What Lies Beneath

We drove home yesterday, on the heels of the deaths of a famous mother and daughter this past week:  Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia from Star Wars) and her mother, Debbie Reynolds - an actress from my late father's favorite movie:  "Singin' in the Rain."  (Lest I forget about George Michael:  80's pop singer who died on Christmas day at the age of 53).  As we drove across the rolling hills of Missouri, we passed by the Wheeling Cemetery.  It isn't much of a cemetery:  an aging wrought iron fence surrounding it, numerous tombstones marking the final resting place of a few hundred deceased who have been buried there over many years, and so on.  But it had the unique distinction of being right off US 36, and thereby directly visible to us as we drove west.

Now perhaps as a pastor, and one who has buried many people over the years, I notice things like this much more than the non-pastor, but what I saw immediately set me thinking.  The blue awning from a funeral-just-concluded was was being taken down, and I'm assuming they had either just sealed the vault or were preparing to lower the casket into the ground, as the last of the cars exited the cemetery from a service that had freshly concluded.  Not seeing the graveside service itself, it's hard to conjure up an image of how many folks were there, but given the handful of chairs I observed, I would guess an "average" group of - say - between 30 and 50.  I immediately wondered how many people even were aware of the passing of the person who was just buried, or for that matter how many cared.  And yet their death was inevitable - whether from natural causes, accident, murder, or whatever, they were going to die - eventually.

For some reason, our society believes that 2016 has been a horrible year because of the number of celebrities - "famous people" (like Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds) - who have passed away.  Now many of them died as a direct result of a questionable lifestyle - the drugs and alcohol abuse of fame that can lead to a shortened life span.  Indeed many famous people have died this past year.  And yet should their death matter any more than the nameless, faceless death I witnessed the conclusion of yesterday?  Society seems to think so.  I don't.  People have been dying since the dawn of time and people - celebrities included - will continue to die in 2017 as well.    Guess what?  Some of you who read this might die in 2017.  I COULD DIE in 2017.  My point is that death is the great unknown in life and it is going to happen to all of us eventually.  It could be due to accident.  It could be old age or natural causes or disease.  It could be any number of things, but death is the final outcome of this life, and what makes the anonymous person's death and burial yesterday any less important or significant than George Michael's?    I believe that the death of the anonymous person in Missouri, whose funeral I saw conclude yesterday, is every bit as significant as the death of Carrie Fisher.  And I believe that each death matters not because of how important they were in life, but because it is a personal crossroads that, once crossed, cannot be undone.

You see, that so many celebrities died this past year about to be concluded is not nearly as important to me as whether or not they knew Christ Jesus.  If they didn't they were lost, and that saddens me deeply.  Despite all their flaws, or despite mine, or despite the flaws of the anonymous deceased in Missouri, if the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord and savior is not included, it truly is a sad day, and - celebrity or not - that is what we should truly mourn.  Not death, not the loss of any icons in our lives or from our childhoods, because it has all happened before us and it will all happen again after us.  The real question to be asked is are we going to learn from this reality and accept the reality of what God's plan has truly been for us?  It is not in murder and the destruction of those who differ from us, but in knowing and trusting that God has our best interests at heart in providing salvation for us.  It is in the example and witness of Christ Jesus making us better, more compassionate people in this life and letting the salvation offered us in His name usher us into the next when this life ends.

I'm beginning to believe that one of the reasons society in general is so uptight about celebrity deaths is that we've lost sight of what truly lies beneath death or beyond life - society simply doesn't know how to handle death because we've lost the hope that overcomes it through Christ.  For me, 2016 was a great year.  Yes it was marked by all manner of personal setbacks and tragedies, but the Chicago Cubs (my team from when the barber threatened to cut off my ears if I wasn't a fan when I was 5) are FINALLY World Series champs!  On the negative side, I didn't get out to finish a hike started years and years ago, due to my own advancing age (I'll admit that is ultimately what was at stake in it).  I, like everyone, have had ups and downs in this past year:  those mentioned and many left unspoken.  Some deaths yet some celebrations as well are included.  I choose to focus on the positive, not the negative.  I plan on being positive again next year and look forward to seeing what it might bring.  But no matter who may live or die next year, one thing is constant:  Jesus is still King of kings and Lord of lords.  I pray that this will make me a better person in 2017, and I pray that more will come to know this truth in the coming year.

This is what I reflect on as this year comes to a close.  May you all have a prosperous 2017, no matter who lives or dies, because people will die in 2017 as they have each year prior.  May more people come to know Christ in 2017, and may it impact their lives in a positive way, and may that impact change those around them for the better as well.

Wilderness and Conquest - parts 5 & 6

The number 40 has significance throughout the Bible.  So do wilderness journeys, both as consequence of sin but also of personal and spiritual discipline.  During Advent, it only seems appropriate then, to summarize the most significant wilderness journey:  that of Israel, even as we ourselves undertake a journey through this season of Advent - knowing that we wander in the wilderness as well until that time when Christ returns.  With that:  the next two installments in our Bible summary.

