As many of us are well aware the Holy Spirit was poured out according to Joel 2 in Topeka, Kansas and on Azuza St. in LA back at the turn of the 20th century.  1906 was when things the Baptism with speaking in heavenly languages (tongues) and other miracles became very prevalent under the leadership of William Seymour at Azuza Street.  It wasn’t long before the Holy Spirit was moving in similar ways in Canada.  From Toronto West in those early years but not until nearly two decades later did these miraculous experiences come to the east coast.   But when it did; like other parts of North America, it resulted in revival.  To be clear this is less about ‘signs and wonders’ and absolutely about souls coming into the kingdom of God and new churches being planted.  

At the centre of the Lord bringing Pentecost to the Maritimes were two sisters, Carro and Sue Davis who were instrumental in the Holy Spirit moving in NB and NS.  

Their story is powerful.  Like many of us they were serving Jesus yet hey lived in a time when they were counted out as pastors let alone church planters because they were women, and yet they submitted themselves to God and He used them as in both of those ways.  Upon the insistence of their Aunt the sisters attended revival meetings in the early 1920s in Chicago.  There they experienced the Holy Spirit in ways unlike they had ever known before.  They had a second experience apart from salvation that was empowering and fueled their efforts to share the story of Jesus’ love with people.  They set out from Kentucky and travelling across the south eastern US holding revival meetings, seeing many people respond to Jesus message in positive ways.  This led them to plant churches in a number of places where they week after week of nightly meetings.    

Far away from the US, and from the moving of the Holy Spirit in the US, a group of people were humbling praying in In New Brunswick, Canada.  Arthur Saunders, son of missionaries to South Africa, and a group of spiritually hungry people at the Reformed Baptist church were seeking the Lord for revival.   Separate from them; in an unlikely and uncoordinated by human effort; Carro and Sue Davis received a prophetic word about their next adventure.  God was calling them  North to parts of the continent they did not know.  Through discernment and prayer they came to settle upon New Brunswick as this place.   

While prayers were being lifted; while people humbly asked God to come and heal their land in New Brunswick; God was answering by calling the Davis Sisters north.

14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

  Eventually they found themselves in the NB holding revival meetings.  It wasn’t long before church was established by the Sisters in Saint John; out of it many experienced Christ for the first time; miracles took place night after night; and people were called into ministry.  

It should be noted that this came at an enormous cost to the Saunders Family and others who were run out of their Reformed Methodist churches at the time  for accepting the new teaching of Pentecost.  But that didn’t stop them.  Through the Davis sisters churches were planted in New Brunswick, that otherwise would not have been; but the prayers of Saunders and others were catalytic in the move of the Spirit coming and of which we still benefit today.   

A similar story played out here in Halifax.  After the moving of the Spirit in NB; many were praying  for the Lord to establish a Pentecostal church in Halifax; and the Lord answered with a bank robber.  Well, a former bank robber:  Ray Watson.  Ray, a convicted criminal, came to know Jesus and accepted the Lord’s call to ministry.  Prior to coming to Halifax in the late 192’0s, Watson ministered all across Canada with his wife and others assisting--- there were unbelievable miracles that happened (you can read more about what happened in this report from Rev. CN Slauenwhite ).    The Watsons had gone wherever the Lord had led them and opened a door.  They eventually found themselves in Halifax, NS holding revival meetings at the Mayflower Arena in 1929.  The meetings went on for a number of weeks and ultimately led to a Pentecostal congregation being  established at Simon’s hall; that Congregation became Faith Pentecostal Tabernacle Church; which in time has become Faith City Church.  

This all came about because of the humble prayers of people, just like you and me;  ---people believing for the Holy Spirit to come in a greater way;  and being willing to jump into what He was up to.

So, will we? It all starts with humbly praying for God to do the same today.

Eph. 1:16-23 from the Message
All this energy issues from Christ: God raised him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from his rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence. 

The global pandemic caused by COVID19 has been brutal.  The disparity between safety in terms of the North America and other parts of the world has again been emphasized.  And yet, America continues to suffer record numbers and deaths at the time of writing.. 

1000s of families have lost loved ones too soon.  

Life has been altered.  Many feel irrevocably because social distancing will continue to be apart of life going forward as will mask-wearing, and the cognizance we now have for being germ leary.  

We have brought to the place of doing things very differently. To a place of a new reality.   Over the course of our lives we are often confronted by new realities, be they more on the positive side of life: 

Falling in love 

Getting married 

Having children

Graduation

New Job 

There are may more examples that you or I could think of.  All of them change the way we do life, but none of them change the truth of who we are.

Our realities may change in big ways, as we are presently experiencing, or in small ways.  But the truth does not change.  That means that while we may feel the chaos of our times we can depend on the truth of who Jesus is to remain the same.   

The same is true for the Church: no matter what reality exists in society; the truth of who the Church is never changes

However, just as the reality of this global pandemic has changed the way in which we do life, it has also has changed the way in which we do church.  The expressions of the Church are changing and adjusting to our new reality.  

That’s the way it is supposed to be. 

But this is where the difficulty is for the Church when dealing with change: we do not want the expressions we are comfortable with to change.  Expressions that have become traditions are particularly difficult to let go of. 

In these times we have to remember that the church is established on the truth of God’s word not the traditions we have established, or the trends of society.  Traditions are important, but they are not more important than the truth they point to: Jesus.   

We are not defined by traditions or the trends but on the truth of who Jesus is and Him saving us by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8).  

When we are more shaped by trends and traditions we begin to trade-in long-term spiritual significance for short-term secular success.    

If we stay focused on the truth of who we are as the Church we will minimize the risks of the new reality we are facing and we will adapt quickly: 

1. The church is alive and Jesus is the head.

The church is alive it is not an organization so much, it is an organism. The writings of Paul help us to understand the church as living and breathing (Eph. 1:23, Rom. Ch. 12).   

2. The church is the Body of Christ

The bible speaks of the church as a body in which each part or ‘member’ is dependent on another. Eph. 1:22-23; Rom. 10, 12).

3. The church is the fullness of Jesus Christ.   

Eph 1:23 says clearly that the Church is the fullness of Jesus Christ. That's a significant mandate. So how are we doing with that?

What we have to also consider, as followers of Christ and leaders in the Church is that our new societal reality has exposed the disparity between the church of the New Testament function as the fullness of Jesus and how the broader Church in the west functions.

So with that understanding let me encourage us to respond to the new reality around us in three ways: 

1. Embrace Change

Jesus said that we need to put new wine into new wine skins (Luke 5:33).  The new wine is not new truth; it is a new experience.   

Truth doesn’t change but the expression, the methodology will change: 

2. Create Opportunities. 

Jesus created opportunities for people to connect with God and He asked us to do the same (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19).

But even for Jesus, creating opportunities didn’t alway produce the hoped for results: 

John 12:36-37

36 When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself fromthem. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him.

3. Rediscover discipleship, 

Jesus exemplified discipleship; laying down his life for us and for the twelve, the three (Peter, James and John) and the one (John). The cost of discipleship is high but worth it: 

Mark 8:34-35

34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.

I believe if we look to Jesus to help us stay focused on the truth, and not traditions; and if we approach this season with an openness and willingness to change we will experience more spiritual growth personally and within the Church than we might expect.   

