Pa.s.sover
aThen your children will ask, aWhat does all this mean? What is this ceremony about?a And you will reply, aIt is the celebration of the Lordas Pa.s.sover, for he pa.s.sed over the homes of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he killed the Egyptians, he spared our families and did not destroy us.aa Exodus 12:26-27
There are many elements of educating children in addition to sending them to school. Parental example, for instance, has a profound impact on the formation of a young personas approach to life. Wise parents know this and intentionally order their lives in ways that will convey the right message to the children. This includes the development of family rituals and traditions which will create ateachable moments.a The Jewish community, perhaps more than any other segment of Western society, understands this.
More than three thousand years have elapsed since the inauguration of Pa.s.sover, when the Israelites were still held as slaves in Egypt. At that time the Lord told Moses, aWhen you arrive in the land the Lord has promised to give you, you will continue to celebrate this festivala (Exod. 12:25). Pa.s.sover is still observed in Jewish families on the fourteenth day of the first month (12:6)a"Nisan in the Hebrew calendara"and special care is given to explain to the children exactly what is being commemorated. The father of the family is required to answer the questions of his children, which are prompted by the rituals of the Pa.s.sover meal. In modern Jewish families, the necessary teaching is called the aHaggadah,a which is designed to help the father give a correct explanation.
Jesus was careful to observe Pa.s.sover with his disciples, and it is no accident that Jesusa betrayal, crucifixion, and resurrection took place during the time of annual celebration. This has led Christians to see the Pa.s.sover as a prefiguration of Christas death. The Pa.s.sover lamb was killed and its blood sprinkled on their doorposts in order that the children of Israel might find shelter and thus escape the judgment (Exod. 12:22). Likewise, Christians find shelter through shed blooda"the deatha"of the Lord Jesus as their only hope of salvation and protection from G.o.das judgment. That is why Christians in the West celebrate Easter around the time of Pa.s.sover.
In light of the traditions, dating back more than three thousand years, that have led to the modern celebration of Easter, it might be worth asking two questions: aHow do present day families commemorate the Easter event?a and aHow can modern men effectively explain to their children the significance of this great Christian festival?a With appropriate and meaningful family traditions, Easter can be a great teaching moment for the children. There is no doubt that, given the right kind of stimulation, children will ask the right kind of questions. And there should be no question that, given the right kind of opportunity, modern fathers should have the right kind of answers about the deep issues of life. Their children deserve nothing less.
May 20
TO READ: Exodus 12:29-50
The Message of Death
At midnight the LORD killed all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn son of the captive in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed. Pharaoh and his officials and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and loud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypt. There was not a single house where someone had not died.
Exodus 12:29-30
What do Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, and Albert Einstein have in common? Certainly they all figured prominently in the lists of the most influential people of the twentieth century. Karl Marxas political doctrines lay at the foundation of the Soviet empire, which affected the lives of millions. Sigmund Freudas theories about human personality and behavior have changed the way people are viewed and human problems are addressed throughout the whole western world. Einsteinas theory of relativity helped bring the world into the nuclear age, and we have yet to discover the full implications of his work.
But these three men have something else in common: All three of them were Jews. They are thus a reminder of the far-reaching impact that the Jewish people have had during their history. The Jewish people have had a remarkable impact considering their relatively small numbers. It is probably true to say (with apologies to Churchill) that never in the history of human experience have so many been impacted so profoundly by so few!
This people, the Jewish people, were once held as slaves in Egypt for 430 years. They were eventually liberated from their captivity after a desperate show of force on the part of that countryas ruler. Despite endless opportunities to let the people go, the Pharaoh of Egypt refused. Eventually he was warned, aThis is what the Lord says: About midnight I will pa.s.s through Egypt. All the firstborn sons will die in every family in Egypt, from the oldest son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the oldest son of his lowliest slave. Even the firstborn of the animals will diea (11:4-5). Pharaoh refused to relent, the judgment came, and disaster swept across the land. Every household was affecteda"aloud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypta (12:30).
