Reconciliation

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Lk. 2:13-14). Today is Christmas day. Christmas is full of miracle messages. One of the miracles associated with Christmas is the above declaration of the angels in heaven: the outreach of reconciliation from God to man by the child who had been born, Jesus. This miracle of reconciliation is so great, that a multitude of angels cried out aloud from heaven in praises because of it. We are separated from our God in the first place because of our sin. The word of the LORD to the prophet Isaiah said, "Behold the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lipe have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perversity." (Isa. 59:1-3). The same sin also separates and divides us from one another. Our nations are divided with hostility, our communities are divided, our families are divided. However, the child born on Christmas is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Jn. 1:29, 34), and reconciles the world to God. The blood of the Lamb also reconciles us with each other, if we will allow it to do so. This is the ministry that was given to Christ, and to us - the reconciliation of man to God: "Now all things are of God who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." (2 Cor. 5:18-20). As we know, the world is in desperate need of being reconciled to God. Everywhere we look, there are divisions and estrangements, even within the household of faith. We have this powerful ministry of reconciliation, created for us by the Father through Christ Himself. This is the perfect time of year to revive ourselves in the meaning and timely importance of this ministry of reconciliation. The Sabbath readings this week also carry the same message. They are from Gen. 45 and Ezek. 37. This group of readings is called Va'yigash, meaning "And he drew near". That title has a wealth of meaning to us, especially at this time of year. In Gen. 45, Joseph is miraculously reunited with his brothers, and afterwards, with his father, Jacob. These same brothers plotted to kill Joseph because they resented him and the prophetic dreams he had. They ended up selling him into slavery instead. They lied to their father, Jacob, and told him that Joseph had been killed. Joseph ends up as a slave in Egypt, but by the favor of God (the meaning of reconciliation includes "restoration to favor"), he was elevated into the second highest position in Egypt. Only Pharaoh was of higher rank. Rather than being offended, angry and bitter during the unexpected reconciliation with his brothers, Joseph was overcome with emotion at the reunion. In order to comfort them, Joseph told his brothers that all had worked out for him according to God's purpose. The reconciliation work of God causes us to be able to see His purpose, even through painful trials and rejection. Because of this reconciliation of Joseph with his family, the seed of Jacob would have provision and safety throughout the famine. The second miraculous reconciliation is found in this Sabbath's haftarah reading found in Ezek. 37. It is the reconciliation prophesied to the divided nation of Israel. The reconciliation taking place in this chapter takes place on several different levels. Israel had been divided into two separate kingdoms. God prophesies through Ezekiel that they would be joined together again. On another level of reconciliation, God promises that Israel would be one nation with one King, one Shepherd, even David, for ever. Here in this level of reconciliation, God is promising Israel the Kingdom of Messiah. On the third level of reconciliation, the Jews and the half-Gentile tribes, represented by Ephraim (Joseph's son by his Egyptian wife), would be joined together like two sticks or branches becoming one in God's hand. This same promise is given to the Church in the new covenant through Christ's ministry of reconciliation: "For if their (Israel) being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?...blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins." (Rom. 11:11-21, excerpt). From Ephesians we read, "...that at that time you (once Gentiles in the flesh) were without Christ being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and wiithout God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation..." (Eph. 2:12-14). The miraculous work of reconciliation, announced on that long ago night in Bethlehem at the birth of Christ, is still working miracle reconciliations as promised by our Father. May we walk faithfully in that ministry in the image of Christ, Who reconciled the world to His Father, because our Father has given us the ministry and word of reconciliation. If you would like to draw nearer to Jesus as He reaches out to draw near to you, you can begin with this prayer: "Lord Jesus, You have reconciled me to the Father in heaven by cleansing me of my sins. I believe you died for me, and that You rose again from the dead. Fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I may minister this same reconciliation to others in Your name. Amen."

