Day 13

Sinai Peninsula

Well, today did in fact begin at 1 AM. Nine of us were up and ready to go. 7 rode camels and 2 walked. (Ann & I walked) All the way up, in total darkness, there were guides that kept calling out camel mister. I think they saw in me a good candidate to not make so they tried extra hard. One even followed us for about ½ mile. The trek was fairly steep in paces but there were rest stops – with vendors – strategically placed. We met the others where their camel ride ended at the foot of the final 750 steps. After a bit of a rest we got to the summit at around 5 with sunrise at 5:30, perfect timing. No wonder Moses stayed up there for 40 days, it would have been a tough commute.

After we walked down and went back to the motel to change and eat, the entire group toured St. Catherine’s Monestary. A very old and very typical Greek Orthodox Church.

After the monastery we got back I the bus and headed for Cairo, again the Exodus in reverse. We stopped at Rephidim and acted out Moses having Hur and Aaron hold his hands up for victory over the Amalekites, Exodus 17. Next came the traditional sight where the Lord gave them Manna at the oasis of Elim, Exodus 16, and finally the oasis of Marah with the bitter waters, Exodus 15. Lessons in all about trusting the Lord.

We finally got to our hotel in Cairo at about 8 p.m. after going under the Suez canal on the way. Tomorrow the pyramids, the Cairo museum and another short night leaving for the airport early the following morning. And as for now this day has already been too long.

Day 12

Exodus

Well it wasn’t really the exodus as in the book of the Bible but it was the day of the exodus for us as we traveled from Jordan to Egypt. We started the day with a brief look back at Amman. This was the city where David had Joab arrange to have Uriah the Hittite killed. During the Exodus, the Lord had told the Israelites that they were not to conquer Moab or Ammon because they had been given to Lot. So, if David had not been involved in that war, which would have been more obedient to scripture, Uriah would have been home and David probably would not have seen Bathsheba. Simple lesson, obedience to God’s word keeps us from sin. Not a bad lesson as we travel through the same wilderness that the Israelites spent 40 years in due to disobedience.

We drove down to Aqaba and boarded the ferry for an hour and a half trip to Egypt. There was a little confusion during the border crossing but not serious and all went pretty smoothly. We picked our new guide (Bob) and began the drive to St. Catherine’s Monastery at the foot of Mt. Sinai. This is some of the most desolate land I have ever seen. It is hard to imagine living here for 40 years although we do pass some Bedouin camps, so some live here all the time.

During the drive, the guide did all he could to discourage us from doing the climb tomorrow but 7 or 8 are still going. Even though it includes a 1 AM wake up call.

The hotel is like an oasis complete with an enormous pool – very cold. So, for tonight we are blogging from the foot of Mt. Sinai, even though it won’t get posted until tomorrow.

Day 11

We were in Amman overnight. Amman, one of the ancient Philadelphias was also called Rabbah. This was the city that Joab was attacking when Uriah was killed (2 Sam 11). Here's aninteesting twist - in Deu. 2:19 the Lord says the land of the Ammonites was given to Lot not to Israel. If David had been followng that command Joab and Uriah would never have been there to begin with. Maybe they would have been home and David wouldn't have sinned?

As we left Ammon, we took a detour to Mt. Nebo. It had rained that morning (very unusual) and the result was form Mt. Nebo we could see Jericho, the Mount of Olives, the Dead Sea and parts of the southern Galilee. (Deut. 32:49-52) Another lesson in obedience.

From Mt. Nebo, after a brief stop in a mosaic factory in Medeba (I bought a reproduction of the Jerusalem portion of the Medaba map, an ancient mosaic that shows the ancient Israel from the 6th-7th century.) we drove straight through to Petra.

Petra called Sela in the Bible aka the invisible city, the lost city, the red city, the pink city, the city of the dea, etc. It was a city carved into the sandstone hills and is truly amazing. Built by the Nabateans it was conquered by Rome, along with everything else. The city is probably most famous today for the Indiana Jones movie The Last Crusade. However, it was also the home town of Herod, may have been the stoppong point for the Magi where they bought some of their gifts, may have been the place where Paul studied in the wilderness. The city is located alng Wadi Musa and at the head of the valley is a rock that a srpng copes out of, naturally ascribed to Moses hitting the rock.

