influx of resources from the nations. The returnees complained that they could not build an adequate Temple because they lacked adequate resources, but Haggai told them that God would bring aid from unexpected sources, and the Temple that seemed so small in their eyes at that moment would become more glorious than anything they had ever experienced before. </p><p>In one sense this was fulfilled when their oppressors were instructed to pay for the repairs and much later when an Idumean pretender to the throne built a Temple so vast and so luxuriously and magnificently decorated that it stunned and delighted visitors to Jerusalem. Herod began with an enormous expansion of the Temple Mount itself quite literally doubling its original area. From 7 hectares to 14.4 hectares. </p><p>But like a gold ring in a pig’s snout, the spectacularly beautiful building was deceptive…it was not what God had intended it to be. Unlike the pagan gods of the nations, God does not live in buildings made of stone…he lives in the hearts of his followers. </p><p>Haggai’s prophetic word concerning the Temple was fulfilled and is still being fulfilled as the people of God are joined together by the Holy Spirit to become a spiritual house made with living stones…where a holy priesthood offers themselves as living sacrifices to God through Jesus. His glory in and through the Church surpasses the glory of the former and latter Temples as much as the peace he gives surpasses the brittle and breakable peace offered by the world. </p><p>If there is any value to be found in the message of Christmas at all, we must find it in the one who chose to be born amid the rubble of this devastated world…the Divine Son of God who took on human flesh so that he might become the cornerstone upon which broken lives can be rebuilt.</p><p>And so, we need not fear what to so many may seem like insurmountable odds. God will and does see us through if we trust him and continue to follow him in faith. The physical, mental, emotional, financial, and spiritual devastation experienced by so many people around the world cannot and must not be dismissed or diminished or demeaned. The losses are real, and the pain is real, and the horrors are real. </p><p>But no one can move forward in the light if they are shackled to the darkness of the past. Through Haggai, God tells us we can do more than survive…in Jesus, we can, and we must thrive. Out of the pain of betrayal…out of the terrors of trial and torture…out of execution and death, the Babe of Bethlehem rose…not only to conquer but to reign. </p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2023</p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-52115643441224951942023-12-18T13:44:00.004+01:002023-12-18T13:44:43.674+01:00MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!<center style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_-5083269244689549926bodyTable" style="background-color: #fafafa; border-collapse: collapse; height: 100%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" id="m_-5083269244689549926bodyCell" style="border-top: 0px; height: 2142.86px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; width: 1003.97px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-5083269244689549926templateContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px; max-width: 600px !important; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td id="m_-5083269244689549926templatePreheader" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: cover; border-bottom: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-5083269244689549926mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fsamsusa.org%252Fjohann-and-louise-vanderbijl%252F%26xid%3Dcfe109c562%26uid%3D94485477%26iid%3Dc3441eece7%26pool%3Dcts%26v%3D2%26c%3D1702903172%26h%3D4d983831227f23e8741aaf8b6214a40fd7ed5292ca7072a2e92445442465c4e5&source=gmail&ust=1702989706805000&usg=AOvVaw2SckLJxjv_aMGMLQwJCoWU" href="https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsamsusa.org%2Fjohann-and-louise-vanderbijl%2F&xid=cfe109c562&uid=94485477&iid=c3441eece7&pool=cts&v=2&c=1702903172&h=4d983831227f23e8741aaf8b6214a40fd7ed5292ca7072a2e92445442465c4e5" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" class="m_-5083269244689549926mcnImage CToWUd" data-bit="iit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjsB9pGc9dc1uOlP-OE8hUJQjULJm2sURKEmipgOwxiV_6ZbDvpSZfth7PoP4RMLOF4dVKg3XnIcYDE2Fv2nt_RsNnN7x3WxdfjjAqAGljE0yuOlDQpHpWLPLw8oIAJpodkBtofI2A9VKWb8OhpfvdAHxD_W-_KltKK_uzuiBsZI4v3tnno7WApNJYRtY5gkB37KfjOPS10FjhfgqmbaEAslinjrg=s0-d-e1-ft" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 1200px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="m_-5083269244689549926mcnTextContent" style="color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 9px; word-break: break-word;" valign="top" width="564"><h1 style="color: #202020; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, times, "times new roman", serif;">Johann and Louise: Training Disciples to Make Disciples in the Netherlands</span></h1></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td id="m_-5083269244689549926templateHeader" style="background: none center center / cover no-repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-5083269244689549926mcnDividerBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; min-width: 100%; padding: 18px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 4px solid rgb(43, 170, 223); min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px;"></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_-5083269244689549926templateColumns" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_-5083269244689549926templateBody" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 0px; width: 400px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-5083269244689549926mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td class="m_-5083269244689549926mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; word-break: break-word;" valign="top">Louise and I wish you a joy-filled Christmas and a New Year overflowing with God's very best blessings. <br /><br />Just like the Christ-Child, we too are called to be lights in the darkness, so we continue to pray for hope, peace, joy and love in a world that often only experiences hopelessness, war, despair, and hatred. <br /><br />Thank you for your ongoing partnership in the Gospel! What would Missionaries be without their faithful Senders? We are truly grateful for everyone who prays with and for us...who feels the burden for a Europe that has largely lost its moorings...and who loves as sacrificially as our Lord loves. <br /><br />MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!<br /><br />Johann will be interviewed about "Breakfast on the Beach: The Development of Simon Peter" on “Mornings with Carmen” at <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.myfaithradio.com&source=gmail&ust=1702989706805000&usg=AOvVaw0qF0Y8GCYK8P-9nnLG6Sz5" href="http://www.myfaithradio.com/" style="color: #2baadf;" target="_blank">www.myfaithradio.com</a> at 6:30 am CT on Tue, January 9th. Just adjust the time zone to your preferred time zone. <br /><br />These are Carmen’s accounts:<br />Facebook - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/ReconnectwithCarmen/&source=gmail&ust=1702989706805000&usg=AOvVaw1eifUjQc6VA5yVeahyhyPr" href="https://www.facebook.com/ReconnectwithCarmen/" style="color: #2baadf;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>ReconnectwithCarmen/</a><br />Twitter/X - @CarmenLaBerge<br />Instagram - @carmenfowlerlaberge<br />Faith Radio can be found on Facebook at <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/myfaithradio&source=gmail&ust=1702989706805000&usg=AOvVaw2BexRDCgQPyUpcDYImDpwC" href="https://www.facebook.com/myfaithradio" style="color: #2baadf;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>myfaithradio</a><br /><br />Enjoy every precious moment with family and friends...build memories...share his love.<br />Blessings, hugs, and love<br />Johann and Louise</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_-5083269244689549926templateSidebar" style="border-bottom: 0px; 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max-width: 960px; outline: none; vertical-align: bottom;" tabindex="0" width="164" /></td></tr><tr><td class="m_-5083269244689549926mcnTextContent" style="color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 9px; word-break: break-word;" valign="top" width="164">Johann and Louise spent two years helping to develop the St. Frumentius Seminary in Gambella, Ethiopia. They then worked in Southern Africa, serving in seven southern African countries, while continuing to work with the Diocese of Egypt, North Africa through engaging in a disciple making movement in order to grow the body of Christ. They are now serving in Heiloo, the Netherlands.</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-5083269244689549926mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fsams-usa.org%26xid%3Dcfe109c562%26uid%3D94485477%26iid%3Dc3441eece7%26pool%3Dcts%26v%3D2%26c%3D1702903172%26h%3D8227452eb621ba1fddd93be480f0476465938a86807ceaa5c1f38334deb7132b&source=gmail&ust=1702989706806000&usg=AOvVaw144wPJ2olHZeoR_T-JouIt" href="https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsams-usa.org&xid=cfe109c562&uid=94485477&iid=c3441eece7&pool=cts&v=2&c=1702903172&h=8227452eb621ba1fddd93be480f0476465938a86807ceaa5c1f38334deb7132b" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" class="m_-5083269244689549926mcnImage CToWUd" data-bit="iit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEg-hvHHSYb4MB_NQkRLlBTWIHmuiFHSLO4SCktTK1vo0jMsZ1su4I3uzLu88rBf5jMur5d8f_isZlB-E0_Z4V2LussfNxch82viLRgH2HY6nGl30r6Qr5rvFAVFgpfeClUOypeFjT3ac0nmNY9cpYDhRb_dCKsvTzluafM0am7B32D6qqI3Cn-7xh30u5BsOmDRG-HKnJs3B0tObryZZR6kDGoGA10SzA=s0-d-e1-ft" style="border: 0px; 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font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_-5083269244689549926canspamBarWrapper" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 1px solid rgb(229, 229, 229); width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-top: 20px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_-5083269244689549926canspamBar" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16.5px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; text-align: center;" valign="top">This email was sent to <a href="mailto:Vanderbijl@gmail.com" style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64) !important;" target="_blank">Vanderbijl@gmail.com</a><br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://samsusa.us18.list-manage.com/about?u%3D02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f%26id%3Dfcee6d6a7f%26e%3D__test_email__%26c%3Dc3441eece7&source=gmail&ust=1702989706806000&usg=AOvVaw1cBHN-7z4tYVmWnDdVMSlJ" href="https://samsusa.us18.list-manage.com/about?u=02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f&id=fcee6d6a7f&e=__test_email__&c=c3441eece7" style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64) !important;" target="_blank"><em>why did I get this?</em></a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://samsusa.us18.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u%3D02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f%26id%3Dfcee6d6a7f%26e%3D__test_email__%26c%3Dc3441eece7&source=gmail&ust=1702989706806000&usg=AOvVaw2B1nAgZB8XfJclWevQ8lBy" href="https://samsusa.us18.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f&id=fcee6d6a7f&e=__test_email__&c=c3441eece7" style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64) !important;" target="_blank">unsubscribe from this list</a> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://samsusa.us18.list-manage.com/profile?u%3D02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f%26id%3Dfcee6d6a7f%26e%3D__test_email__%26c%3Dc3441eece7&source=gmail&ust=1702989706806000&usg=AOvVaw33cpDnkGaCSPgLOwHaDpYl" href="https://samsusa.us18.list-manage.com/profile?u=02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f&id=fcee6d6a7f&e=__test_email__&c=c3441eece7" style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64) !important;" target="_blank">update subscription preferences</a><br />SAMS-USA · PO Box 399 · Ambridge, PA 15003-0399 · USA<br /><br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.mailchimp.com/email-referral/?utm_source%3Dfreemium_newsletter%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dreferral_marketing%26aid%3D02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f%26afl%3D1&source=gmail&ust=1702989706806000&usg=AOvVaw3RIZ-zINvV-6Jnrx05ftnq" href="http://www.mailchimp.com/email-referral/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=referral_marketing&aid=02dd67e55c994123f8ece554f&afl=1" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp" border="0" class="CToWUd" data-bit="iit" height="53" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjmYmv8tMg7hMUow-pH4ONC3UV2HUETQtYPp0tD6VGJu2RouBCYV8oOQ4WA25bBRkH5DfWI0c3smxyHkHM48WlAmdJ1MmYRifEuBJ1lG58NQjw7JbMXIxJJtIiGlePKwXemwyxXw0B4_whJ6eO0h6FBlpc9JgqYZaS2HZ4W-Oz48oV2xoRK0Sc=s0-d-e1-ft" style="border: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Mailchimp Email Marketing" width="137" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></center>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-22902352116790506842023-12-07T18:42:00.004+01:002023-12-10T14:59:14.915+01:00Journey to the Cradle<p>Carol Service 2023: Journey to the Cradle</p><p>In our Carol Service this afternoon, we found in the Garden of Eden, the beginning of the thread that weaves together the grand tapestry of salvation history. </p><p>The disobedience of our forebears began the story that we traced through from Patriarchs and Kings and prophets…from promise to enslavement, to deliverance, to conquest, to exile, to restoration, and finally, through to the great fulfilment of what was first predicted in the Garden…the birth of the Seed of the woman. </p><p>We saw that even from the very beginning of our disobedience, God's mercy shone and still shines through. His promise to send the Redeemer echoes through the corridors of time. </p><p>Abraham, a man of faith, became a pivotal figure in this divine narrative. God's covenant with him marked the beginning of a chosen people…a people through whom all the families of the nations would be blessed. Through Abraham's descendants, God unfolded His plan for salvation. </p><p>The covenant continued with David, a shepherd elevated to kingship, as God promised an everlasting kingdom through his lineage. As generations passed, the whisper of God's promise became a clear resounding melody. Prophets proclaimed hope and foretold the coming of a Messiah…a Deliverer. </p><p>Then, in the fullness of time, Jesus, the Divine second member of the Holy Trinity, broke through onto the stage of human history, taking on human flesh and becoming a Man. Born of a virgin in Bethlehem in fulfilment of the prophetic word, he embodied the culmination of God's redemptive plan. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, salvation history reached its zenith. The Lamb of God, sinless and sacrificial, took upon himself the weight and the penalty of our sins, nailing the requirements against us to the cross and disarming the rulers and powers of darkness. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Itgkcc2_WBbMWcHWH_pOBLqkRE6z1YA7l_AOMMoKqvFv049jjqPlqExb0W706py6_DmzmVRLsiDohsu6kI8H5KMFhQ4qaw6woNU91p_iboTCiDwBBp4e7MvO3equtbktmwioS3Kkt6wqoXYIqLU-kQlFnPWwCXxZZtu4xKUqG_yAaH1SPMc8jnvQ4hDB/s5184/IMG_1767.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Itgkcc2_WBbMWcHWH_pOBLqkRE6z1YA7l_AOMMoKqvFv049jjqPlqExb0W706py6_DmzmVRLsiDohsu6kI8H5KMFhQ4qaw6woNU91p_iboTCiDwBBp4e7MvO3equtbktmwioS3Kkt6wqoXYIqLU-kQlFnPWwCXxZZtu4xKUqG_yAaH1SPMc8jnvQ4hDB/s320/IMG_1767.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The Cross, as such, became the bridge between a dying world and the promise of eternal life. In Jesus, God's covenant with Creation finds its ultimate fulfilment. Through faith in Him, we become heirs to the promises made to Abraham and the beneficiaries of the Davidic kingdom. Salvation history, a narrative woven through with threads of love and grace, invites every one of us to participate in the divine drama and to embrace the free gift of redemption.</p><p>Through Jesus, we may once more enter through the gates once barred and shut because of sin, and, as such, end where we began. In the Garden. Through Jesus, we come full circle to re-enter Paradise where we may once more walk freely with our Father and Creator God.</p><p>And so, the journey we have followed to the Cradle in this service continues…but now in the lives of those whom he weaves into his grand design for Creation. You and I are the threads he uses to bring his beauty to bear upon a bleak and strife-torn world. Each step forward brings us closer to the time when sin and sorrow will be wiped away by his blessing. We are all participants in the weaving of this grand salvation tapestry as we make known the triumph of our lowly King, but the final stitch is yet to come.</p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2023</p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-83419635245419930322023-11-30T11:55:00.001+01:002023-11-30T11:55:16.184+01:00Dealing with Delays<p>Psalm 13 Isaiah 40:29-31 John 11:1-16</p><p>Dealing with Delays</p><p>How do you deal with delays? Something you ordered doesn’t arrive on time and you show up at the birthday party without a gift…or the trains aren’t running on schedule, and you miss the performance…or the traffic stops completely, and you can’t make your appointment. How do you deal with delays? Are you disappointed? Frustrated? Angry? Or are you a “whatever will be will be” type of person? </p><p>But what about when the delay concerns a desperately anticipated answer to a desperately urgent prayer? And I’m not talking about an urgent prayer for a parking space or for help to pass an exam. I’m talking about an urgent prayer such as when you are praying for the end of a war…or for the healing of a loved one, especially one who is dying. Like when David fasted and prayed to God night and day for a week that the child conceived in his murderous and adulterous affair with Bathsheba would not die. (2 Samuel 12:16-24 – that’s a sermon Logan still needs to preach sometime!) </p><p>But then the war drags on indefinitely…or the loved one is not healed…or they die despite all your fervent prayers…how do you deal with that?</p><p>Do you launch into a kind of theological monologue in your head arguing against your own doubts and fears? Yes, God is good, and he hears and answers prayers…the Scriptures teach that. So then, why does he not hear and answer my prayer? Is there something wrong with me? Is there some sin in my life? Am I asking for the wrong things? God answers the prayers of others…does he not love me like he loves others? Does he love me at all? Am I even a believer or is there perhaps not a God out there after all? Or, at least, not a God who is loving and kind and compassionate and who cares about the affairs of his Creation…</p><p>Have you ever been there?</p><p>Of course, there is the convenient loophole we call God’s will. In 1 John 5:14-15 we are told, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” Ah, but there’s the rub…just what exactly is God’s will and how is it connected to any delays in his answering our prayers?</p><p>This question is echoed throughout Scripture. Think of Israel in bondage, crying out to God year after year after year. Think of Israel delivered from bondage plodding around in the wilderness for years and years because, as Moses told them later, God wanted to humble them, letting them hunger, feeding them with manna, so that he might teach them that humans do not live by bread alone, but they live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. But they didn’t know that for forty years, did they? The question “How long oh Lord?” is repeated often by many…even by kings (Psalm 13) and by holy martyrs (Revelation 6:10).</p><p>Does God hear? And if he hears, when will he answer? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22LOmSYOsN6f6Rk2oItl_w6Eng_KKlUl_I8wqc7oa8l2KmiiifELGAyQY2k9kwfyuphfU7y36-kyxlf-YOufCaIFMYfgnsAV1dLee8YXxRCSP1Ju3F7yi7XEqNUh7WdYXJgTHDQ1TFJI4ROlcTTiNTSuXbiiTdv0sSlxAozwwY9NDXnVKPn7N5S7TjTJa/s4032/IMG_4102.