Reputation

Christmas is drawing near. I was thinking about the first Christmas, and felt that I needed to remind myself of the circumstances surrounding it. Those who are recorded to have been present at the birth of Christ were of no reputation, several are not even known by name. No religious leaders were there, nor important officials. Animals probably outnumbered the people present. However, the glory of God was there as the heavens opened and the angels declared it. Lowly shepherds were allowed to be a part of the birth and the glory. Unnamed wise men from the East did not consider themselves too important to travel a long distance, following a star in order to bring gifts to an unknown King, though they were men of great enough esteem to be accepted into the presence of earthly kings (Mt. 2:7-12). Mary, a young woman of no importance to man, humbled herself further to receive the perplexing and challenging prophetic Word of the LORD that was brought to her by an angel. Joseph, a common carpenter, humbled himself to accept a seemingly impossible and what would be perceived as a scandalous situation because of what was shown to him in a dream. From these details of the birth of Jesus, we might be able to conclude that God is not necessarily looking for someone with a reputation, who is acknowledged, recognized, and approved of by man. In the world's view, it is a desired thing to be recognized. We live in an age of Instagram flooded with "selfies", and "social influencers" compete for subscribers by showing us how to live the most exciting and beautiful lifestyle. To them, recognition and reputation translates into money. The kingdom of God, especially if we use the birth of Christ as an example, does not share the world's viewpoint, and teaches the complete opposite. It is to our benefit to understand that the world's ways are not God's ways. Scripture tells us that Jesus came as one having made Himself of no reputation (meaning to empty, cause a thing to be seen as empty, of no reputation, abase, make of none effect; vessels which contain nothing, empty handed, destitute of spiritual wealth): "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." (Phil 2:5-8). Though we are the sons of God through Christ, we follow the example of Jesus as we make of ourselves a people of no reputation. We will see what God does with such a people later. I think these verses above are some of the most important in scripture, and the Christmas story is filled with this same truth. If this is the model set before us by the most important figure the world has ever known, Jesus, we are to follow His example, surely. No one has accomplished more for the kingdom of God than Jesus, yet He deliberately sought to have no reputation. He even told those who recognized Him as Christ to tell no one. A person's acceptance of Jesus was not to be based upon His reputation, but based instead upon the revelation of God, a work of the Holy Spirit (Mt. 16:13-20). And too many to count have experienced this revelation. God can do great things through a person of no reputation. Again, in the continuation of the verses from Philippians, we are given the model of Jesus: "Therefore, God has also highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phil. 2:9-11). To one who accepted Christ, not based upon reputation, but revelation, Jesus said, "...on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Mt. 16:18-19). To the Corinthian church, who had great pride in their spiritual gifts, the apostle Paul pointed out that he came to them in weakness, knowing nothing but Christ and Him crucified. He deliberately preached not with words of human wisdom and polish, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. He told them that their faith should be of the same nature (1 Cor. 2:2:1-5). To the Philippian church, he spoke of his most excellent and highly regarded credentials which would make him a Jew of high standing if that was what mattered. However, he no longer considered those things of importance in preaching the Gospel. He said, "But what things are gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ...for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him...the righteousness which is from God by faith." (Phil. 3:3-9). Paul would rather lose himself and be part of Christ than to be and have what the world and religion consider impressive and influential. He would fit in well as one who came to that first Christmas in Bethlehem. The Sabbath readings assigned for this week, Gen. 41-44, carry the same timely message. The readings tell of people who were miraculously elevated, but they recognized that it was not because of who they were, but because of the Spirit of God. Joseph was brought out of prison to be a ruling person in Egypt because he interpreted Pharaoh's dreams that no one else could interpret. When Pharaoh said that he had heard of Joseph's reputation for interpreting dreams, Joseph answered, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace." (Gen. 41:16). The dream interpretation would result in revealing the heavenly knowledge and wisdom that would be needed to guide the nation of Egypt through years of famine, and also to have enough food on hand to provide for Joseph's father Jacob, Joseph's brothers, and all of their children and flocks when they joined Joseph in Egypt. Choosing Joseph to elevate to the position of second in the land, Pharaoh said to his servants and Joseph, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?...Inasmuch as God has shown you (Joseph) all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall rule over my house and all my people shall be ruled according to your word...See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." (Gen. 