Continuing after the Exodus (Part 4), upon crossing the Red Sea, where God destroys the armies of Pharaoh, the Israelites immediately set out upon a journey that will take them ultimately to the land promised to Abraham in the covenant God made (Part 1), thereby fulfilling the second part of the promise.  (Parts 2 and 3 can be found here).  Despite the spectacular nature of the “Exodus” event itself, the Israelites not only grumble constantly against God, but also continue to disobey God, seemingly forgetting the amazing things God had just done - all for them.  This results in a 40 year period in a barren wilderness as a consequence of sin.

Not long after, the Israelites find themselves encamped at the base of Mount Sinai (historically seen as the Mount Sinai at the southern end of the Sinai peninsula, present day Saudi Arabia).  It is there that God again appears to them in spectacular fashion through earthquakes, dense smoke surrounding the mountain top, thunder and lightning - all of which we call a “theophany.”  Moses climbs the mountain, where God establishes a second “covenant” with the people - this one a covenant of “law” that tells them how to copy Godly behavior, live in community with one another, and experience the blessing of truly knowing God as their Lord. Today, these are what we call the “Ten Commandments” (Exodus 20). Instructions were also given regarding worship and worship space (the tabernacle - Exodus 26) and the storage of the covenant in the “ark”  - a golden box that would contain the actual tablets of the covenant (Exodus 25).  Many other instructions regarding worship and its leaders or priests are given in the following chapters.  However, during this time of instruction by God to Moses, the people once again quickly forget what God had done, and fashion a false god in the shape of a golden calf (ch. 32).   Read Aaron’s “whopper of a lie” in how it transpired in 32:24!
Sadly, it would not be the last of such occurrences, leading to all manner of plague and other punishment by God, including wandering in the wilderness for 40 years before reaching the land promised to Abraham clear back in Genesis (part 1).

To complete the journey through the “Penteteuch,” (a fancy word for the first 5 books of the Bible), Leviticus is a book that presents the young nation of Israel with a series of holiness codes and purity codes.  While we generally are not bound by them today, many of them still make perfect sense, such as washing before eating, the possibilities of contracting parasites from certain meats (because they were often consumed undercooked), and so on.  Certainly as well, treating our worship with sense of reverence and respect is also something that shows the seriousness with which we take it and our devotion to God today.

The Book of Numbers chronicles their 40 year wilderness journey.  Remember that the lengthy journey to the “promised land” is a result of their sin before God.  In fact, Moses is told that he would see - but never enter - that land (Numbers 14:30).    The grumbling continues, and it seems that Israel’s sin becomes more brazen.   In one instance, it was so great that they claimed to have no food, and in the same breath complained that they hated the food provided!  This resulted in God sending poisonous snakes into their camp, forcing them once again to turn to God for help.  Moses was instructed to craft a bronze serpent, place it on a pole in the center of camp, and anyone who looks on this “idol” would then live (Numbers 21).  This incident is cited again in The Gospels: John 3:14.  Israel’s general response to God was not with faith, gratitude, and obedience, but with unbelief, ingratitude, and downright rebellion against God.

The book of Deuteronomy retells the laws as a covenant - stressing the need for the people to show a total commitment to God. Why?  Because of what God had already done for them in rescuing them from the Egyptians and bringing them out of bondage to slavery.  Finally, Israel is now about to take possession of the land of Canaan, promised by covenant with Abraham nearly 500 years earlier.

Moses has now died, having led his people out of Egypt, and to the eastern side of the Jordan River, across from the land of Canaan.  Remember that Abraham never had a permanent home, but God’s covenant had promised this land would one day be called home for his descendants.  The book of Joshua recounts the conquest of the Holy Land by God’s command, and the allotment given to each of the 12 tribes, who were the descendants of the 12 sons of Jacob.

Though some of the eastern territories (east of the Jordan River) were previously conquered in the latter chapters of Numbers, Joshua is the name of the Israelite put in charge of the conquest of the land of Canaan.  Moses, true to God’s promise, was allowed to view the promised land, but was not allowed to enter it, in punishment for Israel’s continual disobedience toward God, Deuteronomy 34:4.
As the plans are made for conquest, the manna finally ceases to fall from heaven (5:10-12), as the men go to spy out land and strike a deal with Rahab, a prostitute in the land (ch. 2).  In addition, before conquest can proceed, the covenant must be reestablished, meaning all men born during the 40 year wilderness wandering must now be circumcised (5:2-9).  In addition, God alone is the commander in chief of the invading army(5:13-15).

Famous battles include the battle for Jericho (5:13-6:27), and the day where the sun stood still (10:1-15).  Chapter 12 provides a list of cities and kings defeated in conquest.  Much of the latter chapters of Joshua provides for the division of the land.  It is also important to note the establishment of “cities of refuge,” (ch. 20), where a person may find safe refuge from “accidental” crimes.

Though their conquest is not completely done, there is a renewal of the covenant God made at Sinai, in chapter 24.  It is important to note that this Sinai covenant is a conditional one- things will go well for the people if they worship the Lord only, and things will go horribly if they don’t.  Their wandering in the wilderness, and even their first failed campaign against the city of “Ai” (ch. 7) demonstrate that God is serious about the people not turning to foreign gods and idols, but  living in covenant with him alone.