Anti-Black racism still exists today. Hesitation is a clue to the condition of our hearts with respect to racism, in general, and anti-Black racism specifically.

Jesus does not hesitate in John 4:6-9. We shouldn't either.

The Samaritan women (John 4) knew Jews would never use dishes that were used by Samaritans. This was indicative of systemic racism that existed in the time of Christ. His response, however, as a Jew was to ask to drink from the same cup as the women for whom he 'should' have no regard. He didn't hesitate.

Do we hesitate? If so, why?

Do you and I hesitate to “drink from the same cup” as people who are Black?

Consider these questions below as representative of “drinking from the same cup”. Be warned they will make you uncomfortable; but imagine how Black people must feel in these scenarios:

Do we believe the stories of racism we hear from the Black community?

Do we hesitate to imagine what it must be like to live with Black skin?

Do we hesitate to give credence to how the Black community is discriminated against?

Do we hesitate when our children want to play with and befriend Black children?

Do we hesitate to walk by a young Black man we might encounter on an evening walk?

Do we hesitate to get on an elevator with a Black person?

Do we hesitate to socialize with a Black person we are seated with when travelling?

Do we hesitate when our son or daughter decides to marry a Black person?

Do we hesitate to speak-up, stand-with, post, pray, and protest alongside members of the Black community against anti-Black racism?

This post is probably making you uncomfortable…

This post is probably making you uncomfortable and/or angry. That's OK because the process of change is uncomfortable. All of us in the non-Black community, and especially followers of Jesus Christ, are due for some uncomfortable truth. It helps us evaluate our own thoughts, actions and tendencies. Though painful at times, we should not fear the truth because Jesus says the truth sets us free (John 8:32).

In asking for a drink from the same cup as the Samaritan women, Jesus crossed systemic racially drawn lines. He shared the most precious pearls of hope and knowledge that He had to give: He was the Messiah. This is a powerful demonstration of how we should respond to racism.

So pause with me and let's prayerfully examine our hearts.

Let's invite the Holy Spirit to lead us and reveal if we hesitate to love others as ourself (Luke 10:25-27; Mark 12:28-34). Let's allow Him to show us anti-Black racism that might lurk below the surface of our lives. Let's NOT allow embarrassment, shame, defensiveness, or pride to prevent us from renouncing anti-Black: racism, prejudice, misconceptions, injustice, attitudes and fear.

Let's be secure in Jesus' love as we change. Allowing that love to fuel our prayers, protests and posts as we stand alongside members of the Black community as allies WITHOUT HESITATION, to stop anti-Black racism.

Are you competitive? I'm competitive and find it difficult to not compete. But in church world and ministry there really isn't a competition (or at least there shouldn't be). We are all on the same team; however, you wouldn't necessarily know it by watching social media.  

 As church online continues to grow, so many positive things are happening: People are hearing the gospel in a new way. Biblical teaching is highly accessible. The church is being stretched, and many pastors/church leaders realize that they can change and adapt. But with anything new, there are always some unique challenges. One challenge we face is how to measure progress in the online ministry context.   

Metrics and measurable are an essential aspect of being a thoughtful leader, regardless of context. However, context dictates what you choose to measure, how you measure, and how you should weight the results.  

Carey Nieuwhof and many other church leaders have begun to address how we measure progress in this new digital expression of church. Their thoughts and ideas are helpful and worth checking out. You'll find a couple links at the bottom of the page. But regardless of how/what you measure consider what the Bible says about measuring progress (theology of metrics).  

When thinking about metrics for church health, it's essential to understand the church, at times, functions as an 'organization' (You're thinking, 'Duh, of course, it does…'). For organizational purposes there is alignment between good practices in any organization, secular or otherwise, and the church. However, the challenge is that the church is primarily an organism (body), not an organization (Romans 12). We think of ourselves too often as an organization in this modern time of ministry. (Quick check-in; look at your week and think about the to-dos and meetings, what falls into the 'organization' category, what about the 'organism' category?).   

As we become more practically competent managers and leaders, we have to be careful that we do not get distracted by organizational duties. We've got to keep the main thing the main thing. At the end of the day, we are leading a living; breathing part of the Body of Christ, not just an organization. The main focus of the church is making disciples for Jesus (the organism identity of the church). That is our calling, therefore, what we measure (measurable), how we measure it (metrics) must be built around that purpose. Therefore simple attendance online or in a building is much less critical than meaningful engagement. The links below do an excellent job of helping you figure out how to measure engagement. (See the Nieuwhof and Barna material below for thoughts and ideas on what fair and honest metrics are. HINT: For FB videos it is NOT the 1s and 3s views…)  

Now we have established that there is a need for useful metrics/measurables, another issue pops up:  

How should you use the information generated by measuring?

Well, here's a great way NOT to use the information: publishing it on social media for all the world to see.

Nieuwhof uses this example in his writing below. We've all seen it, the pastor or church who can't help but promote their numbers and perceived success. It's happening more now than ever, and it isn't right.

Leveraging social media to engage people, to encourage them, to promote a gathering etc., that all makes sense and should be done. But reporting how many people were on the latest zoom prayer call, or how many subscribers you have, is just obnoxious and is not Christlike. Many social media networks publicly display this information anyway. Since we can’t change that, let it speak for itself.   

The Bible says that Jesus made himself of no reputation (Phil. 2) — but His ministry had one. That is clear if you read anything about Jesus' ministry and the crowds following Him. But He left His reputation in heaven; some translations say 'he emptied Himself'. The passage speaks of Jesus' incarnation and how He humbled Himself and became a man. Whatever reputation He had, He gave up and received suffering, anguish, pain, and abandonment for us in return. It isn't about you or me, it's about Jesus and those who don't know Him.  

That is why detachment from the perceived successes (or failures) is critical to ministry longevity. These numbers are not ours. They are God's. We are stewards, shepherds, and teachers working for our Master; caring for His sheep and creating opportunities for response to Him. We cannot make people respond. Jesus said go into all the world and preach (Mark 16:15), and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19); He did not say go and save people. Probably because we can't. What we can do is create opportunities for response, and disciple those that respond. If we view salvation results as something we have done, we are susceptible to pride, and to stress and disappointment when numbers aren't what we want. 

We don't have to go far to seem Jesus' instructive example. During a number of the healing miracles, Jesus instructed that no one should reveal what had taken place:  

Matthew 8:4

Then Jesus instructed him, "See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them."

Mark 1:45

But the man went out and openly began to proclaim and spread the news. Consequently, Jesus could no longer enter a town in plain view, but He stayed out in solitary places. Yet people came to Him from every quarter.

Mark 7:35

Immediately the man's ears were opened, and his tongue was released, and he began to speak plainly.

But He didn't control them, He could have. There is nothing in scripture that tells us He kept a tally of the healing miracles or attendance. But there is something to be said for individual word of mouth testimonies. If a member from your church organically posts about something through their relationship with Him, or about a life-changing experience at church; that will serve God's purposes well. But if you as a pastor, or the Church social media account, shares that information in a 'look what I did way, that just drives cynicism, and suspicion.    

In the scriptural examples, the people told others what God had done. And the Bible indicates that Jesus and the disciples were not 'advertising'. The point is that Jesus wasn't drawing attention to Himself intentionally. Are you?  