41:38-41). In this elevation, Joseph, born a Hebrew, hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, betrayed by those with whom he had been entrusted, learned that it was not who he was that elevated him, but Who the Spirit of God is Who revealed these things to him. In the haftarah reading for this Sabbath, 1 Kings 3:15-4:1, when Solomon became king after his father David died, he didn't come to the throne relying on David's great reputation, or the people's recognition and honor of his royal position. Solomon requested of the LORD in a dream, "Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father, David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore, give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" (1 Kings 3:7-9). The next verse says, "The speech pleased the LORD that Solomon had asked this thing." Because the LORD was so pleased with Solomon's humble spirit as reflected in his request, the LORD gave Solomon not only what he asked for, but much more besides, "...so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you...there shall not be any one like you among the kings all your days." (v. 12-13). These readings for this Sabbath are titled, "Miketz", which is translated, "at the end of". In light of the contents of the readings, I believe what God is saying to us through them is that when we are willing to be at the end of ourselves, then God can begin. This Christmas, as we remember the birth of Christ, making a pilgrimage in the Spirit to the stable where He was born, let's leave our "reputations" behind, and come as ones having made ourselves of no reputation. This year, may we experience the same Christmas glory in the birth of Christ as those who were present so long ago. Our Father wants us to come to the manger and experience His glory. If you would like to receive the King of Glory, Jesus, this Christmas as your Lord and Savior, believe in your heart that He died for your sins, and confess by faith that He rose from the dead. We can pray together: "Lord Jesus, I come to You in faith, seeking You as Lord and Savior, believing that You died for me. I believe that You rose from the dead. I believe that God has given You a name, and highly exalted You. Every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that You are Lord of all. You lowered Yourself and became like men, and made Yourself of no reputation, in order to save me according to Your Father's plan. Fill me with the Holy Spirit that I might be the glory of God in Your image. In Your name, which has been exalted by God, I pray. Amen.

TheLamp

"Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man...and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches." (Rev. 1:12-13, 20). We never appreciate light as much as when we find ourselves in darkness. As soon as the power goes out, we light candles, grab the flashlight, whatever we have in the house that prevents us from having to walk through the complete darkness. We take light for granted until we have none. In Revelation, Jesus makes it clear that the Church that leaves its first love, Christ, can have its Lampstand taken away from it, losing its light (Rev. 2:5). The Law of Moses required that the Lamp in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle always remain lighted from night until morning. The Israelites were supposed to supply the freshly pressed olive oil for the purpose of supplying the lamp with fuel (Ex. 27:20-21). Later in Israel's history, the Maccabees began the work of cleansing and restoring the Temple of God after it had been defiled by an idolatrous conquering enemy who were eventually defeated in a great rebellion. The first thing the Maccabees did was light the Golden Candlestick in the Holy Place. By a miracle of God, the oil needed to keep the Candlestick lighted, though it was only enough to last one day, lasted eight days until more oil could be made. Christians generally ignore this season of Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, also called the Festival of Lights. However, Jesus observed this feast: "Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch." (Jn. 10:22-23). The Greek meaning of the word "Dedication" used in the above verses has a very interesting meaning. It is the word Enkinea, which means "new, recently made, fresh(ness), of a new kind, unprecedented, unheard of, the new thing which as recently made is superior to what it succeeds". As scripture also says regarding an enemy who would be vanquished, "They are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick: Do not remember the former things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?" (Isa. 43:17-19). The lighted Candlestick is not just about the restoration of the old, but it also brings with it an unprecedented "new thing". One of the haftarah readings assigned for this Sabbath is from Proverbs 6, and it rejoices in the Lamp: "For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are a way of life." Psalm 119:105, under the Hebrew letter nun, which means "life, seed, sprout, heir to the throne", reads, "Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path." We know from John 1, that Jesus is the Word of God, the light of creation, whose light gives life to men, and the light dispels darkness (Jn. 1:1-5). This "Lamp" spoken of in Psalm 119 above, lights the path ahead of us as we walk. It is prophetic. It shows us not only what is around us now, but ahead of us as well. The Torah reading for this Hanukkah Sabbath, Gen. 37, also tells of a very prophetic man. This reading is called "Va'yeishev", which means "And he settled". It is the story of Joseph, and his prophetic dreams, and his ability to interpret prophetic dreams. In his first dream as a youth, the