ARE YOU A FAN OR A FOLLOWER?

One of the most sobering passages of Scripture tells of a day when many who consider themselves to be followers of Jesus will be stunned to find out that he doesn’t even recognize them.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ 

                                                              -Matthew 7:21-23

Is your relationship with Jesus just a casual weekend thing or are you fully committed? Fans often confuse their admiration for devotion. They mistake the knowledge of Jesus for intimacy with Jesus. How many think they can have a relationship with Jesus without having to make any real changes? Jesus wants complete renovation. Belief in Jesus is not the same as following him. When we decide to believe in Jesus without making a commitment to follow him, we become nothing more than fans.

There is no forgiveness without repentance. There is no salvation without surrender. There is no believing without committing. Jesus is the one who defines the relationship, not you. He is clear that being a fan who believes without making any real commitment to follow isn’t an option. At some point you will be in a position to have to decide between being a fan or a follower of Jesus.

Are you going to remain simply an admirer of Jesus or are you going to follow Him? Can you give up whatever it is that has hindered you to follow Jesus thus far?

So…

WHAT DID JESUS LOOK LIKE AND SHOULD WE DISPLAY IT?

What did Jesus look like? The above, 1940 painting, has been copied and printed millions of times, put on postcards and greeting cards. Many churches even have this image, or one similar to it, hanging in their facilities.  But is this a true representation of what Jesus looked like and should we be displaying it?  

The Bible doesn't give us a specific, physical description of what Jesus actually looked like. Throughout history various depictions have emerged seemingly of what the artist of the time envisioned Jesus to look like. We have a Caucasian Jesus, African Jesus, Oriental Jesus and more.   

Did Jesus have long or short hair, a beard, a mustache? Was he tall or short?

Of course, the most popular renderings of Jesus has him with long hair, a beard, and a mustache. Such an image became popular in art work in the fourth and fifth centuries and beyond.

Most of the images we see today are probably inaccurate. Jesus was a Jew, so He likely had a somewhat darker skin such as Middle Eastern cultures had. This is a far cry from the European/Caucasian Jesus we see in modern art.   Below are some of the earliest known images depicting Jesus in the ancient world.   

This is perhaps the earliest known depiction of Jesus. Found in the catacombs of Rome. It dates to around 190-220 A.D. and shows Jesus healing the bleeding woman, as recorded in Mark 5:24-34. He is seen with short hair and no beard, as well wearing as a Roman toga. Of course it is very doubtful that Jesus ever wore a Roman toga but this is the artist rendering of Jesus, like a Roman. It does show Jesus with no beard and short hair.

This fresco is  another very early depiction of Jesus. It portrays the story of Jesus healing a paralyzed man. It was found in a Syrian City and has been called the "Dura Europos". This image dates to about 230 A.D. and was found on the wall of a one of the earliest known church buildings. It may not be the clearest image but it shows short, curly hair and no beard or mustache. He is also wearing a tunic and sandals. 

Later in the 4th Century we have this image found at a cemetery of one of Emperor Constantine's villas. This is perhaps the first known image depicting Jesus in the traditional form we are accustomed to seeing today. Long hair, beard and mustache.

This beautiful mosaic was found in Britain and dates to the 4th Century also. It has the Greek "Chi" & "Rho", the first two letters of Christ, often used to refer to Jesus. This image has Jesus depicted as a clean shaven Roman in a toga with short hair.  

What Jesus looked like does not matter. If it was deemed important, one or more of the New Testament writers would have provided a physical description.

The New Testament does provide several non-physical descriptions of Jesus that are to capture our imaginations and excite our spirits. He is the light of the world (John 1:5); the bread of life (John 6:32-33); the living water (John 4:14) our High Priest (Hebrews 2:17); the good shepherd (John 10:11,14); the spotless lamb of God (Revelation 13:8); the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2); the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6); and the very image of God (Colossians 1:15) and the list could go on. Such a Savior is more precious and beautiful to us than any piece of art hanging on a wall.

