Monthly Archives: December 2009

Day 3–Jerusalem, the Holy Sepulcher

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The entrance to the Holy Sepulchre church in Jerusalem.

The entrance to the Holy Sepulchre church in Jerusalem.

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the traditional site where Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and rose again. Of the options available today, this is most likely the place where the apex of human history occurred. But we don’t need a building, a cross, or an empty tomb to know that Jesus died and rose again in order to become our Redeemer.

Inside the church building there are six different segments of “Christianity” that strive to help people commemorate the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ. A section within the building is devoted to the Roman Catholic, Armenian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic, and Ethiopian churches. What a grand opportunity is there for these, as representatives of the Christian community, to practice and demonstrate the “new” commandment Jesus gave to his disciples just before his own passion.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

I want to say this graciously, but the truth is, the churches within the building of the Holy Sepulcher are antagonistic toward one another (and sometimes violently). They are so suspicious of each other, the key to the door is entrusted with a family from among the Muslim community.

On our visit, also near the entrance, was an Israeli guide teaching her grade school class about the history of the Holy Sepulcher. One in our group asked, “what is she telling them about this place?” Our teacher and guide responded, “she is telling them, ‘this is Christianity.’”

That pierced my heart. I found myself thinking, “Why doesn’t God do something? Isn’t he concerned about the truth of who he is? Those within the walls of the Holy Sepulcher do not accurately represent the work of Jesus Christ because its obvious they don’t love one another.”

Then came another stab when I realized, “It’s not just the churches represented in the Holy Sepulcher—every so-called church has within itself the potential for ‘practicing the faith’ in a way that misrepresents Jesus Christ, if we don’t love one another.”

Sitting on the steps of our door are those on the outside who are saying about us, inside our church fellowship, “that is Christianity.”

My “Charlie Brown” Christmas card

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“Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year.”

I wish to each of you and your families a Merry Christmas…

“May your days be merry…
["The joy of the Lord is your strength"]

and bright…
["I (Jesus) am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life"],

and may all your Christmases be white.”
["though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;" "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment;" "look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest"].

Our flight for Israel leaves December 27 in mid-afternoon and returns January 17 early in the morning. We would appreciate your prayer for us and the entire class of students from Talbot who are also traveling, too.

Seasonally distracted

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While it might be common to say that we are easily distracted, do you wonder whether God is ever pulled in different directions?
Last week I read Psalm 40:17. “But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.”
We know David wrote this psalm. We know that, almost more than anyone else in the Bible, David seemed to always be surrounded by “enemies” that sought to end his life. David responded to his persecution with joy. I am not saying David was delighted to be persecuted. I am saying that David did not let the antagonism aimed at him defeat his spirit and relationship with God. I admit, it isn’t natural for me to think that a cry to God for help can be an expression of joy. However, you’ve read how his story ends and know that God never failed David. While David recognized his true condition before the Lord (“poor and needy”), we are not quite as quick as we could be to get that message. At various times in his life neither did David—that (almost) makes him appear human. Maybe that was the quality that helped David stay focused on what was important.
A “selah” moment came in the second phrase of the verse. While not written after this particular verse, “selah” was used in the Psalms to give some kind of direction. Maybe it was for a pause in the singing or a musical sign to play softly or stop playing altogether. Whatever its original purpose, mentally the “selah” is a good place to pause and ponder the significance of what has been read. Selah with me about this for a moment: “The Lord thinks about me.”
What is the application here for each of us? David may have said this about himself, even though there had to be times when he must have questioned whether God even remembered his name. Being bewildered wasn’t highest on my list of relevance. Still, I had to ask, “doesn’t God have more important things to do than to esteem, value, watch, make plans for, and be mindful of ‘me’?” Dread followed. Maybe you’re not sure you want God doting over you so meticulously. And finally awe. It is nothing for God to “think about” each of us simultaneously with His full and undivided attention. That would be all six billion plus of us living on this earth as well as the throngs of souls already in heaven and hades. I can’t begin to fathom all that God can do, but from my perspective, why He would want to do some of the things He does is even more incredible.
In the Psalm as a whole, David was giving a praise report to the congregation about his being rescued from danger. With that testimony, David challenged each one to trust the Lord alone. David testified how “the Lord is my help” from literal, physical enemies. We can affirm with David that the Jesus Christ is also “my deliverer” from the enemies of our soul; and that as the Sin-Bearer of His people He “did not delay” in redeeming us.
While I may be (sadly) distracted, “the Lord thinks about me.” And you?

While it might be common to say that we are easily distracted, do you wonder whether God is ever pulled in different directions?

Last week I read Psalm 40:17. “But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.”

We know David wrote this psalm. We know that, almost more than anyone else in the Bible, David seemed to always be surrounded by “enemies” that sought to end his life. David responded to his persecution with joy. I am not saying David was delighted to be persecuted. I am saying that David did not let the antagonism aimed at him defeat his spirit and relationship with God. I admit, it isn’t natural for me to think that a cry to God for help can be an expression of joy. However, you’ve read how his story ends and know that God never failed David. While David recognized his true condition before the Lord (“poor and needy”), we are not quite as quick as we could be to get that message. At various times in his life neither did David—that (almost) makes him appear human. Maybe that was the quality that helped David stay focused on what was important.

A “selah” moment came in the second phrase of the verse. While not written after this particular verse, “selah” was used in the Psalms to give some kind of direction. Maybe it was for a pause in the singing or a musical sign to play softly or stop playing altogether. Whatever its original purpose, mentally the “selah” is a good place to pause and ponder the significance of what has been read. Selah with me about this for a moment: “The Lord thinks about me.”

What is the application here for each of us? David may have said this about himself, even though there had to be times when he must have questioned whether God even remembered his name. Being bewildered wasn’t highest on my list of relevance. Still, I had to ask, “doesn’t God have more important things to do than to esteem, value, watch, make plans for, and be mindful of ‘me’?” Dread followed. Maybe you’re not sure you want God doting over you so meticulously. And finally awe. It is nothing for God to “think about” each of us simultaneously with His full and undivided attention. That would be all six billion plus of us living on this earth as well as the throngs of souls already in heaven and hades. I can’t begin to fathom all that God can do, but from my perspective, why He would want to do some of the things He does is even more incredible.

In the Psalm as a whole, David was giving a praise report to the congregation about his being rescued from danger. With that testimony, David challenged each one to trust the Lord alone. David testified how “the Lord is my help” from literal, physical enemies. We can affirm with David that the Jesus Christ is also “my deliverer” from the enemies of our soul; and that as the Sin-Bearer of His people He “did not delay” in redeeming us.

While I may be (sadly) distracted, “the Lord thinks about me.” And you?