When I was a boy out on Route 2 south of Valdosta, GA. I might be at home alone when a storm would blow in. I can see it like it was yesterday, me standing on my front porch of that little run down house looking out into my front yard up at the 40 foot pecan trees swaying in the wind. The sky was dark, and there was inside me an ominous excitement about it all. Lightening would strike and thunder would roll, and the hair on my arms would stand up from the static electricity in the air. I often thought during those storms that Jesus must be coming. I let my imagination run wild. I expected to see Him split through the clouds at any minute and land in my front yard. What is it about weather or climatic changes or extraordinary experiences that seem to attend God? Jesus walks by on water during a storm causing the disciples to fear thinking He is a ghost. There goes that hair on the back of the neck. Or, standing at Mt. Sinai watching this mountain moaning under the unseen hand of God, striking fear into the hearts of men who want to run, not worship. Or, what of God coming to Elijah in the storm, fire and earthquake, but finally in a still small voice? Or, what of Jesus on Calvary coming under darkness from the 6th to the 9th hour?
So it is Peter, James and John's time. A bright cloud overshadows them. Did you see this? It is a "bright" cloud, not a dark one. It is meant to encourage not provoke fear. It is meant to convey hope. But in spite of this, these disciples are afraid. One minute they are ready to build a temporary hotel for Moses and Elijah, the next minute Moses and Elijah have disappeared, and there alone stands Jesus. Matthew tells us that Jesus comes to them, touches them, and says "Arise, and do not be afraid." With the cloud lifted, Jesus touches them. Let that sink in. What would you give to have Jesus touch you? What would it be like for Him to put His hand on your shoulder, to give you a high five, to lift your chin? The touch of the Master was what most men during that day longed for.
All three writers make the point, "Jesus Alone." With the cloud lifted and the words of God ringing in their ears, there was Jesus alone. The word is monos. It means unaccompanied. He had no escort. There was no second fiddle. He did not share the spotlight with anyone. He stood on the summit of Hermon, the highest point of Israel alone. Saul was head and shoulders above his subjects. Jesus was 10,000 feet above His. "Alone." No peer. No one who can share His place. "Alone." There is "no one else." "No other foundation." He must walk now down into the valley alone, by Himself, and up another hill called Golgotha, alone. Moses won't be there. Elijah won't be there. The disciples won't be there. But, not alone alone (John 8:16,29; 16:32).
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Saturday, April 6, 2013
The Real Star
Peter didn't know what he was doing. He and his companions were terrified. They awoke from a dead sleep to see Jesus talking to Moses and Elijah. How did the disciples know it was Moses and Elijah? Some speculate the recognition had something to do with dress, mannerisms, appearance, or the like. This does not seem likely to me. Surely these sleepy-eyed, unlearned fishermen were not up on their prophet-profiling. It is more likely that Jesus said, "Guys, come here I want to introduce you to a couple of my friends." Remember recognition might have been made harder since this holy Trio was aglow with glory. So when you meet Moses and Elijah do you shake their hands? At what point do you close your mouth? Well obviously Peter has a little trouble with this. Not only that but there was some indication that Jesus' friends were getting ready to leave Mt. Hermon and travel back home. Did Elijah bring his "wheels" (his chariot of fire)? Peter had to think quickly to try to keep this Summit going, especially since he had slept through most of it already. Maybe it was getting uncomfortable on this mountain, and Peter thought he might erect a temporary three room hotel for the Trio. This would surely keep them around. Besides, wouldn't you have a couple of questions to ask Moses and Elijah. Was Peter and the others getting just a little too much star-struck by the presence of these OT greats? Was Peter wanting their autograph? Was Peter wanting to tell all his friends who he got to talk to on the mountain? Was Peter beginning to get a little too in awe of some lesser lights, while the very Son of God was there? Matthew, Mark and John all record three different designations by which Peter addressed Jesus, i.e. Lord, Rabbi, and Master, not Son of God.
