Driving Notes

I’ve been known to make this statement quite frequently- “we’ve made life too complicated.”  But I’m finding myself saying it more and more as I get older.  I have these moments where honestly, I just crave simplicity.  Like watching a sunset…taking a nap…staring out the window at a thunderstorm…or sitting in the dark with a cup of hot chocolate watching the lights twinkle on a Christmas tree.   I love simplicity.  I think our bodies and even our minds need it.  I know mine does.

Let’s face it…we could use a little more simplicity at Christmas.  And you know what?  The message of Christmas isn’t really that complicated.  So, to borrow from “The Christmas Song,” I’m offering my own simple phrase this year- He came to save us. 

Matthew 1:21 tells us that the angel told Joseph to give Mary’s child the name Jesus, because he would save his people from their sins.  We’ve read that passage time and time again, but do we really get how significant that name really is?  Jesus means to deliver or rescue.  He came down to deliver and rescue us.  I know that I have many days where I need delivered and rescued. 

So this Christmas, remember the simple fact that he came to save us…and renew your acceptance of his salvation!

-Joe

As part of our series digging deeper into the Bible, we’re finishing Matthew with a phrase that’s been heard by many- “the veil was torn.”  

“And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.  And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.”  Matthew 27:50-51 (NASB)

 Jeremy Camp sings about it in his song “This Man,” we’ve seen it near the end of The Passion of the Christ, but do we really know what it means?  What is the significance of the veil, or in some translations, the curtain, being torn?

First, we have to remember that the veil was located in the holy temple of Jerusalem, the centerpiece of Jewish religion at the time.  The veil was around 60 feet high, 30 feet wide,  and between three and four inches (yes, 3-4 inches) thick.  It separated men from what was called “The Holy of Holies,” where the Ark of the Covenant resided.  This area was considered to be the earthly dwelling of God’s presence.  It served as a symbol, or reminder, of God’s separation from man by sin. 

The only person that could enter this area was the High Priest, and he could only enter once a year to ask for the forgiveness of sins.  When Jesus died, the sudden and supernatural tearing of the veil meant that the barrier between man and God had been removed.  The tearing of the veil meant that the atonement for sins had been purchased with the blood of Christ.  The veil tearing in two symbolized that Christ was the only way to the Father.

So the next time you hear or sing that line, remember, it means that the blood of Christ has removed the barrier between God and man.

While going through the book of Matthew on praise Thursday, we took a look at John the Baptist. In my mind he was one of the most crucial pieces to the Salvation puzzle. He had the crazy job of preparing the way for Christ, and we say that line……”He prepared the way”……a lot but what does it really mean?

John had the job of introducing the themes and messages that Christ would present in his ministry. John was the opening act in a concert featuring the greatest band of all time. He was the first person to really stand up against the hyprocracy of the Pharisees and leaders of the Church, he constantly encourged people to be baptized (hence the name), and he had disciples following him much like Christ did. The part of the story that really encourages me is his humility. John the Baptist was confronted by his disciples who were discouraged that Christ was taking some of his followers. John replied to them saying “He must become greater, I must become less.” He knew that Jesus’ ministry was going to change the world and that this was the reason he was sent to the earth……to PREPARE THE WAY.

This is what that phrase means. He started a revolution that Jesus would continue, and ultimately finish on the cross. Now it is on us……How will we continue the message of Christ? Will we take the role of a leader but still humbly follow Jesus like John the Baptist did? The road isn’t easy……but then again John’s life wasn’t easy either…….some food for thought.

-Jayme

As we keep diving into Matthew, chapter 5 brings us to what many call Jesus’ “keynote address”- the Sermon on the Mount.  It all starts with the Beatitudes, where Jesus tells us we are blessed when we are meek, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers.  But he also stresses that we are blessed when we are persecuted, insulted and falsely accused. 