What about the length of Jesus hair? The traditional image, as seen at the top of this article, is likely inaccurate. Being a Middle Eastern male in the 1st Century A.D. it was the tradition or culturally acceptable practice than men had shorter hair than women. We read in 1 Corinthains 11:14, "Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him."  (ESV)  

Another, and perhaps more important question arises; should we display any artwork depicting Jesus?

Since we really do not know what Jesus physically looked like and that the traditional artwork commonly accepted is probably wrong, I would contend that we shouldn't display them. When someone who enters our facilities sees such an image, it is safe to assume that they consider this is what we believe Jesus looked like. If in fact, since it is not what Jesus looked like, are we not lying or promoting a deception?

Also, consider the second commandment, "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.  You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God,..." (Exodus 20:4-5)  ESV  

For church members to become upset about removing artwork, wrongly depicting Jesus, may show forth a spirit flirting with idolatry. God gave us the second commandment knowing how easily we are at wanting to have some image before us to depict Him. Could it be that false artwork depicting Jesus is a modern day "golden calf"? This can become a very hotly contested issue when we consider how much artwork there is depicting so many ideas of His appearance.   Stained-glass artwork, illustrations in various Christian literature, and the lists go on. The same could also be said about artwork of the apostles or other Biblical characters. It may be one thing to see illustrations in literature conveying conceived images of Jesus but when artwork is permanently displayed it takes on a whole new aura as an icon that is not to be tampered with.   

If you were to ask children attending our churches to describe or draw what Jesus looked like, what do you suppose their pictures would display?  Most likely it will resemble the artwork we have traditionally been hanging in our homes and in our church facilities. Do we really want to perpetuate misleading and misinforming our children about Jesus? When they find out later that the image we displayed is inaccurate, could they not wonder what other areas we have misled them regarding God, Jesus or other spiritual matters?  Should we not strive to remove such potential stumbling blocks from view?

Our focus should not be on what Jesus looked like but on what He did, Who He is and what He instructs us to do. There is enough there for us to focus on rather than getting bent out of shape over an inaccurate image.    

  

WHY MUDDY THE WATERS?

Jesus prayed for the unity of those who would follow Him and be called by His name.  However, over the centuries false teachings have crept in and caused division among those claiming to be followers of Jesus Christ.   These divisions we call “denominations”.  

Why do so many so-called "Christian" groups muddy the waters of the simple gospel?    

Perhaps one of the most pervasive false teachings that is still with us to this day is that of what is often referred to as “Faith Only”.  

In gatherings of those desiring to know more about God very often those attending heard something like one of these statements:

·        “Bow your head and raise your hand if you want Jesus to come into your heart”

·        “Just say this prayer and ask Jesus to come into your heart”

·        “Just believe and you will be saved”

·        “All you need is faith only”

If these approaches are indeed true and scripturally based it would seem that something in Scripture would support it.   However, nowhere in the New Testament do we see an example of praying a certain prayer (often called “The Sinners Prayer”) asking Jesus to come into your heart and thus you are saved.

What about “faith only” or just believing to be saved?   Is there anywhere in the New Testament that the phrase “faith only” or “faith alone” appears?  Actually there is one place in the New Testament where this phrase occurs:

“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” 

                                                                                                                   -James 2:24

James elaborates more on this topic in the same chapter, look at these:

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but doenot have works?  Can that faith save him?”  (2:14)

“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”  (2:17)

“You believe that God is one; you do well.  Even the demons believe—and shudder!”  (2:19)

“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”  (2:26)

Belief is an important step but it is not the whole of the way to be saved.  If we leave it at belief only we are no better off than demons and we know what their fate will be.   Belief and actions together are what equate to faith.

Salvation is a process that is not fully realized until you see Jesus face to face.  Throughout the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, God has always attached a requirement of obedience on our part to receive the promises He makes.