Tomorrow we drive to Aqaba board a ferry to cross the Red Sea and drive on to Mt. Sinai. The Exodus in reverse.

Day 10

It is always sad to leave Jerusalem. So, one of the traditional things to say when you leave is “next year I Jerusalem.” The Bauers led our devotions and singing today as we left the city and made our way to the border. We crossed at Bet Shean so it was about an hour and a half to get there. But the crossing was very quick and totally uneventful. Our new guide name is Aladden (really).

Our first and only stop for the day was Jerash, another one of the cities of the Decapolis. The ruins area amazing. This city had several large temples in the earlier days, one of Zeus and another of Artemis. The lower part of the city was distinctively Greek while the upper portions were Roman. I kept wondering if 2000 years from now tourists will be walking through the ruins of some of our cities.

Tomorrow we go to Petra and then to Sinai. I do not believe we will have internet access until we reach Cairo on Tuesday.

Day 9

Jerusalem

Sean led in bus devotions shairing about Hezekiah's tunnel. Fitting since we were heading there first. Actually, we started in David's city with a brief explanation of where his palace was and some insights to the current excavations. Then we saw a 3-D presentation explaining how Jerusalem got started on the Southern HIll - then Mt. Zion. It was a very helpful presentation. Our new guide, Itey, walked us through Warrens Shaft, part of the water system of the city andn then down to Hezekiah's tunnel. 6 of us opted to wade through the tunnel - 1,200 yards of space narrower than I am and usually not quite as tall. My legs and back still hurt. The tunnel makes many bends but somehow, in Hezekiah's day they actually did meet in the middle. We came out in (or near) the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed the blind man. When David attacked the city it was said that the blind and lame could not enter. So there seems to be something behind the miracles that Jesus did in the city - healing both the blind here and the lame at the Pool of Bethesda our next stop.

While at the sight of the Pool of Bethesda, we entered the St. Anne's church, commemorating Mary's mother. The church, built by the Crusaders is acoustically amazing. We sang to prove it and the echoes took about 6 seconds to stop. Right out side the church complex the Via Dolorosa starts near what is called the Ecce Homo (behold the man) Arch. We saw the paving stones which may havebeenint he Fortress Atonia and had remains of a Roman game carved into them. Along the Via Dolorosa we had lunch and made our way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchure. I think we must have done this church is record time - about minutes. We were in a hurry but all of us saw their version of the sight of the crucifixion and the tomb.

We were in a hurry because we had a chance to go to Herodian. This was in the news lately when the finding of the Tomb complex of King Herod was found. Since this is in Palestinian territroy we were not sure we would get in but it all went without a hitch. In the middle of desert, this complex was a palace complete with bathhouses and swimming pools. For all of his building Herod is gone but his structures, built in the shadow of Bethlehem meannothingcomapred to the King of Kings.

We finished the day with a tour of the Garden Tomb, much more realistic than the previous church. Wayne and I led in a communion service which was certainly meaningful to us. Wayne and Sean leave tonight and as they leave another couple from Carl's church arrived for the second half.

Day 8

Day 8

Kay Graham led our devotional time this morning on the bus, reading from Colossians 3 encouraging and perhaps congratulating us on the great sense of unity and togetherness we are experiencing as a group. Her husband Barry then led in some songs and prayer for the day.
First stop the Temple Mount. We got on with no trouble, although they do not allow non-Muslims into the Mosques. Mickey guided us around the various areas explaining some of the history and the politics. It was particularly interesting at the golden gate or eastern gate. Since there is a prophecy that Messiah will enter through that gate the Muslim blocked it up sometime around 1500. However, in shutting that gate they also fulfilled a prophecy of Ezekiel 44 that says the gate is be shut until the Lord comes.

We left the temple mount via a street that sits on the ancient supports and wound our way around to the archeological Park outside the southern wall. I taught from the area of the steps leading not the temple area. This is one of those areas where Jesus would have walked. From the steps to the left there are the tombs of the Mount of Olives, which Jesus was probably pointing to when He called the Pharisees white washed tombs. This may also have been the place where Peter spoke at Pentecost. Many different nationalities were present but each heard in their own language. 3000 came to faith and were baptized. That always seemed like a lot of folks getting baptized. But in this area there are at least 50 Mikvahs, ceremonial baths used by Jewish worshippers before they went to the temple. More than enough to baptize 3000.

