A friend recently tried to convince me that "we all pray to the same god." His argument included the fact that "there are other religions that also pray to the god of Abraham."
Okay, he's correct, sort of.
Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you." Genesis 12:1
And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. Genesis 17:7
There are other religions that use these verses to trace their origins back to Abraham. But that's not the whole story.
Yesterday I made a quick trip to the store, and I happened to see a sign on a display stand - "Celebrate Easter, April 12, 2020."
I was glad of that reminder. It gets to the heart of the difference between Christianity and other religions that claim to "worship the god of Abraham."
Abraham was also told:
...and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Genesis 22:18a
Christians believe that this offspring that blesses all nations is the promised Messiah; that He's Jesus.
And this Jesus is God incarnate - God who took on flesh, the little baby whose birth we celebrate during Christmas, and the servant leader we read about in the New Testament who taught and healed people.
This Jesus is the One who bore the sins of the world, who died on the cross for those sins, for my sins. And He's the One who rose again on that first Easter morning. He overcame sin, death, and Satan to be that blessing to all nations, to me.
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
...but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:23–24
And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30–31
I know it's not Easter yet, but, Jesus is risen, and He's on the throne. Our God.
I love this verse:
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7
In the Old Testament, during the times of the kings, people trusted in their nation's military strength and power. And chariots and horses were "state-of-the-art" military equipment.
These days, our "chariots and horses" are:
- comfort and health
- money and success
- relationships and popularity
- entertainment and leisure
As this virus has progressed, and people are wandering what to make of it, I keep thinking about plagues and where we put our trust.
Most people are aware of the ten plagues that happened in Egypt during the time of Moses. But there's also an incident recorded in Numbers.
In this account, the Israelites have been living in the wilderness for many years, and all this time the Lord has provided for them. But they forget His provision and start complaining about having no food and no water. And the Lord sends...
fiery serpents among the people, and they [bite] the people, so that many people of Israel died. Numbers 21:6
But it's what happens next that's significant. The Lord tells Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. When anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze serpent, he would live.
Now I don't know the reasons behind what's happening in the world today and I wouldn't dare to speculate. But I do know where to look and what to trust, or rather Whom to trust.
About Himself, Jesus said:
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. John 3:14–15
In the midst of this uncertain life, and life is definitely uncertain these days, it's the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus that's absolute, undeniable, and the one thing to trust. Look to the crucified and risen Christ.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
About 30 years ago, I was given a pamphlet on the Lord's Supper. It was a trifold. One side of the page had the Roman Catholic stances, the other side had the Protestant viewpoints. In the middle of these positions, there were the relevant Bible verses on the Lord's Supper.
Like a good Bible student, I read through the pamphlet and looked up the verses. My conclusion was, "The Roman Catholics are reading into and beyond the text; the Protestants are ignoring the text. Why can't people just take Jesus for His Word and believe what He says?"
Take, eat; this is my body...Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:26-28
At that moment, I embraced a position that I now know is similar to the Lutheran understanding of the Lord's Supper.
Our God, in the second person of the Trinity, Jesus, the Son, took on flesh, and He became one of us. He walked and lived among us. He lived a perfect life. And in accordance with Old Testament prophecy, He died as a sacrifice for our sins and for our salvation. And He overcame death and rose again, and He's still alive, seated at the right hand of power. Because of that, when we die, we will pass from this life, to life with Him. And we look forward to the physical restoration of our bodies. Right now, He physically gives us faith, strength, and understanding through His Word, and in His sacraments.
Lutheran Pastor Jonathan Fisk's new book is called Without Flesh: Why the Church is Dying Even Though Jesus is Still Alive. The title refers to many in today's church who are in a...
...constant state of decay and endless search for renewal. Having a Word without flesh, they are Christians in churches who, by definition, do not believe that Jesus is among them.
The book is on the Lord's Supper. But rather than writing an argument for the Lutheran teaching, Pastor Fisk, in various ways, explores the implications of Jesus coming in the flesh, and of our Lord continuing to come to us in a physical way.
Words matter. That Jesus is alive and ascended to power - that matters. That He promised to be present and with us - it matters.
We often live like He's gone, like He's not here. Why is that, when we read, we hear, and we know His promises?