natural lights of heaven, the sun, moon and stars, were bowing down to him. Joseph represented a light greater than these. Joseph's name means "add, henceforth, increase, exceed, further, to do more, much more". His brothers envied and resented him, especially because of his prophetic dreams. They plotted to kill him, and to throw his body into a dark pit. After he was sold into slavery, and even put into prison, wherever he was, the place prospered. All who came in contact with Joseph recognized his excellence and the favor that was with him. Though he was put through many trials, he eventually prospered in all of his circumstances. The Lamp is not only prophetic, but brings blessing and favor as well, and all in its light benefit from it. As we know, Jesus said of Himself, "I am the light of the world." (Jn. 8:12, 9:5). In the same manner, He said of those who believe in Him, "You are the light of the world." (Mt. 5:14-16). If we neglect the Golden Lampstand, and its significance, Who are we neglecting but Christ's and our own identity? As we read in the Law of Moses, it is up to the people to supply the oil for the Golden Candlestick. When the Lamp is neglected, there is a lack of the prophetic word, which is a guiding word. This is shown in another haftarah reading for this Hanukkah Sabbath involving the child, Samuel. When Samuel was young, "...the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation" (1 Sam. 3:1). Young Samuel received the prophetic word of the LORD at a time of day "before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the LORD where the ark of God was..." (v. 3). The prophetic word that Samuel received would bring an end to the old, negligent and corrupt regime of priests, and usher in a revived presence of the prophetic judge in Israel. Samuel would eventually anoint kings, including David, the predecessor of the coming Messiah. In another haftarah reading for this Hanukkah Sabbath, the LORD gives the prophets Zechariah and Amos powerful prophetic revelations. To Zechariah, the word of the LORD came to guide a discouraged Zerubbabel saying, "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts" (Zech. 4:6), and to Amos, the LORD speaks of those who tell the prophet not to prophesy (Amos 2:12), and then revealed, "Surely the LORD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7). More powerful and effective than any efforts or plans of man, the Spirit of God is often represented by the oil of the olive that anoints the head to make it shine, and is used to supply the Golden Lampstand with its fuel. The LORD also gave the prophet Zechariah a vision of the Golden Lampstand. Two olive trees stood, one on the left side of the Lamp, and one on the right side of the Lamp. Each tree had a branch that fed into the oil bowl of the Lamp to supply it (see Rev. 11:3-4 also). These two feeding branches were described to the prophet as "...the two anointed ones who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth." (Zech. 4:13-14). Notice the spelling of "Lord" here. This is the Hebrew word Adon, which means, "master, lord, prophet, prince, king, husband". This meaning sounds like a reference to Jesus. Notice the two olive (root meaning: brightness) tree branches (from a root word meaning a lady's train, the train of a robe), also identified as the two anointed ones (meaning "sons of fresh oil", shining oil producing light) in Zechariah's vision. We see in these words the connection of olive trees and the branches to "light". Jesus warns those who have neglected their lamps, and therefore cannot produce light, that they will miss going in with Him to the marriage supper. Though they will knock on the closed door and cry out, He will tell them that He doesn't know them. How tragic! All of this because they lacked their identifying light (Mt. 25:1-12). The Lampstand, with its light, life, Word and prophecy was not just important to the Hebrews of the Old Testament, but it and especially Whom it represents plays an essential role in the Church. The miracle Light of Hanukkah is very much with us today, and we should seek to have it. The Lamp of the Lord is essential to us as Christians, and essential to all men. Isaiah wrote of the Light (of Christ) as lighting the way out of death: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined." (Isa. 9:2). The Light of the world is so important that scripture says Satan, who enslaves, tries to counterfeit it by disguising himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:13-14). However, true light liberates and sets the captives free. The true Light of Christ accompanied an angel into Peter's jail cell "and his chains fell from his hands", and Peter was commanded to leave his prison cell. (Acts 12:7). May we be like the Light set up high upon a lampstand, illuminating all who are around us, walking in His commandment to "Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you." (Isa. 60:1-2) Our Father has called us to be light even as His Son is Light. If you would like to become what Jesus called the light of the world, you can come to Him by faith in His death for your sins, and confession of your belief in His resurrection. We can pray: "Lord Jesus, I believe that You died for me, and rose again from the dead. You are the Light of the world, and You call those who believe in You the light of the world also. Come into my heart and transform my darkness into light, and death into life. Fill me with the oil of Your Holy Spirit so I can shine in truth and grace. Lead me and direct my path by the light of Your commandments, because they are the ways of life. I give You thanks for receiving me today as I confess my faith in You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."