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22LOmSYOsN6f6Rk2oItl_w6Eng_KKlUl_I8wqc7oa8l2KmiiifELGAyQY2k9kwfyuphfU7y36-kyxlf-YOufCaIFMYfgnsAV1dLee8YXxRCSP1Ju3F7yi7XEqNUh7WdYXJgTHDQ1TFJI4ROlcTTiNTSuXbiiTdv0sSlxAozwwY9NDXnVKPn7N5S7TjTJa/w300-h400/IMG_4102.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p>I think this struggle is illustrated perfectly in our Gospel lesson for today.</p><p>Now, it might be helpful to backtrack a little bit to set the stage for the drama about to unfold. Remember in the previous account, Jesus left Judea and went to Bethany beyond the Jordan because the leaders of the Jews wanted to arrest him. So, for the sake of safety, it was best for him to remain where he was until the dust of his previous confrontation with the Jewish leaders had settled. And while he stayed in that area where John the Baptist had been active, many of the Baptist’s former disciples believed in Jesus. He had quite a ministry right where he was. </p><p>In this context, the message arrived from Bethany in Judea…from Martha and Mary concerning the plight of their brother Lazarus (Eleazar in Hebrew). Now, it might be helpful for you to think of this message as a prayer for intervention…a prayer asking for healing. We must assume that Lazarus was gravely ill, otherwise, the sisters would not have sent for Jesus. Theirs was a closely-knit friendship and so they would have known that it would be dangerous for Jesus to return, but again we must assume that they were desperate. </p><p>You might think that John stole a bit of his thunder here in these opening verses in telling us something that would only happen chronologically in the next chapter of his Gospel…that it was this Mary who anointed Jesus' feet with costly ointment…but as John never wrote anything without a good reason, I believe this bit of anticipatory information was to show that the love shared between Jesus and this family was deeply mutual. In fact, he added in verse 5 that Jesus loved this family. </p><p>Now, I believe John was giving his first-time readers something to hold on to as they navigated the emotional account that followed. Jesus loved them, he wrote. It is as if John was saying to his readers, ‘Hold onto that thought as you plunge into the depths of grief and loss and bewilderment…as you hear the sister's painful struggle with what looked like Jesus’ lack of care or his apparent indifference: “Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Hold on to that thought as you ask the same question raised by the crowd “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”’</p><p>Indeed, it is that same thought we must hold on to as we face the ups and downs of life. God loves us…we must hold onto that truth through whatever may follow…it is this truth that will carry us when all else fails.</p><p>Johannine scholars all believe that the raising of Lazarus is the seventh and final sign in this Gospel. If you remember, the first sign was performed at a wedding. This last sign is performed at a funeral…perhaps this is significant as the greatest sign of all is surely the death and resurrection of Jesus…an event that ushered in the wedding feast of the Lamb.</p><p>But I couldn’t help wondering if the signs in John's Gospel were not designed to indicate a flipped or reversed image of the Exodus plagues. John often employed images taken from Creation and from the Exodus, so it would not be surprising if there is some indication of reverse imagery here. For example, Jesus’ first sign was water turned to drinkable wine versus the first plague which was water turned to undrinkable blood. His final sign here was possibly the reversal of the death of the firstborn. </p><p>Now, as with the plagues, there was also an escalation in the intensity of the signs coupled with an escalation in the violent response of the enemies. In the Exodus, this led to the total religious and socioeconomic collapse of Egypt and ultimately the destruction of Pharoah’s army in the Red Sea. In the Gospels, it led to the rejection and destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, an event foreshadowed by the tearing of the veil, as well as the total disarmament of Satan and his forces of darkness (Colossians 2:15). </p><p>But let's get back to the story. Considering the mutual love between Jesus and this family and the receipt of this desperate request for an immediate reaction, Jesus' delayed response comes as a major surprise. The obvious expectation of the sisters was that he would realise the urgent and serious nature of the situation and come as soon as possible. </p><p>But instead, Jesus deliberately decided to wait, apparently reassuring his disciples that this illness would not lead to death…adding somewhat enigmatically that it was for the glory of God so that the Son of Man might be glorified through it.</p><p>So, at this point, the disciples knew as much as what the first readers would have known. Whatever happened, God and the mysterious Son of Man would be glorified…whatever that may mean. Not too different from what we know when facing an unknown future, is it? </p><p>But I think it is important for us to note that the sisters were not around to hear Jesus’ statement. They were about 20 miles or 32 kilometres west of where Jesus was at that time, trapped within the blind reality of their own hand-wringing anxiety. No doubt their eyes scanned the horizon moment by moment searching for the familiar figure of the only one who could help them. Anything…just an indication that he might be on his way…but the horizon remained devoid of any such promise. Can you imagine the difficult internal turmoil they must have been struggling with? Didn’t he care? Could he not simply speak a word to heal their brother? And as they watched their beloved brother slowly slip away from them, their hearts must have been battlefields of strong opposing emotions. </p><p>And still, no reply…no response…nothing…</p><p>This is why John’s timely reminder is so important to us. Jesus loved this family. In a similar manner, the Scriptures tell us page after page that God loves us and that his love is based, not on our performance, but on his unchanging character. This is the rock we cling to when the storms of life threaten to pull us into the depths of despair. God loves us and whatever he does is because of that love.</p><p>Of course, the statement that Jesus loved this family seems to be contradicted by his lack of action on their behalf. John tells us that he deliberately waited two more days after having received the petition from the sisters. We know that he knew that this delay of two days would prove to be fatal as he never did anything arbitrarily, but he also must have known how devastatingly painful his apparent absence would have been for his friends. For all we know, Lazarus may have died thinking that his friend did not care about him. </p><p>Perhaps, as John recorded Jesus’ deep emotional response at the grave later in the chapter, this delay may have been every bit as painful for Jesus as it was for the family, but as we already know, Jesus never did anything except what he heard from the Father…and therefore he knew what the result would be. But they did not. And herein lies the greatest lesson of trust we need to learn as children of God. Our Father knows what is best for us in all situations and he always does what is best for us because he loves us.</p><p>When we struggle with the overwhelming pain brought on by the apparent silence of Heaven, we need to rehearse stories such as this one so that we might be reminded that God does answer, but in a way that may be far beyond the reach of our finite capacity for comprehension. Paul wrote that God is well able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we may ask or think according to his power at work within us. At those times when we have reached the end of our own limited strength and our poor, empty hearts seek vainly for a straw of hope to hold on to, remember Mary and Martha during their time of waiting. </p><p>But then, Jesus’ determination to return to Judea raised another dilemma. His own safety. Besides this, his sudden decision to go after a delay of two days must have seemed odd to his disciples. Why now? “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?”</p><p>Jesus’ reply was short and to the point. He was not operating in the darkness as were his opponents. He knew God’s will. He knew the mind of God on this matter, and he was following his clear leading. No doubt, as was his custom, Jesus had spent the two days praying…asking his Father for wisdom and guidance. His time was in the hands of the Father, not his enemies. So, his return was no fatalistic jump from the pinnacle of the temple. No, the way forward was as clear as day…and so he went.</p><p>But if they thought his decision to return to Judea after two days was strange, what he said next must have been really confusing. Not only was he willing to risk his life by returning to a dangerous area (remember Bethany was only about 2 miles/3 kilometres from Jerusalem), but it seemed he was going for nothing. Lazarus was dead. </p><p>Can you imagine the perplexed look on the disciples’ faces? And what were they to make of Jesus’ vague indication that somehow this was for their benefit? How could this dangerous visit to a tomb be to anyone’s benefit except perhaps consoling the sisters? </p><p>Little did they know that they were about to witness the most amazing miracle ever performed by Jesus. Yes, they already knew that he could heal various kinds of diseases…that he could even restore senses which had never been present…they even knew that he could raise the dead as in the case of Jairus’s daughter or the son of the widow of Nain. But no one would have imagined that he could raise a four-day-old rotting corpse to life. Perhaps in their minds, if the body remained intact, there might still be a glimmer of hope, but once the body had begun to succumb to the process of decay, everyone was resigned to the finality of the situation.</p><p>No one could have anticipated such an event, so the statement of Thomas no doubt reflected the mood of the whole group. “Let us also go, that we may die with him,” a statement of resignation, if ever there was one. What made him say something like this? I think it is for the same reason we get discouraged when we face a delay in receiving an answer to prayer. He, like us, could not grasp the full reality of God’s Person and the certainty of his promises. </p><p>Did Jesus promise to be with us until the end of the age? Did he promise that the gates of hell will not prevail against us? Did he promise that even though we may face trials and tribulations in this world, he has overcome the world? Did he promise to be with us in the deepest darkest valleys? Did he promise that he would work all things together for the good of those who love him and who are called according to his purpose? </p><p>Why then do we allow the circumstances of life to rob us of the assurance we have in him? Is he not an altogether good God? An Almighty, sovereign, loving, kind, and generous God? It is not as if we have no example of his power…we have the testimony of the Scriptures as well as the lives of countless witnesses down through the ages…as well as the witness of our own lives. If God was with you then or there, why would he fail you now? </p><p>I believe the main reason we are so prone to doubt and despair when we feel pressed up against a wall of impossibilities, is that our focus is either on ourselves and our weaknesses and inabilities, or on others…on their power or their lack of power, or on the situation or circumstance, such as a rotting corpse. Like Mary, Martha, and the disciples, we too look past the Person of Jesus and fix our eyes on the seemingly insurmountable problem.</p><p>George Müller, a Christian evangelist in the mid to late 1800s, the director of the Ashley Down orphanage in Bristol, England, and co-founder of the Plymouth Brethren Movement, wrote about a time when he was faced with a similar desperate situation in his orphan ministry. In his autobiography, he wrote, “The funds were exhausted. We had been reduced so low as to be at the point of selling those things which could be spared.” Then a woman, who had been travelling for four days, arrived with sufficient funds for the orphanage. Müller and his co-workers had prayed those four days for something God had already supplied. </p><p>Under these circumstances, Müller made the following observation. “That the money had been so near to the orphan house for several days without being given, is a plain proof that it was from the beginning in the heart of God to help us; but because he delights in the prayers of his children, he had allowed us to pray so long; also to try our faith, and to make the answer so much sweeter.” (Müller, George, The Life of Trust, Compass Circle, 2019.)</p><p>God’s response to our prayers may not always come within four days…they might never come at all, at least not on this side of eternity. But the answering of our prayers is not the point. Our relationship with a trustworthy God is. If we cannot trust him who has proved himself faithful from generation to generation since the dawn of time, then we are in trouble at the very centre of our lives as believers. </p><p>Study the Scriptures…study Church History…see if God has ever proved to be a broken cistern. Study your own life…even a cursory glance at your past will reveal his constant presence with you, especially in your darkest moments. Now, evaluate any present or future difficulty in the light of your findings. </p><p>What makes you so great or so small that God is rendered unable or unwilling to help you? What makes your problems so different from those faced by countless saints through the ages who have proved God to be faithful that it causes you to believe your God to be impotent or untrue to his nature and his character? </p><p>Learn from the disciples…learn from the sisters. Don’t limit God in any way. While his answer may not be the one you wanted, if he can raise a four-day-old rotting corpse, he can turn your apparent disadvantage into a testimony to his greatness and his glory.</p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2023</p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-45432978230046435542023-11-26T15:01:00.007+01:002023-11-26T15:16:58.500+01:00Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas Newsletter<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_2085504082820801571templateContainer" style="background-color: #fafafa; border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; max-width: 600px; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td id="m_2085504082820801571templatePreheader" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 50% 50%; 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height: auto; max-width: 1079px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="m_2085504082820801571mcnTextContent" style="color: #656565; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 9px; word-break: break-word;" valign="top" width="564"><h1 style="color: #202020; font-size: 26px; line-height: 32.5px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia, times, "times new roman", serif;">Johann and Louise: Training Disciples to Make Disciples in the Netherlands</span></h1></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td id="m_2085504082820801571templateHeader" style="background: none 50% 50% / cover no-repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_2085504082820801571mcnDividerBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; min-width: 100%; padding: 18px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 4px solid rgb(43, 170, 223); min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px;"></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_2085504082820801571templateColumns" style="background-color: white; border-bottom: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_2085504082820801571templateBody" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 0px; width: 400px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_2085504082820801571mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td class="m_2085504082820801571mcnTextContent" style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><h3 style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Thanksgiving. The Oxford Dictionary defines this word as the expression of gratitude, especially to God…or as an annual national holiday in North America marked by religious observances and a traditional meal. In many ways, the second definition symbolises the first definition. It is a meal of thanksgiving…of gratitude. It began with a need…hunger and famine and starvation…and became an expression of abundant blessing.<br /><br />There is another meal that began with a need…a spiritual hunger and famine and starvation…that became an expression of abundant blessing too. This is, of course, the Eucharist…the Great Thanksgiving…the Lord’s Supper…the Sacrament of Holy Communion…all words indicating a meal that celebrates our wondrous unity with Jesus by means of his self-sacrifice on our behalf. Every time we gather to share in the symbols of our Lord’s broken body and shed blood, we give thanks.<br /><br />But there is another meal…an ominous meal that made this Sacrament necessary. A meal that is the exact opposite of that represented in the Eucharist. It is a meal that began with abundance, that took place in the Garden of Eden, where the host was not God, but the serpent…where the participation was not in thankful obedience to a holy command, but in thankless disobedience birthed in ingratitude and lust for independence. It is a meal of absence rather than presence…isolation rather than intimacy…individuality rather than interdependence…secular rather than sacred.<br /><br />This is the meal that is celebrated most in Europe. A meal that creates a restless search for meaning and purpose…a search that invariably continues endlessly without achieving any form of lasting satisfaction or contentment. As continual excessive salt intake produces an unquenchable thirst, this prideful attempt at self-realisation leads to need, famine, and starvation…and, indeed, to the opposite of thanksgiving. More and more and more never seems to fill the void…because it cannot.<br /><br />Looking at the rising number of strikes, riots, demonstrations, and right-wing political resentment one cannot help but wonder if this is not the new “Winter of Discontent”. The greedy and the needy are once more at a standoff. Not very different from the time when Jesus lived among us.<br /><br />This is why the Christmas message is as important now as it was then. Our beleaguered and polarised planet cries out for deliverance…but deliverance does not come through violence or war…if history teaches us anything it is that strife and struggle produces nothing but more strife and struggle. No, deliverance comes through not wanting more but wanting less. Deliverance comes through sacrifice. The first meal recorded in Scripture did not bring happiness…the desire to be “gods” brings chaos and calamity as it is not in sync with our design. Lust does not lead to love.<br /><br />Christmas is also the time when people are generally quite open to hearing the Gospel. “Tradition” will often attract those who sense a need for something more than temporal. So, during this Advent and Christmas season at Christ Church, Heiloo, we plan to host several events that may hopefully serve to stir an ancient memory of a time when God and his Creation lived in harmony. Please do pray that those who attend will, like the Bethlehem Shepherds, be filled with awe and amazement and a desire to go and tell others about Jesus.<br /><br />But to return to the theme of thanksgiving. Louise and I are so thankful for everyone who partners with us in making Jesus known. It is your sacrificial giving and your unceasing prayers that make it possible for us to tell his story to those who have largely forgotten him.<br />The other day, we saw a sign outside an old church building that now serves as a cultural centre that invited passers-by to come in to meet a “spiritual guide” who would tell them all they needed to know about the future. There is a fear here…a very real fear…too many around us have access to weapons of mass destruction. Please continue to help us lead the bewildered and the frightened to the only one who holds their future in his hands.