Moses and Elijah represent the Old Covenant, those of the past who testified to the coming of the Son of God, and those who longed to see what the apostles were experiencing daily. Perhaps Moses and Elijah were the ones in awe of Peter, James and John wishing they could switch places and stay with Jesus a little longer. But, they were not there to be honored by men. They were not there to be preserved and housed. The system they represented was one of schoolmaster to bring the Jews to Jesus. Here stood the Promise and the schoolmasters on one spot. Peter was tempted to glorify the schoolmasters instead of the Promise (Read Galatians). Isn't this the way of man? We want to hold on to the past, the traditions, the ancients, those God used to help us find Jesus, and miss the Jesus they pointed us to. Men honor other men, the Campbells, Stones, Luthers, Calvins, Grahams, and build tents to house them (churches with their names on them, schools dedicated to them, books written about them). We long to sit at the feet of these men and ask them questions about their experiences, when the Jesus to whom they were pointing is now among us.
While Peter was getting into his construction project to keep Moses and Elijah there, he was interrupted. It is almost like God Himself is saying, "Excuse Me Peter, let me remind you in whose presence you stand. Don't get so goggled-eyed at Moses and Elijah. You are in the presence of true, eternal, enduring greatness--My Son, Jesus." So the booming voice of God breaks into the scene and proclaims, "This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him." Moses and Elijah disappear, and Jesus is left before them. God Himself jerks these men back to reality. There is none greater. The King of kings, the greatest prophet, the new covenant maker stands before you, and in Him who came and tabernacled for a while among you is grace and truth (John 1). God knows how to make His point. Perhaps three humbled apostles had a new appreciation of Jesus as they went down the mountain.
Moses and Elijah represent the Old Covenant, those of the past who testified to the coming of the Son of God, and those who longed to see what the apostles were experiencing daily. Perhaps Moses and Elijah were the ones in awe of Peter, James and John wishing they could switch places and stay with Jesus a little longer. But, they were not there to be honored by men. They were not there to be preserved and housed. The system they represented was one of schoolmaster to bring the Jews to Jesus. Here stood the Promise and the schoolmasters on one spot. Peter was tempted to glorify the schoolmasters instead of the Promise (Read Galatians). Isn't this the way of man? We want to hold on to the past, the traditions, the ancients, those God used to help us find Jesus, and miss the Jesus they pointed us to. Men honor other men, the Campbells, Stones, Luthers, Calvins, Grahams, and build tents to house them (churches with their names on them, schools dedicated to them, books written about them). We long to sit at the feet of these men and ask them questions about their experiences, when the Jesus to whom they were pointing is now among us.
While Peter was getting into his construction project to keep Moses and Elijah there, he was interrupted. It is almost like God Himself is saying, "Excuse Me Peter, let me remind you in whose presence you stand. Don't get so goggled-eyed at Moses and Elijah. You are in the presence of true, eternal, enduring greatness--My Son, Jesus." So the booming voice of God breaks into the scene and proclaims, "This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him." Moses and Elijah disappear, and Jesus is left before them. God Himself jerks these men back to reality. There is none greater. The King of kings, the greatest prophet, the new covenant maker stands before you, and in Him who came and tabernacled for a while among you is grace and truth (John 1). God knows how to make His point. Perhaps three humbled apostles had a new appreciation of Jesus as they went down the mountain.
Friday, April 5, 2013
The Summit
The Transfiguration story has always fascinated me. This Summit had seven participants, one breakout session, a frantic organizer and one keynoter who spoke for less than 10 seconds and said more than those who preach for hours. Moses and Elijah join Jesus in glory. What a sight it must have been for these sleepy eyes to see Moses and Elijah carrying on a conversation with Jesus about departures. The departures of these two OT giants was most notable. Moses took off from Mt. Nebo and was interned by God Himself, with no gravestone. There was even some fight between Michael and Satan over his body. This windswept mountain with a view of Israel across the Jordan is visited regularly by tourist and pilgrims to this day. And, the take off point for Elijah was east of the Jordan across from Jericho near where John the Baptist baptized. I have been to both places and know the spiritual devotion evoked knowing you are standing on the place of such departures. Both Moses and Elijah left behind two successors, Joshua and Elisha, just as Jesus was leaving behind Peter, James, and John. Jesus, Moses, and Elijah knew what it was like to train disciples to carrying on the work. I can't help but wonder if they were talking about this.