The change in Pharaoh was startling. When initially approached by Moses and Aaron, he had superciliously declared that he had no knowledge of the Lord and, therefore, no intention of acceding to the Lordas requests. Then, as the series of disasters struck, he simply tried to emulate them as a show of his own independence and power. But when death finally struck home he not only urged the people to leavea"he begged Moses, agive me a blessing as you leave!a (12:32).
Death preaches a powerful message about mortality and human limitations. Sadly, mortality is the only message that some men understand. The greatest Jewish contributiona"the life-giving death and resurrection of Jesusa"is often overlooked. Jewish history shows that G.o.d does intervene in human affairs, that he is concerned about human destiny, and that he will communicate to us in all manner of ways, even through death itself. Death is often bitter, sometimes b.l.o.o.d.y, but through Christ it has the potential to be blessed.
May 21
TO READ: Psalm 97
Love the Lord, Hate Evil
You who love the LORD, hate evil! He protects the lives of his G.o.dly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.
Psalm 97:10
During a close reelection campaign, a southern Senator visited a small town in the hinterland of his state. The issue demanding most attention in this lackl.u.s.ter election was . . . squirrel hunting. The people were deeply divided over the issue. Some believed they had the right to hunt the little animals; others thought the practice was barbaric and should be banned. So the Senator was asked to state his position on the issue. After careful thought, and probably after checking the polls, he replied, aSome of my friends are squirrel hunters, and some of my friends think squirrel hunting should be banned. If you look carefully at my recorda"and Iam running on my record, donat forgeta"youall know that as a man of principle I stand firmly with my friends.a The story may have value as a satire on modern politics but not as a prescription for living by principle! On matters of real significance, a man of principle cannot be in favor of one thing and its opposite at the same time! In fact, the extent to which a man shows his stand for something can often best be determined by the position he takes against the opposite.
The psalm writer gives us a great example. He wrote, aYou who love the Lord, hate evil!a (Ps. 97:10). There are many ways in which a man shows his love for the Lord. He is instructed to love the Lord with heart, mind, soul, and strength (Deut. 6:5; Luke 10:27). Those are positive ways of loving the Lord. But love can be expressed negatively as well. By hating what G.o.d hates, we express love for who G.o.d is.
The psalmist says, aRighteousness and justice are the foundation of [G.o.das] thronea (Ps. 97:2). Obviously, then, unrighteousness and injustice are contrary to his nature and are, accordingly, evil. The Lord aprotects the lives of his G.o.dly people and rescues them from the power of the wickeda (97:10). So concern for the well-being of the G.o.dly and opposition to the wicked exercise of power are good and right, while the converse are evil.
Modern man can detect traces of unrighteousness and injustice in his own treatment of people, and he can see them in operation in the inst.i.tutions of his culture. So he has plenty of opportunities to show that he hates unrighteousness and injustice. When a man sees the abuse of power and the oppression of the G.o.dly, he should be in the forefront of those who object and endeavor to rectify the situation.
Loving G.o.d includes hating what he hates, and that means taking a stand against evil.
May 22
TO READ: John 14:1-14
Seeing the Invisible
Jesus replied, aPhilip, donat you even yet know who I am, even after all the time I have been with you? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking to see him?a John 14:9
Not many years ago, airliners would often be grounded because of lack of visibility. Now, through satellite technology, it is possible for them not only to know exactly where they are when they are flying blind, but also to be capable of aseeinga an airport shrouded in fog and hidden from view. It isnat quite a case of seeing the invisible, but it is certainly a matter of being able to see what is hidden.
Jesus made many remarkable statements about his relationship with the Father. One day, in response to Philipas request to be shown the Father, Jesus stated, aAnyone who has seen me has seen the Father!a (John 14:9). The significance of this statement is seen when we remember that John, in the introduction to his Gospel, said, aNo one has ever seen G.o.da (1:18).
This was certainly true of Moses, who asked the Lord, aPlease let me see your glorious presencea (Exod. 33:18). Moses was told, aYou may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and livea (Exod. 33:20). Ezekiel, in his strange visions of G.o.d, never actually saw the Lord, only aa figure whose appearance was like that of a mana (Ezek. 1:26). Even Isaiah, who wrote, aI saw the Lord,a gave a limited description of what he saw: aHe was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Templea (Isa. 6:1). Even these privileged men were unable to see G.o.d face-to-face in a clearly defined and describable way.