<br /><br />Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you celebrate the Reason for the Season. May our gracious King grant you peace and contentment throughout this Advent and Christmas Season.<br /><br />Love, cyber-hugs, and blessings<br />Johann and Louise</h3></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="m_2085504082820801571templateSidebar" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 0px; width: 200px;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding-left: 9px; padding-right: 9px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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They then worked in Southern Africa, serving in seven southern African countries, while continuing to work with the Diocese of Egypt, North Africa through engaging in a disciple making movement in order to grow the body of Christ. They are now serving in Heiloo, the Netherlands.</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="margin: 0px; padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_2085504082820801571mcnCaptionBottomContent" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 9px 9px;" valign="top"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fsams-usa.org%26xid%3D18986177a5%26uid%3D94485477%26iid%3D5925%26pool%3Dtemplate_test%26v%3D2%26c%3D1700994565%26h%3Da55582b8a950591fa7321e9a1f54b4a503ddacd115ef693e83e46890d98166c8&source=gmail&ust=1701081211085000&usg=AOvVaw1-QvjBEPcIb9LSFkXHTzzg" href="https://us18.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsams-usa.org&xid=18986177a5&uid=94485477&iid=5925&pool=template_test&v=2&c=1700994565&h=a55582b8a950591fa7321e9a1f54b4a503ddacd115ef693e83e46890d98166c8" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" title=""><img alt="" class="m_2085504082820801571mcnImage CToWUd" data-bit="iit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhmHR4TMLYnj8txn2cI_7S6HrRtYrr1cNfQYGuVor8fHMsZW6qTFqrNR5dK3mlS9RbBrkBJzGihSUwWIJ69eP5zzO7-YMkhVXiy_XnulrSRJFRGycUKrM24urdSS2RT_ui6Xr164rPj1DDfi8px6K_DFK18H_mS3eriBoUlLpfe4UC4N5mQrcG8V2qj41yNvfuq-1cBP07V_H2E9MaafkO_GoqvMnyjqg=s0-d-e1-ft" style="border: 0px; 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height: 29px; margin: 0px; outline: none; text-decoration-line: none; width: 29px;" width="29" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Our mailing address is:</strong><br />PO Box 399 Ambridge PA 15003<br />Attention to: Johann and Louise van der Bijl<br /><br />Want to change how you receive these emails?<br />You can <a style="text-decoration-line: underline;">update your preferences</a> or <a style="text-decoration-line: underline;">unsubscribe from this list</a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-25822188952569700442023-11-16T10:35:00.011+01:002023-11-18T20:01:54.744+01:00Never Give Up<p>Psalm 68:1-4, 28, 32-35 Romans 8:34-39 John 10:22-42</p><p>Never Give Up</p><p>Antiochus Epiphanes, one of the most infamous successors of Alexander the Great, banned Jews from practising their religion and tried to make them worship the Greek god, Zeus. During his oppressive reign, there was a dispute over the leadership of the Temple and a power struggle for the High Priesthood. As a result, Antiochus personally entered the Holy of Holies in 169 BC, stole the temple's precious gold and silver vessels, and appointed his own High Priest, a man by the name of Menelaus. </p><p>He then decided to Hellenize Judea, which led to the end of the sacrificial system, the prohibition of circumcision, and the construction of a Greek altar to Zeus inside the Temple on December 25, 167 BC. There, Antiochus sacrificed pigs, sprinkling the altar with the blood of the sacrifice. He also commanded that the Jewish scrolls be sprinkled with a broth made of the pig's flesh, forced the priests to eat the flesh, and had the Menorah, the lamp signifying the presence of God in the Temple, extinguished. According to the Jewish 1st Century historian, Josephus, those Jews who refused to comply with his demands were crucified along with their circumcised children hanging around their necks. </p><p>A while later, when an erroneous report of the death of Antiochus was circulating, the deposed High Priest recaptured Jerusalem, causing Menelaus to flee for his life. But, according to 2 Maccabees 5:11–14, when Antiochus, who was not dead as supposed, heard about this, “he thought that Judea was in revolt. Raging like a wild animal, he set out from Egypt and took Jerusalem by storm. He ordered his soldiers to cut down without mercy those whom they met and to slay those who took refuge in their houses. There was a massacre of young and old, a killing of women and children, a slaughter of virgins and infants. In the space of three days, eighty thousand were lost, forty thousand meeting a violent death, and the same number being sold into slavery.”</p><p>After restoring Menelaus as High Priest, Antiochus then helped the Hellenised Jews by issuing decrees against the traditionalists. He made Jewish rituals and traditions illegal and transformed the Temple in Jerusalem into a hybrid pagan-Jewish sect that worshipped Zeus. Antiochus then built a Greek citadel called the Acra in Jerusalem for Hellenized Jews and Greek soldiers. </p><p>A while later, a priest by the name of Mattathias of the house of Hasmon led a revolt against this tyranny. Unfortunately, within only one year, Mattathias died, but his son, Judas Maccabaeus, continued the struggle and subsequently led the Jews to victory over the forces of Antiochus. </p><p>In December 164 BC, exactly three years after Antiochus had defiled the Temple, Judas recaptured Jerusalem, all except the Acra. He then had “righteous priests” cleanse the Holy Place and erect a new altar of unhewn stones. They then rededicated the sanctuary on December 24 (Kislev 25 in the Hebrew calendar), offering sacrifices as prescribed in the Law. He commanded a celebration of eight days, a festival that became known as “Hanukkah” or, as it is in the English translation, the “Festival of Dedication” or the “Festival of Lights” that commemorates the defeat of Antiochus as well as the renewal of proper worship. The outcome of this victory was the rise of the priestly kings known as the Hasmoneans, a dynasty that lasted until the Romans took over Judea in 63 BC.</p><p>This is the background to the Gospel passage we read today. Freedom from the tyranny of those who would seek to impose false worship and the renewal of true worship through the intervention of a deliver. </p><p>The tragedy of it all is that those who were responsible for the maintenance of the Temple in the 1st Century AD were descendants of the Maccabees/Hasmoneans. They were known as the Sadducees, upper-class wealthy aristocrats and members of the high priestly family, who served on the Sanhedrin together with the Pharisees. </p><p>But unfortunately, they were largely conciliatory toward their Roman overlords, often cooperating with the authorities and the Herodian rulers, so that they might maintain stability and protect their positions of authority. The Romans, through their political authority, often manipulated the selection of the High Priest by approving candidates who were favourable or accommodating to Roman interests. This meant that, indirectly, the Romans had a hand in the appointment of the High Priest, a rather important religious position.</p><p>The Sadducees' cooperation with the Roman powers was multifaceted. They had a vested interest in maintaining the functioning of the Temple in Jerusalem, which was not only a religious centre but also a significant economic and social institution…remember Jesus' attempt to drive out the money changers and merchants from the Temple precincts in John 2:13-17? If history teaches us anything it is that nothing is quite so lucrative as a religion. So, because they feared that disruption or interference in Temple activities might provoke a harsh response from Rome, potentially leading to severe consequences such as the closure of the Temple or other punitive actions, they endeavoured to keep the peace at all costs. </p><p>This is one of the reasons why they opposed Jesus. In John 11:47-48, we read: “Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man (Jesus) is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”</p><p>This political collaboration for the sake of maintaining the Temple's operation was viewed negatively by the other Jewish sects, like the Pharisees and the Zealots, and was one of the reasons for the establishment of the Essene community at Qumran. Many thought that the Sadducees compromised Jewish individuality and Jewish religious principles by aligning with foreign powers for their own benefit. The accusation of being collaborators with Rome was a significant point of contention and opposition against the Sadducees.</p><p>But the sad truth of this was that the Temple was once more a place of compromise, a hybrid pagan-Jewish sect just as it had been under Antiochus Epiphanes. One can then hardly miss the irony of the question then: “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah (or the deliverer), tell us plainly.” </p><p>It has often been said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Israel had a long history of would-be deliverers. Moses delivered the people from slavery in Egypt, and look at what happened to them in the wilderness! Joshua delivered them from defeat during the period of the conquest, and look at what happened to them after they had settled in nicely! Various judges delivered them from different oppressors, only for them to be oppressed again later because of their ongoing sin. Saul and David delivered them from the Philistines, and Solomon brought in a period of peace and prosperity only to lose it all through temptation and false worship. And the Maccabees delivered them from Antiochus, only to lose it all to the Romans…up and down they went all the way through to the time of the New Testament. One would have thought that by now they would have realised that any human deliverer was useless. </p><p>And yet, their idea of the Messiah was all too human. They were expecting some conquering hero like Joshua or David or Judas Maccabeus…perhaps that was the reason they asked this question during this particular festival commemorating the deliverance of Judea and the rededication of the Temple. </p><p>But it is difficult for anyone to adopt a different view once they have formed a definite opinion on something. That’s why opinions are such dangerous things…they can not only blind you to opposite points of view, but they can also rob you of the truth. </p><p>And that was certainly true here. “I did tell you,” Jesus insisted, “but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.” </p><p>Obviously, Jesus did not fit their bill…he was not the hero they wanted…and so even though his works and his words testified to the truth about his identity, they simply could not see it. Judging by their reaction in verse 31, they had pretty much made up their minds about their Messiah, so it doesn’t seem as if they were expecting an answer that would have changed their opinions…rather they seem to have been wanting a reason to denounce him and get rid of him.</p><p>Even so, Jesus did not shrink from answering their enquiry. He maintained that his words and his works had already given them the answer to their question. But then he added the stinger. He said the reason they missed the obvious was because they were not his sheep…that’s why they could not hear the voice of the Shepherd. Ouch! These were the leaders in Israel…these were the teachers of the law, and the maintainers of the Temple. </p><p>In this brief discourse, Jesus underlined some basic principles. </p><p>Firstly, he stated without excuse or elaboration that only his sheep hear his voice. Those who are not of his sheep do not respond because they do not hear. </p><p>Secondly, as we saw last week, he declared that he knows his sheep and his sheep know him as intimately as the members of the Trinity know each other. “My sheep listen to my voice,” Jesus said, “I know them, and they follow me.” Or as Paul later wrote to Timothy, “…the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: The Lord knows those who are his…” (2 Timothy 2:19).</p><p>Thirdly, Jesus affirmed that eternal life is a gift, not something to be earned by merit. The biblical presupposition is clearly that man cannot and will not seek after God as sin prevents him from doing so. (See Psalm 14:2–3, Isaiah 59, and Romans 3:11) That is the main problem with all human deliverers too…they cannot deliver because they themselves need to be delivered. Although humans will generally tend to search for something higher or more powerful than them, they will never reach an understanding of the one true God without the enlightening and regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. </p><p>Fourthly, Jesus made it very clear that the life he would give to those who believed in him was guaranteed by both him and his Father. Nothing could ever snatch his sheep from his hand. As Paul said in Romans 8:38-39, “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” </p><p>The reason Jesus gave for this bold statement was that God is the greatest power and authority there is and he is subject to none but himself. He is greater than all by virtue of who he is…he is God the Almighty Creator and Sustainer of all things. Everything in the entire universe has reference to his will and his command and therefore his declaration cannot be overturned by anything or anyone. The sheep of his pasture are secure by the desire and decree of him who upholds all things by the word of his power.</p><p>But it was Jesus’ final statement that brought about the violent reaction. “I and my Father,” Jesus said, “are one.” </p><p>Now, if you stop and think about their reaction to this statement one cannot help but marvel at their blindness. After everything Jesus had said and done, who else could he possibly be? This is why he said, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” Jesus' works mirrored his Father's works…and therefore his works testified to their oneness. </p><p>One becomes even more acutely aware of the nature of their blindness in their answer to his challenge. Let’s backtrack a bit to catch the flow of the discussion. In verse 24 they asked him to reveal whether or not he was the Messiah. Jesus told them that his words and works had already supplied the answer to their question, but since they wanted a direct answer, he gave them one. Yes, I am the Messiah…but not your idea of the Messiah, as any human messiah would simply not be able to fulfil what God had promised…no human messiah could fulfil Genesis 3:15…no human messiah could reverse the effect of the fall. So yes, I am the Messiah. I am God, the only possible eternal deliverer.</p><p>For this direct reply, they wanted to stone him to death. In a moment of amazing patience, Jesus once more revealed to them the ludicrous nature of their reasoning. Every one of his words and works supported his statement…which one of these warranted the death penalty? Who else but God could have said and done what he had said and done?</p><p>But they could not see the wood for the trees. To them, he was a mere human…and not one with a good pedigree at that… even though they could not explain how a mere human, a demon-possessed human, or a mad human could do the works he did. They would much rather attribute his works to the devil…as if the devil could do what he had done! That is blind, indeed! </p><p>But why? Why could they not acknowledge him to be who he said he was? Well because that would blow the whole warp and woof of their theological worldview to pieces. Everything they believed, everything they taught, everything they lived for…everything would be overturned…and that meant they stood to lose all they ever held to be true and all they ever held dear, especially their life that was so bound up with all that happened in and around the Temple. If the Lord himself had, indeed, suddenly returned in person to his Temple, they were in deep, deep trouble.</p><p>So, Jesus once again calmly brushed aside their objection by citing Psalm 82:6 where the judges of Israel were called gods by virtue of their position as representatives of God. If mere human representatives could be called ‘gods’, how much more would the title not fit the divine representative of God on earth?</p><p>Yet, even here, when the spiritual blindness and deadness of his hearers is as plain as day, Jesus still graciously extended a word of appeal. “Do not believe me,” Jesus said, “unless I do the works of the Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” This merciful and persistent call of the shepherd even to those who appeared not to hear serves as an example to us. If the one who knew the mind of God could still lovingly reach out to those who refused him and who rejected his gift of life, how much more should we not persist in presenting the Gospel to those who reject it time after time? We don’t know the mind of God as far as the salvation of others is concerned. If Jesus never gave up on anyone, neither should we. </p><p>Sadly, this new appeal was once again violently opposed and Jesus left the volatile situation and went to an area beyond the Jordan where John the Baptist had once ministered. It was the memory of John’s faithful preaching and teaching that now led many to believe in Jesus. Although John never lived to see this renewed swell of faith, he had planted the seeds which now germinated and grew. </p><p>And, as such, the faith of John’s one-time disciples serves as a stark contrast to the lack of faith of the Jews in Jerusalem. Both had heard John’s preaching. Both had heard Jesus’ words and both had seen his works. Yet, only one group believed…</p><p>“My sheep hear my voice,” Jesus said, “and I know them, and they follow me.” There is no if or but in this sentence. There are no ifs and buts with God. He knows his own and he holds them in the palm of his hand…no power in all creation, things visible or invisible, can ever snatch us from his hand.</p><p>This is the word of the Lord. Believe it, receive it, accept it, apply it, and thank God for it. </p><p>But there is a sad parallel between this passage and the Church today. Just as the Sadducees were the descendants of the Maccabees/Hasmoneans, so we, dearest beloved brethren, are the descendants of the Reformers! We are the children of those who died for the Word! But what is being done even now in the modern Church? Are we not fast becoming a hybrid pagan-Christian sect? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxYXEDKwcwooW3ee28NjOL5DLSwtsvOfmqbd06HuaInSHRgO_TT0I7QLNTXNqOhmb3PORcHR2TQzVgEZp1h9Q9gay-Z-OGLxH6tbKwUgPzQz1MBEpP5YaOl22kSDKweCYKyWmY8SNd6jZwEmyX1Ofg307mh5A8TgM00jWus2TKpVFf9YmLPqWQJrx8Ohh/s4032/IMG_6821.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxYXEDKwcwooW3ee28NjOL5DLSwtsvOfmqbd06HuaInSHRgO_TT0I7QLNTXNqOhmb3PORcHR2TQzVgEZp1h9Q9gay-Z-OGLxH6tbKwUgPzQz1MBEpP5YaOl22kSDKweCYKyWmY8SNd6jZwEmyX1Ofg307mh5A8TgM00jWus2TKpVFf9YmLPqWQJrx8Ohh/s320/IMG_6821.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>God’s Word is once more being ignored or swept aside to give way to man’s thoughts and traditions as we bow to the demands of a self-absorbed, self-indulgent, self-gratifying, self-centred, hedonistic society. God’s Word is being cast aside for the opinions of the world.</p><p>The Lord Jesus once more walks in the midst of those who dare to call themselves by his name and he is once more rejected and ridiculed by those who ought to know better. Like Judas Maccabaeus, the Reformers fought and died to deliver us from empty religion…and like the Sadducees and Pharisees our Church leaders fear that living out the holy otherness we are called to might provoke a harsh response from the world, and so they endeavour to keep a peace that will cost us dearly. We cannot say we love God and walk in darkness…we cannot, and we must not. There can be no collaboration with the world.</p><p>Those of us who remain faithful and true to our Shepherd are equally in danger of being stoned, literally or figuratively, but we have his witness and the witness of the great cloud of witnesses and more witnesses down throughout the ages and the witness of his constant presence with us to keep and guide us through these perilous times. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you his kingdom. (Luke 12:32)</p><p>These accusers have been faced before…they have been overcome before…and, by his grace, we will overcome them once more. It has been decreed by the Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all. Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end.</p><p>Many may say that it seems foolish to continue to pursue purity and holiness…why not throw in the towel and give in to the revisionists, they ask? True…“the disciples of Jesus will be made to look and feel like a fool. Yet, fools for Christ formed the Early Church. And as that tiny band of believers grew, the world witnessed the power in such foolishness.” (Brennan Manning, The Signature of Jesus (Multnomah, 1996), p. 87)</p><p>We should not give up as long as he does not give up. He will cleanse and purify his church as he has done before. </p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2023</p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-37298732588906850132023-11-10T16:18:00.007+01:002023-11-10T16:22:16.565+01:00Comfort and Courage<p>Psalm 118:19-21 Ezekiel 34:11-15 John 10:7-21</p><p>Comfort and Courage</p><p>Someone once said in jest that he was glad God had chosen him before he was born because he surely would not have chosen him afterwards. Of course, this was meant as a joke…but it may reflect what some believe about faith and salvation…that God chooses the good only and not the bad. However, the Scriptures teach us that while we were still sinners, Jesus died for the ungodly. In other words, Jesus died for you in full knowledge of your every weakness, your wickedness, your self-centredness, and your sinfulness. </p><p>The parable of the Good Shepherd emphasises the sovereignty of God over all things. Throughout the parable, nothing is left to chance. God guarantees everything from beginning to end, even the reaction of his sheep. When they are called, they cannot but respond to the voice of their shepherd.</p><p>The imagery should have been very clear to all who heard it because Jesus used well-known images from the Scriptures in his parable. John 10 is a masterfully woven tapestry, full and rich with many layers.</p><p>For example: the imagery of an entrance to the presence of God comes from as far back as Genesis 3:23-24 where the gateway or the door to Paradise/Eden was closed to prevent fallen man from partaking of the fruit of the tree of life.</p><p>In his Gospel, John used multiple metaphors to describe the person and work of Jesus in terms of a light that overcomes the darkness (a re-creation motif), water that quenches spiritual thirst and the bread of life (both possible allusions to the Exodus), the shepherd of God’s people, the gateway to God’s sheepfold, and, in his book on the revelation, the Tree of Life. Jesus is revealed to be not a way but the way, not a truth but the truth, not a life but the life…no one can gain access to the Father…no one can gain access to the sheepfold or to Paradise except through him.</p><p>The prayer of the faithful has always been for God to open or, indeed, to reopen to us the gates of righteousness so that we might go through them into the presence of the Lord to worship him. It is a plea for the reversal of the curse of Genesis 3. So, John presents us with an image of Jesus as the gateway to life.</p><p>The imagery of God as a shepherd was a frequent one in the Old Testament. Psalm 23 is probably the best known, and there are several references in the prophets, but the one I thought matches well with John 10 is found in Ezekiel: “…I myself,” God said, “will search for my sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day…I will feed my flock and I will make them lie down…” </p><p>The meaning of this prophecy seems obvious and those who knew the Scriptures well ought to have understood Jesus’ words in terms of what God had said he would do for his sheep. It seems that in his parable, Jesus applied the prophecy directly to himself: as the shepherd, he would search for his sheep and seek them out, he would gather them and bring them in, he would deliver them, he would lead them to pleasant pastures, he would give them life even at the expense of his own, and he would establish them in one sheepfold. </p><p>So, let’s look at this parable and the reaction to it, shall we? </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmzuojcEnfxw5V_zTJ_ZkWSZdvggzEwphHv3g-l_x-wTR5G1s0jvMfLMaIpQNH-JYcPphnkXbH3QfRV0CL0qnX0pFtPfCvsWplk8Ct__lny-feMx4F6duL9RL8RMnsttdh2jUiKZRcXidmvPm4BVcbII5WQCPTyb9aNor6zzRWnR1yEA7XmfIKru8Nxa2/s960/sheep.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="197" data-original-width="960" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmzuojcEnfxw5V_zTJ_ZkWSZdvggzEwphHv3g-l_x-wTR5G1s0jvMfLMaIpQNH-JYcPphnkXbH3QfRV0CL0qnX0pFtPfCvsWplk8Ct__lny-feMx4F6duL9RL8RMnsttdh2jUiKZRcXidmvPm4BVcbII5WQCPTyb9aNor6zzRWnR1yEA7XmfIKru8Nxa2/w640-h131/sheep.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>In verses 7-10, Jesus likened himself to the gateway or the door to the sheepfold. Some commentators have explained this in terms of the Ancient Near Eastern custom for a shepherd to sleep in the opening of the sheepfold. Anything or anyone wanting to enter the sheepfold would of necessity have to deal first with the shepherd. </p><p>However, Jesus does not portray himself as a shepherd in a gateway. He says that he is the gateway that is opened by God the watchman. He has already said as much in John 6:65: “…no one can come to me unless it has been granted to him by my Father.” In other words, the gateway or the door is only opened to those to whom it has been granted…the sheep who enter the sheepfold through the gate are those who have been given to the Shepherd by God the doorkeeper.</p><p>Because of this, I believe we ought to think through the implications of this metaphor when it comes to our witnessing to others. It is not us who are responsible for the saving of the sheep. To be sure, it is for us to speak the words of the Shepherd so that they might hear his voice…we must faithfully sow the seeds, to use another metaphor…but it is for God to grant access to the sheepfold through the gate he has provided. I find this comforting when my words seem to fall on deaf ears.</p><p>Then in verse 8, Jesus provided a contrast between himself and those who had come before him. Now, as he repeatedly endorsed Moses and the Prophets, it is hardly likely that he meant they were the thieves and robbers…rather, I believe, the thieves and robbers he was referring to here were more than likely the false shepherds denounced in Jeremiah and Ezekiel and elsewhere. </p><p>The context of the passage seems to indicate that the objects of his remarks were the Pharisees and their predecessors…remember in John 8:44 Jesus called them children of the devil…in Matthew 12:34 he said they were a brood of vipers…and in Matthew 23:15 he denounced the teachers of the law and the Pharisees because they would make their converts twice as much a child of hell as they were. Strong words…but what else should one call those who deliberately lead people astray to eternal doom and destruction but thieves and robbers, children of the devil, a brood of snakes, and the spawn of hell? There are and always have been wolves who dress in sheep’s clothing…or clerical clothing, in this case. </p><p>According to this parable, Jesus alone is the gateway or the door for the sheep and he alone is the true shepherd of the sheep. Those who would enter the sheepfold must both follow him and go through him…there is no other way. </p><p>Then the second major contrast in this passage is that of the shepherd and the hireling. In this case, as the shepherd is said to own the sheep, Jesus was probably once more affirming that he and the Father are one. The hireling is portrayed as a person who has been given charge over sheep that belong to someone else. His is a salaried position, without personal investment or ownership and consequently, his commitment is but shallow. When any kind of threat arises, his care for the sheep is half-hearted at best or absent at worst. </p><p>This, of course, raises an interesting question. Should we regard any clergyperson who shrinks away from defending the flock against any form of heresy as an uncaring and cowardly hireling? Are not all true shepherds of the flock of God to mirror the Good Shepherd who defended his sheep with his own life? Surely when it comes to the safety of the sheep, we ought to deplore spinelessness or apathy. </p><p>Down throughout the ages, one major problem in the Church has been the inability or unwillingness of shepherds to confront the wolves…especially the wolves that pretend to be shepherds. Too many shepherds are and have been more concerned with keeping the peace, with maintaining their popularity, or with holding on to their salary and their pension plans than with the safety of the sheep entrusted to their care. </p><p>The Good Shepherd and all true shepherds who have gone before us have set us an example. Running away for whatever reason simply means we don’t care for God’s sheep nor do we fear God, for that matter. “A false sheepfold is easily recognized because it does not exist for the sheep but for the reputation of the false shepherds.” (Commentary on John 10 in the Central and Eastern European Bible Commentary, Langham Publishing, 2022, 1199.)</p><p>Verses 14 through 18 can, in many ways, be considered a fundamental truth of the Gospel. Jesus likened the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep to that of his and his Father. The words “just as” and the word “know” indicate the intimate connection between Jesus and his Church. Just as the Father knows the Son and the Son knows the Father so the Shepherd knows his sheep and his sheep know their shepherd. Think about this for just a moment. The Shepherd knows his sheep and the sheep know their shepherd IN THE SAME WAY as the Father knows the Son and the Son knows the Father.</p><p>The “knowing” is mutual and reciprocal. This interconnectedness can be seen when Jesus asked Saul on the road to Damascus why he was persecuting him when, in reality, Saul was persecuting the members of the Church. And when we follow this interconnectedness through to its logical conclusion, we must assume that the true Church universal is one despite our many denominational divisions because we are united to and by one Shepherd.</p><p>Keeping that in mind, let’s look at verse 16. Here Jesus mentioned other sheep who were not of “this fold”. No doubt, he was referring to the Gentiles and was suggesting that the promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 would be fulfilled through him. Remember, God promised Abraham that in his seed all the families of the earth would be blessed. </p><p>Paul developed this thought in Galatians 3:8-9. “The Scripture,” he wrote, “foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.” </p><p>Psalm 22:27-28 states: “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will worship before You. For the kingdom is the Lord’s and He rules over the nations.” </p><p>In 7:14 of his book, Daniel said of the Son of Man, “And to Him was given dominion, glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away, and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.” </p><p>Isaiah said in 49:6, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to (only) raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light to the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”</p><p>I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. The inclusion of these “other sheep” was not something new made up by Jesus or even later by the Church. Israel was chosen to be a light to the world so that other nations would be drawn to God. Bringing the Gentiles into the fold was God’s plan all along. </p><p>In romans 11:17, Paul speaks of the Gentiles as wild olive branches being grafted into Israel, the domestic olive tree. In other words, the flock of God includes both those Jews and Gentiles who have entered the sheepfold through the gateway provided by the Father… through Jesus, the Good Shepherd who guarantees that he will bring in all his flock into the one sheepfold and they will be one flock with one Shepherd. </p><p>That guarantee, Jesus said, would be sealed with his life. Jesus would lay down his life for his sheep. What is important to note here is that this laying down was orchestrated by the Shepherd himself. In verses 17-18, Jesus categorically stated that no one took his life from him, but he laid it down of his own accord. He said that he had the authority to lay it down and he had the authority to take it up again. As such, this act of self-sacrifice reveals his divine nature.</p><p>Why do I say that? Well because Jesus was not sacrificed…he gave his life freely…he had the power and the right to lay it down and the power to and the right to take it back up again. Here we once again see the interconnectedness between the Father and the Son, and, indeed, the Holy Spirit. The Father gave up his Son who gave up himself…the Father resurrected the Son through the power of the Holy Spirit, but the Son had the authority to resurrect himself. And as no mere man can sacrifice himself and resurrect himself, this declaration was a clear reference to his divine nature. </p><p>However, his hearers once more misunderstood him. It appears that they thought that by stating that he would lay down his life he was going to commit suicide. Apparently, in that culture, any person talking about suicide was considered to be demon-possessed. But once more Jesus’ opponents were faced with a conundrum. How on earth could a demon-possessed man or even a madman open the eyes of one born blind?</p><p>The problem here seems to be a wilful misunderstanding and a misapplication of the Scriptures rather than a lack of knowledge of the Scriptures. As we have seen, Jesus was clearly referencing Old Testament passages when he spoke this parable. But the Pharisees had already entrenched themselves in their own interpretation of God’s Word and therefore they were not able to hear his voice even when he addressed them directly. That is what false shepherds do. They uphold falsehood even in the light of the truth. They do so because their reputations or their livelihood depend on it…not because they care for the sheep. </p><p>But for us who do hear and who do respond positively to the voice of the Shepherd, there is great comfort in this teaching. Here Jesus teaches us that the Good Shepherd chooses his sheep, and they are chosen, according to Deuteronomy 7:7-8, not because they are better than others, but simply because he loves them. He shows us that he is the one who initiates this salvific relationship…he is the one who calls…we simply respond. “We love him because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)</p><p>This shepherd knows his sheep intimately…as intimately as the members of the Trinity know each other. And as we are closely connected to Jesus, so we are closely interconnected with everyone who enters the sheepfold through him as the Gateway. </p><p>And then, I also think this teaching gives us great courage firstly, in reaching out to others in the name of Jesus because we know that if they are his they will respond…but then also, it gives us courage to stand up to those who seek to harm the flock of God by trying to lead them by a different way. </p><p>We must always remember that this Good Shepherd who knows us as closely as he knows the other members of the Trinity, and, according to Psalm 23, he is always with us, he provides for us even in the presence of our enemies, and he protects us with his rod and his staff.</p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2023</p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-47835200816235609152023-11-05T13:26:00.003+01:002023-11-05T13:26:15.043+01:00Contrasts<p>Psalm 80:1-19 Jeremiah 23:1-4 John 9:35-10:6</p><p>Contrasts</p><p>“During World War I, some Turkish soldiers tried to steal a flock of sheep from a hillside near Jerusalem. The shepherd, who had been sleeping, suddenly awakened to see his sheep being driven off on the other side of the ravine. He could not hope to recapture his flock by force single-handedly, but he knew how to get the flock to return to him. Standing up on his side of the ravine, he put his hands to his mouth and gave his own special call, which he used each day to gather his sheep to him. When the sheep heard the familiar sound, they turned and rushed down one side of the ravine and up the other toward their shepherd. No one could stop the animals. The shepherd was away with them to a place of safety before the soldiers could make up their minds to pursue them – and all because his sheep knew their master’s voice.” (adapted from Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Michael P Green, Baker, 2005)</p><p>I am told this is a true story, but even if it is not, the illustration still paints a vivid picture of what Jesus tells us about the Good Shepherd and his Flock in our Gospel passage today. The sheep in the story responded to the call of their shepherd even amidst the confusion and anxiety involved in being driven on by sticks and stones and shouting soldiers. Jesus used a similar illustration to show how his followers would always react positively to his voice despite threats and, indeed, years of incorrect teaching...and, in stark contrast, as we have seen in the Gospel of John several times already, how those who were not his followers would not hear nor respond positively to his voice regardless of the multitude of his inexplicable miracles and his Word-centred preaching and teaching. </p><p>But the ultimate contrast in this parable lies in the realm of reality – of what is real versus what is not real – or what is true versus what is not true. In this story, Jesus teaches us that human reasoning does not always accurately correspond with fact. Besides their blundering blindness in their misjudgement of the healing of the blind man, the Pharisees thought that by rejecting Jesus and excommunicating the healed blind man, they were effectively excluding them from the congregation of God’s people, when, in reality, the exact opposite was true. They were, in fact, excluding themselves. In the scheme of things, what humans perceive to be correct often needs to be modified or changed. Our perception of things needs to be refracted through the prism of God’s Word.</p><p>The Gospel passage we read from today began with the second meeting of Jesus and the healed blind man. What is interesting in both these meetings is that, while the man played an active role in his defence before his interrogators, with Jesus he was almost completely passive. In both cases, he was a passive recipient of Jesus’ merciful compassion, firstly in his physical healing and then in his spiritual healing. The only time the man ever asked Jesus to do anything for him, was when he asked him to reveal the identity of the Son of Man.</p><p>In many ways, this serves as a perfect illustration of any relationship we may have with our Creator God. The initiative is always his. From the moment the first humans were created, it was God who came to us first in fellowship. In his choice of Israel, he made it perfectly clear that they did not choose him, nor did they deserve him…he chose them because he loved them (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). Jesus said something similar in John 15:16 when he reminded his disciples that they had not chosen him, but he had chosen them and appointed them to bear much fruit. Indeed, the Scriptures teach us plainly that no one seeks after the true God – if he did not reveal himself to us, we would be lost. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJy4P-yhFyj6ox8pfCwTvvZKvqur3foVYBBy90JuV7v-kWvVcNodibvO_bi6chfVsc5wNuRAyIQ_0Kyn444MeFv0I0AvoWgdXPHur6Dav1quGuhE4aNXiybafGe4axngTbW1hVafbrWU01_OfKkZ53jt-3C2yvsnnjDC7veZVVwQaj11mvnY00VD8K60Bv/s4032/IMG_8445.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJy4P-yhFyj6ox8pfCwTvvZKvqur3foVYBBy90JuV7v-kWvVcNodibvO_bi6chfVsc5wNuRAyIQ_0Kyn444MeFv0I0AvoWgdXPHur6Dav1quGuhE4aNXiybafGe4axngTbW1hVafbrWU01_OfKkZ53jt-3C2yvsnnjDC7veZVVwQaj11mvnY00VD8K60Bv/s320/IMG_8445.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>In the case of the healed blind man, it is Jesus who initiates, Jesus who pronounces true judgement, Jesus who draws in what was expelled, and Jesus who regenerates. The narrative reveals the glorious reality that lies beyond our senses of a God who sovereignly calls his people to himself through no effort or work of their own.