  

In addition to belief one must confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9), repent (Acts 3:19), be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) and to be faithful until death (Revelation 2:10).   Then one will receive the crown of life offered.   

In a real sense no one is saved yet!  We are in the process of receiving salvation but nobody can say they are saved until they see Jesus in person after this life.  Jesus has prepared eternity for us but it is not in our possession just yet.  I can say that I have the hope of salvation and eternity based on claiming Jesus and His promises to be true and following his directions.

How about you?   Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and the only hope for salvation and eternity?  Good!  But don’t leave it there!   Remember…

“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” 

                                                                                                                -James 2:24

What is your next step in the process to secure salvation for yourself?

Have questions?   I’d be happy to share God’s answers with you.   Or you can contact me with your questions.  Others may be interested in the same questions you have and perhaps I’ll even write a future blog to address the question you have.

WORDS TO HANG ON TO!

47 And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy him,48 but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words. 

                                               -Luke 19:47-48

What an amazing statement, "...for all the people were hanging on his words." Jesus' words are indeed words to hang on to because they are life-giving. Jesus' words are not empty words, but words of the spirit and life.

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.                                       -John 6:63

What wonderful words of life we have to share with others:

He said He is the Bread of Life: "I am the bread of life" -John 6:48

He said without His blood, we have no life in us: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. -John 6:53

He said He was "The Way, The Truth and The Life". John 14:6

Jesus said that the man who hears his words and puts them into practice is like the man who built his house by laying the foundation on rock--a strong house that's able to withstand all kinds of inclement weather (Luke 6:46-49).

Take heed of Jesus' words today!

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.                                                   -Mark 16:16

Jesus' words are words of life, words to hang on to! AMEN!

"Immanuel" or "Jesus"?

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.                                     -Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name - Immanuel” (which means, God with us).    
                         -Matthew 1:21-23 (ESV)

The question is raised in connection to the birth of Christ as to what He was to be named. Upon a casual reading of the passages above it appears that it was prophesied that He is to be named “Immanuel”. However, in Matthew 1:21, 23 & 25 it indicates He was named “Jesus”. Is this a contradiction or failure to fulfill Isaiah? Not all all!

First let us understand that in the ancient world, particularly among God’s people, names had meaning and often reflected the character of the person or of events associated with one’s parents who named them. It was not unusual to have more than one name or for God to rename someone as well. For example, Abram was renamed Abraham, and Jacob was renamed Israel just to name two. The name of Israel went on to be used to refer to the entire nation of God’s people. Let’s look at some other passages that indicate what some of Jesus’ other names are:

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 
                                    -Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.              -Revelation 19:13 (ESV)

There are many other passages that give names or titles for Jesus:

· Alpha & Omega
· Amen
· Bread of Life
· Chief Shepherd
· Messiah
· Son of God
· Son of the Highest
· Holy One of God
· I Am
· King of Kings
· Lamb of God
· Prince of Peace…and there are several more!

Let’s go back to Isaiah for moment. Not only do we have the passage in 7:14 & 9:6 as listed above but there are two other places in Isaiah where the term “Immanuel” occurs.

and it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass on, reaching even to the neck, and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.” -Isaiah 8:8 (ESV)

Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak a word, but it will not stand,
for God is with us. -Isaiah 8:10 (ESV)

In all three passages (7:14; 8:8; 8:10) the name or term “Immanuel” is used. The emphasis in all three focuses on the presence of God among His people.

It is this theology of the name that lies behind Matthew’s use of this passage of Isaiah. By linking Jesus with the concept of Immanuel in Isaiah Matthew is making a theological statement about the mission of the Christ child in the world. Matthew is making a statement about who Jesus is, and why His birth is so momentous.

It is interesting that Jesus is never called “Immanuel” outside of this one verse in Matthew that is quoted from Isaiah 7:14. The term does not occur anywhere else in the gospels being applied to Jesus and is nowhere to be found elsewhere in the New Testament. Yet Matthew does use the concept of “God with us” in one other place.