In a society and culture that is 'brand' driven, it can be hard to resist competing. (Remember, I said how competitive I am, I can no longer play Rook with our family. It brings out the bad.) But we see that Jesus exemplified making oneself of no reputation. Further, Jesus said, in Matthew 6 don't pray, so others hear it; and don't do your "righteous deeds, so others see them." That is pretty clear, isn't it? 

Why did Jesus say this? I'm not 100% sure, but it has to do with the human propensity for pride mentioned in the Bible many times. Numbers are significant in the Bible because people are significant. Numbers mattered to Jesus in as much as people mattered to Jesus. He made a way for everyone to come to God through him. But what Jesus didn't do was promote those numbers. He didn't rely on marketing himself or his message. Neither should we.  

Unequivocally, metrics are vital, but if we begin to think results have to do with us, there's a problem. If we leverage those numbers to increase our 'brand'; there is a problem. We all need to take the time to form thoughts and opinions on the subject because those thoughts and opinions will form the foundation for our action. A great starting place is: We measure to better fulfil our mission.   

Some specific scriptures will help you do that. I'll write about those in the next post.  

Helpful Links:

Carey Nieuwhof: “How to Measure Online Church Attendance”

Barna also released a new Church Pulse Episode that discusses digital metrics. You can listen to it here: 

Church Pulse Weekly “Measuring Online Church Attendance”

Contrast is a significant part of how we see. 

I’m no professional sketch artist, but I do like to draw (doodle is probably a better word). I took a sketching class at an art college once. The teacher was a middle-aged, short, passionate artist with red hair, a permanent beanie hat, and a potty mouth. I don’t know what my preconceived idea was about what my art college professor would be like, but whatever it was, he wasn’t it. He broke the mold, and he was very talented; and I learned a lot.  

The one message that was pounded into me as beginner sketch artist was ‘more contrast’. We would review art history slides: “Note the contrast, here and here”. “What amazing contrast, here”. “Can you see what the artist has done through contrast?” Contrast, contrast, contrast. He’d provide feedback over our shoulder as we sketched: “That looks good, try adding some contrast here, here and there, niiiiiiiceeee deep darks and bright lights, man.”  

Adding Contrast Is Risky

Here’s the thing about adding contrast: it can be risky. When you add deep darks or bright light tones to a piece, it is hard to undo. Our professor was trying to get us accustomed to taking that kind of risk. This kind of risk isn’t limited to sketching — think of painting same risky business. Or music how do we know we are hearing unless we know what the absence of sound is; without variation (contrast) in music it would all sound the same. But it is risky for the artist to go too far in their variations. This can apply to feelings—how can you perceive love if you have never felt what it is like to NOT be loved? It is a risk to express love until trust is built.  

Theology + Contrast: Worship & Witness

From a theological perspective, contrast is significant, and it shows up in different ways throughout our faith. Two ways that come to mind are worship and witness.  

Let’s consider worship first: 

Contrast takes centre stage in the debate about the relevancy of the Old Testament (OT), given that we are under a New Covenant. There are even some who say we can do without the Old Testament. As far as I can tell; they are wrong.  

When we are not aware of the history of our faith presented in the OT it is challenging to see how amazing the grace is that we experience in Jesus. It is harder to recognize the magnitude of what Jesus did, and properly worship Him for it.  Without the OT, we wouldn’t know and understand prophecy, and it’s fulfilment, or know what we, as humanity, once enjoyed in the garden, then lost, and have gained in Jesus. In all these cases, we require the contrast between OT and the (NT) to see this clearly and having seen it our worship increases.    

By knowing what relationship with God was like then (OT), we can see how good we have it now (NT). For example, the contrast between the presence of God in the OT and the presence of God in the NT. In the OT, the Ark of the Presence was where God’s presence was. Wherever God’s presence was good things generally happened for His people. When the Israelites led by Joshua were heading into the Promised Land, the ark of the presence of God was held in the middle of the Jordan, and the waters were parted. This is similar to the miraculous deliverance out of Egypt (Ex. 14).  

Josh. 3:17

Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan. 

The parting of the waters here and the activity associated with the presence of God is noteworthy because the ark was closely associated with the covenant. Some believe it was almost indistinguishable with the covenant it represented.  David Howard says this of the ark: 

“These references suggest such a close relationship between the ark and the covenant it represents that it is almost as if the ark is the covenant. God, whose very presence is associated with the ark, is closely associated with the covenant as well…”

For a moment let’s compare and contrast a two mental pictures: First, the Israelites crossing the Jordan. The priests are the only one who could handle God’s presence, and they are standing in the water, and people rushing past them on dry ground.  

The second, a picture of the fabric veil which separated all people from God’s presence in the temple.  Picture it flapping in the air as it falls from being torn and divided.  

Hebrews 10:20 

“19Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21So we see can see that by contrast these two events, we see more clearly that God loves us and the new covenant is the conduit through which that love is conveyed.”  

His presence was behind a curtain (OT), now through Jesus’ sacrifice we can come boldly into God’s presence.   Contrast allows us to see how great that is, to glorify God because of it, and to avail ourselves of the fulness of what Christ has done.   

How can I help but worship Jesus? He has provided a new and better way for us! 

Theological Practice & Witness

Secondly, Witness: 

Perhaps the most important implication of the concept of contrast to our theological practice has to do with our greatest calling to be witnesses for God, fulfilling the Great Commission  (Matt. 28:16-20). 

Jesus said we are to be a light in the darkness.

Matt.5:14-16

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

We are to be light in the darkness.  The disparity between the light and the surrounding darkness will determine its brightness.  It’s risky to add contrast.  Light isn’t always welcome; but it is always needed.   I haven’t lived in a time where I thought light was more needed.  Without contrast between our lives and those around us, how can a difference be seen?  If our actions, responses, and words are the same; how can those around us experience or see the light? 

The more we become Christ-like, the more we contrast with the negative aspects of a broken world.    Let’s keep taking the risk and add more contrast.  

At one point during the sketching class, the art history slides brought me to tears, I was overwhelmed by God’s presence.  Art always was a side project growing up.  It was an extracurricular, not something to be pursued.  I fell into the trap of thinking it wasn’t a worthy calling.   But in that moment I was finding freedom to pursue the calling of God, not to sketch but to express.  Freedom felt good—so good I cried, I was feeling God’s good pleasure.  Would I have felt it without contrast?  

We have all lost something in the last few weeks (months, depending on where you live). For some, it may be the loss of a loved one, tragic; loss of a job, gut-wrenching; loss of community, sad; loss of home; lonely.  

We all have lost something.

As the first wave of economic issues jolted the health crisis, another reality became apparent. Stress, loneliness, and depression are rising and continue to grow everywhere. In many countries, mental health challenges are the third front in this battle; if health and wealth were the first two.  

Why? Well, if we are honest; and that isn’t a given, we feel sad. Some of us feel numb. Still, others are overcome with fear. The reason for these feelings is that we have lost something. 

In Canada, we have lost our way of life to some degree or another. We have been cut off from our everyday environments where personal interactions took place.  This is a significant loss. Though I am NOT a psychologist, my undergraduate studies in psychology lead me to believe that without a change in approach we will not weather this storm well mentally  Without allowing ourselves to feel grief over the losses we are experiencing; and processing them, it is difficult to imagine how we move forward without significant lowered-mood, depression, anxiety, or worse.