</p><p>But there is a tragedy in this narrative as well. Three groups of people very actively rejected the gift extended to them. They did not listen or respond positively to the voice of the Shepherd…a voice heard in the sheer impossibility of the miraculous healing. The healed blind man, on the one hand, concluded that Jesus was not who the Pharisees judged him to be based on his biblical knowledge of how God works…even though he may not have had a clear understanding of who Jesus was, he knew that the miracle could not have been performed by one who was not from God. </p><p>On the other hand, we have those who observed the miracle…admittedly theirs was a second-hand type of observation, but still, since they heard the testimony of the parents who affirmed that he was indeed their son who had been born blind, they were witnesses…but because what they perceived to be true did not match what was true, they could not come to the correct conclusion. </p><p>The parents themselves also missed the opportunity of a lifetime. They knew this man was their son. They knew he had been born blind. They knew that what had happened to him was miraculous. They should have been able to make the connection…but they did not because of fear. Fear can render us blind to even the most obvious truth. It is not just the young who fear the sneers of their peers. </p><p>And then there are those who ought to have known better. Those who knew the Scriptures well. Those who taught the Scriptures to others. These are perhaps the most tragic figures of all…the shepherds who were meant to tend and care for the flock of God were destroying them and driving them away. Throughout history, we have seen shepherds destroying the Church because of their arrogant refusal to obey what God commands in his Word. I believe there is a special punishment reserved for those who wilfully mislead people…as James says, those who teach will be judged more strictly (James 3:1). But, as Jeremiah reminds us, and as we see in the case of this healed blind man, God himself will gather his flock and bring them back to his pasture where they will be fruitful and multiply. </p><p>The marginalised and disenfranchised beggar was sought out by Jesus and his physical sight was enhanced and augmented by spiritual sight. </p><p>At this point, Jesus introduced himself as a crossroads. “For judgment I have come into this world,” he said, “so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” There is, and always has been, so much to be observed that testifies to the truth, both natural and supernatural, and yet, like the Pharisees, some repeatedly reject the obvious because they have already decided not to accept any alternative to whatever view they may hold to. They do not believe because they will not believe. They cannot see because they will not see. </p><p>Some Pharisees who were with Jesus at the time (who, by the way, could have been from the group who had interrogated the healed blind man) naturally reacted to this statement. The contrast between their question and the one just asked by the healed blind man is glaring. On the one hand, the healed blind man asked, “Who is he, sir? Tell me so that I may believe in him.” It is almost a confession of spiritual need: “No, I don’t see, but I want to so please help me see.” </p><p>Whereas, in a damning question, the Pharisees asked, “What? Are we blind too?” Clearly, they felt Jesus was referring to them in his statement, otherwise, they would not have asked such a personal question, and clearly, they expected him to either retract his comment or explain it in such a way as to exonerate them. But rather, in his reply, Jesus revealed them to be the blindest of all.</p><p>You cannot cure someone who refuses to acknowledge that they are ill, can you? You cannot change those who don’t think there’s anything wrong with them. They must acknowledge their spiritual bankruptcy before they can admit their need for God’s gracious gift and payment in full for sin. They must admit that they are blind before they can see. </p><p>The Pharisees believed that they were right…they believed that they could see clearly. But when they looked at the law they saw only the sins of others, not their own, and therefore they saw no need for spiritual deliverance. Indeed, they congratulated themselves that they were righteous and not like other sinful people.</p><p>In the parable that followed, Jesus took the contrast even further. There is only one way to enter the sheepfold of God and that is through the door God has provided. It is only the true shepherd who can gain access through that door because he is the door. Those who seek to gain access to the sheepfold via a different way are exposed as thieves and robbers…blind guides, if you will, who wish to create a doorway of their own. </p><p>The shepherd who enters by the door and who also is, in truth, the door, leads the sheep in and out of the sheepfold and the sheep follow him because they recognise his voice. Despite the voices of those attempting to clamber over the walls of the enclosure or the voices of those who try to steal them away, the sheep respond only to the voice of their shepherd. </p><p>The imagery is simple. Jesus’ first-century listeners would have recalled many stories about sheep and shepherds from the Old Testament. They would have understood that the sheep represented the people of God and that the enclosure represented the covenant relationship they enjoyed with God. But Jesus used this well-known image to create a new image in which he was both the entrance to the covenant relationship as well as the one who led them into that covenant relationship. God the doorkeeper or the watchman opened the gateway through Jesus, but only through Jesus…no one else. </p><p>But perhaps the most important thing to note at this point is that Jesus says it is impossible for true believers to follow imposters. “They will never follow a stranger,” Jesus said, “in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognise a stranger’s voice.” The healed blind man could not dismiss or denounce Jesus even though the voices of all those around him…his neighbours, his leaders, and his parents…all demanded that he do just that. </p><p>The Pharisees mistakenly believed that by excommunicating the healed blind man they had expelled him from the sheepfold…but in this parable, Jesus revealed that the exact opposite was the truth…the reality. Like the hungry Turkish soldiers, the leaders of Israel were attempting to steal the sheep away from the shepherd, but like the Jerusalem shepherd in our opening story, Jesus, both at once the only true shepherd as well as the only true entrance to the sheepfold, called his own to himself. And they followed him…</p><p>The healed blind man, no doubt, had no idea at first why he was defending Jesus at the risk of his own expulsion…but he did…despite the pressure from his peers, his superiors, and even his own parents. He could have agreed with their assessment simply for the sake of keeping the peace. After all, he had what he wanted. For the first time in his life, he could see! So, he could have simply shrugged and said, “Whatever”, and walked away. </p><p>But he could not follow the voice of strangers as he had heard the call of his shepherd. The entrance had been flung open…the only step he had to take was to say “Lord, I believe!” and with that confession, he stepped into the sheepfold, not out of it! </p><p>There are many false shepherds today as there have been throughout history…thieves and robbers…who attempt to steal the sheep out of the sheepfold. But there is only one true gateway and one true shepherd and one true fold. And because the sheep only listen to the voice of the true shepherd, nothing and no one in all of creation can ever separate us from the love of God that is ours in Jesus. </p><p>Out of the barrenness of our spiritual deadness, Jesus brings us to new life in him, giving us a new meaning and a new future. He leads us out of captivity into true freedom. </p><p>So, today, as you partake of the symbols of the greatest gift ever given to humankind, remember where he found you and where he is taking you. And, above all, remember why he took you! Like the healed blind man, we too must stand firm and defend the truth!</p><p>Shall we pray? </p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2023</p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-847286442061816542023-10-26T15:55:00.006+02:002023-10-26T15:55:46.711+02:00Standing Firm<p>Psalm 38:19-22 Acts 26:9-11 John 9:8-34</p><p>Standing Firm</p><p>On April 18, 1521, a single monk from an obscure town in Germany stood in the midst of a hall crowded with religious intelligentsia assembled before the most powerful man in Europe at the time. He was asked whether he would defend the books and tracts he had written or withdraw them in whole or in part. In a speech that shook the religious world, the monk ended with the following statement:</p><p>“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in the councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise. So help me God.”</p><p>These bold and uncompromising words caused quite a pandemonium, as can be expected…but Martin Luther held to his convictions despite ridicule and threats.</p><p>The healing of the blind man should have brought unfettered joy from all who knew him. Instead, his joy was turned into a nightmare as person after person interrogated him and doubted his word.</p><p>This man would have been well known to all who frequented the temple precincts, but the change in him was so radical that many were confused as to his identity. Often such confusion arises when God performs a great work of change in the life of an individual. The confusion might be due to the absolute thrill of beholding a miracle of God…the changing of something thought so imponderable that it was not even considered a vague probability until it suddenly became a reality…but here, in the case of this man born blind, it seems the confusion appears to have been one of unbelief. </p><p>“Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” they asked sceptically. Some claimed he was, but others said it was someone who just looked like him. Can you hear the unbelief here? “Nah, that’s just not possible…it can’t be him.” </p><p>And when he insisted that he was the same man, they demanded to know how his eyes were opened. But even after he told them, they still could not, or perhaps would not believe him and so they swept him off to the Jewish leaders for professional verification. No joy here…no rejoicing in another’s good fortune.</p><p>Sometimes a life dominated by frustration or hard knocks can make one super cynical. So, when something good happens to someone else, but not to you, doubt or even distrust prevents you from responding appropriately. And certainly, life was hard for many living in Jerusalem during the First Century. </p><p>So, the crowd escorted the healed man to the Pharisees and once again, we are confronted with a blindness far worse than the physical disability. </p><p>In some respects, the Gospel of John can be likened to a good slow-drip coffee percolator. If you recall, it was shortly after the Feast of Tabernacles…a Feast during which water was drawn from the Pool of Siloam and poured out on and around the altar in anticipation of a good rainy season and consequently a good harvest…it was shortly after this Feast that Jesus revealed himself to be the Light of the World. “I AM the light of the world,” he said. “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.” And, if you recall, there were some who believed in Jesus and there were some who did not…in fact, they were downright hostile. </p><p>Now, in this record of the healing of the man born blind, we once more read about Jesus being the Light of the world…and we also read about the Pool of Siloam where the man washed the clay off his eyes, his subsequent belief in Jesus, as well as the hostile refusal of those who did not believe in Jesus. </p><p>So, it is almost as if John was trying to show us that Jesus would say something profound (like “I am the light of the world, those who follow me will not walk in darkness”) and then he would let it percolate for a while. And then he would repeat what he had said, but in an acted parabolic manner, as we see here, with a man who had been living in darkness suddenly seeing the light both physically and spiritually. A good slow-drip percolator type teaching.</p><p>Now, one would think that the restoration of the blind man’s sight would have broken open even the hardest of hearts, but, instead, the hearts of the leaders remained impenetrable. The main reason for this, John tells us, was that Jesus performed this miracle on the Sabbath. One of the 39 Melakhot (thirty-nine categories of work which the oral law identified as forbidden on the Sabbath) prohibited the combining of “solid and liquid together to form a paste or dough-like substance” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/39_Melakhot). Remember, Jesus made clay by mixing dirt (a solid) with his spittle (liquid) and he applied the mixture (a paste or dough-like substance) to the man’s eyes. This act would have been considered a prohibited work on the Sabbath. </p><p>So, the question is, why did Jesus use spittle and dirt? He could have simply spoken, and the man would have been healed. Was this intended to provoke the Pharisees by exposing the preposterousness of their hair-splitting minutiae? Was it perhaps an image of recreation using the ground to “remake” a man? Was it a validation of the use of poultices or medicine in curing people? I don’t know. </p><p>But my gut feeling would be that he wanted to point out the blind and oppressive enslavement of God’s liberated people through the multiplication of prohibitions. While God does certainly want his children to follow his law for their own good, some had and still some have taken it upon themselves to abstract the law from its original context and isolate it from the God who commanded it, producing a set of extrabiblical rules and regulations that seek to control and manipulate people. That drains the law of its relational content. We do what God commands because we love him. Living in abject fear of whether or not we may tie our shoelaces on a Sunday robs us of the kind of relationship encouraged in Scripture. </p><p>Nevertheless, it was because they believed that Jesus had broken the Sabbath in his healing of the man born blind that these leaders called into question the spiritual allegiance of Jesus. Here’s another one of those wonderful slow-drip percolations of John. Remember, we dealt with Jesus' teaching on his origin versus the origin of those who did not believe in him in the previous chapter. So here once again we are confronted with the question: Was Jesus from God or not? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingD9Qb5_KHss72wyYPLfGIlYUTppIvMxi8wMl2G_EqcpiRF0ywTRQvCyYYp-4H1D-CIpkEFwSYMnpzLQyS6X-Q3OVVhwutpJy5Xj0-mRD-gbhcBBUl2HTLl272b8JTuumvBb-_o5kOiz12tq2KRCZctONX5XQPiDnaCD4UzsRb6rOQCQJyCD2PdmQwkum/s4032/IMG_6451.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingD9Qb5_KHss72wyYPLfGIlYUTppIvMxi8wMl2G_EqcpiRF0ywTRQvCyYYp-4H1D-CIpkEFwSYMnpzLQyS6X-Q3OVVhwutpJy5Xj0-mRD-gbhcBBUl2HTLl272b8JTuumvBb-_o5kOiz12tq2KRCZctONX5XQPiDnaCD4UzsRb6rOQCQJyCD2PdmQwkum/s320/IMG_6451.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>The healing of the man born blind created an immediate dilemma for these leaders. Jesus broke their law; therefore, he must be a sinner. But how could a sinner perform such a miracle? The healed man’s later questions are really a reflection of their own inner struggles…but, interestingly enough, they arrived at vastly different conclusions. </p><p>The interrogation began simply enough: How did this happen? So, the blind man repeated his story to the leaders. Now, it is important to realise that there is a shift in the story here…it is at this point that the great comparison between physical and spiritual blindness began. The leaders were themselves divided on how to explain what had happened and consequently, they found it impossible to reach a consensus.</p><p>And so, they, the judges, asked the man, the witness in this case, to pronounce the judgment! “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” Instead of admitting that their thinking was faulty, these so-called teachers of the law wanted the one healed to condemn his healer. But the healed man could not simply brush aside the miracle…after all, for him, this was not a theoretical abstraction…it was very much concrete. </p><p>Now, what he meant by calling Jesus a prophet is not clear. Did he mean that Jesus was someone like Elijah or Elisha both of whom performed amazing miracles, or did he mean that Jesus was a messianic figure…the Prophet to come who would be like Moses? My gut feeling here is that as his understanding was progressive (because it is only later in the chapter that he comes to believe in Jesus as the Son of Man) he must have thought more along the lines of the former…that Jesus was a prophet like Elijah or Elisha. </p><p>Of course, his reply did not satisfy the Pharisees. Perhaps they suspected that the man might be in collusion with Jesus like so many unscrupulous people have been throughout history, claiming that they have been healed or resurrected by a self-proclaimed prophet or apostle or even a messiah, for a substantial fee of course. </p><p>But even so, agreeing with the man’s conclusion at this point (that Jesus was a prophet) would have been the same as admitting that their theologizing was wrong. Either the healer was a sinner, or they had to rethink their extrabiblical rules for work on the Sabbath.</p><p>So, they called in the man’s own parents. Their question to the parents appears to have been a veiled threat, as the parents only answered it in part. “We know he is our son,” they replied, “and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know.” </p><p>And then they passed the buck right back to their son. “Ask him. He is of age (which means he was older than 13 or 14); he will speak for himself.” The cost of confrontation was too high for the parents and so they turned away from an opportunity to defend both Jesus and their son, and consequently, they failed to glorify God.</p><p>It is sad that people could be so afraid of their spiritual leaders, don’t you think? It is easy for us to judge the parents for being faint-hearted, but what kind of religious institution generates such fear?</p><p>Nevertheless, any thought of possible collusion was exploded by the parent’s testimony. The miracle was real…no doubt about that…which only goes to prove once again that even remarkable wonders do not necessarily produce faith. </p><p>So, the healed man was once again left standing alone. Just like Martin Luther, he was called upon to testify against his own conscience and his own better judgment. The statement in verse 24 is in the form of an oath. “Give God the glory! We know that this man is a sinner.” Now, this sounds a lot like an oath uttered by Joshua at the judgement of Achan in Joshua 7:19. “My son,” Joshua said to Achan, “I beg you, give glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession to him, and tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.” </p><p>While this healed man can hardly be compared with Achan, the Pharisees may have wanted him to confess his role in encouraging someone considered a ‘deceiver’ by allowing him to heal him. So, in other words, they would have viewed this man as being involved in an activity that they considered unlawful or morally wrong. The charge then would be one of complicity or collaboration. </p><p>Ironically then, what the Pharisees were expecting of this healed man, was for him to condone and uphold their insincere conclusion by denying what he knew to be true. But for him this was impossible. “Whether he is a sinner or not,” he replied, “I do not know. But one thing I do know. I was blind…but now I see.” </p><p>And with this very simple statement, he exposed the ridiculous nature of the whole deliberation. Clearly, something amazing had happened that did not fit into any of their theological categories. But they were so well-entrenched in their rigid regulatory religion, that they could not acknowledge an act of God…even one as incredible as this.