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”                  -Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

The concept of “God with us” becomes a key theological structure for the entire Gospel of Matthew since it brackets the story of Jesus at the beginning and the end. “Immanuel” like other names and titles attributed to Jesus would characterize His character and what others would say about Him as opposed to his proper personal name, “Jesus” which also tells us that He is our deliverer & savior.

THE REALITY OF FAITH

What is faith? Is it belief? Is it trust? Is it both or much more?

What kind of faith changes a person?

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
                                  -Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

We all have faith! We all believe in something. What do you have faith in? What are you putting your faith in and trusting in? Is your faith in your intellect, your strength, your career, the government? There is only one who will not fail you. There is only one who is the same yesterday, today and forever...JESUS!

Is your faith in Jesus really stronger than your faith in other things? Ouch, that question may hurt a little if you are truly honest.

Our faith is not primarily in what Jesus said. Many know Jesus' teachings forwards and backwards but still remain unchanged. Our faith must be anchored in what Jesus did. He rose from the grave! The Gospel is the Resurrection. It was after the resurrection of Jesus that his followers showed great courage and boldness under persecution. It was after the resurrection that the apostles performed many miracles. It was after the resurrection that the church changed the world.

What evidence is there in your life that that you have faith in Jesus? What change has taken place in your life? Do you share His story with others? How has your faith helped to change others?

How has the congregation you are a part of changed the world (your community)?

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
                          -1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV)

Is your faith planted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

What is the reaction or response of true faith? First we must get rid of the conditional faith we are carrying..."As long as...", "I'll believe if...". To have true Christian faith one cannot dictate conditions to God but must trust fully in Jesus Christ.

You must fully worship Jesus and recognize him as Thomas did, "My Lord and my God".

If you truly want the benefits of faith in the Lord then you must come to understand that only in the power of God can you be genuinely changed. God is a powerful change agent for those willing to be transformed from sinners to saints.

COMING TO TERMS: "Trinity"

The term “Trinity” is popularly used to describe the three-fold nature of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.    Would you be surprised to learn that the term "Trinity" is nowhere to be found in the Scriptures?  Yes, it's true!  A term used so widely to explain the nature and character of God is not even used in the Scriptures.

But how are we to understand the three-fold nature of God?  Are we to think of Him as three or as one?   

Let me illustrate how we can understand God as being three-in-one.  I am a son, a father and a husband.  Does that mean I'm three different people?  Of course not!  It simply describes three natures or characteristics of myself regarding different relationships.   To my parents I act as a son showing respect and honoring them.   To my children I act as a father loving them as my own.  To my wife I strive to be an adoring and loving husband.   The relationship I have with each of these are entirely different.  Many conversations I may have with each of these can be very different also.  I have three different relationships but I'm only one person.

God also has three different relationships with us.   God the Father reminds us of His power, majesty and Holiness.   As God the Son (Jesus) He came in person to be like us to relate to us in person.  He became God in the flesh (John 1:14).  As God the Holy Spirit we have His presence within us to guide us into all truth and encourage us in our Christian life.

Is there any event recorded in the Scriptures that shows all three aspects of God's nature at the same time?  Yes!

16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”                                   -Matthew 3:16-17 (ESV)

God the Father created all things and created man to have a relationship with.  

God the Son (God in the flesh) came to personally experience life as we do.  He redeems us from our sins as the perfect, unblemished, and sinless sacrifice on our behalf so we may be restored in our relationship with God.

God the Holy Spirit lives within those who have accepted His love and the sacrifice of the Jesus Christ.  He is our spiritual conscious and guide to help us understand the Scriptures and life as God envisioned.

OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!

  

EASTER OR RESURRECTION DAY?