This is no longer a ‘tough it out scenario’ which will be over soon. The way we work in ministry will not be as it once was. The world has changed, the western world has changed, North America has suffered loss on both the health, economic, and sociological fronts. Canada certainly has experienced those, as has my community, family and me.  

As difficult as our lives are now, there is hope provided in Scripture.  Walter Elwell describes grief from a biblical point of view as feelings of loss due to bereavement, mishaps, or disasters. In all cases, feeling grief because of those situations is biblical, and some (like myself) would argue necessary. Some times, as Christians, we wrongly believe we shouldn’t grieve, be sad, or quiet after a loss because it takes away from the ‘joy’ selling point of Christianity.  That is wrong. Scripture says for the joy set before Him Christ endured the cross (Hebrews 12). We must endure, thereby making it to the other side of grief and pain.

Like Jesus.

That can’t be done living in denial of the reality of loss.    

The Bible provides a theology for grief. It is a part of life as a human being. It was experienced in different ways through the old testament, and then in the new testament by Jesus Christ: 

Jesus wept - for Jerusalem and for Lazarus (John 11:33-35).

He wept for Jerusalem (Luke 19; Matthew 23)  

Grieved and angered by the Pharisees (Mark 3)

Not to mention the grief he felt during His final days before the cross.   

Jesus demonstrated that grief is not meant to be avoided. He felt it; we must feel it also. We must work through the cycle of grief to find some meaning in the unimaginably difficult situations we face.   

If we endure through grief it will give rise to a new beginning.

The Bible provides a foundation from which to lead others in this area.  The work of scholars is also critical for creating best practices. The below article from Harvard Business Review is helpful when it comes to digging into our current situation and grief, and the importance of finding meaning in it.  Undoubtedly it will provide you with a framework for what you’re feeling and what those around you, and the people you lead are feeling.  

Click on the image below to read the article.

As we come closer to Jesus laying down His life in the Gospel of John, we find Him already in the process of laying down his life as a servant.

John 13:1–6 (ESV): Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

What Jesus does here is profound. He inverts all that was thought and known about Kingship and for that matter leadership; bringing it all into the economy of God's Kingdom where we can trade ashes for something beautiful (Isaiah 61), where first is last and last is first (Matthew 20:16), where you lose your life to save it (Matthew 16:25).    

The cross is the ultimate inversion of what was understood about love and loving; of leading and serving: —a King; who's earthly throne was the cross, thorns His crown. We can see a change in emphasis from leading through strength, power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, to also leading from a place of service and surrender to God's will (John 13). 

As we contemplate what Jesus is doing here not long from sacrificing His life in death for us; think about whose feet He is washing.   

We are taught that confrontation and confronting is a part of leading. But Jesus presents another way: serving and surrendering to your followers. After all, Jesus said He didn't come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45, Matthew 20:28). Confrontation is a necessary part of life and leadership. Still, I believe we need to emulate Jesus in His extreme service.  

A concept that clings tightly to serving is vulnerability. We see vulnerability in many ways in this passage. 

Whose feet is He washing? 

Being like Jesus is about serving, and serving as Christ did is about vulnerability.  

He washed the feet of His followers. We can embrace that theologically, I think. Even it is a stretch for us. We can get to the place where we may need to serve those we lead; those who are good followers. But that's where we stop. 

Whose feet is He washing? 

Not just those of His followers; but also the dissenter among them. The one who would betray Jesus and the one who was indignant when Christ's feet were washed by Mary's tears, and her hair, and anointed with costly oil. John 13 opens with Jesus being aware of Judas' intent to betray Him.    

But He still washed Judas' feet.  

Matthew 5 helps us to understand why.   

Matthew 5:43-45

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. 

Jesus didn’t only serve those who followed Him, but He served everyone.  Who are we serving?  Family"? Friends? What about enemies and outsiders? 

Jesus served all.    

As we move into Holy Week 2020, I'm giving particular thought to the things that take place in the days leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. I believe that we all need a recalibration towards the shame, wonder, pain, sacrifice and glory of what Jesus did 'outside the city gates' on the cross (Hebrews 13:12).  As I explore a few different gospel texts in simple ways this week, I invite you along for the journey.  

So today, right now whenever and wherever you are reading this, you can either scroll down to get to the 'point' of the post. Or you can take a more contemplative approach and follow along. Whatever works.   

More contemplative approach: 

Take a moment and listen/watch/play ‘Alabaster Heart’ and try to find some quiet and then read ahead.  (Again, if you're not into the 'quiety' stuff and want to skip ahead scroll down — I won't judge)

Now read through Matthew 26:1-13 (I've pasted a text-only version from the ESV)

When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified." Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people." Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of costly ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor." But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."

The song you listened to, 'Alabaster Heart', throw it on repeat in the background.  

Now click HERE to read the passage in a paraphrase/thought for thought translation like the NLT, MESSAGE, or NIV.

After reading the different translations stop and think about the story. How does the passage plays out in your mind? How does it look? Notice your thoughts, is the Holy Spirit drawing you to the passage in a specific way?

Now read on.   

The 'point' of the post:

A few thoughts on how the woman with the Alabaster Box:  

1. She Anointed Him as King:

The Jews in the room would have been aware of the symbolism of her actions in a way that, by default, we are not. The method of anointing a King was done by anointing at the head. It was customary during times of celebration to anoint guests with oil. There is a nod her towards the recognition of Jesus Christ as King here (Oxford; p.75). This might explain the indignation — the gospels vary a bit in who was indignant (Mark: 'There were some...', or '...the crowd'; John: Judas). The comment made was 'what a waste…' could it have been to avoid the symbolism of the Kingship of Jesus?  

2. She Prepared Him for Burial: 

She anointed not just the head of Jesus but from head to toe. This points towards the coming death of Jesus, which was an incomprehensible thought for those gathered. If He was their King; why would He die? And why would He die as a criminal? Unforgettable worship was prophetic. Is there room for us to make space for the humility of Jesus Christ? The cross was shameful; it was despised; it was outside the community; it was ultimate rejection. Think about this. I'm thinking about it. I'm thinking about what this would be comparable to in our time — in my home town. The closest thing I can think of is being found guilty of a crime and sentenced to life in prison. She worshipped prophetically with or without an awareness of what was coming in the next few days. We know the story, but sometimes we still show indignation —for the cross. We move quickly past the death of Jesus to get to what we see as the victory. Putting on a veil of ignorance and putting myself in that room; I wonder if I would have worshipped with Mary or offered feelings of indignation? 

3. It Cost Her Future: 

Perhaps the woman's unforgettable worship was a demonstration of losing one's life to save it? (Mt 10:39; 16:25). The alabaster box was of enormous value and it was set aside for Mary's future—her wedding. In that time, we understand a woman's future security was tied to marriage. The alabaster box of nard would have provided the dowry needed for marriage. Some have calculated the worth at around 54,000 USD.  In breaking that box, I see Mary giving up her hopes and dreams of a future on her terms; and in an unforgettable way, placing her future in the hands of God.