Then came Jesus, announcing, aOnly I, who was sent from G.o.d, have seen hima (John 6:46). Up until that time, G.o.das ainvisible qualities,a such as his aeternal power and divine nature,a had been shown in creation (Rom. 1:20). But now Jesus had arrived to reveal in his own person, using language understandable to humans and in ways decipherable by fallen humanity, what G.o.d is really like. For example, Jesus showed humans, who have a limited idea of love, what love really is. Creation could not do that. Jesus did not appear shrouded in mystery, as the Father had appeared to the prophets, giving tantalizing and terrifying glimpses of himself. Instead he carried children in his arms and wept at the tombs of loved ones. In so doing, he showed us that G.o.d, whose power is seen in earthquakes and hurricanes, has compa.s.sion that can soothe the broken heart. And in going to the cross, Jesus stretched out his arms and welcomed all who will ever come to him. What a sight!
May 23
TO READ: John 15:1-17
True Disciples
My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father.
John 15:8
Speakersa Corner in Hyde Park, London, is the place where anybody can get up on a soapbox and say whatever outrageous things come into his or her mind. Some of the speakers speak mainly to themselves, but the more dramatic orators draw a crowd. There is something about human nature that is incorrigibly curious, and curiosity draws a crowd.
This was certainly the case in the Lordas ministry. Jesus had no difficulty attracting an audience, but that did not mean that people readily became his disciples. There were several occasions when the crowds that enjoyed his miracles turned away when Jesus began to make practical applications (see John 6:66).
Jesus knew the hearts of those who crowded around him, and he could easily differentiate between those who were superficially attracted by the drama and those who were true disciples. He said, aMy true disciples produce much fruita (15:8). Physically, fruit is the outward expression of the life hidden inside a tree. Spiritually, the fruit of which Jesus spoke is the practical working out of the life that he puts in the hearts of true disciples.
Discipleship is a matter of believing, but not solely of believing. It is about behaving, too, in a way that Jesus said abrings great glory to my Fathera (15:8). True disciples seek to live in such a way that will point people toward G.o.d and will demonstrate the power of G.o.d at work in human beings.
True disciples glorify G.o.d by refusing to live for themselves. There are many ways in which this is borne out practically. Jesus identified one of the most obvious when he said, aI command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure ita"the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friendsa (15:12-13). A loving, sacrificial lifestyle is powerful evidence of true discipleship! To some, this sounds cheerless and unappealing. But Jesus said it leads to a life in which aYour joy will overflow!a (15:11).
What is the secret? Jesus explained, aI am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruita (15:5). True discipleship is all about having an intimate relationship with the living Lord, a relationship as close and necessary as the relationship between a branch and the vine. Severed branches are fruitless and dead. True disciples are not fruitless, because theyare not stupida"they stay attached to the vine! They know that, as Jesus said, ayou cannot be fruitful apart from mea (15:4). So they stay close at all times, trusting and obeying G.o.d.
Dependence and obedience are the key words of Christian discipleship. Independence and disobedience are the things that ruin the fellowship and destroy the fruitfulness and tarnish the joy. So, check your faith and examine your obedience.
May 24
TO READ: John 16:1-15
Transition
I have told you these things so that you wonat fall away. . . . Yes, Iam telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember I warned you. I didnat tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.
John 16:1, 4
When a star player retires, an effective CEO is replaced, or a long-serving pastor dies, the team, the business, or the church faces a potentially critical period of adjustment. Unless the hole in leadership is filled as carefully and promptly as possible, there is always the possibility that the organization or inst.i.tution will lose momentum and the members will lose heart.
Jesus was well aware of this possibility when he talked to his disciples about his imminent departure. He said, aI have told you these things so that you wonat fall awaya (John 16:1). But that did not mean a change in his plans, for Jesus reiterated, aNow I am going away to the one who sent mea (16:5). In short, he told them that, though he was going away, there must be no falling away!