     

Easter was originally a pagan festival. The ancient Saxons celebrated the return of spring with a festival commemorating their goddess of offspring and of springtime, Eastre Or Ostara (from which we derive the name "Easter"). When the second-century Christians encountered the tribes of the north with their pagan celebrations, they attempted to convert them to Christianity but continued to celebrate pagan feasts and festivals, but in an effort to "Christianize" the festival.  Unfortunately they met with limited success and in truth some of the pagan practices and teachings infiltrated the church. 

Even so, Easter somehow managed to retain the fertility symbols and the Easter Basket. (I always wondered what the Easter Basket had to do with Christ's resurrection. Didn't you?) Eastre, goddess of fertility, has managed to infiltrate our society with the well known "Rabbit Test" (do they still call it that?) to find out if a woman is pregnant. So now each year in the Spring we see the Easter candy, baskets and rabbits permeate our society.  One can hardly go into a store this time of year without seeing such trappings of ancient paganism packaged for commercial or financial gain. 

Let me say this…I do not believe in or put faith in Easter.  But I do believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!  Do not fall prey to the trap that our world has set to get you to think that Easter and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead are one and the same.  A rabbit and decorated eggs may be part of the Easter celebrations as they have been since instituted in paganistic practices in ancient times but they have nothing to do with Jesus Christ.  In fact, nowhere in the Bible will you find that we are instructed to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus as a special day once a year at a certain time

 

Now I would remind you, brothers,^[a] of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, ² and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. ³ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. ⁶ Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. ⁸ Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

 

                                                                       -1 Corinthians 15:1-8

 

Let me say that for the Christian every day is resurrection day and not simply one day in the year!  Collectively in our worship every Sunday is resurrection day!

I could take several weeks reviewing with you the various evidences for the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Evidences from…

ü Jesus’ own testimony  & predictions before his death.

ü Jesus’ own followers.

ü Enemies who tried to silence the teaching of the resurrection.

ü Historical sources outside of the Scriptures.

ü Individuals such as Paul and others.

ü Groups that saw Jesus personally.

ü The scene at the tomb, which by the way was not empty.  There was something very important in the tomb to give strong evidence for the resurrection.

ü The transformation that took place in the disciples.

Not because of the insufficiency of evidence but in spite of its magnitude do men today still reject the resurrection of Jesus. How do we explain the change from Saturday to Sunday worship without the resurrection?  The majority of the first Christians were of Jewish background and had been fanatically attached to their Sabbath.  It took something extremely significant to change this habit; it took the resurrection to do it!  By the way, Sunday is not the Sabbath!   No where in the new Testament does it refer to the first day of the week as the Sabbath. 

The disciples of Jesus spent the rest of their lives proclaiming the message of the resurrection, as cowards transformed into men of courage. They were willing to face arrest, imprisonment, beatings, being stoned, and even death.  Not one of them ever denied the Lord or recanted his belief that the Lord had risen.

 

¹² Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. ¹⁵ We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If in Christ we have hope^[a] in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
²⁰ But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

                                                                     1 Corinthians 15:12-22

It is my desire to strive to be a Christian as shown in the New Testament and to strive to help the Lord's Church be the way He desired.  Like many of you I grew up in a culture that made Easter and Resurrection Day to be one and the same.   I do not like using the term "Easter" to refer to the resurrection of Jesus from the grave but from time to time I even find myself slipping up and saying the term.  It can be very difficult to change after years of the  customs and traditions one has grown up bomdarding you with ways to pollute the intent of God's Church.  I encourage you all to make the effort to transform and renew your minds to be people who strive after the Scriptures for living the Christian life. 

 

 

 

MARY & THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS

                                             

The virgin birth is the teaching that Mary, the mother of Jesus was a virgin during conception and during the birth of Jesus.  The source of this teaching is three-fold:

1   1)  Matthew 1:18-35.  Here we see that before Mary and Joseph came together in marriage “she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.”   An angel told Joseph, “Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” 

     2)  Luke 1:36-38.  An angel told Mary that she was favored by God and that she would “be with child and give birth to a son.”  She asked the angel how this could be since she had never been with a man and was a virgin?  She was informed that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her and that the child to be born would be called the Son of God.