I can see how I have been self-reliant at times; taking my future into my own hands, and I can also see how I've grown to embrace this life that the woman epitomizes. Still, I want to lay down more of me until it is just Jesus that is left.   

Is the song still on repeat? 

'…All my heart

All my soul

All I own

You can have it all.'  

Praying for you — Paul.

It annoys me a little when we sing about the resurrection on Good Friday (Not that there will be much congregational singing this week #COVID19). Or, when the benediction invokes the resurrection rather than leaving us with the solemnity the sacrifice of the Cross.  

This happened quite a bit when I was younger. It was almost as if we learned avoid the reality of suffering of Christ. Maybe because it would overwhelm us in a way that demands surrender? It still happens today. I’m still not completely sure why. Perhaps we want to avoid the requirement of Christ's follower to share in His suffering (See Romans 8:17-18 and 1 Peter 4:13-16)

1 Peter 4:13 says:

13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed…16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name)

Either way, it bothered me a little bit when I was growing up, but a whole lot more now. The theology of the Cross of Christ is central to our beliefs as Christians. For those of us who are called to vocational ministry; the Cross is central to all we do. I don't mean the image or the idea; I mean the 'suffering and shame' to quote a classic (See The Old Rugged Cross). The Cross is the part of Christianity that pours 'contempt on all our pride' (See When I Survey (The Wonderful Cross)).  

I believe that our western, hyper-positive, good-life chasing sensibilities aren't into the message of suffering or for that matter discipline. Generally speaking, we like to move quickly to the next thing, not linger and learn from difficult situations and pain/suffering. In the case of Easter — we want to get past the death and dying to the happy stuff. When we avoid suffering, humiliation, and death of Jesus, we put ourselves out of balance with the message of the Cross.  A lot happens in the days just before the third day.  And the third day never arrived without the days before.

In the few days before the resurrection: 

Jesus washed the disciples’ feet (John 13; Matthew 26). 

Jesus broke bread (John 13; Matthew 26). 

Jesus prayed and sweat blood in the Garden (John 18; Matthew 26).  

Jesus was betrayed (John 18; Matthew 26)> 

Jesus was tried and beaten (John 18; Matthew 26). 

Jesus was denied by Peter (John 18; Matthew 26). 

Jesus was questioned by Pilate (John 18; Matthew 27). 

Jesus was flogged (John 18).

Jesus was made a fool of humiliated in awful ways ( John 18; Matthew 27).

Jesus was sentenced to death (John 19; Matthew 27). 

Jesus was forced to carry the Cross (John 19; Matthew 27). 

Jesus was nailed to the Cross (John 19; Matthew 27). 

Jesus was abandoned by His Father (Matthew 27). 

Jesus said goodbye to His mother (John 19).  

Jesus forgave His murderers (Luke 23). 

Jesus died (John 19; Matthew 27).  

The day before the resurrection was the Sabbath.  They rested (Luke 23:56).   

Then the third day, Jesus rose from the dead. 

As you can see, a lot happens in just a couple of days before Christ's resurrection.  

Without question day three has an untold impact on the course of history — we celebrate it every 'Sunday' and should. 

But Good Friday is the only day of the year that we slow down as a universal church to think about, ponder, and reflect on Christ's death. Without this reflection, we run the risk missing the truth about suffering in Christ. The shame, the humiliations, physical pain, abandonment and broken-heartedness He suffered, was a glorious demonstration of love and provided the atonement for us all. Shame and suffering in Christ are to be embraced (1 Peter 4; Romans 8). The trouble is avoiding the theology of the Cross; avoiding the suffering and shame; leaves us vulnerable to falling when we encounter pain, discomfort, stress, and suffering in our own lives. And we will.   

In the coming days as we near Good Friday — can I encourage you to give yourself over to thinking of the Cross? Think about what it means to suffer with Jesus; and help those you lead to do the same. 

I enjoy staying informed. 

For a very long time, I’ve believed that historical context is essential to finding a way forward in so many situations; and having current, expansive knowledge and experience in an area of vocation is required for success.    

I developed my interest in current events and history when I was a kid. Some came from watching the evening news with my Dad. I have an early memory of staying up late watching Brian Mulrooney win his second majority government here in Canada and learning about the political parties and how the government was formed.       

Another memory is parents pulling together the finances to buy my brother and I a set of World Book Encyclopedias. I enjoyed exploring them, reading and learning about the pyramids and volcanoes; and my favourite animals.    

(Side story: They bought it from a door to door salesmen; during the sales pitch, an elderly neighbour called because someone had thrown a rock through their window. It was remarkable that in that time it wasn't weird for our parents to ask the friendly salesman to stay with us while they went to check on our neighbour. What is even more remarkable was that the salesman helped my brother and I rig our telescope so we could spy on my parents and the police at the neighbours)

Also, when I was a kid, I looked forward to running errands with my mom at Bayer's Road Shopping Centre here in Halifax.  It no longer exists.  There was a Coles Bookstore and a WH Smith Books. I spent all the time I could browsing and reading snippets of this and that.  

My passion for reading, information and bookstores gave way to a love for libraries. This was accelerated by a need for a part-time job in high school (yes, I was a geek).  But that grew into mini-career of 15 years of public service engaging the community in literacy and various other types of programs.  

Libraries used to be where information was stored, that's still true to an extent, but now they are more a way of accessing information. It seems to me that taking in all this information can desensitize us to what is important and what matters. Think about it; if everything is important, then nothing is, and filling up on information can lead to a false sense of accomplishment whatever you or I are called to do. 

Don't get me wrong; I do enjoy and value staying up-to-date with current events - particularly politics, leadership, arts and the NFL. I enjoy reading books on the topics above and  also ready a few of the major Daily's every morning and evening. I like to strike a balance between different points of view and then form my own opinions. 

The trouble is (just like when I open a bag of zesty cheese Doritos) I don't have an off switch. I risk spending too much time and energy consuming information and not enough in supplication and in prayer. In other words, getting overloaded and anxious on information and not building my faith through humbly making God aware of my concerns.  

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

Over the last number of weeks, the global pandemic of coronavirus (COVID-19). Has been top of the mind for me, as it has been for everyone around the world.   

While on information overload regarding COVID-19, I felt partly justified. Our family has been living international and travelling a great deal. With all the uncertainty around being able to get back to Canada, I was taking it all in and reading between the lines to figure out when it was time to head out was really important. 

To be sure I have had moments of anxiety (…like when we were denied boarding cards to get out of India, on one of the last flights) But now that we have made it back to Canada, and as settled as can be expected after packing up and leaving our home within about 48hrs; I have felt a challenge to me from the Holy Spirit. It happened a few days ago in the morning. I was reading from my devotional for Lent, which encouraged acquiring information for the purpose of supplication and prayers to God. In this way, prayers help change how the information we consume affects us.

I was left asking is the information, the news influencing me? (Yup). Are my prayers affecting the information and the news? Hmmm. (Nope). They aren't because my prayers are relatively fleeting and not focused; they are general and platitude laden, rather than specific and tumbling out of the sincerity of heart.  

But we must be informed. Right? 

To stay relevant?