After the park we had about an hour to eat lunch (pizza) and do some brief shopping before going to the Burned House. This house was discovered sometime after 1967 and has burned stones as well as relics that indicate the house was burned by the Roman destruction of 70 AD. It appears it was the house of a priest and may have even been a member of the High Priest Caiaphas’s family.
On our way out of the temple area we got stuck in a traffic jam. It seems there was an unusual parcel in the road that the bomb squad wanted to check out. No one seemed to mind waiting. In fact out bus driver, Udi got off the bus and began to hand out tracts. No one seemed to mind that either. Finally we got to the Jerusalem Model, Temple Period Museum and the Museum with Dead Sea Scrolls. The model in particular helped everyone gain a better perspective on the ancient city. Once again, prayers for safety were answered and our sense of unity continues. One sad note, today was Mickey’s last time with us, as he picks up another tour tomorrow. He has been a real blessing to each of us and a great teacher.

Day 7

Day 7 – Wednesday
As we left the hotel this morning, we left reading Psalm 122. Verse 2 reads: “we are standing in your gates O Jerusalem.” Certainly true of us today. But the Psalm goes on to exhort us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. As we travel the need for those prayers is evident everywhere. In fact, we closed the day in a Bethlehem Olive Wood shop where the owner, an Arab Christian, before trying to sell us anything, asked us to pray for the peace of this area.
We had the opportunity to visit several overlooks of the old city. At the first, there was a first century tomb, which gave Mickey the chance to explain the Jewish burial customs of the first century. From there just a few minutes to the Mount of Olives. Pastor Wayne shared from several verses pointing out that when the Lord returns this mount will separate and water form the Temple Mount will flow to the Dead Sea and to the Mediterranean. (Zech 14:4) In waiting for that day, many Jews have chosen to be buried on the Mount of Olives, their faith in their scriptures being displayed in their end of life choices.
After a stop at the Garden of Gethsemane and some more sharing by Ron Higley, we traveled on t o the Western Wall. Getting into this area is like going through airport security. There’s that peace thing again. Mickey had arranged for us to get a tour of the Rabbi’s tunnel. This is an area going along the western wall of the Temple Mount. We were able to see some of the construction methods used by Herod and half way along the wall there was an impromptu synagogue. They meet at that place because it is the close to where the Holy of Holies had been. Going through these tunnels, it makes you wonder what might be on the other side of the wall. Certainly plenty of room to store the Tabernacle of even the Ark of the Covenant.
The tunnel ended just past the Ecce Homo Arch (more on that tomorrow). We left the city via the Lions Gate aka St. Stephen’s Gate, and went to a local kibbutz for lunch. Then on to Bethlehem. That sounds easy. But to get there we had to get off the bus, go through another check point – sort of like checking into prison – then we were picked up by an Arab guide for our tour of the Church of the Nativity and shopping. The church of the Nativity is divided up between the Orthodox, Roman and Armenian Catholics. They don’t get along for all kinds of historical reasons which seems to taint the atmosphere. The Prince of Peace was born in a cave owned by three groups of his followers which constantly fight in a city which is constantly fighting with its neighbors. Somehow it looses something.

Day 6

Day 6 - Tuesday
We slept I today to get the real feel of the Dead Sea resort. Except for clouds and relative cool 19 degrees c. it was great floating on the Dead Sea. After a luxurious time in the sea and the pools at the resort, it was time to resume our studies. Today starts with Masada. Masada is a fortress high on a plateau which is reached via cable car. The cable car is taken out of service for maintenance one day a year which was – today. So, instead of riding up, we drove around to the back side and walked up the ramp built by the Romans when they conquered the site in 70 AD. This desert retreat, built by King Herod the Great included a three tiered palace hanging over the side, a swimming pool, spa/bathhouse and all the other necessities. We walked back down using the serpantine path, which sort of jumps over the edge with about 750 steps and some interesting winding paths, hence the name.
After lunch at the visitors center we drove to En Gedi. This is the oasis in the desert that David cut off the piece of King Saul’s robe when he discovered him in a cave (1 Sam 24)

God delivered David’s enemy to him but instead of taking things into his own hands, David trusted the Lord with the outcome. Living out the idea of loving your enemies I suppose!