     3)  Isaiah 7:14 (Repeated in Matthew 1:23 as a fulfillment).  “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

From these passages, it is certainly clear that Jesus’ birth was the result of the Holy Spirit working within Mary’s body. The immaterial (the Spirit) and the material (Mary’s womb) were both involved. Mary, of course, could not impregnate herself, and in that sense she was simply a “vessel.” Only God could perform the miracle of the Incarnation.

However, denying a physical connection between Mary and Jesus would imply that Jesus was not truly human. Scripture teaches that Jesus was fully human, with a physical body like ours. This He received from Mary. At the same time, Jesus was fully God, with an eternal, sinless nature (John 1:14;1 Timothy 3:16;Hebrews 2:14-17.)

CHRIST BEFORE BETHLEHEM

                                 

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  he was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

                                                                            -John 1:1-5 (ESV)

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

                                                                            -John 1:14 (ESV)

This prologue of John’s summarizes the gospel.  Whereas Mark begins his account with John the Baptist, Matthew with Abraham, and Luke with Adam; John takes us to the beginning.   John deliberately quotes Genesis 1:1 and begins her narrative where the Scriptures begin.  John affirms that the Word existed before any act of creation occurred thus conveying the eternality of Christ.  Not only did the Word existence before creation began, but John emphatically declares that the Word is the Creator of all.  He emphasizes the preexistence of Jesus, referring to Him as the Word, an appropriate name to designate Him through whom God revealed Himself to man.

The mystery of God is in the eternal Word being incarnated in the Christ.  The roots of the life of Jesus reach all the way back into eternity.  This title of “Word” declares the unity of the Father and Son. 

John affirms not only the deity of Jesus Christ in the flesh and His preexistence before the incarnation but also the relationship of the preexistent Christ with God, the material world and mankind.  John further asserts his own belief in the preexistence of the Christ (1:30).

This title of the “Word” (Logos) clearly identifies Christ with God and the purpose and function of Christ to reveal God.  Jesus existed, “in the beginning” (1:1) a long time before He assumed human form.  Genesis 1 records how God spoke all things into existence, and now we learn that His creative word is an eternal, Divine Person.  Every single thing and the whole material universe came into being through the creative activity of the Word, Jesus Christ (1:3). The apostle Paul (Col 1:16) and writer of Hebrews (1:2) support this doctrine also. We can now understand better the “Let us make man in our image” from Genesis 1:26.  John fills the “Logos” with personality.  In using the Greek term “Logos” as a title for the Son of God, John did not coin a new word, but gave a new meaning to a word already in use.  John in seeking to reach a Greek audience uses a play on words with a term they are very familiar with.

The Greek word translated “dwelt” is literally “tabernacled among us”.  Christ abandoned the eternal dwelling place before the very presence of God the Father to pitch a tent in the midst of sinners.  When the Word became flesh (1:14) and tabernacle among men, the eternal God came to dwell among men not in a temple or tent, but in the person and humanity of His only-begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  We would never know what God is really like if the Word had not become flesh.  One could never know the love, grace and tenderness of God apart from the incarnation of God becoming flesh.  The Word becoming flesh also refers to the virgin birth.

It was man who sinned in the Garden of Eden, and transferring his allegiance from God to Satan, he forfeited his dominion that God intended he should have (Gen 1:26).  Only by man could the lost inheritance be regained (Rom 5:12-21), but since the whole race had been contaminated by the deadly virus of sin and had been rendered powerless to defeat the deceiver, the Word became flesh in order to do for man what sinful man could not do for himself.

Jesus himself said: “Before Abraham was, I am,” (John 8:58) signifying that He existed before Abraham was born.

A consideration of Christ’s preexistence and His power and wisdom in creation should impress any thinking person with His majesty and glory, and should spur one on to greater discipleship.  All the attributes of God are summed up in the incarnate Logos.  