Well, it's a good excuse that I use to justify a glutenous consumption of news and viewpoints and commentary and books. Which when pushed out of balance, distracts from prayer and really makes it more challenging to pray from a place of faith and unbridled belief that God will answer and win the day.  If I am out of balance spending too much time gathering information, viewpoints, opinions and commentary; what's leftover for expressing, innovating, creating, or generating new God-inspired information (sermons, songs, prayers, words of wisdom, etc.)?  

The answer? 

Well, for me, I felt challenged by the Lord to fast news for the remaining days of lent (12 days at the time of writing).  

By news I mean: blogs, commentary, news in all forms—audio, video, written., books that are not about current events are still fair game.   When I began, it was tough. But after just two days, I felt more restful and having a more in-depth dialogue with God.   

Fasting is an excellent jumpstart to spiritual change.  

For you, it may not be news that is distracting you or filling you up so that you have no more capacity to hear anything else, including God.  Maybe you're not hearing your family, or your spouse the way you know you should? Perhaps there are other distractions? 

For me, it's usually politico, NYT, WaPo etc. For you may be: Sports Centre? Insta? tiktok? goop, etc. etc. 

My encouragement to you today is fast it and pray even for just this week before Easter. What better way to get a little quieter to hear and feel the roar of victory that we are reminded of every Easter.  

One of the reasons I choose to create this blog was because of I have experienced a gap (at times a chasm) between learned Biblical theology and its practical application for us as followers of Christ, leaders, and those in ministry.  

One area where this is glaringly obvious is over-realized eschatology that permeates many of our churches today. Coming from my perspective (which is pentecostal) this often focuses on either healing, the ‘good’ life, or the future destiny of a believer.   

I certainly believe God heals today —physically and mentally. I see that in a plain reading of scripture (Isaiah 61:1,2; Luke 4:18; 7:19–23; John 14:12-14). I have experienced physical healing in my own life. I know that it takes courage to believe that God will heal; courage we are all meant to have when we pray, and as we trust, and ultimately accepting the sovereignty of God (For more on healing (https://ag.org/Beliefs/Position-Papers/Divine-Healing). That last part — God’s sovereignty is not always easily recognized.   

It is contended by some that because God heals today if someone is not healed, there is a problem with that person’s faith; it is insisted that God wants to heal the sick right now and is willing. While I agree that God has a desire to heal us, which is why He sent His son to make way for redemption leading to eternal life in glorified bodies, the timing is His.

When healing is forced into a causal relationship with our faith right now; I have concerns. I believe this stems from an ‘over-realized’ sense of the Kingdom of God in the here and now. No doubt, Jesus affirmed the faith of people for healing—‘Go your faith has made you well.’ (Matthew 9:22  Luke 17:11 Mark 5: 34)

Faith, as it is used here, is: Πίστις — Pistis — faith; trust to believe in, to have confidence in 

From my perspective, there is a correlation, a strong one, between my confidence and trust in God to heal and that creative miracle of God taking place. However, that trust in God to heal maybe something demonstrated over a long period of time, or it may lead to a seemingly instantaneous miracle, or maybe something in between. But if healing is delayed; is my faith lacking? If all healing was meant to take place now, what of the promises made to us in Rev 21? What faith ‘caused’ the healing of the man with the withered hand (Mark 3:1-6), there is no faith mentioned. In the case of Lazarus, belief is lacking, yet Lazarus still is raised from the dead.   

The point is that healing experienced in the here and now is not as clear in its cause and function as we might like. This is because some aspects of the Kingdom of God are to be fully realized when Christ returns. Put another way, the Kingdom of God was inaugurated by Christ’s coming, His death and resurrection; but is not fully realized until He returns.   

Theologian George Eldon Ladd introduced the evangelical movement to the concept of the Kingdom of God being already here but not yet fully realized: 

“Already but not yet” is a phrase which arises out of a system of Christian thought is called kingdom theology. It captures the notion that God’s Kingdom was inaugurated in Jesus’ death and resurrection and that this Kingdom is already here on earth, but not yet in its fullness (Crossway; 2014).”

In the ‘Love’ chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, I see a beneficial illustration. When talking about the fullness and enduring aspect of love, Paul speaks of our experience as to ‘see through a glass darkly”. This imagery had to do with metal mirrors that were made in Corinth from brass. They were never quite as bright as the real image.  

Though Paul’s emphasis here is not the Kingdom of God, but on love, there is an implication here that right now we see and know the God’s fullness in part — then (upon Christ’s return) we will live in the fullness of the Kingdom being established where there are no more tears; no more pain, (Rev 21:4). Then we will have glorified bodies, but for now, we look through a glass darkly.  

Why is this important for us as thoughtful leaders and followers of Christ? Well, I think that’s best illustrated by this true story: 

A vibrant young family was hit by tragedy many years ago. A young mom who was a follower of Christ was diagnosed with a disease that would confine her to a wheelchair soon and was ultimately terminal. Without a miracle or unlikely response to medical treatment, she had a limited amount of time to live on earth.  

She had a loving husband, three beautiful children all in elementary school. Why do these things happen?  

Her faith kept her strong through the initial ordeal.  

Over time a lack of theological understanding and how it applied practically to our lives on the part of the well-intentioned pastors was a significant factor (if not the only factor) that robbed this family of their last years together. 

The family and the church, led by their pastors, were praying for a miracle--that God would heal her. They prayed and prayed, and the church they attended supported as best they could. But no miracle came. More prayers, emotion, energy, believing God. But still no miracle. Sincere belief, desire and faith demonstrated in prayer is what we are called to do.  

However, I was in attendance at a gathering where misguided theology (in this case, an over-realized sense of God’s Kingdom now) led to one of the most disturbing sites I have seen in ministry.

 This young mom; in front of her children and husband was coaxed, then forcefully lifted from her wheelchair to walk. The Lord did not intervene with a creative miracle and this lady stumbled. The pastor continued to pull her along — she struggled — lurched, stumbled. But he just kept going — a frenzy of shouting in ‘prayer’ followed and then music dialled up to ‘set an atmosphere’ where God could move (For the record: I have not problem with genuine prayer, shouting in worship, using music and other creative means to point us toward God). 20 mins later, this precious lady was back in her wheelchair. No one knew what she was thinking or feeling as she hadn’t been able to verbalize for months.  

An over-realized sense of God’s Kingdom here on earth leads to moments like these. Where rather than living in the tension between God’s promises and their fulfilment, we try and force them into realization.  

But the worst of the story came later.  

Under the weight of discouragement, disappointment and questions about why God would not heal his wife, the husband left the church and his wife. This young mom already confined to a wheelchair and non-verbal was left to spend the last years of her life in an assisted living home basically on her own. She passed into the Lord presence without her husband and children whom she loved dearly.  

Perhaps you have faced similar situations in your journey of faith—why doesn’t God heal everyone? Are miracles really still happening today? The Bible promises healing, no more pain, the ‘good life’, why aren’t I experiencing it? 

Well, the story doesn’t give us an out for choosing not to pray and believe for healing. But it does give us a reason to pause and think through what we believe, why we believe it an how it applies to those we lead and pastor. Over-realized eschatology can lead to pain.  

We have a responsibility to know all we can from the Bible, and to say we don’t know when we do not. I have been healed, I have witnessed others experience healing, and I have experienced the opposite. The times when healing doesn’t come are the times to trust God, be at peace in His sovereignty, and know that His Kingdom is not yet fully realized…yet.