Next stop, at closing time, was Qumran, the ruins where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. This site was probably built and inhabited by the Essenes before and after the time of Jesus. They were sort of like modern day Amish (that may be the first time modern and Amish were used in the same sentence) trying to keep traditions alive and free from contamination by the culture. In their case they were not real successful, but because of their effort we have scrolls of all the Old Testament (except Esther) dating from the early first century. In other words we have a virtual copy of the Bible Jesus used.

At sunset we were driving into Jerusalem, viewing the Dome of the Rock in the distance as the strains of “Jerusalem” played on a cd. After the evening meal, we had a sharing time. It was great to see how the trip has impacted each one in slightly different ways. The group has grown closer together and I trust closer to the Lord.

Day 5

Pastor Wayne started the day with devotions on the bus. Speaking for several Psalms, he reminded us of the living water we had seen in Dan yesterday and how much more refreshing that looked than the water we had seen in some cisterns. That water was certainly “dead and unappealing. The lesson? The Lord is our source of Living Water. It was an interesting lesson since the day ended at the Dead Sea.

This morning we were following Jesus steps. First to his “home base” of Capernaum where we saw a synagogue built on the foundation of the one built by the Centurion, a church built on the traditional ruins of Peter’s house. Even a commemorative plaque dedicated by the Zebedee family, presumably descendants of James and John’s family.

Sort of staying with the disciple theme, we traveled only a few minutes to Korazin another town Jesus spent some time in. Here we saw another synagogue, this one with a Moses seat and ruins of some houses which indicated that some had come home and built on to their father’s house (John 14). I don’t want to only report on what we have seen and are doing, but in all of these sights the scriptures are really coming alive.

Next we went to Bethsaida, the town Peter, Philip and Andrew were from. Also the place where Jesus fed the 5,000, displaying for the Jews His claim to deity by feeding them the way God fed the Jews in the wilderness. Sometime around here we heard a loud boom in the distance. Our guide Mickey, said that was just the artillery letting everyone know they were around. Later we heard about an explosion in Southern Lebanon that killed a Palestinian. (We were very close to Southern Lebanon yesterday)

This afternoon, we saw a 5th century synagogue with a very interesting tile floor. It had signs of the zodiac embedded in it. An interesting sign that at least here in the 5th century, other gods were creeping in.

Our last big stop, before traveling down to the Dead Sea for the night, was Scythopolis-Bet Shean. This was the place where King Saul’s body was nailed to the walls after his loosing battle on Mt. Gilboa nearby. The ruins of the main city were destroyed in an earthquake in 479 AD. They were amazing ruins. A city where maybe half of it was dedicated to a theatre, a spa and other amusements. It sort of reminded us of our culture.

Apparently more time and money spend on amusements (dead cisterns) than on God (Living Water).

Day 4

What a way to start a Sunday, with meditations at the Mount of Beatitude. Our guide Micky, A Russian Jew who is a believer in Jesus, gave us some new perspectives on the Lord’s Prayer. He stressed keeping God’s name holy by he way we live, our request for His kingdom t keep on coming, and the idea of praying for our daily portion (manna in Heb). OK, we’ve all prayed it and heard it but in that moment it was a bit more convicting.

An hour drive to the north brought us to Tel Dan, and the nature park surrounding it. The run off from Mount Herman, we were at the base of it, created some powerful streams that feed the Jordan. It was at this sight that the tribe of Dan established their city and that Jereboam set up one of the altars to a golden calf. The foundation of that altar still exists and, along with other remains bears witness to their worship of other gods.

Our next stop was the Banias falls, another tributary for the Jordan and more powerful water flows. Since the Jordan is far from powerful, even north of the Sea of Galilee it does make you wonder where it all goes (irrigating the farmlands).

Ten minutes down the road we came to Banias, also know in the New Testament as Caesarea Philippi. The ruins here are of a temple center to the god Pan (Banias is an Arab name for Pan). The central temple to Pan, was built around a cave entrance which was known to some as the Gates of Hades. So, here was the lesson, Jesus in Luke 16, asks the disciples who men say He is. Peter answers you are the Christ was the Son of the Living God. Jesus replies that this w as revealed to him by the father and that on this rock He (Jesus) will build His church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. Well, he is standing in site of this rock face with temples to other gods and one of the built around the “gates of hell.” It seems like Jesus was directly confronting the age old problem of worshipping other gods.