But Peter perhaps gives us the greatest insight into the "why" of this Transfiguration Summit. Take a moment to read 2 Peter 1:16-21. Peter relates this Summit in the context of explaining the sureness of the revelation from God concerning His Son. Peter and the rest did not make it up. They were not that clever. They spoke about the "power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." It is not a coincidence that this is what Jesus was talking with His apostles about right before the Transfiguration Summit (See Matt.16:27-28; Mk.8:38-9:1; Lk.9:26-27). Moses could speak to his prophecy of a prophet like himself that would arise from among the people (Deut.18) and Elijah could speak to his being the prototype of the forerunner of Jesus (Malachi 4:5-6). But the keynoter was God Himself who spoke with authority and said, "This is My Beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to Him." Peter says he heard this utterance while with Him on the holy mountain. Jesus is hosting this Summit to give opportunity for the prophetic word about Him and His ministry to be made absolutely sure. Just as God confirmed Jesus at His baptism with similar words, so now near the end of His ministry He is confirming again in the presence of two of His OT prophets the certainty of Jesus as Lord. This is the "lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your heart." (2 Peter 1:19)
There is continuity of the plan of God throughout the history of God's people. The glorified Jesus, Moses and Elijah shared the stage for a short time, connecting 1500 BC, 900 BC with 33 AD. With Peter, James and John there we are insured that this same plan goes forth into the future. Unbeknownst to them their names will become as familiar as Moses and Elijah's names. These apostles will become just as important in the continuation of the plan as Moses and Elijah were in their days. And, the link, the connector is Jesus Himself. What a Summit! I wish I had been invited. Oh, BTW, the frustrated organizer was Peter who wanted to set up some tents to keep this Summit going. He found out he was not in charge. We like him need to be content to pass on what we hear and see without having to be in charge of anything.
But Peter perhaps gives us the greatest insight into the "why" of this Transfiguration Summit. Take a moment to read 2 Peter 1:16-21. Peter relates this Summit in the context of explaining the sureness of the revelation from God concerning His Son. Peter and the rest did not make it up. They were not that clever. They spoke about the "power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." It is not a coincidence that this is what Jesus was talking with His apostles about right before the Transfiguration Summit (See Matt.16:27-28; Mk.8:38-9:1; Lk.9:26-27). Moses could speak to his prophecy of a prophet like himself that would arise from among the people (Deut.18) and Elijah could speak to his being the prototype of the forerunner of Jesus (Malachi 4:5-6). But the keynoter was God Himself who spoke with authority and said, "This is My Beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased, listen to Him." Peter says he heard this utterance while with Him on the holy mountain. Jesus is hosting this Summit to give opportunity for the prophetic word about Him and His ministry to be made absolutely sure. Just as God confirmed Jesus at His baptism with similar words, so now near the end of His ministry He is confirming again in the presence of two of His OT prophets the certainty of Jesus as Lord. This is the "lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your heart." (2 Peter 1:19)
There is continuity of the plan of God throughout the history of God's people. The glorified Jesus, Moses and Elijah shared the stage for a short time, connecting 1500 BC, 900 BC with 33 AD. With Peter, James and John there we are insured that this same plan goes forth into the future. Unbeknownst to them their names will become as familiar as Moses and Elijah's names. These apostles will become just as important in the continuation of the plan as Moses and Elijah were in their days. And, the link, the connector is Jesus Himself. What a Summit! I wish I had been invited. Oh, BTW, the frustrated organizer was Peter who wanted to set up some tents to keep this Summit going. He found out he was not in charge. We like him need to be content to pass on what we hear and see without having to be in charge of anything.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Sleeping Through Transformation
I have to write next about the "Summit on the Summit," but today our focus is on this transfiguration of Jesus, a unique event in His earthly ministry, though perhaps common-place in the other realm from which He came. First, let us make sure we connect this to what Jesus was talking about 6-8 days earlier. He was telling them about the coming of the Son of Man in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. Surely the anticipation of this coming with such visual effects excited the apostles. Surely they speculated on what this would be like. Now a mere week later, three of them are going to get a taste, if they can stay awake. Luke tells us Jesus came up the mountain to pray, and it was during this prayer that transfiguration happened. But, the disciples were snoozing, just as they would do on the other special occasion in the Garden. The elite three were weak in the flesh. If we are going to be transformed body, soul and spirit, we are going to have to bring this body part of our being into some disciplined submission. The body likes to sleep and eat and "you know what." How many glorified moments on the gridiron have I missed because I was snoozing in my recliner? How many once in a life time moments have I missed because I needed to raid the frig at the wrong moment? Thank God for instant replays!