Helpful Links & References

(https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2017/august/3-abny-social-realities-shaping-north-american-missions.html) 

https://www.crossway.org/articles/the-already-and-the-not-yet/

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/a-theologian-you-should-know-george-eldon-ladd/

I've shelved my NKJV Bible this week; you might want to think about your Bible translation, too.  

After being challenged at seminary, I recently took a closer look at the translation of my Bible. For years I've used the NKJV as my primary study and preaching translation; I grew up hearing it in church and at home. But during my seminary visit, I was challenged through the course content and the Holy Spirit to reconsider using a single translation so heavily.  

Now let me say first, there is nothing 'wrong' with the NKJV version. It is going to get us all where we need to go in God (the Gospel is still the Gospel in there). There is unlikely to be any significant doctrinal differences between it and any other translation. But because I can't read Greek (maybe I should learn — another topic for another day), I want a translation that is as close to the original greek as we have today. I thought that was the NKJV.   

Consider two things I learned about Bible translations: 

1. Translations fall into three categories Word for Word (Formal Equivalence), Thought for Thought (Functional Equivalence) and Free (Paraphrase)

2. Our many good translations today sit on a spectrum between these goals.  See the below diagram.

When translators have functional equivalence as their primary goal (which is an admirable goal); they are required to make conclusions about what the original texts means to us today. Translating for functional equivalence is an essential service because languages, like English, are always evolving. What said something 50 years ago, let alone 100s of years ago, can easily mean something completely different today. The same is true of idioms. So for people to be able to easily understand what the Bible is saying thought for thought translations are helpful. The NIV is an excellent choice in this regard, though some will disagree with that.   

Generally, though, what can be helpful for thoughtful leaders is to select a few translations for study, and to select something that balances these two goals for a main study/church Bible. However, I tend to lean towards a literal word for word translations. Partly because I grew up on one (KJV/NKJV) and partly because I want to know what was said directly to the original audience, and then I want to use all the fantastic tools we have today to understand how that fits with us today.  

Now the NKJV (the part you've been waiting for) looks to meet that goal when you look at the diagram, but it gets tricky. The NKJV was mainly based on the KJV, and I was unaware that the KJV was translated by basically one person (Erasmus). He used manuscripts of the Bible that are relatively young. In the more than 400 years since it was translated, new manuscripts, which are 1000 years older, have been found. That means we have manuscripts which were written closer to the time of the Bible. 

The NKJV, published in 1982, is unique in that it is not a translation of the older manuscripts, it is an update on the early English of the KJV. The work of updating was not done lightly and took time and a great deal of effort on the part of 130 scholars. However, I prefer to read a translation that is the most current up-to-date scholarship and the oldest manuscripts we have. That is not the KJV or NKJV. You should know, though, that reading these texts is an excellent choice if it is an informed one; I was uninformed. The Greek called 'Textus Receptus' form the foundation for translating the KJV and in turn the NKJV. The Textus Receptus, established on the Byzantine Text, is more commonly called the Majority Text. These New Testament manuscripts are the most plentiful — we have many of them — and they seem consistent across the ones found. Some people believe that the number of manuscripts is more important than age. It's a valid position to have.  

For me, though, older wins out — what can I say, I'm a vintage kinda guy.   

So my choice is now the ESV. It is the most recent translation based on the oldest manuscripts. Not only that, but it also leverages the most recent scholarship we posses about interpretation, Greek, translation, history, etc. There are some things I don't prefer about the ESV chief among them — it uses mostly male pronouns — but it footnotes where it could use both male and female pronouns; so all is not lost. Some people suspect it of being bias towards Reform Theology — I'm not concerned about that.  

A close second choice for me on the word for word end is the NASB — but I found the language too outdated. An accurate word for word translation is vital in our time because we have so many (free) tools available to personally study the Bible. There has never been a time in history with more access to the scriptures and the materials that support studying scripture. That said we are reading the Bible less in Canada (Just 14% of Canadians read the Bible at least once a month as of 2014; down 14% from the previous decade—click here for the study  ).  

So whatever translation gets you reading, embrace it — read it, and listen to it.  

In my Bible stack (which understandably bothers my family because they are everywhere all of the time) I have the NRSV and the NIV from the thought for thought section, and then for a paraphrase, I use the NLT. My choices from these categories have to do with the scholarly rigour from which they developed.  

John Wesley contended that the scripture is a "means of grace" for us. That means when we read scripture with an open heart, think about it critically, and in community the Holy Spirit can impart grace. This enables us to live the holy and empowered life God intends. Wesley also suggested if there was doubt as to meaning one whose consult with those more experienced in the Lord than oneself; I'm thankful there are many people in my life more knowledgeable and more experienced I can lean on.   

Some good resources: 

Article: Reading The Bible With Your Whole Self

Article: 3 Tips for Better Bible Reading

A miraculous, mind-boggling, and in my experience (evangelical church) under-emphasized doctrine of the church is the incarnation. Even with, (or primarily because of) the excitement around the event of Christmas, I feel I miss the point. Maybe you feel the same? The incarnation is far more than a fleeting once a year thought. In treating it that way you and I miss an opportunity for wonder, awe and worship.  

So we can understand the practical implications of the incarnation we must understand what it is all about and where it comes from: The doctrine of incarnation comes to us from the 4th century. It developed during the early centuries of the church and stands today as part of orthodox belief and church doctrine. The Nicene Creed, which was agreed upon in AD 381 demonstrates the beliefs of the church a few hundred years after Christ's death: 

“...I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds (æons), Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from Heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; he was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried, and the third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; from thence he shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.” Full Creed

...council at Chalcedon in 451 nearly 100 years later: 

“We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach people to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in Manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable [rational] soul and body; consubstantial [co-essential] with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, according to the Manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, only begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence, not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ; as the prophets from the beginning [have declared] concerning Him, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down to us.” Full Creed

With that historical backdrop in mind, we come to the question of what necessitated Jesus to become human. To adequately talk about incarnation would be impossible in a short blog post. So I will limit myself to three big ideas (in the hopes that you'll actually read it LOL:):  

First, Jesus became a human because prophetic words from the Old Testament made clear that the Messiah would be born a human. Secondly, Jesus became a human to bring a revelation of God to humanity. Finally, Jesus became a human to break the curse brought on by humanity's fall, which required a sinless bodily sacrifice.   

Let's talk about each of these in more detail: 

First, the word, which is the divine promise of God coming through OT prophets created a framework around who, where, and how the Messiah would come into the world. These words from God are the Word (see John 1), and the Word requires a response, or answer. The Creed from Chalcedon above makes this point about the incarnation being the fulfilment of the prophets: 

"…the Lord Jesus Christ; as the prophets from the beginning [have declared] concerning Him, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down to us."

One of those prophetic words was the Messiah would come to rule from the throne of David (Isaiah 9:6-7). To fulfil this prophecy, Christ would come into the world a man —born, ancestor of, leader of government — all are human terms and roles. This is one of many examples of prophecy fulfilled and can be observed clearly in the early chapters of Matthew where Christ's Jewish genealogy if highlighted.  