After lunch at Banias, we toured the Golan Heights and got a history lesson on the conflicts, complete with the remains of wrecked tanks. At this point we were close to the border of Syria and Lebanon. All was very calm.

Finally back to the Sea of Galilee a tour of a 2000 year old boat that was discovered buried in the sea. This boat has been preserved and according to their dating may well have been on the lake during Jesus Galilean ministry. Keeping with the Lake idea, we boarded a boat, captained by another Jewish believer and had a worship service out on the Lake, complete with communion. As we thought about Jesus’ sacrifice, we were able to look out at Capernaum, his “home port”, the hill sides where he fed the 5,000, and the Lake itself where He walked on the water and still the storm. This scenery, the Jewish Captain who is also a worship leader and the good spirit in our group made this service uniquely worshipful.

Day 2 3

Saturday – Day 3
Wake up calls were at 6:30 but as predicted, most woke up earlier – still adjusting to the 6 hour time difference. Today we see Ceasarea, the Roman aqueduct, Mt. Carmel, Bet She’arim, Megiddo, the Jezreel Valley aka Valley of Armageddon, and Nazareth.

Caesarea was a seaport, built by Herod the Great. The engineering was incredible. But for me, it was special because Paul was held as a prisoner there for 2 years. He kept telling his captors – Felix and Festus, Roman governors - about Jesus. Finally, after appealing to Roman law he is shipped from here to Rome. Even in the hardship of being a prisoner he kept on message. (Acts 23-25)

Looking over the Jezreel Valley from the Tel of Megiddo it was interesting just how many places you could see. To the left was Mt. Carmel, which we had just left, the on the ridge to the north east was Nazareth, then Mt. Tabor (some think this to be the place of the Mt of Transfiguration) then Mt. Moreh (where Gideon defeated the Mideanites) the Mt. Gilboa and Jezreel. A little overwhelming to think as Pastor Carl Green shared that Jesus grew up as a boy overlooking the valley where he will one day conquer the armies of the world. (Rev 16:16)

Day 1

Friday – Day 2
The travel went very smoothly, all for the luggage arrived at the same time we did and after 12 hours on the planes we were all more than ready to sleep. But first, our first cultural experience. We arrived at our hotel in Natanya just as Shabbat was beginning. That means no shops were open, one elevator stops at every floor and local synagogues have some services at the hotel. So, our first cultural experience. As we are eating in the dining room, the roo begins to fill with table of folks from these synagogues. The sit in large groups 112-15 and before they begin to eat they sing – for like 10 minutes. Although we didn’t understand the words since they were singing in Hebrew, it was obvious they w ere praising the Lord. What a great start!

Preparations

In a little more than a week, we be leaving for 2 weeks in Israel, Jordan and Egypt. I've been before, but it is always a thrill to walk where Jesus walked and see the terrain that Jesus saw. As we have been getting ready, we have been studying the journeys of the Israelites through the wilderness.

This week, in Numbers 22, they were camped out at the Jordan River across from Jericho. They had conquered every people group they had encountered and were probably feeling pretty good. Over on the hills behind Jericho, Balak, the King of the next victim was worried. So he tried to enlist the gods. He calls for a seer named Baalam (the one with the donkey). The angel of the Lord interferes and Baalam ends up blessing Israel instead of cursing them. Israel had no idea God was protecting them, they thought they had it covered. How many times does God protect us where we are unaware?

As Baalam is leaving a very dissatisfied customer (I'm guessing he got paid in advance!) he offers one more helpful hint. He tells the king to send in the women. Really, its in Numbers 25. The women tempt the men with sexual favors, and ultimately lead them into an orgy-like worship of Baal. God responds with a plague that wipes out 24,000. This time Baalam's plan worked. On the one had it is that old adage that pride goes before destruction (Pr 16:18) on the other it is an indication that sex outside of marriage pulls us away from God.

In our country where sex is promoted everywhere, it does make you wonder if Baalam's plan is still working and still pulling people away from God. I just read a survey today that said religion of any kind is continuing a downward trend in our country.

The rest of the message is on Calvary's website if you interested. The parallels between them and us aren't pretty.