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:20
Whenever I read a book, I ask myself, "What parts of this book especially impact me and are parts that I will be considering and thinking on?"
- Chapter 2 - Where Might Jesus Be?
The chapter explores the impact of Jesus's ascension, and that it's "something far more marvelous than mere omnipresence."
- Chapter 3 - Where Has Jesus Been?
Pastor Fisk gives a scientific picture of how our words and what we say to one another actually affect us. He examines how physical words from one person can "touch" another person, and make "things" happen inside of them.
- Chapter 8 - What Did John Touch?
This chapter includes teachings on Greek words, grammar, and verb tenses.
Without Flesh is a short book, but it's not a quick read. It's a book that will challenge and impact one's Christian faith in a positive way.
As I was waiting in a church lobby to serve at a military funeral, the church service ended, and the son of the man who had passed away started talking about his father. I felt like a "fly on the wall" listening in to a very private conversation.
The son told how his father had always worked hard, had served people, done the right thing, and never tried to draw attention to himself. His father loved his mother, and he told his sons that, if a boat ever went down, the boys had better know how to swim, because the father was saving their mother.
The son said that he'd always wanted to be like his father. But he admitted that he'd never seen his father cry, and his father had never told him that he loved him. And, he, the son, had never spoken those words of love to his father.
Again - "fly on the wall."
And I started thinking about my own life, my family, and the people I know.
My sons know we love them, and my husband and I tell them that. But I know we miss times, in the midst of conflict or stress, to reassure them of that love.
And, as much as I'd want my husband to put my life first, he'd better be saving my drowning son, and leave me to fend for myself. (I am a Naval Academy trained swimmer!)
But the truth is, no matter our situations, we all get that feeling of "not loved" or "not valued enough." And we get it even though we may be told that we're loved or even shown that we're loved.
We're needy, sinful, hurting people.
But for Jesus...
While He was with them, Jesus told His disciples of His love for them.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. John 15:9
And in His Word we also read, we hear, and we know of His love for us.
Jesus showed His disciples His love for them by dying on the cross, by saving them...and by saving us...by saving me.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12-13
Life's hard. It's hard when you feel alone and not loved. And there's times when it's really hard to love other people. But our hope and our trust, my hope and my trust, is in the One who loves me, the One who laid down His life for me, the One who's promised to come again.
It's in Him, in Jesus, that I know I'm loved, and it's because of Him and His love, that I can love other people, both in word and in deed.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7
I was at my monthly Veterans Honor Guard Meeting, and the Commander of the Guard, John, a Navy vet, opened the meeting with something new. He called it, "I have seen the light."
John asked for Paul and I, both of us Marines, to stand up. I looked at Paul and started laughing. Paul was wearing a "Navy Grandpa" shirt, and I was wearing a Naval Academy sweatshirt.
In John's opinion, we two Marines had "seen the light" and were now supporting Navy!
"I have seen the light." It means to understand something that you didn't understand before, especially something you were confused or skeptical about.
And it's such a Christian thing to say, or rather, to feel and be aware of.
Before Christ, before His Word, His truth, and His forgiveness were made known to me and given to me, I was in darkness. I didn't understand, and I didn't even know that I didn't understand. Isaiah describes us as...
The people who walked in darkness...Isaiah 9:2a
The crazy thing is, walking in darkness is easy. It's a "going along with the ways of the world in a manner that pleases me and seems good to me." In a sense, it's being my own god.
But when the truth of the gospel is made known to a person, when the light of Jesus shines in my life, my heart, my brain, my very being - then something changes. I see and am aware of my sin and my salvation, my Savior.
In reading and teaching from Isaiah, Jesus says:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to
proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to
the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty
those who are oppressed. Luke 4:18
Jesus likens His good news to a blind person literally gaining the ability to see, and He even gives us that "picture" by healing a blind person, giving that person sight.
And it's an amazing thing to recognize and mourn my own sin, while at the same time being comforted and knowing that all is forgiven through Jesus - to see the light.
St. Paul, in his writings to the churches, refers to this seeing. And he recognizes that, at this time, it's not complete; that while we see the good news of Jesus and rejoice in our salvation, we don't yet see it clearly and perfectly.