So what was this "transfiguration?" Matthew and Mark concentrate on His face. Matthew mentions His clothing, and Luke only His clothing. They are comparing the light to the sun and a launderer's work at brightening clothing. Detergent manufacturers have been trying to duplicate this ever since. I heard a teeth brightening commercial recently that speaks of making these pearly whites six shades brighter in just five minutes per day. We want brighter in less time, and cheaper. I Corinthians 15 talks about our transformation in a moment, the twinkling of an eye. This is changing of our bodies to immortal ones. But, what of spiritual transformation? 2 Corinthians 3 tells us about that, and it is not instantaneous. It is from one degree of glory into another as we behold as in a mirror the face of Jesus. Based on the glow of Moses' face on his mountain 15 centuries earlier, we reflect the glory of the Lord. But what if we are asleep? How can we grow if we are asleep? How can we change if physical rest is more important to us than transfiguration. For me my disfiguration needs some transfiguration.
After almost three years, 36 months, 252 weeks, about 1700 days, about that many hours, I am beginning to experience transformation. Each day I sit here and look into the sun-glowing face of Jesus as one might go to the beach to sit in the sun for a tan. The rays from His face fill my mind and heart. I think. I concentrate. I search. I ask questions. I struggle with words. I consider why Jesus did this or that or said this or that, and not something else. I stare and gaze upon the beauty of the Lord (Psa.27:4) in His temple. Little by little, step by step, I feel my body, soul, and spirit being healed, transformed, and integrated into a wholeness, and I am more and more at peace. Forgive the "i's" in this section, but if transfiguration is going to occur in me and you, we have to put the self into it. I must be awake, paying attention, listening intently, and absorbing Him, His words, His actions, His character, His beauty. Yes, "Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen In Me." "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from your deadness (and sleep) and let Christ shine on you" to paraphrase Paul (Eph.5:14). My morning alarm which signals me to meet with Jesus is preparing me for the last alarm, the trumpet blast, that will signal me to meet with Him in the air, and forever be with Him through blessed eternity.
So what was this "transfiguration?" Matthew and Mark concentrate on His face. Matthew mentions His clothing, and Luke only His clothing. They are comparing the light to the sun and a launderer's work at brightening clothing. Detergent manufacturers have been trying to duplicate this ever since. I heard a teeth brightening commercial recently that speaks of making these pearly whites six shades brighter in just five minutes per day. We want brighter in less time, and cheaper. I Corinthians 15 talks about our transformation in a moment, the twinkling of an eye. This is changing of our bodies to immortal ones. But, what of spiritual transformation? 2 Corinthians 3 tells us about that, and it is not instantaneous. It is from one degree of glory into another as we behold as in a mirror the face of Jesus. Based on the glow of Moses' face on his mountain 15 centuries earlier, we reflect the glory of the Lord. But what if we are asleep? How can we grow if we are asleep? How can we change if physical rest is more important to us than transfiguration. For me my disfiguration needs some transfiguration.
After almost three years, 36 months, 252 weeks, about 1700 days, about that many hours, I am beginning to experience transformation. Each day I sit here and look into the sun-glowing face of Jesus as one might go to the beach to sit in the sun for a tan. The rays from His face fill my mind and heart. I think. I concentrate. I search. I ask questions. I struggle with words. I consider why Jesus did this or that or said this or that, and not something else. I stare and gaze upon the beauty of the Lord (Psa.27:4) in His temple. Little by little, step by step, I feel my body, soul, and spirit being healed, transformed, and integrated into a wholeness, and I am more and more at peace. Forgive the "i's" in this section, but if transfiguration is going to occur in me and you, we have to put the self into it. I must be awake, paying attention, listening intently, and absorbing Him, His words, His actions, His character, His beauty. Yes, "Let the Beauty of Jesus Be Seen In Me." "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from your deadness (and sleep) and let Christ shine on you" to paraphrase Paul (Eph.5:14). My morning alarm which signals me to meet with Jesus is preparing me for the last alarm, the trumpet blast, that will signal me to meet with Him in the air, and forever be with Him through blessed eternity.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
The Lost Week
Moving on to another section (Matt.17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36), I am confronted with a new thought, i.e. a lost week in the ministry of Jesus. Now, I know we "lost" much of Jesus' childhood from 2-12, and much of his teen and young adult years, 12-30. But, since His ministry has started I don't recall this kind of gap of 6-8 days. Matthew and Mark says "6 days later" and Luke says "some eight days after these sayings." Since we do not know what "later than what" is and since there may be some consideration between coming to the mountain and climbing to the summit, not much should be made between six and eight. Most think the mountain was Hermon in northern Israel now shared by Israel, Lebanon, and Syria. The summit (actually there are three summits) is 9, 230(2) feet, the highest point in Israel. We don't know if Jesus took them to the summit. If He did, this was a real climb, and shows some real strength on the part of these men. All three synoptics agree that Jesus was accompanied by Peter, James and John, and no reason is giving for these three being chosen. They did have this privilege on at least two other occasions, at the raising up of Jarius' daughter (Mk.5:37; Lk.8:51) and at Gethsemane (Mt.26:37; Mk.14:33). We know that many ancient temples are found on this mountain. We also know that there is a myth that an oath was made on the mountain by some fallen angels to accept the consequences for marrying the sons of men.