So, in 11 days we set off for Israel. I hope not too confident and I also hope with open minds to see what the Lord will teach us. My plan at the moment is to blog daily from where ever we are. I'm not sure there is access in Petra of Mt. Sinai, but we'll see. We appreciate your prayers for our group of 20. But remember, we are all of us on a journey just like Israel was. Don't get too proud to allow yourself to be distracted from where God is leading.

What Happens When You Die - Sermon Downloads

The sermon series that sparked the last several entries in this blog are available for download HERE. Feel free to load them onto your favorite portable device or email them around to friends. Keep the discussion going here!

What Happens When You Die - 1

There is a story that Jesus tells in Luke 16. Lazarus (the beggar) and the rich man. Some see this as a parable, others, since Jesus uses a name see it as an report by Jesus of something that happened.

In this account (Luke 16:19-31) some specific things are said about what happens right after you die. Here are 4:

1. You are escorted by angels to your destination (more about that later)
2. You are known - the rich man already knew Lazarus, but some how he knows Abraham.
In 1 Cor. 13:12 Paul says we will know even as we are known. So, perhaps that means we will instantly know everyone and they will all know us.
3. We experience sensation - the rich man was in torment, he was thirsty. Not sure how this works but it seems somehow sensations continue.
4. You can't impact the living world from death - the rich man wanted to get a warning back to his brothers even suggesting that Lazarus be sent. But, there was no opportunity to go back.
Granted, Samuel was called back by the medium at Endor, but she was surprised when he showed up, so that might have been a special case. Also, Jesus met with Moses and Elijah at the Mount of Transfiguration but that was certainly a special case as well. One that incidentally confirms the idea that we hold human form and are recognizable after death.

What Happens When You Die?

We are just starting a new series as you can tell from the title. I'm am trying to discover what the Bible says about life after death, not necessarily what others have experienced. But, since there is so much written and so many have differing ideas, there is bound to be some major differences of opinion. So if you have a different opinion feel free to share it. Or if you have a particular question ask and maybe we'll try to answer it.

First some basic misconceptions.
1. You won't die - actually some folks really think this. OK, this is an observation, but there are a lot of cemeteries. Most people will die. Those who are still here when Jesus comes won't die at least not in the same way, but they will be changed. (1 Cor 15:52)

On the other hand, the Bible does seem to teach that life goes on after we leave the body behind. So, in that sense you don't die. (Luke 16 etc)

2. We work off our sins in purgatory.
OK, so I'm not catholic. But the Bible doesn't teach this anywhere that I have found. It is sort of hinted at in 2 Maccabbees (not in my Bible) and some might see some support for it in Paul's speaking about praying for the dead in 1 Cor. 15:29, but it is a stretch I think.

3. We become angels when we die.
Actually angels are another created race. Although scripture sometimes says we will be like angels (for example we will not marry in the next life, like the angels) it also makes a real distinction between them and us, cp. Heb 2.

I'm sure there are other misconceptions, but those are enough to start.

More Emerging

Last week I had the opportunity to listen and converse some with Dr. John Franke. He is just one of many prominent voices in the emerging conversation. In that particular forum, he raised a number of issues that brought some interesting questions, discussion and reactions and deserves much credit for going into that particular lion's den to begin with.
These discussion always seem to go back to post-modernity and it's inherent disdained for absolute truth. My take on some of this - mine not his necessarily, is that we are all of us wrong. At least in part. Due to our life experiences, our heritage, our personalities and probably our sin nature as well, we all have drifted from God's absolute truth so that none of us really have it. At least not all of it. But there is the point of disagreement. What is the truth that we do have? Some might say it is agreement on the Gospel but then they differ on what they mean by Gospel. Somewhat like Dr. Franke, I believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible Word of God, a divine revela­tion, the original writings of which were verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit and that they are the supreme and final authority of faith and conduct. But, the point he seemed to be stressing was that even though we may start there (and not everyone does) it does not mean that we are infallible in our interpretations of it. Trying to figure our just how much of the truth we have to agree on in order to fully work together for the kingdom is to say the least challenging. So, for now I am still listening to the conversation and trusting in Christ alone.

Class Jesus 2

After the disciples asked Jesus to explain the parable of the sower (Mark 4), they asked why he spoke in parables. Before He explains He responds with a quote from Isaiah. (Isa 6:9 NIV) "Go and tell this people: "'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' In other words He seems to say I speak in parables so some won’t understand. The opposite of everything we try to do isn’t it?