"GOD WITH US", yes even today!

The Origin & Development of Our Modern Christmas

                         
In the early part of the 4^th Century A.D. the Emperor Constantine established Christianity as the state religion or the Roman Empire and the persecution of Christians came to an end.  From that point forward Christianity increasingly gained political influence and its hierarchy was formed in a pattern much like that of the political system of the Roman Empire.  Regarding the celebration of Christmas as a holiday it was not observed by followers of Christ for the better part of two hundred years after the time Jesus lived on earth.  In the writings of some of the early church fathers in the first three centuries of the existence of the church they did not want this sacred occasion put on a par with pagan carnivals.  One church official, Origen, especially declared against such a practice, asserting that it was sinful to keep Christ’s birthday “as though He were a King Pharaoh.”  Many church leaders denounced the intermingling of pagan with Christian elements in the celebration of Christmas.  Church leaders warned against excessive indulgence of feasting, dancing, and dressing in grotesque costumes.

Although in the early centuries of the Christian era the exact date of the nativity was not known, by the third century some had been observing the event on these varying dates:  January 6, February 2, March 25, April 19, May 20 and November 17.  (During this period of time there were five different calendar systems of reckoning time.)  At the request of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Julius I (Bishop of Rome from 337 – 352 A.D.) made an investigation into the matter of the date.  In 350 A.D., December 25 was set as the most probable time.  The Feast of the Nativity was first observed on this day at Rome, perhaps in 353 A.D.; and from then on the custom spread throughout the empire. About a century later near 440 A.D. the Bishop at Jerusalem also accepted this ruling, as did most of the other Christians, except the Armenians, who still observe Christmas on January 6.  Although many authorities did not agree then and many still do not agree today that December 25 was the correct date—the world will no doubt continue to celebrate on this date.

It is interesting to note that different sources have suggested reasons why the early Church officials selected this date.  Many of the Roman soldiers were adherents to Mithraism, a religion that for a time was a strong rival to Christianity in the empire.  Its most important feast day, (Birth of the Unconquered Sun), occurred on December 25.  The Church authorities may have set the date of Christ’s birth to correspond to celebrations already in practice through earlier pagan beliefs.  Perhaps they thought it wise to give a sacred meaning to pagan observances, rather than antagonize new converts by doing away completely with old customs.

But attempts to combine pagan and Christian events led to difficulties and the pollution of the church by pagan practices.  When the Church found it impossible through repeated bans to abolish all the pagan customs, it “Christianized” them and incorporated them into the Christian observance of Christmas.  This explains the use of greenery (like trees), candles and other lights for decorating the home.  In the Roman world the Saturnalia (December 17) was a time of merry-makinig and the exchange of gifts.  December 25 was also regarded as the birth date of the Persian mystery god Mithras also known as the “Sun of Righteousness”.  On the Roman New Year (January 1) houses were decorated with greenery and lights.   Gifts were also given to children and the poor.  Although at first Christians were expected to observe Christmas as a religious holiday exclusively, gradually secular, even pagan elements, such as those listed above and practiced today, were added.

So, the question for us today is:  Will we celebrate Christmas as Christians or as Pagans?  If Christ is left out of Christmas then it is simply a pagan festival.  Nowhere in the New Testament does it instruct us to celebrate the birth of Jesus as some special holiday observance.  The same could be said of Easter too (another term from pagan history).  The only observances we are instructed to do are worship on the Lord’s Day, baptism and communion. 

So was the observance of the birth of Christ as some special holiday to be remembered each year spawned from the nativity in Bethlehem or from the politicized Church of the 4^th Century A.D. combating Pagan religious celebrations and striving to “Christianize” them?   Something to think about for this Christmas season.  In a real sense every day for the Christian is a celebration of the Incarnation and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.   Don’t limit your praise and celebration to just one day a year.