Joshua recounts in rather gruesome detail some of the horrors of war.  There are many place names also included, some of which are unknown today.  What stands is the impressive list of cities Israel (ch. 12) was able to capture with God on their side.  Historically, there is little debate over this conquest.  Yet some want to question the integrity of God in calling for such genocidal behavior and taking a lead role in it.

Perhaps it is important to remember that far worse crimes or atrocities have been committed throughout human history, and this is not a matter of genocide per se, but rather God’s purposeful demonstration that it is He, and not us, who is the maker AND owner of all things, including our very lives.  He is at work in calling all to repentance, and to understanding his purpose and his purpose alone for the world (HIS world).  The intent all along was in knowing that Israel would not influence those native in the land to worship God, but rather the natives in the land would influence Israel to turn to pagan gods, in opposition to what God commands.  Or, as the NIV (1984) Study Bible states, “The battles for Canaan were therefore the Lord’s holy war, undertaken at a particular time in the program of redemption.  God gave his people under Joshua no commission or license to conquer the world with the sword but a particular, limited mission.  The conquered land itself would not become Israel’s national possession by right of conquest, but it belonged to the Lord.  So the land had to be cleansed of all remnants of paganism.”

Without that campaign carried out completely, what God knew would happen - namely that Israel would quickly turn toward pagan gods - did, in fact, happen.  And that leads us to the next chapters in the Bible's fantastic Divine Drama.

Would the REAL St. Nick please stand up?

Yes, there really is a Santa Claus.  He does not, however, look like today's modern, secular image.  But his character in real life is even better than how he is portrayed by the guy in the red suit.

Rather, he is but one of many in nearly 2000 years of those who have heard the message of Christ Jesus and have lived it in their lives - and some who are what we might call today, “extreme” Christians: or the Saints.  And one of those saints is one who appears in iconic form quite a bit this time of year: Saint Nicholas, whose “day” is Today:  December 6.

There is growing interest in reclaiming the original saint in the United States to help restore a spiritual dimension to this festive time. For indeed, St. Nicholas, lover of the poor and patron saint of children, is a model of how Christians are meant to live. A bishop, Nicholas put Jesus Christ at the center of his life, his ministry, his entire existence. Families, churches, and even some schools are embracing true St Nicholas traditions as one way to claim the true center of Christmas-the birth of Jesus. Such a focus helps restore balance to increasingly materialistic and stress-filled Advent and Christmas seasons.

Quite a bit is known of this Saint, and where history fails, legend and tradition continue. Lets face it: though early Lutherans tended to reject the saints based upon their critique of the veneration of the saints in the Catholic tradition, America was not settled by Lutherans only.  In fact, Lutherans comprise but a fraction of those who settled, and so as the first ships began arriving in the new world, Saint Nick came along for the ride as someone who was widely respected and remembered from their worship in Europe.  In fact, Jacksonville, Florida (quite a bit warmer today than here) used to be named St. Nicholas Ferry, after this 4th century saint.  The Spaniards, Dutch, and German immigrants all brought this Saint with them, because he was widely venerated as a saint for the ordinary person.  In fact it was the Dutch who had a tradition of Saint Nicholas visiting homes and leaving sweets, nuts, and foods on windowsills on New Year’s eve.

It was not until 1821, however, that in America, an anonymous poem had “Sante Claus” as a rider in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer coming in from the north and delivering presents to those children who were good.  And thus the American legend of Santa Claus was born, being depicted in the more popular story, “the night before Christmas,” and appearing as a roly poly white bearded gentleman in a red suit in a series of ads by the Coca Cola company in the mid 1900's, and thus the legend continues - even now supplanting the legend of St. Nick worldwide.

The historic Saint Nicholas, as Bishop of the region of Myra, (present day Mediterranean Turkey),  attended the Council of Nicea (325 AD) and is partly responsible for the historic confession of faith, the Nicene Creed.  In fact, legend has it that the heretic, Arius, who was refuted in Nicea, got so loud at one point that Nicholas walked up to him and slapped him.  He was an ardent defender of the faith, and even apologized for his physical outburst to Arius, despite Arius being branded a heretic by the council.  He was a defender and helper of the poor, the orphans, and children in general.  This is the real Saint Nicholas, and it shows us that Santa Claus puts Jesus first, middle, and last.  He takes his call as a Christian first to be the most serious, so that when the Gospel calls us to make Christ known, we too should follow the sage wisdom of Nicholas and respond as well.  This is the real spirit of Christmas, handed to us by Saint Nicholas, and I hope we all hold this spirit in our hearts.  Advent calls us to repent and prepare for Jesus’ return.  Christmas calls us to hold that Christ-filled spirit of Saint Nicholas not just this time of year, but throughout.

It's been a long journey from the Fourth Century Bishop of Myra, St. Nicholas, who showed his devotion to God in extraordinary kindness and generosity to those in need, to America's jolly Santa Claus, whose largesse often supplies luxuries to the affluent. However, if you peel back the accretions, he is still Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, whose caring surprises continue to model true giving and faithfulness.  That’s the spirit.  Let’s claim it.  Let’s reclaim it.  Lets live it.