In Isaiah, the people of Israel after having been blessed by God so much, have turned their back on Him. Gradually but consistently.
Isaiah 5 – woes, people rejecting.
5:4 I looked for good (grapes) and found bad
5:7 looked for justice and found bloodshed
5:12 no regard for the deeds of the Lord or the works of His hands

Isaiah 6 – charge to Isaiah
Isaiah 7 etc. – more rejection.
Gradual hardening. Then complete hardening.
The result – God is disgraced.

So, Here’s at least one secret. It is all about God’s glory. Its not about us its about Him. But there seems to be a second secret in this parable as well. That opportunities don’t last forever. Given that you have an opportunity now to bring God glory, how will we do it? If we keep putting it off we will eventually lose the opportunity, or be so distracted we won't even know the opportunities exist.

Classic Jesus

Sorry for the long pause between posts. The sabbatical ended and duty called, along with piles of things to catch up on. I am still processing some of my sabbatical experiences and will write on that later. But for now, I am fascinated with what I am calling Classic Jesus. OK, its my current sermon series but I would love your feedback.

In the Gospels, there is this ongoing trend with Jesus quoting Isaiah. When he does he is usually taking apart the religious establishment of the day - Scribes and Pharisees. Classic 1. Jesus is in his home town and is asked to read and presumably to speak int he synagogue. The reading for the day is Isa 61:1-2 "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, {2} to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn," (NIV).

Actually that sounds very missional. Now there is a lot more to this passage, where Jesus goes on to proclaim its fulfillment and, I believe, in so doing proclaims Himself to be the Messiah. All of that is classic, confrontational Jesus. But in so doing He also gives us a clue. Think about this, what is good news to the poor. It seems to read as more than just poor in spirit. Good news to the poor is usually that they will have something to eat, or a place to sleep or clothes to wear. Jesus said He came to do that - in addition it would seem to the cross.

Connect that thought to another Isaiah passage: (Isa 58:6-8 NIV) "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? {7} Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? {8} Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

I other words, as we do these acts of God's grace and blessing to those in need, our light, the light of the glory of God, will shine forth (instead of being under a bushel?) and the glory of God will guard us and will be seen. It almost sounds like the result will be evangelism doesn't it? It also seems very missional!

Worship 6

I had the opportunity these last two weeks to worship in 4 different churches. The preaching was good, the music good to very good, some people were friendly and some just happy to see their friends. (Which meant visitors had to fend for themselves). There were a few particularly innovative or different elements like a call to worship and prayer given in Hebrew, that were very moving.
But, when it came to worship, what caught my attention were the distractions. Now, it was four different services so don’t get the idea that these were all in one. In fact, generally, they were all good services. But over two weeks there were quite a few distractions.
1. a microphone or monitor left on from singing that produced an echo.
2. instruments that did not blend at all well
3. a song leader whose mic was too loud and overwhelmed the others
4. drums (only once) that were over powering the other musicians
5. a really long announcement for a new ministry
6. a missionary report – good in itself but as a visitor knowing nothing about them, there were no visuals and very little to help understand their ministry.
7. someone unprepared to do their part
8. someone introduced who was not in the room
9. the wrong scripture read at the wrong time and then read again at the right time
10. a very late start
11. wrong powerpoints
12. announcements in general – although only one of the churches actually did announcements
13. lack of purpose – it often seems that worship isn’t going anywhere, it is just a collection of random songs. Probably not random to the committee that selected them but somewhere the connections often get lost to the uninformed congregant.
14. A camp like greeting of good morning how you all doing, or worse, waiting for a response. Again only once.

Each week I look forward to worship and get my hopes up that the service will lead truly into the presence of God. That His Word will speak loud and clear. More often than not (not in at least two of the churches these last two weeks) I am disappointed and wonder why anyone seeking would come back.

Those of us who are regulars take our forms for granted. We know it is important to announce the coming breakfast or special meeting – really important if we are in charge. When you come to worship though, some of those same forms can just be distractions, leading away from the reason we say we are gathering - to worship and to hear from God.

So why mention distractions? Well, sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking worship is only singing, or its only the sermon. It is all of that and more but it canbe derailed by all of the distractions.