For some of us, verses 10-12 are tough to get our hearts wrapped around:

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (NIV)

But wait!  Doesn’t our culture, and sometimes even modern day American Christianity, tells us to fight back and defend our rights??  Yes, but read the passage again and read this part carefully…”rejoice and be glad, BECAUSE GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN.”  Yea, I bolded the last part.  Why?  Because sometimes we get caught in the trap of the world’s ways; in other words, we’re too nearsighted to think that this world is not our eternal home.  To wait for our reward??  To be patient?  To not be able to put those evil-doers in their place?  Well, that’s just too much to ask, right?  NO.  This is where we, as followers of Christ, separate ourselves from the world’s thinking by being OK with letting the reward come in God’s timing, not ours.

Then we get to one of my favorite parts of Matthew: verses 5:13-16, where we are told that we are salt of the earth and the light of the world.  What does that mean?  Two years ago, in preparation for the 2008-09 school year, our WNZR staff adopted “Shake and Shine” as our theme phrase…you may remember it from Lifeline 2009.  I did some reading on this passage and here are some things I discovered…

One function of salt is as an antiseptic, so how can we apply this to what Jesus said?   Well, just as salt keeps meat from rotting when it is rubbed into it, we should be engaged with the rotting world we live in.  Salt will do no good to meat unless it is rubbed into it.  So, we are to be in the world so that the world may benefit by our difference.  That also means we must be careful to avoid the mistake of being one with the world and embracing its values and ways.

Salt is white, symbolizing purity. Christians are to be in the world and yet live pure, different lives. Jesus didn’t say you “could be” or “should be” the salt of the earth…he said YOU ARE the salt of the earth!  Big difference.

Also, salt causes people to become thirsty. In the same way, we should cause people to thirst for Jesus Christ and his good news. If we live as Christians daily for God’s glory, those around us will hopefully desire to have the joy we do!

But remember…we can lose our salt by all the impurities we fill ourselves with. Jesus said that if salt lost its saltiness, it would become useless and worthless. How do we lose our “salt flavor?”  When we conform to the pattern of the world (Romans 12:1-2), when we embrace the selfish values of the world like materialism and pleasure-seeking.  We start rotting like the world.

We cannot benefit the world when we are like the world. Christians are to reflect the light of Jesus to the world. And what is this light? It is the light of salvation, eternal life, knowledge of God, and hope.  Light should allow us to see people as they are- people who were created in the image of God and who Christ died for!  Not just evil people to kick to the curb.

Light also helps us gain perspective…when things are spiraling out of control, we must be the calm in the storm…the light in the darkness!

So…how’s your salt?  How’s your light?  What can you do this week to “shake and shine??”

-Joe

We’re starting something new for ‘Praise Thursday’ on the AD.  Each week, Jayme and I will be diving a bit deeper into a book of the Bible, and each month, we’ll select a different book.  For October, our book is Matthew. 

Why are we doing this?  First, one of our biggest praises should always be that we have a holy book to guide us through the ups and downs of life.  Second, the Barna Group’s summary of its research in 2009 found that of the four main themes of the year, #3 was that “Biblical Literacy is neither a current reality nor a goal in the U.S.” (see link here)  So, what we hope to do, honestly, is our part in driving you towards the Word.

In Matthew, we begin to hear the story of Jesus told in a way that fulfills many of the prophecies concerning the Messiah in the  Old Testament.  We also discover the role of the “other Joseph” in the Bible.  Most of us remember or at least are familiar with the Joseph in Genesis 37, who had the coat of many colors, was sold by his brothers into slavery, then found favor with Pharoah.  But what about Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus?

His role in the story of Jesus was critical because of his willingness to OBEY.  Remember, he could easily have been justified in leaving Mary when he discovered she was pregnant.  But in Matthew 1:20, we’re told how an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and he was told not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife.  So what did Joseph do?  Matthew 1:22- “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.”

It happens again in Chapter 2.  King Herod wants to find the baby Jesus and kill him.  An angel appears again, tells Joseph to “get up, take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.”  So what did he do?  2:13- “…he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod.”

Joseph obeyed despite the potential of embarassment and public scorn in Chapter 1, and despite imminent danger and hardship in Chapter 2.  There was no questioning, no debate, simply faithful obedience.

I think this passage reminds us that Godly character is fueled by obedience.  Joseph had it.  Can we think about the areas of our life where we need to consider immediate and complete obedience?

Thanks for listening!

-Joe