</p><p>Just as an aside, there may be a comparative contrast here between this healed man and the man healed at the pool of Bethesda in chapter 5. Both were healed on the Sabbath, both were instructed to do something (pick up your sleeping mat, wash in the Pool of Siloam), both were interrogated by the Pharisees, and neither of them asked to be healed…but the one “betrayed” Jesus while the other “defended” him. </p><p>But to get back to this story, the Pharisees began interrogating him all over again. “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” </p><p>At this point, things got rather humorous. The healed man became the interrogator and questioner. “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again?” And perhaps there was a hint of sarcasm in his voice when he asked, “Do you want to become his disciples too?” Interestingly, the word “too” or “also” may indicate that he already considered himself to be a disciple of Jesus. </p><p>Be that as it may, the Pharisees found themselves in a corner with only two possible options open to them. Either defeat or defence…and their defence was to yell at him and insult him. “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from!”</p><p>There is an interesting parallel here to when Jesus asked them if John the Baptist’s baptism was from heaven or not in Luke 20:4. They discussed the question among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven’, then he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men’, all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” And so, they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.”</p><p>By stating that they did not know where Jesus was from (in other words, whether he was from God or not), they were, in one sense, admitting their inconclusive judgment. Their defence was ignorance (“we don’t know where he is from”), but ignorance is easily remedied by investigation…something these interrogators apparently failed to do. Ironically, by confessing their lack of knowledge about Jesus here, they contradicted their own previous claim in verse 24 where they claimed to ‘know’ that he was a sinner.</p><p>It is interesting to note that while just about every character in this passage maintained repeatedly that they either knew something or did not know something, here at the climax of this bizarre interrogation, the Pharisees, who were reputed to know the law, claimed to know nothing. </p><p>At this point, the healed man’s boldness rose to the occasion. “You utter an absurdity,” he said. “You say you don’t know whether this man is from God or not, but he has done what is considered impossible…he has opened my eyes…a man who was born blind! The Scriptures clearly teach that God does not hear sinners, but only godly men who do his will (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8, 29; 21:27; 28:9). If my healer was not from God, he would not have been able to do this miracle.” </p><p>What happened next was a gross violation of their own rules for interrogation, but this is the kind of behaviour one expects from those who refuse to confess their own errors. Being unable to refute the perfect logic of the healed man’s defence and being unwilling to withdraw from their moral high ground, they excommunicated him from the synagogue. </p><p>“Excommunication was one of the severest forms of discipline administered by a synagogue community and was apparently rare and thus very harsh in the time of Jesus.” (Keener, Craig S.. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (IVP Bible Background Commentary Set) (p. 277). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition.) But when you cannot win on your own terms, walk out, or kick out.</p><p>It is possible that at the time this Gospel was written, many of those who were reading it “had faced the danger or reality of expulsion from their synagogues (16:2; cf. 12:42-43). The faithfulness of this man (in contrast to the betrayal of the man in 5:14-16) would (have encourage(d) them to remain faithful too.” (Keener, 277)</p><p>Like this healed man, who once was blind but now could see, Martin Luther was excommunicated. Other reformers were excommunicated too and executed by fire or by axe. Their bold stand for the truth cost them dearly. The religious institutions of their day turned on them like ravenous wolves. Nevertheless, they remained faithful and true to God’s Word.</p><p>There comes a time in the life of every follower of Jesus when we have to make a choice to either stand with him or to betray him. When we come to these crossroads, we are faced with the same options as all those involved in this passage about the healing of the blind man. If we feel incompetent to deal with the situation on our own, we can seek counsel from those who should be able to help us. But ultimately, as Martin Luther so clearly stated, the only trustworthy instrument to which we have ready access is the Word of God. It is the only firm foundation we have to stand on that will prevent us from either capitulating under pressure or from embracing error. May God, in his mercy, keep us at all times in humble submission to his Word.</p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2023</p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-45232777764366515902023-10-18T12:25:00.003+02:002023-10-18T12:25:22.281+02:00Man’s Perceptions of God’s Intentions<p>Psalm 51:1-6 Revelation 21:1-7 John 9:1-7</p><p>Man’s Perceptions of God’s Intentions</p><p>A story is told about a man working in a field one day. Suddenly he saw someone running towards him screaming hysterically, “Richard! Richard! Come quickly! Your house is burning down!” The man dropped all his tools and ran as fast as his legs would carry him. And then suddenly he stopped. “What’s wrong with me?” he said out loud. “My name isn’t Richard, and I don’t have a house.” </p><p>The disciples of Jesus sometimes remind me of this man. They just didn’t stop to think things through before reacting. “Who sinned,” they asked. “This man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Knee-jerk reactions often tend to end in embarrassment and retractions or, unfortunately, irreparable relational damage. It is safer and wiser to wait until you have evaluated all possible angles before opening your mouth or posting your thoughts on any social media platform, for that matter. </p><p>Now, there are several things that are very interesting in this passage. The first is the assumption that personal sin was the only possible cause of this man’s disability. </p><p>John tells us that this man had been blind from birth. Their question was who sinned…the man himself or his parents? At this point, we must ask ourselves what their understanding of this man’s sin would have been. Did they believe that an unborn child might sin? Or did they think that is affliction was a form of punishment in anticipation of a later sin? </p><p>It was a common belief at that time that all diseases and disabilities arose from personal sin. This can be seen, for instance, in the rabbinic saying "There is no death without sin and there is no suffering without iniquity" (Shabbat 55a.17). In other words, the Rabbis taught that there was a direct relationship between a person’s sinful actions and the punishments meted out against him. </p><p>This belief presents us with only two possible options. The first is that the parents' sin was responsible. This position could be justified by citing Exodus 20:5, “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me.” However, this seems to be referring to an active generational sin (the grammatical form used here [Qal active participle] most often expresses continuous action, i.e., those who are hating me). But this commandment may have been used to defend the idea of personal parental sin being visited upon the children because God appeared to correct an erroneous generalisation later in Ezekiel 18:20 where he clearly stated, “The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son.” </p><p>Now, the other possible justification for this option is the story of David’s adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. The child conceived in this sinful act died while David and Bathsheba lived. However, it is not prudent to apply a single case universally, especially since God’s words to Ezekiel appear to advise against such a broad generalisation, so I think we can safely move away from this option – that the parent’s sin was the cause of the child’s disability. </p><p>The second option is that the man himself had somehow sinned before birth. Whether this was possible or not was a matter of rabbinic debate. Some rabbis thought it possible, while others thought it impossible. For example, in Bereshit Rabbah 63:6, Rabbi Yohanan, commenting on the story of Jacob and Esau, interpreted the words "struggled together in the womb” as " this one ran to kill that one and that one ran to kill this one.". In other words, he believed that the babies tried to murder each other in the womb. However, even though it’s not clear how widely held the prenatal sin view was, apparently it was widely held enough to generate deliberation…and this idea may be what the disciples had in mind when they asked the question…but there is no Scriptural support for such a view. </p><p>And I could not find any indication that people believed in retroactive punishment…in other words, that his being born blind was a result of a sin he had yet to commit. But I may be wrong…</p><p>However, I want us to stop and think for a moment about the indescribable grief that this type of thinking can inflict upon parents of special-needs children. Imagine, if you will, a parent, or a special-needs child for that matter, who is already struggling with the reality of their situation, suddenly being confronted by someone who suggests that they may be directly responsible for the given condition. People are not abstract theories that can be debated without consequence. There may well be cases where the sinful actions of the parents (such as drug abuse, alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity, or involvement in the occult) may have had a direct negative impact on the child, but it is not for us, as believers in a forgiving God, to speculate or to accuse. Rather, this kind of suffering ought to be met with the same kind of compassion seen in the actions of Jesus when confronted with misery and pain. </p><p>Be that as it may, in his reply to the disciple’s question, both the man and his parents were exonerated by Jesus, but, interestingly, as the story unfolded, the two parties chose different paths forward. The healed man became a courageous witness to the truth and later became a believer in Jesus, whereas his parents became terrified capitulators as they surrendered to a fear of being excommunicated from the synagogue…a not-so-irrational fear, by the way, when we see later that this is exactly what the Pharisees did to their healed son.</p><p>But Jesus’ reply to the disciples raises a number of interesting questions regarding suffering. Jesus didn’t really provide them (or us) with a reason for the disability or the source of the suffering. He simply indicated that suffering, or in this case disability, may serve to further the work of God in the world. </p><p>There may be a faint echo here of what Joseph said to his brothers in Genesis 50:20. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” But there isn’t really a direct connection between these two stories because what the brothers did was definitely sinful. Perhaps what the Apostle Paul said later in Romans 8:28 is a better link: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”</p><p>So, I think it is safe to say at this point, that while personal sin may be a cause for suffering, not all suffering is necessarily caused by personal sin. </p><p>Now, having said this, I do believe that because of the sin of Adam and Eve, suffering entered the world…therefore suffering is linked to sin, or rather to what is known as “original sin”. The perfect world created by God was broken at the time of the Fall, and so we live amid that brokenness…and suffering is part and parcel of that brokenness. But with the death of the obedient, sinless second Adam (Jesus), this situation is reversed for those who by faith move from being in the first Adam to being in the second Adam. </p><p>And as Jesus is in the process of making all things new, a time will come when there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4). We see glimpses of this future reality whenever people are miraculously healed like this man born blind…or when people are given the grace to use their suffering for God’s glory because they have come to understand that as we presently live this earthly life in the context of the historical calamity brought about by the disobedience of our first ancestors, we remain subject to suffering. Joni Eareckson Tada is probably the best modern-day example of someone who has used disability, in her case quadriplegia, for immeasurable good. </p><p>Regardless of the situation(s) we may have to face in life, we must always remember that as long as it is day…as long as there is life…Jesus continues to work, and his work is always good in spite of the perception of humanity. The presence of Jesus is light, and we are told in John 1 that his light overcomes the darkness…a recreation image mirroring the 1st day of the 1st Creation.</p><p>Now, I cannot explain suffering…I wish I could. In our line of work, Louise and I have witnessed the most unbelievable pain and unimaginable misery. But closer to home, our own son has special-needs children. Believe me, I have asked all the questions there are to ask…I have prayed all the prayers…I have even blamed myself. But this story of the man born blind teaches me that my thoughts are not God’s thoughts…my perceptions cannot come close to revealing God’s intentions…intentions that we have already seen are always good. </p><p>And so I surrender to what the Scriptures reveal about the God I profess to believe in…his infinity (that there is no beginning or end to him), his omnipotence (that he is almighty and that nothing is impossible for him), his immutability (that he cannot and will not change), his omniscience (that he knows all things), his omnipresence (that he is everywhere and consequently we are never alone), his holiness, his wisdom, his faithfulness, his justness, his righteousness, his mercifulness, his kindness, his compassion, his goodness, his graciousness, his lovingkindness, and his gloriousness. When I face what I cannot explain, I choose to focus on what I know about God, and I leave the inexplicable in his hands.</p><p>A little spittle and clay…a quick wash at the Pool of Siloam (a word, John tells us that means “sent”) …the same pool, by the way, from which water was drawn during the celebration of the Festival of Booths where Jesus revealed himself to be the Light of the World (John 8:12) …a little spittle and clay, a quick wash, and the man born blind came home seeing. But, as we shall see later, this healing was only the beginning. This man, sent to the pool of “sent” by the one who was sent into the world to reveal the Father, became the one sent to display the work of God in his life.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNE_UVVkAsQ9k_xGrQdrHq_j7bfIp9EnjwUsdULp3EKbO3cq_B8lOkFYxvNluDM7PPL-9bnMiJK8LCWfuZQ6w085p9wVaKMvnilAkf6iMBLr61F0WcfySbKOqgrSlF1WJel8qTdT9B0VB87HkKnuJVQmizYzB_cqqP60B10Emp-FZ0FYsGoPgtDFR-DSJ/s4032/IMG_4210.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNE_UVVkAsQ9k_xGrQdrHq_j7bfIp9EnjwUsdULp3EKbO3cq_B8lOkFYxvNluDM7PPL-9bnMiJK8LCWfuZQ6w085p9wVaKMvnilAkf6iMBLr61F0WcfySbKOqgrSlF1WJel8qTdT9B0VB87HkKnuJVQmizYzB_cqqP60B10Emp-FZ0FYsGoPgtDFR-DSJ/s320/IMG_4210.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>As the story unfolds, the physical blindness of this man becomes a metaphor for spiritual blindness, and the charge of sin, at first laid at the door of the man and his parents, is shown to be the reality of us all…because, dearest beloved brethren, we all have sinned, and we all fall short of the glory of God. We are all deprived of the light of life and it is only in Jesus that spiritual sight can be restored. </p><p>This man, born and raised in darkness, served to reveal Jesus as the Light of the world, but he also served to expose the collective sinful state of humankind. The disciple’s evaluation of his condition was that he or his parents must have sinned…an evaluation that did not seem to take into consideration the sinfulness of us all. Jesus pointed out that neither evaluation was correct, declaring that this man’s affliction was so that the works of God should be revealed in and through him. This should caution anyone when tempted to pronounce judgment on another’s suffering…or upon our own trials and tribulations…as it teaches us that God often does his best work in the fiercest of flames. </p><p>Your present difficulties or the difficulties of those around you may not be an indication of God’s displeasure. Adversity may not be the enemy we think it is. Indeed, if it draws us closer to our Lord, it may be the greatest friend we have. </p><p>And so, this is the challenge I wish to leave with you today. We have all met Jesus. At some stage in our lives, he came and revealed himself to us, and we believed in him. Last week we heard how he brought one of our own to himself in Jody’s testimony. But it is what we do with this meeting…it is what we do with this revelation that matters. Jesus often chooses to use our suffering as a witness to those who are blind to his goodness. It is when we testify that we will still believe the truth even if he does not deliver us from whatever fiery furnace we may face…it is when we declare that we will not deny him even if we should die…it is at that moment that their eyes are opened to the reality of a God who transcends the suffering of this world and who alone makes sense of it. They may choose to shut their eyes, to be sure, but they can never say that they did not see.</p><p>Do not hide from your weakness as it is in your weakness that his strength is revealed. “Not only that,” the Apostle Paul tells us, “but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5</p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2023</p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-34359993491883485462023-10-01T11:27:00.003+02:002023-10-01T11:27:43.328+02:00Stagnation or Transformation?<p>Romans 12:1-2 Philippians 2:5-11 John 8:48-59</p><p>Stagnation or Transformation?</p><p>I know that there have always been many angry people in the world…ever since Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent, people have been mad at each other. It’s no surprise then to read that the very first son of our collective ancestors killed his brother. Anger plus the blame game always spirals into violent behaviour. </p><p>Now, perhaps it is because of the media or because there are so many more people in the world today, but it just seems as if a kind of irrational anger has become the new norm in society…anger ranging from a simmering sense of having been offended to a resentful dissatisfaction to picketing to protesting to boycotting to rioting to vandalising and, ultimately, to killing. </p><p>And just by the way, you can do all those things figuratively too…just think about it. </p><p>Although most folks have different reasons for being angry, they all tend to share a sense of justification for their resentment. This is one of the reasons people fail to deal rationally with their anger. If you believe you are right to be angry, then you cannot let it go even when confronted with the truth. </p><p>Of course, not all anger is wrong…there is a time when we ought to be angry about how people abuse creation and their fellow creatures…but the kind of anger I'm talking about is an anger born out of a sense of entitlement. This is an anger that is often emotional, unreasonable, and lacking in any form of logic. It is an anger that is wielded as a weapon of self-determination and self-preservation. Letting go of this type of anger is equivalent to eroding the very foundation of the angry person’s existence. To admit that their anger is unfounded would be to admit that their perspective on life is groundless. </p><p>People generally get angry when they believe their perceived truth has been violated in some or other way, and this causes them to feel personally wronged. When this happens, we have one of two options in dealing with the anger. The first is to stop, listen and evaluate the other position without interruption, and then to sensibly decide which of the two positions holds up to reason and logic. Of course, sometimes the conclusion may be that both positions appear to be equally valid and therefore any negative response is not appropriate, but nevertheless, this option is a rational and reasoned reaction to a difference of opinion. </p><p>The second option is to stubbornly refuse to budge regardless of how many well-structured arguments for the alternative view are given. At this point, the only choices open to you would be to attack your perceived opponent or to play the martyr. </p><p>Those arguing with Jesus in the Temple in John 8 seem to have selected the second of the two options and they decided to attack. They had just received consistently coherent counter-responses from Jesus – responses peppered with quotations and allusions to the Scriptures – but because they clung to their traditional understanding and their traditional interpretation of the Scriptures, they failed to comprehend the truth. And, as they were not about to back down and play the martyr, they chose to attack.