There was a distinct possibility that the leaderless disciples would get into serious trouble in their faith. Jesus had given careful thought to the transition his disciples would undergo, and he made sure he prepared them for a successful transition. aYou will be expelled from the synagogues,a Jesus warned them (16:2). Such a situation would be no big deal for modern people who, on the rare occasions they might be excommunicated, either stop going to church, or go to another, or even start their own! But the prospect of excommunication from the synagogue was a very real threat to first-century disciples. It meant social ostracism, family isolation, and the possibility of closed doors to employment. But there were even more serious possibilities. Hostilities could conceivably intensify to the point where, as Jesus predicted, aThose who kill you will think they are doing G.o.d a servicea (16:2).
Jesus explained that his leaving was advantageous to them because it opened the door to a whole new dimension of spiritual experience. He promised them, aIt is actually best for you that I go away, because if I donat, the Counselor wonat come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to youa (16:7). He was referring to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit not only would provide comfort and counsel for them in their pain and confusion, but he also would guarantee continuity. Jesus promised, aHe will not be presenting his own ideas. . . . He will bring me glory by revealing to you whatever he receives from mea (16:13-14). The disciples need not fear that they would be leaderless, defenseless, or powerless. Neither should they be concerned that the cause to which they were committed would be rudderless. The Holy Spirit would be their guide, their leader, and their power.
Why, then, the change? And where was the advantage in Jesus going? Precisely in this: When the Holy Spirit came, instead of Jesus walking alongside them, they enjoyed the Spirit living within them and working powerfully through them. It was not only a transitiona"it was a transformation, too.
What could be more exciting and exhilarating for the modern-day disciple than to know that the Christ who walked the sh.o.r.es of Galilee now, through the Spirit, walks with him and resides in him on his way to the office!
May 25
TO READ: John 17:1-26
The Lordas Prayer
When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he looked up to heaven and said, aFather, the time has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.a John 17:1
Jesus told his disciples, aDonat perform when you pray and donat babble when you pray!a They were instructed to go away quietly and un.o.btrusively to pray (see Matt. 6). He also gave them the model prayer that is commonly called the Lordas Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13). This is surely a misnomer. The Lord himself would never have prayed, aForgive us our sinsa (Matt. 6:12), because he himself never sinned (Heb. 4:15)! It would be better to call Matthew 6:9-13 aThe Disciplesa Prayer.a The t.i.tle aThe Lordas Prayera should be reserved for the remarkable and detailed prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17. This pa.s.sage is a report of Jesus at prayer. Someone has called this the Holy of Holies of Scripturea"the most holy sanctuarya"because through this intimate conversation of G.o.d the Son with G.o.d the Father, we can see into the heart of G.o.d.
As he prayed, Jesus lifted his eyes to heaven and opened his heart to the Father. First, he prayed for himself: aI brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to doaa"what a statement! Then he asked the Father, aNow, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world begana (John 17:4-5). After laying aside his eternal glory and coming to earth to live obediently even to the point of sacrificial death on the cross, the Lord Jesus asked the Father to restore him to glory. This request grants us a tiny insight into the price Jesus paid in leaving heaven for earth. It also shows the antic.i.p.ation with which he readied himself to return to the Father.
Jesus then prayed for the little group of disciples who were to become the nucleus of the church. One day the church would reach every corner of the world and every ethnic group. Jesus expressed concern for his disciplesa well-being in the chosen environment for their evangelistic missiona"a hostile world. They would need to be grounded in Scripture, in love, and in unity; otherwise, they would never be able to stand the pressures to which they would be exposed.
Third, and most remarkably, Jesus prayed afor all who will ever believe in me because of their testimonya (17:20). He was talking about those who would come to faith as a result of the apostolic preaching of the gospel. In other words, he was talking about you and me! For us he prayed to his Father, athat just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent mea (17:21). They will see evidence of lives changed through the transforming power of life in union with G.o.d directly attributable to Christas coming, dying, and rising.
Not only does the Lordas prayer show us the desires of his heart, it shows what he desires our heart desires to be, tooa"that we may long to share his glory, that we may be upheld on the way to glory, and that in all things we might show forth his glory.
May 26