But back to the so-called lost week. I don't like that. I don't want to lose a week of the life of Jesus. I want to know what He was doing and saying. I know John tells us that many more books could have been written, but why do we have to have a gap of a whole week? What insight is missed? What truth is buried in time? What example is gone forever? What Sunday School story will never be put to flannel graph? What scene will forever be left out of a film on His life? What was He doing? And why did He keep me and you out? Did he escape for a week out of sight of all human beings? Were there no eyewitnesses to record the events of this week? Did He tell the disciples to keep quiet and they actually did? Just as two lovers do not want to be out of each others presence for long, I feel empty that I cannot journal my thoughts about this lost week. I am sure He had a good reason for leaving me and you out of it, but I don't like it. Why didn't the Holy Spirit give us a peak into this week?
In some ways I am very happy that I saw this, and that my reaction is as stated. I could have said, "Good, one less week to have to study and to journal about!" "I can finish my Challenger Deep study a little sooner." But, I don't feel that way. It is like being told there is a section of the temple that is off limits to me. There is a door that is locked. There is a part of the tour that I can't take. There is a secret I cannot know. Will I get to ask Him about this lost week one day? Will he tell me what I missed? So for now I will have to be content with picking up the story on the mountain without knowing how He got there. I just pray there are no more gaps in the story. I don't want to miss anything.
But back to the so-called lost week. I don't like that. I don't want to lose a week of the life of Jesus. I want to know what He was doing and saying. I know John tells us that many more books could have been written, but why do we have to have a gap of a whole week? What insight is missed? What truth is buried in time? What example is gone forever? What Sunday School story will never be put to flannel graph? What scene will forever be left out of a film on His life? What was He doing? And why did He keep me and you out? Did he escape for a week out of sight of all human beings? Were there no eyewitnesses to record the events of this week? Did He tell the disciples to keep quiet and they actually did? Just as two lovers do not want to be out of each others presence for long, I feel empty that I cannot journal my thoughts about this lost week. I am sure He had a good reason for leaving me and you out of it, but I don't like it. Why didn't the Holy Spirit give us a peak into this week?
In some ways I am very happy that I saw this, and that my reaction is as stated. I could have said, "Good, one less week to have to study and to journal about!" "I can finish my Challenger Deep study a little sooner." But, I don't feel that way. It is like being told there is a section of the temple that is off limits to me. There is a door that is locked. There is a part of the tour that I can't take. There is a secret I cannot know. Will I get to ask Him about this lost week one day? Will he tell me what I missed? So for now I will have to be content with picking up the story on the mountain without knowing how He got there. I just pray there are no more gaps in the story. I don't want to miss anything.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Kingdom Dynamics
It is in the more obscure-to-us statements of Jesus that produce not only intrigue but indicators that Jesus is up to more and on different levels than where we function. Jesus is our King. We are the kingdom. He tells us most of His business, but there are things he does not expect us to be involved in. We have our job to do, and it parallels His. The Kingdom business is unified. It all works together to accomplish God's will on earth. So when Jesus talks about "coming in His Father's glory with holy angels taking vengeance on folks with power and authority in His kingdom" it is a sit up and take notice event or series of events. (See last blog on this.) But I have noticed there are other statements by Jesus and His apostles that are similar, though they all have to be looked at in their context. But, the similarity of them makes the point that Jesus is up to something that is pretty significant, a sit-up-and-take-notice happening. Let's look at some.