</p><p>Now, in order to understand the reaction of these folks in our Gospel passage, you need to recall the events immediately prior to this concluding confrontation. Jesus had just exposed their unbelieving hearts through a masterful process of reasoning. If they were children of Abraham as they claimed, then they would have acted like Abraham. If God was their Father, then they would have heard his voice through his Son. As it were, their behaviour showed that they were neither children of Abraham nor of God…rather, their behaviour mirrored that of the father of lies, the devil himself. Behaviour reveals belief…you can only act out of what you think is right and true.</p><p>Now, I might be wrong, but other than those dabbling in the occult, very few people take kindly to being called children of the devil, especially if they believe themselves to be the exact opposite. These folks in the temple were no exception, but what appears to have intensified their anger is the fact that they lacked a satisfactory response to these accusations. </p><p>Their only recourse was to resort to throwing the accusation back at him with brass knobs on. “Aren’t we right in saying you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” Now, assuming that they were speaking Aramaic to each other at the time, it is possible that the word rendered “Samaritan” in Greek here would have been one of two Aramaic words used for a Samaritan that could also mean either ‘heretic’ or ‘child of the devil’. Either way, in any sense, literally or figuratively, calling someone a Samaritan was the ultimate insult for any 1st-century Jew. </p><p>Whichever way we look at the slanderous statement, it meant that they considered Jesus to be a person of impure faith and therefore of illegitimate heritage. Of course, this was designed to counter his assertion that they were not children of Abraham or of God, but what strikes one as strange about their insults is the lack of connection with what had just transpired. </p><p>They had not even attempted to refute the outcome of the previous section of the debate. It would have been better for them to have evaluated his assertions regarding the difference between their behaviour and that of Abraham…or to have evaluated Jesus’ words and works according to Scripture. But they did neither…and when no logical response is possible, the only other option is to resort to mockery and ridicule. </p><p>Now, you might recall that this was not the only time Jesus was accused of being demon-possessed. In Matthew 12:24 the Pharisees said that he cast out demons by the prince of demons. The tragic irony of that statement is that the exact opposite was true…Jesus cast out demons by the Holy Spirit of God. To be so blind as to mistake the Holy Spirit for the devil is blind indeed. This is why the only unforgivable sin is the sin against the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit reveals reality, so if we mistake him for the devil, how can we ever possibly know the truth? </p><p>And so, Jesus cautions them not to dishonour him because by his life – his words and his works – Jesus brought honour to the Father. He had just challenged them to convict him openly of a sin that would stick, and they could not. The basic premise of his discourse was that a tree is known by its fruit. His entire life was a testimony to the truth – to surrender and obedience to the Father. <br /></p><p>In Philippians 2:5-8 Paul, in an attempt to encourage the believers in Philippi to be more Christlike, said, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to (or to take advantage of). Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” (NLT) </p><p>From conception to ascension, Jesus’ life demonstrated a consistent obedient submission to the Father. If they could not see that, then they could not possibly know the Father… it's really as simple as that. Their actions and their accusations exposed their real nature and as this debate continued, they progressively displayed their incomprehension, and their inability to counter the increasing conviction led them to the final and only option left…a rising violent anger.</p><p>But Jesus was not done yet. In verse 51 he said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word, will never see death.” This statement is at once a comfort to those who have ears to hear as well as a challenge to those who do not. This is an echo of several statements from the Old Testament regarding obedience to God’s decrees and his laws. Those who obeyed his Word would live. (See for example Ezekiel 20:11, 13, 21) </p><p>Obediently abiding and persevering in obedience to God’s Word is the only assurance we will ever have of eternal security. Those who endure to the end are saved from eternity to eternity. Whoever keeps God’s Word…walks in God’s Word…consistently obeys God’s Word…they will never see death. Of course, the opposite is just as true. He who does not keep God’s Word will see death…that much, these folks seemed to have understood.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYLmzoQID8MAQq42KMMR2Ch2x8MnM3PHsNLk-mLUiLMnJVonJ-HVPkqVAoph_lkhAh18WzkLLsiJGR5L-XYn6f6NT61_LiZnf9hhUVnBNXT5A8_AmOARmHjsO_9p_SGtORZO1AE61lmE8W0KJ5izECmOi_Kl0yhGFMPu8i2xhDP6M9Y4KkgUAQhqZkhU7/s4032/IMG_3981.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYLmzoQID8MAQq42KMMR2Ch2x8MnM3PHsNLk-mLUiLMnJVonJ-HVPkqVAoph_lkhAh18WzkLLsiJGR5L-XYn6f6NT61_LiZnf9hhUVnBNXT5A8_AmOARmHjsO_9p_SGtORZO1AE61lmE8W0KJ5izECmOi_Kl0yhGFMPu8i2xhDP6M9Y4KkgUAQhqZkhU7/s320/IMG_3981.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>And so, in verse 52, they hit back with an argument that seems to be a literal fusion of what Jesus said about Abraham’s obedience in verses 39-41 and then what he said about eternal life as a result of obedience here in verse 51. If Abraham was faithful in keeping God’s Word and if obedience to God’s Word resulted in eternal life, then, he ought not to have died. Yet it was obvious that neither he nor the prophets were still alive. That’s the gist of their reasoning. </p><p>Now, of course, this is a ridiculously childish argument, but then again angry people often do not think rationally. Their rage at being stumped over and over again blinded them to all logic and consequently, the angry rhetoric that spews forth from their mouths is simply devoid of any reasonable sense. Of course, some folks just keep saying ludicrous things…and they keep pleading a lack of understanding of what is obvious…and they do so long enough to convince themselves that they are right. </p><p>So, at this point, Jesus threw down the gauntlet, so to speak. This was a challenge of perceptions. They somehow perceived him to be dishonouring the Father by claiming to be greater than the Patriarch and so they were offended. In other words, they were accusing him of self-exaltation. But their perception was faulty. Jesus was not asserting himself in making his claims. Rather his claims were based on his obedient fulfilment of what his Father had sent him to do. If he denied this connection between him and the Father, he would be false and a liar like them. </p><p>As for their claim to covenantal inclusion through Abraham, Jesus once more exposed the difference between their attitude and Abraham’s attitude. They dishonoured him while Abraham, on the other hand, rejoiced at the prospect of the fulfilment of God’s promise. Because he believed so explicitly, Abraham knew that the promise of global blessing would be realised one day…this kind of faith is just as good as seeing. But unfortunately, when Jesus added, “he saw it and was glad”, they assumed that he meant his day and the days of Abraham were concurrent. Again, an overly literal interpretation of what was said here. </p><p>But instead of responding to their absurd literal interpretation, Jesus blew their whole argument apart by revealing his eternal existence as the great I AM. “Before Abraham was,” he said, “I AM.” There was no way they could not understand this blatant claim to divinity. This was the name God revealed to Moses when he called him to lead his people out of slavery in Egypt. </p><p>And here the rising river of rage burst its banks. No more words. No more debate. They picked up stones (which would have been in abundant supply as the Temple was still under construction) to stone him. </p><p>You see when you can’t win an argument despite bombastic rhetoric or dismissive slander, and when you are unwilling to concede, well then, the only remaining option is to silence your opponent. But, as his time had not yet come, they failed to do so as he simply slipped away from the Temple grounds.</p><p> To each successive generation, as with our present generation, Jesus still comes as the light of the world, the bread of life, and as the great I AM. Like the Jews in this Gospel passage, we too have choices to make…yes, even those of us who claim to know him…after all, they claimed to know him too. </p><p>Brennan Manning once said: “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.” </p><p>If we claim to be followers of Jesus, do we do the works of Jesus? Do we hold to His Word? Do we know the truth? Do we trust the truth? When people look at us, do they see Jesus? Do they see the same kind of obedient submission to the Father? Or do they see a sanitized or maybe even not-so-sanitised version of themselves? There’s just no attraction in that…</p><p>As we come to participate in the meal that serves to remind us of the selfless sacrifice of Jesus, let us consider the words of Paul: “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” </p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2023</p>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-54288456714825856302023-09-25T11:46:00.003+02:002023-09-25T11:48:19.902+02:00Incorrigible and Irredeemable<p>1 Corinthians 10:1-13 John 8:30-47</p><p>Incorrigible and Irredeemable</p><p>One of the most frustrating and exasperating things in life is attempting to reason with someone who will not listen and who refuses to understand. Sometimes you can actually see the moment they realise the flaw in their argument and then they either get louder (as if shouting will make a difference), or they get angry (and this can sometimes manifest itself in tears), or they shift and deny that they said what they said earlier, or they simply turn around and storm off in a huff – preferably banging a door or two on the way out. Be honest, I’ve just described you at some or other point in your life…</p><p>When my mother found herself in a place where she could no longer defend her argument, she would simply toss her head and say, “A woman convinced against her will is of the same opinion still.” And you wonder why I no longer have any hair left. But the bottom line is that people only listen when they are predisposed to do so. Like in our Gospel passage for today, we see that only those who have ears to hear do, in fact, hear. </p><p>We are told in verse 30 that as Jesus debated with the leaders in the Temple, some folks believed in him. But what follows shows that this did not mean that their faith was based on truth. You see, it is not the initial agreement with the Lord’s words that makes one a follower of the light…no, rather it is the consistent and persistent walking in the light that proves the reality of our faith. “If you hold to my Word (teaching),” Jesus said to those who had believed in him, “you are really my followers (disciples). Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” </p><p>Jesus repeated this statement later in John as well. “If anyone loves me, he will obey my Word (teaching),” (John 14:23) or, stated negatively, “He who does not love me will not obey my Word (teaching).” (John 14:23). The wordplay here is brilliant. </p><p>John had already told us that Jesus is the Word we must hold to, and he is the Truth we must know, and he is the one who has come to set us free – to deliver from slavery to sin (or darkness) those who follow him in the light. In a nutshell, Jesus was telling them and us that he embodies everything that made them and us the people of God. As we saw two weeks ago, by the time Jesus was born, the “light” of Israel had become little more than a memory remembered in the Festivals of Israel, recalled in psalms of lament, and rehearsed in stories of the past. At this time, Israel was ruled by a puppet king and wealthy aristocrats who were controlled and manipulated by a powerful pagan empire, the last in a line of several oppressors since their Exile in Babylon. </p><p>As we saw earlier, this teaching of Jesus took place the day after the final day of the Feast of Tabernacles. During the Feast of Tabernacles, the Jews celebrated not only their miraculous deliverance from Egypt and their survival throughout the wilderness wanderings, but they also recalled both the time when Solomon’s Temple was dedicated to the Lord (1 Kings 8:2) as well as their return from Exile under the leadership of Joshua and Zerubbabel (Ezra 3). At the time of their return, as Ezra read the Word of God to them during the Feast of Tabernacles (Nehemiah 8), a great revival broke out as the returnees confessed and repented of their sins. </p><p>As such, the Feast of Tabernacles served to remind the Israelites in every generation of their deliverance by God in the past and it also served as a reminder for them to look forward to the expected future deliverance by the coming Messiah.</p><p>But the cracks in the faith of those in the Temple began to show immediately as they responded with probably one of the most curious statements in the Gospels. “We are Abraham’s descendants,” they said. True enough, but then they added, “And we have never been slaves of anyone.” This statement borders on the delusional. What about their 400-year-long slavery under the Egyptians, the various periods of enslavement under different near eastern nations during the time of the Judges, their 70-year-long exile under the Babylonians, their servile vassal status under Persia, Greece, and at that present moment, Rome?</p><p>However, some commentators try to explain this otherwise ludicrous statement by referring to an ancient saying that confidently declared, “Circumcised men do not descend into Gehenna (hell).” (see C. E. B. Cranfield, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark Ltd., 1975), p. 172.) In other words, they believed that as their forefather Abraham was the eternal protector of all Jews, whether pious or sinful, they were subject to no one in a spiritual sense. They were basically claiming freedom and eternal security through covenantal inclusion, an Old Testament equivalent to a form of “once saved always saved”.</p><p>If this is what they were referring to, then Jesus' reply makes perfect sense. “I tell you the truth,” he said, “everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” The Scriptures are clear on the subject of bondage to sin…there is none that does good, no not one…we were all conceived and brought forth in iniquity…our heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, and so on. This is what Jesus meant when using the word “slavery”. But the freedom Jesus was speaking about is not just freedom from sin or the effects of sin, but also freedom to obedience. To have the light of life, there must be a following and a walking in the light. It involves holding to the Word and abiding in the Truth. In other words, it is not enough for you to begin well. You must persevere and end well too. </p><p>As Paul said to the Corinthians regarding Israel: “I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they all drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.” </p><p>We could say they were all members of the covenant community delivered or saved by God from slavery in Egypt, right?</p><p>“Nevertheless,” Paul continued, “God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness…Now.” Paul concluded, “these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfilment of the ages has come. So, the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:1-5, 11-12 Berean) </p><p>Heritage counts for nothing when you are enslaved to sin.</p><p>For this reason, after having defined the kind of slavery he was speaking about, he picked up on the language of familial or covenant legacy. While it was possible for slaves to inherit upon the death of their master (such as the case of Eleazar and Abraham in Genesis 15:2-3), it was not considered normal practice, nor was it enshrined in the law. Inheritance, which would include the father’s slaves (Lev. 25:39–40), always went to the sons (chiefly the oldest son), or in some rare cases, to the daughters like with the daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27:1-11). So, following Jesus’ argument, if everyone was enslaved to sin, then no one could be free. Only the Son, who (in the case of Jesus) had no sin and was, therefore, not enslaved by sin, would have the power to release his inherited slaves…those given to him by his Father.</p><p>Now, it is possible that Jesus may have been alluding to the story of Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac. Ishmael, the son of the Egyptian slave Hagar, was not the son of the promise and was therefore not to be an heir with Isaac (cf. also Paul’s argument in Galatians 4:28-31). Be that as it may, the bottom-line is that the slave could not partake of the inheritance…only a legitimate son had such privileges. So, as the sinless Son of God, Jesus has the power and the authority to set free all who are enslaved to sin. “He whom the Son sets free,” Jesus said, “shall be free indeed.” A freedom far greater than that of the Exodus. </p><p>Now while Jesus did not dispute their physical heritage as Abraham’s descendants, he did dispute their spiritual heritage. “If you were Abraham’s children,” he said, “you would do the works of Abraham.” In other words, their behaviour blatantly contradicted their claimed status. </p><p>Abraham’s life was characterised by faith in God’s word as well as obedience to God’s word. Whatever God said, he believed, and he did, without question or argument. As we’ve already seen, the leaders had already displaced God’s Word with their tradition. But this was nothing new. Throughout the Old Testament, we see how the people of God were constantly being led astray by wanting to be like the other nations around them…not unlike the modern revisionist church. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJflFfdB7ixZ0Ey9WcZz_vqRhm3_agnbH8my-m4zKPJu5CUq0-GeQms-7GOYqZDQPnFTVCc0uhAGpzcBIw0LjaX_9295wqU6Y2zqNyjBxeoAeO4nDuYwOVQFyTf9x9II98Fus66x23xSb9-kXj6UqRiMG7vv8HZlGMO0hBtzlqO6IytUrtw6wUkRZREX-/s4032/IMG_3961.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJflFfdB7ixZ0Ey9WcZz_vqRhm3_agnbH8my-m4zKPJu5CUq0-GeQms-7GOYqZDQPnFTVCc0uhAGpzcBIw0LjaX_9295wqU6Y2zqNyjBxeoAeO4nDuYwOVQFyTf9x9II98Fus66x23xSb9-kXj6UqRiMG7vv8HZlGMO0hBtzlqO6IytUrtw6wUkRZREX-/s320/IMG_3961.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Now from this point on, the discussion began to get nasty. That’s often what happens when folks find themselves in a corner. Attack and ridicule are used as a method of self-defence. “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. Is it possible that this was a snide remark about the circumstances of Jesus’ birth? This was such a small tight-knit community and the scandal surrounding Mary’s pregnancy may not have stayed in Nazareth.