The Church is People

   Churches are made of individuals, lots of individuals. While your local church might be small, you and your church are still part of something big. Professing Christians make up 31% of the population of the earth. Online estimates say there are 2.19 billion Christians in the world. Each and every Christian is important, and the individual gifts of each person are of equal importance to God. (See the previous blog … if you are not sharing your Spiritual Gift, the church is weakened).
   One of the things scripture teaches is that each individual matters and is important. The Bible contains the names of many individuals. We know details about some of the people listed in the Bible. Other people we only know because their name is written in God’s book. Each and every person is important … consider this, people have been reading their names for over 2,000 years … even if it is only a name, it is an identifier of someone who is important to God.
   The Scripture contains many details about some people, such as the Apostles. Bible studies have been developed around their personalities, their good points, and their bad points. We can learn because this grouping of people lived and became examples for us.
   On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are listings of people of whom we know nothing but their names. Consider the following passage: 

   “Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among[d] the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.” (Romans 16) 

   The things we know about each person are that they were believers, they were important to their community ( ἐκκλησία), they were known to the Apostle Paul (who wrote the letter), and they mattered to God (who made sure their names were included in His book).
   Sometimes, unless it is pointed out to us, we miss some information about people who are included in the Scripture. Take the formerly blind man named Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52), or Simon of Cyrene (and his sons, Alexander and Rufus - Mark 15:21), these, and a host of other named individuals became Christians, and known members of the church (ἐκκλησία). If these individuals did not join the body of the early church, there would have only been the mention of a nameless blind man who was healed or the foreigner who was forced to carry the cross of Jesus. The Bible is able to name these people and tell what they did because God used their lives to advance His kingdom.
   There are, of course, too many Christians to name in the Bible. Acts 2:41 mentions 3,000 individuals (a reflection of Exodus 32:28 or Joshua 7:3?). Acts 4:4 tells about 5,000 who believed. The Word of God would become too long if each and every individual was called by name. But the early Christians each served God according through the unique Spiritual Gifts God gave them. Some lived life peacefully. Others went to prison like John the Apostle (Rev. 1:9). Some died as martyrs (Hebrews 11-12; Rev. 6:9-11) at the point of the sword, because they were mauled by wild animals, or by burning at the stake or as a lantern along the road to the Coliseum.
   Each and every Christian who lived out God’s calling has a story of valor and accomplishment. No one who obeyed God is insignificant, only those who faded and did not follow God’s calling. Now, the question is, will you live a life of significance, or will you hide in the shadows, finding redemption only because God is merciful. (Luke 19:12-26)

A Church in Nazareth

     This year, while in Israel, I had the chance to visit the Church of the Annunciation. This is the place where the Angel Gabriel said to Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1)

The house where Mary met the Angel

     The church is interesting, because it contains relics of Nazareth’s past. In the middle of the church there is an old house. This is the supposed home where Mary lived with her family, and the place where the Angel spoke to her. The church is inspiring. I have more pictures of the church on the KosherCopy facebook page. (While you are looking, please ‘like’ the page.)

The Church of the Annunciation is a busy place today

     The story of Mary is much like some of our what happens in our lives. We get busy, handle the important matters of life, and oftentimes miss out on the most important matters of life. Mary was involved in a relationship with the man she loved, and was planning a wedding with her family. I am sure she also had daily chores, and other things she did around Nazareth, the small town where she lived.

In the first century, it looked more like this farm

     Then the Angel came, and interrupted her life. The Angel told her God had great plans for her. Mary said, “How will this be?” She was from a small town, and was from a family she thought was of low status. There was no reason the God of heaven should notice her and nothing in her life to bring her to greatness. Yet God chose her.
     The Angel said, “You will conceive and give birth to a son.” Mary responded, “How will this be since I am a virgin?” And she realized her life was about to change. Normal children bring change to normal parents. For Mary, the change was greater. She was yet to consummate the marriage (and becoming pregnant could mean divorce, and/or death by stoning!) and the Angel was telling her she would have ‘the perfect child.’ Mary was not ready for this announcement.

A Christmas sign in Nazareth, Israel

     Often, we are not ready for the things that God wants to bring into our lives. We take life as it comes at us.
     But we should stop. Every day we need to take time off, and spend it with God.
     Especially at Christmas, which is why I wrote the book Advent Journeys. I wanted to prevent life from consuming our family, so we could take in Christmas rather than Commercialmas or Crazimass.

The day of the month is on the outside, reading inside

     I hung a paper chain in our dining room to remind us to take time for God. I encourage you to do the same. (Instructions are on my website). Especially if you have small children (or even older children), take the time to celebrate the real Christmas.