In Matthew 12:25 Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God coming upon people when He casts out demons by the power of the Spirit of God. Kingdom-coming is with power. There is authority. There is an unmistakable intention to let the world know who is in control, who is King, and which Kingdom is going to win, and whose side we need to be on if we hope to be winners. In the text that is clearly talking about the coming destruction of Jerusalem, Matthew 24:30, Jesus tells of "the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory." (Josephus reports this sign as a light or star in the shape of a sword hanging over the city.) For all those who mocked and scoffed and ignored and tried to exert their own power and authority, Jesus clearly has the last word, and His power and authority is established. Those with Him won, and those against Him lost. In another text in Matthew 26:64 as Jesus stood before the high priest He said, "...nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." The high priest lost it and tore his robes. The picture could not be clearer. This little two bit self-appointed peep squeak of a priest was no match for Jesus. These statements put things in their proper place. In John 1:51 to Nathaniel who was impressed with Jesus telling him what He saw while Nathaniel was under the fig tree, Jesus said, "Truly, truly I say to you, you shall see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." For whatever else it means it is meant to depict Jesus' unique position of authority. One more. To the fickle, bread-seeking crowds who stumbled over His words of discipleship in John 6:62 He says, "What then if you should behold the Son of Man ascending where He was before?" In other words, "they have seen nothing yet."
Jesus throws out these statements throughout His ministry because people needed to know that if they miss and misunderstand His first visit, there are going to be additional visits that they will not be able to miss. In Luke 19:44 Jesus says the reason Jerusalem will be destroyed is because the Jews did not recognize His first visitation. And, Peter tells his readers that they must be careful to glorify God on the day of His visitation. It seems that if we miss Jesus' coming, all we have to do is wait, and He will come again, and perhaps again with increasing evidence of His power and His authority. That last coming is really going to be something.
In Matthew 12:25 Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God coming upon people when He casts out demons by the power of the Spirit of God. Kingdom-coming is with power. There is authority. There is an unmistakable intention to let the world know who is in control, who is King, and which Kingdom is going to win, and whose side we need to be on if we hope to be winners. In the text that is clearly talking about the coming destruction of Jerusalem, Matthew 24:30, Jesus tells of "the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory." (Josephus reports this sign as a light or star in the shape of a sword hanging over the city.) For all those who mocked and scoffed and ignored and tried to exert their own power and authority, Jesus clearly has the last word, and His power and authority is established. Those with Him won, and those against Him lost. In another text in Matthew 26:64 as Jesus stood before the high priest He said, "...nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." The high priest lost it and tore his robes. The picture could not be clearer. This little two bit self-appointed peep squeak of a priest was no match for Jesus. These statements put things in their proper place. In John 1:51 to Nathaniel who was impressed with Jesus telling him what He saw while Nathaniel was under the fig tree, Jesus said, "Truly, truly I say to you, you shall see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man." For whatever else it means it is meant to depict Jesus' unique position of authority. One more. To the fickle, bread-seeking crowds who stumbled over His words of discipleship in John 6:62 He says, "What then if you should behold the Son of Man ascending where He was before?" In other words, "they have seen nothing yet."
Jesus throws out these statements throughout His ministry because people needed to know that if they miss and misunderstand His first visit, there are going to be additional visits that they will not be able to miss. In Luke 19:44 Jesus says the reason Jerusalem will be destroyed is because the Jews did not recognize His first visitation. And, Peter tells his readers that they must be careful to glorify God on the day of His visitation. It seems that if we miss Jesus' coming, all we have to do is wait, and He will come again, and perhaps again with increasing evidence of His power and His authority. That last coming is really going to be something.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Militancy
Take a look again at Matthew 16:27-28; Mark 8:38-9:1; Luke 9:26-27. Christianity is lived out today in the US in sterile environments. There is Sunday School, AC, dressing up (somewhat), ritual, pot lucks, small groups, and the like. It is all very non-militant. This is why our text is even more dramatic for me. I have wrestled for two days with this text. I am still not convinced I totally get it. But, one thing I am sure of Jesus is not talking about "sterile." Jesus is talking about "coming" within a generation in some bold and dramatic way to accomplish some kingdom business. Now He is certainly engaged presently in our story in some pretty bold and dramatic kingdom business, but I get a sense from Jesus' words that what is coming is much more militant. Jesus' words take me to many potentially relevant texts: Daniel 2, 7 & 9; Matthew 23-24; Acts 1-2; Phil.2:11; Rev.14:10. Since he says this "coming" will happen before some who stand there will die, we can take the Second Coming off the table. The idea of "coming" occurs in various Old Testament texts to indicate some visit by God into human history for a very specific purpose, often a very militant purpose. At any rate Jesus is painting a picture for his followers of a future "campaign" that is not at all Sunday School quality. This kingdom business will be dangerous and powerful.