</p><p>Be that as it may, their claim was that they were part of the theocracy…that they were legitimate members of the covenant community of God. “The only Father we have is God himself,” they said. But Jesus exploded this claim using the same argument as with their claim to being descendants of Abraham. </p><p>“If God were your father, you would love me, for I am from God, and now I am here.” Now, if his detractors were, in fact, alluding to his birth in their remark about legitimacy, then here Jesus may have been defending his mother’s claim to virginity and the exceptional divine nature of his conception and incarnation. Nevertheless, Jesus clearly indicated here that his coming to earth was by his Father’s design and therefore they should have welcomed him. </p><p>I believe that there’s an echo here of what John said in the opening chapter of his Gospel. “He (Jesus, the Light) came to his own and yet his own did not receive him. But to all who did receive him and who believed in his name, he (the Son) gave the right (the freedom) to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.” (John 1:11-13) </p><p>Their inability to hear and their refusal to obey was because they were not children of Abraham nor of God…a sad reality revealed by their attitude and their behaviour. Their desire to accuse, sentence, and execute Jesus mirrored the actions of the devil. “He was a murderer from the beginning,” Jesus said, “not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him.”</p><p>I believe the imagery here is that of the third chapter of Genesis. The first Adam brought death into the world because he believed the lies of Satan whose object was to activate the death penalty for sin through Adam and Eve’s rejection of God’s Word. So, there is a major contrast here. Satan is the originator of lies. Jesus is the embodiment of truth. Those who reject Jesus (the Word), reject the truth and embrace the lie…just like Adam and Eve.</p><p> To clinch the matter in his favour, Jesus asked them two basic rhetorical questions, “Can you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me?” If they thought he was not telling the truth, it ought to have been easy to convict him of lying. But, as we know, they eventually had to resort to hiring false witnesses to condemn him to death at a mockery of a trial…and even then, they could not agree but brought conflicting evidence against him because you can’t support lies with lies. </p><p>As John later reported: even when the pagan governor asked them, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” they did not have a ready reply. They simply said, “If he were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” (John 18:29-30) Several times Pilate stated, “I find no basis for a charge against him.” And yet, those who knew the law are taught the law called for the lawless murder of an innocent law-abiding man. That is the power of the lies of the devil…all you need for a lie to succeed is an unprincipled mob and a few instigators and agitators.</p><p>The problem here is quite basic. Jesus spelled it out in verse 47. “He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” It really is a shocking tragedy…the people of God did not know their God. </p><p>You see it all boils down to whether we hold to His Word or not. </p><p>After all, that was the first temptation, wasn’t it? “Did God really say?” In fact, I believe every temptation is a variation of this one…“did God really say”…and then add whatever sin is desired. </p><p>“If you hold to my Word (teaching),” Jesus said to those who had believed in him, “you are really my followers (disciples). Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”</p><p>Dearest beloved brethren, we are the people who have God’s Word. We have it, but do we know it…know it well enough to be able to live by it The Word of God is the only offensive weapon we have in our spiritual arsenal. It is the sharp, two-edged sword of the Spirit. Take away the Word of God, or change God’s Word, or dilute God’s Word and the Church will retreat…we cannot advance with a dull weapon or no weapon at all for that matter. God’s Word is also a lamp to our feet, showing us the way in which we ought to walk. But if we do not know it, how can we hold to it? If we do not know God’s Word, “how then shall we live?”, to quote Francis Shaeffer. If we do not know it and live by it, how can we say we know God?</p><p>If you hold to the Word, you are truly followers of Jesus. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. </p><p>Shall we pray? </p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2023</p><div><br /></div>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550446199574277325.post-6415743504408007492023-09-15T10:35:00.006+02:002023-09-16T10:02:00.122+02:00Nowhere Roads<p>Psalm 81:8-12 Isaiah 65:1-7 Romans 10:1-13 John 8:21-30</p><p>Nowhere Roads</p><p>Never since the advent of the Enlightenment has there been such a global revival in spiritualism. People from all walks of life are seeking some or other spiritual experience, yearning for an energy or a force beyond themselves that can help them attain inner peace. It is estimated (conservatively, in my humble opinion) that more than half the world’s population dabbles in some form of astrology, magic, or the occult. </p><p>You might well ask then, if they are really seeking a spiritual experience, why do they not turn to the one true God? Purely human endeavours inevitably do not deliver the tranquillity hoped for. And yet people persist even though their ideologies exact unreasonable demands, devotion, sacrifice, and unquestioning commitment from their adherents with little to no lasting or meaningful gratification. </p><p>As I wrote this, I remembered when, as a young child, I tried to fly on a broom like Miss Eglantine Price – the amateur witch in the movie Bedknobs and Broomsticks. I took my mother’s grass broom, climbed up on the roof of our house, said the magic words, and jumped. I don’t need to tell you what happened next. But the saddest part about this story is that I did this over and over again, convinced that if I just said the magic words correctly, I would fly. Thankfully, I am still here today to tell you this tale of utter stupidity…then again, I have heard of others trying to be Batman, Superman, and Spiderman…</p><p>But why do so many folks follow these roads to nowhere? Many are highly intelligent, influential, and materially prosperous. And yet, when it comes to things spiritual, it seems as if all reason has been discarded as they talk of energies and crystals and interplanetary conjunctions and achieving an exotic state of metaphysical consciousness. </p><p>Why not turn to the one who has done everything possible to provide eternal peace? Our Gospel passage for today may supply us with at least three basic reasons.</p><p>The first is that different folks have different destinations. Jesus said to the unbelieving leaders, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.” It seems clear that Jesus was referring to his return to the Father in the ascension, to a place where those who did not believe in him simply could not go. </p><p>It is a sad reality that while these leaders sincerely yearned for the Messiah, they did not find him even though he stood right in front of them. They had the very oracles of God, they knew the Scriptures well, they had a godly heritage of faith – patriarchs, prophets, priests, and kings – they had a godly history and a godly law that taught them who God is and what he expected from his people. And yet they did not know him. How was this possible?</p><p>In Mark 7:13 Jesus said that the unbelieving leaders nullified the word of God by the tradition that they had handed down. What tradition was this? Well, shortly before, during, and after the Babylonian Exile, the teachers of the law began to apply the Mosaic code to daily life and practice with different applications arising out of practical necessity, convenience, or experience. In time, these unwritten applications were seen as equal to the written law.</p><p>Many of these applications or traditions were promoted by one of the two main sects of Judaism at the time of Jesus. The Pharisees. The Pharisees were a sect of largely lower- and middle-class Jews that stood in opposition to the Sadducees, the aristocratic priestly class who governed the Temple and who rejected the validity of any extra-biblical laws or traditions. The considerable controversy regarding the so-called “oral law”, including an internal dispute within the ranks of the Pharisees between the followers of Rabbi Hillel and Rabbi Shummai, culminated in the collection and compilation of these oral laws in written form after the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. This compilation later became known as the Mishnah. And then there is also the Talmud, but that’s a story for another time.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gI8y0l7xAQCImrbet3E9QJ596M0XIevXYfExSKQqGhzkOyQAeq40hokO82ezw6K-YHevpeYV0ZlXJV0lORoL_ErdS_-J6oIdCnt66dqMl8OvJgGGmkp5J5jA1LWR9jalMaAs4axSWtph5Ybghv06ZbZHzVURR01KfazvwIa9Fw1hSBtRpAibi7831QB2/s4032/IMG_4115.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gI8y0l7xAQCImrbet3E9QJ596M0XIevXYfExSKQqGhzkOyQAeq40hokO82ezw6K-YHevpeYV0ZlXJV0lORoL_ErdS_-J6oIdCnt66dqMl8OvJgGGmkp5J5jA1LWR9jalMaAs4axSWtph5Ybghv06ZbZHzVURR01KfazvwIa9Fw1hSBtRpAibi7831QB2/w400-h300/IMG_4115.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>These traditions – these “oral laws” with their strict rules and regulations governed all of life and crushed people with unbearable religious demands promising very little in return other than guilt and condemnation. Jesus addressed this when he declared that, in comparison, his yoke was easy, and his burden was light. <p></p><p>So, when this offer of freedom from bondage to man’s restrictive and unreasonable demands was made, one would have expected the people of Israel to fall over themselves to embrace a truth that would remove their shackles. But they didn’t, did they? In this, they were very much like their ancestors who wanted to return to slavery in Egypt or like our modern-day spiritualist cultists…or like me, jumping off our roof.</p><p>The reason for this is simply that if you have different destinations, you have different priorities and different goals and therefore you make different decisions. In our reading from Isaiah God said that he held out his hands all day long to an obstinate people…he revealed himself to them and yet they rejected him because they wanted to pursue their own imaginations. Or in the words of Paul, as they sought to establish their own righteousness, they refused to submit to God’s righteousness. When your whole life has been based upon convictions of your own invention, it is hard to humble yourself and admit you are wrong.</p><p>But there is more to this than simply different decisions. People have different destinations because they have different origins…a different starting point, if you will. Jesus said that the reason they could not come to where he would be was because they were from below while he was from above. Their origins were different. “You are of this world,” he said, “I am not of this world.” No matter how ingeniously spiritual the inventions of humans may appear to be, and regardless of how many chills or goosebumps the rituals may deliver, they are always earthly or worldly, and therefore limited, finite, and temporary. </p><p>Now, when Jesus used the word “world” here, he did not mean that all matter was intrinsically evil. That would contradict God’s pronouncement in Genesis 1 and 2. The Scriptures affirm both the physical and spiritual aspects of life. Jesus was called a glutton and a drunkard by his opponents indicating that Jesus was no stranger to good food and wine. </p><p>In this context, the word “world” is used in a negative sense…as an antonym for “heavenly”…like when Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (John 3:6) Jesus’ origin is “heavenly” – not of this world – and he shares that origin with those who are born again through the power of the Spirit. Without this spiritual rebirth, the origin of the individual remains “worldly” and therefore bound to the fallen state of the first Adam. </p><p>The rebellion of our first ancestors separated them from God. Sin, iniquity, and lawlessness build a barrier between humans and God. It is only when God breathes new life into those who were dead in their trespasses and sins that their origin changes and consequently their destination changes too. They move from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. They are no longer under Adam but under Jesus. They are no longer dead but alive. They have been redeemed and adopted into the family of God. So, while that which is physical may not be evil in and of itself, it remains empty and lifeless if it is not regenerated by the Spirit of God. The terms “below” and “above” used here by Jesus indicate different origins and therefore different destinations.</p><p>Now, having said that, it is important to note that different destinations and different origins are, in one sense, linked to what we’ve discussed briefly before…different decisions. These leaders of Israel failed to believe…they failed to exercise faith in Jesus, and they failed to exercise faith in God the Father. Jesus told them: “If you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.” Now, that little word “if” presupposes a need for a decision. They needed to respond to the revelation they had received and the revelation they were receiving. If not, their origin and destination would remain the same. </p><p>There is a very precarious tightrope we must walk here between human responsibility and God’s sovereignty. This is, in my humble opinion, an antinomy and a paradox that has divided believers for centuries. On the one hand, it seems clear that God alone initiates all saving relationships…but this does not rule out the necessity for human beings to respond to his call and to repent and to turn back to him...after all, as Paul said, God desires for all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Those whom God prepared for glory are those who choose to reject their former beliefs and practices to place their faith and trust in him. The two seemingly contradictory propositions work together. </p><p>True, we love him because he first loved us…but there is a response here even though he initiated the relationship. God did not create us to be mindless puppets. We must be weary of trying to make the Bible say things it does not. We like our neat little packages, but the Scriptures can mess with our wrappings and our bows. It is better and, I dare say, appropriately unpretentious, to simply accept that something will always remain in the realm of mystery. </p><p>God in his sovereignty and his infinite mercy and his amazing grace offers salvation through the substitutionary death of Jesus…a reversal of the curse brought upon humanity through the sin of our collective forebears. But if we reject Jesus, we reject the one and only true offer of salvation and we will subsequently die in our sins. </p><p>And what Jesus made perfectly clear in this passage is that if we reject him, we also reject the one who sent him as an offering for sin. “He who sent me is true,” Jesus said, “and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” In other words, the teaching and the claims of Jesus were the words of God...the same God who spoke in the Old Testament was now once more speaking to them again, but they failed to make the connection. Why? Because they had substituted God’s Word with their interpretive traditions…their own imaginations…their own righteousness.</p><p>Now, a word of caution here for those who like to dismiss things that are in the Old Testament”. Jesus (as well as Paul, for that matter) repeatedly affirmed and confirmed the Old Testament Scriptures…he often quoted from them and called them as a witness to testify to the truth of his own assertions. Besides, the New Testament tells us that Jesus is the Word…if there is a difference between the Testaments, well then, the Lord himself is a contradiction. No, God has one Word which is in total agreement on all points. The fact that some “teaching tools”, if you will, such as the Festivals, the sacrificial system, and the purity laws, to name a few, have been fulfilled in Jesus does not negate the basic unity of the Scriptures. </p><p>In fact, this is precisely what Jesus was saying here. If the leaders had truly understood the Old Testament Scriptures, they would have recognized Jesus as the same one who spoke to their forefathers in times past through the prophets at many times and in various ways. (Hebrews 1:1) The fact that they did not, reveals their lack of faith in God…period.</p><p>In verse 28, Jesus declared that a time would come when they would realize their mistake…when they would see him for who he is…but by then it would be too late. The judgement would be final and irreversible. In their case, it was the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple and ultimately their own demise. In the case of other unbelievers down through the ages, it is the day of their death. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that it is appointed for humans to die once, but after that comes judgment. The time for decision-making is over…their destination has been sealed for all eternity. </p><p>At the end of time, the cross will serve as the ultimate example of a rejection of debt redeemed. The cross that represents deliverance provided for all who would call on the name of the Lord also represents destruction for those who refuse him. Just like the fiery cloud pillar was darkness to the Egyptians but light to the Israelites, so the cross was at once darkness to the one thief and light to the other. You see, it is the “lifting up of the Son of Man” that ultimately reveals him as the one and only legitimate Judge. </p><p>It is a strange thing that humanity is all too quick to accuse God of injustice when it comes to the final destination of those who refuse to accept his free offer of salvation in Jesus. Strange, but not surprising. “The natural man,” Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:14, “does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, because they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” Those who are wise in their own eyes will always judge the graciousness of God in Jesus as folly. Because they are from below, they cannot discern the one who is from above. So, they will continue to search down dead-end alleyways and avenues and no matter how many things they do or don’t do or how many rules they obey or rituals they practice, they will blindly plunge into an eternal separation from God. Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only source of life…without him, there is no atonement for sin.</p><p>In stark contrast to these teachers of the law, John stated that even as Jesus spoke, many put their faith in him…but they too would be challenged as to the object of that faith as even believers can misplace their faith…but that is the sermon for next time.</p><p>Our faith is shaped in many different ways today. In the first century, the people of God were confused by the oral law or the traditions of the elders, even though they had the Scriptures by which they could have determined what was true or not, by simple comparison. Every Jewish boy knew the Torah and the Psalms by heart by the age of ten. </p><p>We also have the Scriptures today, but all too often, many in the modern church take their cues from popular preachers, devotional booklets, self-help tracts, charts, prophetic visions, and messages…without ever measuring them against the teaching of God’s Word. Mahatma Gandhi, an educated and qualified lawyer turned Hindu guru and passive social activist, once said: “You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilisations to pieces, turn the world upside down, and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. But you treat it as if it is nothing more than a piece of literature.” </p><p> Dearest beloved brethren, it ought not to be so. We have his Word…other than Jesus himself, this is the greatest gift God has ever given humanity. So, let us decide today to read it, study it, hide it in our hearts, and, once we know what the Scriptures teach, then let us live by what we learn.</p><p>Shall we pray?</p><p>© Johannes W H van der Bijl 2023</p><div><br /></div>Blessed to be a Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16820470714148180514noreply@blogger.com0