Please visit my websiet

     Please take time to read my book, Advent Journeys, through Kindle Reader, free on Amazon Prime, have your local library order a copy, or order your own book. The readings will add meaning to your Christmas. And let me know what you think at KosherCopy@gmail.com

Speaking to Groups, Bible Studies and Jerusalem Tours

In my last post I began telling how I taught Adult Vacation Bible School at Fairview Baptist Church recently. The lessons were simple, and well known: Zacchaeus (little man up in a tree), Samaritan Woman (came to the well), Nicodemus (came to Jesus at night), Blind Bartimaeus, and Jesus’ rebuff to his disciples “Let the children come to me.”

The Cardio ... Main Street in Jerusalem

One lesson which captured the people’s interest was on Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin. He was of the wealthy ruling class of the city of Jerusalem. As I began the lesson, I took my class to places I did not know existed until only recently.

Herodian Home from the Wohl Museum

On my last visit to Israel with Chelsea and Sarah we visited the Wohl museum and the Western Wall Tunnel. These tours were a fascinating exploration of the city as known by the Nicodemus of John 3. I shared pictures from the upper city where the High Priest lived. The class also viewed maps of the bridge which connected the upper city to the Temple. Then I showed pictures of our tour under the bridge, then north along the wall of the Temple. We walked on the very streets where Jesus walked, and experienced a part of Jerusalem frozen in time.

Basement level of a Herodian home. The Mikvah is down there.

I showed the class mikvah pools in Jerusalem. These included both ancient pools which had been dug up and modern pools. We learned about the purpose of cleansing, and visited a few of the pools near the Temple. I also showed how the Essenes cleansed themselves. The Essenes were a Jewish group who lived in the desert, south of Jericho and near the Dead Sea. Some think John the Baptist was an Essene.

Qumran, home of the Essenes

I shared differences between Essenes, Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots. We also looked at the Herodians and the Sanhedrin. I shared pictures, experiences in Israel, and readings from Josephus and the MIshnah. The class began to understand life in Jerusalem in the days of Jesus and the religious groups which vied for power. The evening tour brought Jerusalem to life.

Street Jesus walked on -from Underground Western Wall Tour

Our story the third night of Adult VBS was about Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night. This was not because he was fearful, but because he walked in Spiritual Darkness. He wanted to know how Jesus performed miracles. Jesus said, “you must be born again.” Jesus explained that Nicodemus must be born anew through the Spirit of God. He must come to know the gift which Jesus came to give. “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.” Jesus explained to Nicodemus how God gave His only Son so whoever believes might have eternal life. Jesus explained light which came into the world, and Nicodemus understood. The Bible tells us Nicodemus came into the light.

Robinson Arch and southern approach to Temple Mount

I desire to share the light of the Bible with Christians so they can understand Israel and Jerusalem in the days of Jesus. Perhaps the best way to do this is to take people to the very streets where Jesus walked. I have written about my desire to take a group to Israel in June 2018. Will you go with me?

Jerusalem from the top of the Tower of David Museum

Some cannot travel with me to Israel, so I want to mention a second way to take the trip (not as good, but still very worthwhile). I have put together several presentations to bring Israel to your church. I am available to speak to Senior Adult groups, Sunday school classes, and worship services to share tours of Israel. For more information, please contact me.

Vacation Bible School group at Fairview Baptist Church, Statesville

My presentations include pictorial tours of various areas of Israel as well as bringing the Bible to life for people. I want to help people walk in the shoes of men and women of the Bible so they can better understand the world about which they read.

I also share (visit KosherCopy on Facebook) the Jewish Passover (and other holidays) in order for people to understand the culture of the people of the Bible. And I enjoy taking people on a tour of the Tabernacle built by Moses in the Wilderness. As we tour the Tabernacle, people come to understand what God desires of us in worship and how we can please God.

Spring – The Last Supper

     Question: How many Passovers (Kindle) did Jesus celebrate? Answer: He celebrated Passover (Kindle) with family or friends every year! Because Jesus was Jewish, we know the Passover was a significant event for him, his family and his friends.
     The New Testament contains details from four Passovers which Jesus celebrated. Each year the celebration was unique and important in his life and ministry. I have detailed these in more depth in my book Spring: Connecting with God. (Kindle)
     The first recorded Passover celebrated by Jesus occurred when he was twelve. His family went to Jerusalem for this important Harvest Festival. During the time of the preparation for the feast, Jesus’ family left him alone, and he went to the Temple. While in the Temple he began to dialogue with the Sadducees, Pharisees, Sanhedrin members and Priests. The Bible records how his parents left him behind in the city when they went home; from the culture we can understand more details.
     The first Passover of Jesus’ ministry years was celebrated in Jerusalem. The Gospel of John contains eye-witness details of this Passover, including a visit to Nicodemus, teacher of the people of Israel. In this Passover Jesus shared with his disciples how to come out of bondage to sin into the light of God’s love.
     The year before Jesus died, he did something very unusual: He celebrated Passover at home. Every other year (except for the years spent in Egypt) Jesus, his family and his friends traveled to Jerusalem. John 6 contains details of how Jesus celebrated this Passover at the Sea of Galilee. As Jesus raised the Motzah on this Passover, he called himself the bread of life.
     Jesus’ last Passover is called the Last Supper. All four gospels tell about this Passover Seder. Matthew, Mark and Luke briefly skim over this dinner. (Luke’s Gospel contains some unique details). John’s gospel goes into detail as he describes the actions and teachings which occurred in the upper room.
     When we understand the Passover we understand more about Jesus, his culture and the teachings he was trying to share. In the Christian world today, it is sad that we too often rush through the cup and bread without understanding the great lessons of Passover; and in these great lessons the things Jesus was really telling us.