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in
part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
And I agree with Paul. In this life, I'm always going to sin, to fall short, to fail. I don't always do the right thing, and sometimes I don't even know what that right thing is.
But the light is still there in His Word.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
The same light is there to share with others...
...to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and
from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of
sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in [Jesus]. Acts 26:18
And that light is promised in Revelation.
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. Revelation 21:23
I have seen the light, and it's Jesus.
When I was a Marine First Lieutenant, stationed at Parris Island, South Carolina, one of my husband's close friends was Mike Ettore, a Marine Captain also stationed at Parris Island. I occasionally talked to Mike - he was in charge of all the Rifle Ranges. And although I really didn't know him, I knew that Mike had a reputation among the other officers - and whether you liked him or not, you respected him.
Last fall, I saw that Mike wrote a book - Trust-Based Leadership. And the book packs a wallop in both substance and weight. It's one of the heaviest paperbacks I've ever read!
Mike is a decorated combat veteran who, after his military service, became a leader in the business world. One would expect that his book would be about being rugged and gritty, about a person who can stand fearless in front of a group, who's the ugliest and scariest fighter around, ready to lead his Marines into combat.
Or, people might think that military leadership is about being popular with the troops, always being right, and having lots of awards.
But very early in the book, Mike makes the point that "the average Marine leader is much more flexible, agile-minded, and 'business-ready' than the stereotypes promoted by Hollywood movies or the individuals who harbor...anti-military bias would have you believe." (page 12)
And surprisingly, he states what I also believe, that "Leaders exist solely to serve and enable those whom they are privileged to lead," and that "Leadership is always about service." (page 43)
And this is nothing new. Jesus also taught good leadership in the same manner.
But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:26–28
Likewise, Paul wrote:
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10
Mike also compares leadership to parenting, echoing General Lejeune who taught "a parental relationship based on care, service, camaraderie, and mutual respect." (page 78)
I
always tell people that when I was a Battalion Supply Officer at Camp
Pendleton, I had about 15 Marines, and I was their mother. At the same
time, my husband was a Battalion Motor Transport Officer, he had about
60 Marines, and he was their mother.
During that time, I know that I cared deeply for my Marines. I wanted them to learn and do well, and become independent, so they wouldn't even need me. That was my goal.
Leadership really does come down to:
- Having a high degree of personal integrity and character
- Being knowledgeable and proficient in your area
- And especially caring for and respecting your people, training and developing them
I like how Mike states it, "If you show people that you care about them - that you truly care- they'll usually respond in kind." (page 92)
Yesterday afternoon I served at a military funeral, and it was cold. The wind chill was 20°, and beforehand we were all sitting in our cars waiting for the funeral procession to arrive. I was restless, so I put my overcoat on and got out of the car.
I was parked near a barren field on the edge of the cemetery, and the sun was starting to get low. I stood there, looking over the field, feeling the biting wind, and I started to pray.
I prayed about the things on my mind; I prayed some scripture; I prayed the Lord's Prayer. And as I stood there miserably cold and amidst the dead, I was alone with my Lord, my God, and I thought, "At this moment, there's no place I'd rather be than right here." It was a moment of pure contentment.
From Sunday's sermon notes, I have written, "People are looking for something that's real, true, and deep." That's so accurate. It seems that people are always searching for fulfillment in life, for satisfaction, enjoyment, entertainment.
We even make "bucket lists" of things to do or places to visit before we die, as if doing those things will make our lives complete and meaningful.
Or maybe it's that entertainment and fun is all a distraction that helps us forget that life is hard and we all face death. I don't know.
I do know that all the "stuff of life" pales in comparison to the Lord, to His Word, His truth, His promise to be with me, to hear my prayers, to forgive my sins...His promise of eternal life.
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
Psalm 84:1–2
I know this to be true. He's right there.
When I thought, “My foot slips,”
your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.
When the cares of my heart are many,
your consolations cheer my soul.
Psalm 94:18–19
I often plan to spend time in prayer, in Bible reading, and I always think, "I'll get to it in a bit," only to never "get to it." But I've learned it's best to seize those moments to pray, to spend time with the Lord whenever and wherever the opportunity exists.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
Psalm 34:8–9