I have debated whether Jesus is referring to the Pentecost beginnings of the kingdom/church at the pouring out of the Spirit and the preaching of the gospel for the first time after His death, burial and resurrection or whether He is talking about the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. I don't like it when presented with an either/or proposition when it is not essential to choose between the two. Why can't the answer be both/and? Why can't this be the opening campaign of the kingdom being directed by our commander-in-chief from heaven at the right hand of God, a campaign that commences in Jerusalem in AD 33(?) and ends in Jerusalem in AD 70? Surely Daniel saw this connection in his 70 Week prophecy, as he spoke of the last week. There is the cutting off of the Messiah outside the walls of Jerusalem and the end of sacrifices when the temple was destroyed. If we take the entire 70 weeks, we have the beginning at the rebuilding of the temple after the exile and the ending at the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish system as prophesied by Jesus (Matt.23-24). If this is right, Jesus is depicting Himself as a militant leader who will conduct a campaign that will include bloodshed and evangelistic fervor.
Now I am not suggesting that we as ambassadors of reconciliation take any "militant" matters into our hands as some of our spiritual ancestors did during the Crusades. But I am suggesting that Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever, may still be doing kingdom business that involves the rise and fall of nations for the the purpose of expanding His kingdom. I am suggesting that our bold piece is to spread the gospel in connection with whatever Jesus is doing on another front, so that by the concert of the two we might see His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Our spiritual warfare and evangelistic campaigning should be the norm of the kingdom. We are with Jesus on the advance, not in retreat. Our world today is no more hostile than the day in which the kingdom began. Our charge into it must be no less dramatic and forceful as we do our part to expand the borders of a kingdom that will never be destroyed and which will destroy all other kingdoms.
I have debated whether Jesus is referring to the Pentecost beginnings of the kingdom/church at the pouring out of the Spirit and the preaching of the gospel for the first time after His death, burial and resurrection or whether He is talking about the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. I don't like it when presented with an either/or proposition when it is not essential to choose between the two. Why can't the answer be both/and? Why can't this be the opening campaign of the kingdom being directed by our commander-in-chief from heaven at the right hand of God, a campaign that commences in Jerusalem in AD 33(?) and ends in Jerusalem in AD 70? Surely Daniel saw this connection in his 70 Week prophecy, as he spoke of the last week. There is the cutting off of the Messiah outside the walls of Jerusalem and the end of sacrifices when the temple was destroyed. If we take the entire 70 weeks, we have the beginning at the rebuilding of the temple after the exile and the ending at the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish system as prophesied by Jesus (Matt.23-24). If this is right, Jesus is depicting Himself as a militant leader who will conduct a campaign that will include bloodshed and evangelistic fervor.
Now I am not suggesting that we as ambassadors of reconciliation take any "militant" matters into our hands as some of our spiritual ancestors did during the Crusades. But I am suggesting that Jesus who is the same yesterday, today and forever, may still be doing kingdom business that involves the rise and fall of nations for the the purpose of expanding His kingdom. I am suggesting that our bold piece is to spread the gospel in connection with whatever Jesus is doing on another front, so that by the concert of the two we might see His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Our spiritual warfare and evangelistic campaigning should be the norm of the kingdom. We are with Jesus on the advance, not in retreat. Our world today is no more hostile than the day in which the kingdom began. Our charge into it must be no less dramatic and forceful as we do our part to expand the borders of a kingdom that will never be destroyed and which will destroy all other kingdoms.
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