Spring – Hot and Cold

Spring is a season with many variables.  Temperatures run from cold to hot, precipitation goes from dry to wet (from snow to sleet to rain), and wind velocity can make March end as a lion or a lamb.  We love the warm days, and complain when the weather turns too cold.  But that is the nature of the season.

    For the gardener, Spring is a great time.  I always enjoy the time I can till the garden and plant seeds. With great care I look at the weather; not just what it is today, but I watch what will happen tomorrow.  I don’t get to select the day I will prepare the ground, conditions must be dry for several days. If the ground is too wet I get clay lumps rather than fine soil when I till the ground.

    I carefully select what to plant in my garden and its location.  I select seed which will produce what we will eat or share.  There is no room for much else.  Some plants need to be in the shade, while others need full sun. I carefully plan for space so vines will not overrun smaller plants.

     After planting comes the waiting time.  I watch daily to see what seedlings have poked their heads out of the ground.  There is great joy when I see the rows of plants springing up; the new seedlings represent new life and the hope of a harvest.

    But Spring can be unpredictable.  There are times when the weather is warm, and in hope I plant my garden, But then the late Spring freeze comes.  If I plant too early, I will lose my crop, and have to plant ahead.  Generally I get it right, but there are times I see the plants sprout and leaf only to wake up one morning only and mourn my loss.

    Our spiritual life can be like this, running from hot to cold.  You know the routine.  For a period of time you go to your Bible daily to read the Word, and have regular prayer time.  Then something comes up, and you miss one morning, then two; and your daily reading stops.  You must start again.

    There are times in my life when I can focus on my reading and daily routine; then comes the busy season, when my time is stolen.  In a time of crisis, the time I desire can be frozen out, unless I purposely force a time to spend with God.

    Over time, a cold spell can change a nation, such was the case at points in Israel’s history.  You can read more about this in chapter four of Spring: Connecting with God.

The Real Topic "Connecting with God" (A Great Study!)

     Many years ago, while I was still in Seminary, I was asked to help put together a Passover Hagaddah for the Messianic Jewish Community in Louisville, KY. Across the years I have enjoyed sharing the Passover, and recently I have put this Seder into print: A Christian Passover in the Jewish Tradition. And in the process of producing this Hagaddah, God did something wonderful.
     As I tried to put the Hagaddah into presentable form, God spoke to me. This occurred while I was on a trip to see my father. As I drove, the Lord brought ideas and chapters to my mind which I had studied in the past. These realizations came from the time I assembled the first Passover Hagaddah for our group in Louisville.
     In my book Spring: Connecting with God I follow the development of the Seder, from the Garden of Eden (when Adam used to walk with God in the cool of the day); to the Communion of Abram and Melchezedek (Genesis 14:18); to the instructions of the first Passover in Exodus 12 (and its observance in Exodus 13); all the way to it’s history during time of the Kings of Judea. I teach on how the Passover has ties to the Peace offering of Leviticus 3-4 (and 7). I also examine four Passover Seders observed by Jesus in the New Testament (at 12 years of age, and each year of his ministry). I show how the agape feast of the early church is tied to the Passover, and how we will enjoy fellowship meals in heaven.
     I thought I wrote a good book, until God showed me something else. I was asked to share an outline of Spring: Connecting with God in a local Senior Adult group, and put the outline into presentation format. As I shared, I realized the book is more about our relationship with God than it is about the Passover.
     Spring: Connecting with God shows how our love for God goes from passionate to cool; and from churchy to forgotten. The book is a call for us to fan to flame the love which is in our hearts for God, and shows us how to avoid the things which cool us off. I would encourage people to take the book, and use it as a 10 week study (but then as the author I am biased). But I know study groups could be enriched through this study.

Whispers

A Whisper
Coming softly to my ears
Murmuring something
That I cannot understand
Unless I listen
With my whole being

What is it saying?
I wonder
Is it telling me
Something important
That will change
My entire life ...

(Poem © Chelsea Simon) ...
It’s completion & more poems can be found in the book.