Secondly, Jesus Christ became a man so that the world could have a revelation of God, the Father:  

"14 So the Word became human* and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.* And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son. …18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself, God,* is near to the Father's heart. He has revealed God to us (John 1:14-18)." 

Some translations say: So the Word became flesh and dwelt among us — or 'tented/tabernacled' among us. This is another reference to the fulfilment of the OT words about the coming Messiah. Ezekiel 37: 27 says: "27 My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." The idea of dwelling place is a nod to a permanent tabernacle in our hearts made possible through Jesus Christ, the human, dwelling and walking among us (Deut. 26:12). Him walking among us, being about His Father's business, revealing the Father's will are all part of showing God, the Father to us. John references this again in his epistle; saying that we have experienced with our hands and eyes, Jesus, and in so experiencing Him we have a revelation of the Father (1 John 1:1-3). Again, the human qualities of the Messiah are referenced, and they were fulfilled in the act of Jesus becoming a man (Perman 2006).   

Finally, Jesus Christ had to become human because that was a condition required to be the appropriate sinless sacrifice; the atonement for the sins of humanity. Hebrews 10 makes this clear, and similar to the other reasons given, the third one draws on the language of the OT. Psalm 40, which referenced in Hebrews 10, speaks of providing a body to offer in sacrifice. Jesus Christ had to become a man to have a body to provide in loving sacrifice for humanity. It is clear from these passages that the shedding of blood was required for the freedom of humanity from sin (Hebrews 10:10). 

The lifting up of Jesus upon the cross is the whole point of the incarnation: John 6:51 says "51 I am the living bread that came down from Heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh." The lifting of the cross corresponds to the descending from Heaven. It has been said that Jesus came down to go up. There is a balance here between the deity (upwardness of Christ) and humanity (incarnation); between coming down and going back up. J.I Packer once said that "Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as is this truth of the Incarnation". There are mystery and wonder in this miracle of God, and therein lies a part of the practical implication; worship.  

God is to be worshipped, and our worship is more genuine when we are awake to His attributes. In experiencing salvation, we have experienced this doctrine of the incarnation. In knowing that Jesus was tempted as we are (Ref), we are experiencing the incarnation. When we are in awe of the sacrifice He made on the cross, we are experiencing the incarnation. When reflecting on how a Father could give His only Son for others; we are experiencing the incarnation. 

References

J.I. Packer, Knowing God (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993 Edition), p. 53.

Perman, Matt. "How Can Jesus Be God and Man?" Desiring God, October 5, 2006. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/how-can-jesus-be-god-and-man.

Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL:  Tyndale House Publishers, 2015. Print.

Jesus’ coming is hope fulfilled and hope assured. Christmastime is my favourite time of year. The carols, the traditions, the spirit and celebration with family is all a part of that. But more central to my love of Christmas is the wonder, and possibility; the mystery and glory of Christ’s entrance into the world because it gave us a reason to hope. One of the central themes of Christmas is hope. What are you hoping for this Christmas?

Maybe like Kevin, from Home Alone , you’re hoping your family disappears —-kidding (but sometimes this time of year brings about conflicts and challenge and awkward moments)

Maybe like Ralphie, from A Christmas Story, you’re hoping for an official Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle, with a compass in the stock (or your version of an official Red Ryder carbine action 200 shot….).

Or maybe you’ll be wandering around the stores on Christmas Eve, like Howard from Jingle All The Way. Making a futile effort to fulfil someone else’s hopes while sales associates laugh at you.

Hope is a funny thing. The Bible tells us that hope that goes unfulfilled (or deferred) make us feel bad, but when it’s fulfilled it gives life (Proverbs 13:12).

So when is hope given? When is it fulfilled? Jesus answers both of those tall orders. Jesus brought hope with him for all generations, and He is hope fulfilled for previous generations; many of whom had waited or prayed for His coming. For them, he was fulfilment. For us, He is the hope of the world assured through his work on the cross.

Hope was given as a gift from God in Jesus. A baby. The Word became flesh. Simeon realized this to be true:

 Luke 2:25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

29 “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised. 30 I have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all people.
32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

33 Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him.34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.

This ignites hope in me, I hope it does for you as well. It starts with the miraculous, hidden and vulnerable act of a baby born into this world, to make a way of return for all people to God their Father. Our earthly desires and hopes are rightly overshadowed by all of this.

So this week let’s consider our Christmas hopes. Are they inward, or for the benefit of others? Are your hopes and mine wrapped up in shiny Christmas paper, or the swaddling clothes of Jesus Christ; born in a manger in Bethlehem?

In the rush of the next few days to enjoy family and friends, take a few moments to ponder hope. Maybe right now...here is song to help us focus on baby Jesus as we consider our Christmas hopes.

For the traditionalist like me: A Cradle In Bethlehem sung by Nat King Cole

if you prefer a more modern vibe I love Sara Groves version here: A Cradle In Bethlehem.

I feel like I learn something new from Scrooge in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol each year. No matter which version I watch (and there are plenty — check them out here:); it is the perfect story to get me into the Christmas season.  The story helps me to reflect on my own attitude towards Christmas and my actions as Scrooge is challenged to do. 

My wife doesn’t participate in my ‘Scroogefest’.   My boy usually loses interest after the first Spirit appears if he’s not terrified by it. But, my daughter hangs in for a few versions of the story.  

Fred, Scrooge’s nephew, gives a short monologue on importance of Christmas and charity at the beginning of the story. It stood out to me this year. 

The different movies leave a few important lines out. You can read the full text below.

But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas-time, when it has come around —apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that— as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creature bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!” (Dickens, A Christmas Carol, pp. 3-4).  

I was impacted more by Fred’s speech than in years gone by. Maybe it is because of the poor in plain sight where we live currently. Or because of recent wrestling with James’ explicit instruction about what I call the ‘Actionable Faith — described by him as visiting widows and orphans among other things (James 1:27). 

This reminded me that poverty was the backdrop against which Christ was sent into this world. Afterall He was born in a manger (Luke 2); not to mention became a refugee shortly after.  

So what? 

Well, James reminds us that faith without works is dead (James 2).

So I’m thinking this December about what is Christmas without works? What is an “Actionable Christmas”; one that gives rise to actions expressing the love of Christ.  

While thinking this through, though it was written to protest war, John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Happy Christmas (War is Over) came to mind: 

“So this is Christmas, and what have you done? Another year over, a new one just begun”  What have I done this year? What have we done this year? 

An actionable faith and actionable Christmas means we ask the questions: 

What can we do for the injustice we see, that we know about, that is within our reach; the inequity that we experience?  What can we do that will be fuelled by love and empowered by the Holy Spirit? 

We will have lived an actionable joy-filled Christmas when we have given more than we received. It is Christmas that is generosity that mirrors God’s giving of His Son to us.  

At the end of Disney’s A Christmas Carol Andrea Bocelli closes out the movie with “God Bless Us Everyone”. The genre is not my favourite, but the message is essential. 

He sings these words: 

Come to gather one and all in the giving Spirit

Later: 

To the voices, no one hears we have come to find you 

And then: 

One candles light dispels the night

Burning brighter than the sun.  

God Bless us, everyone.  

The actions each of us can take to help others at this time of the year are like the candle Bocelli sings about.  Regardless of whether we are giving time to help the impoverished, those we do life with, or others with whom we disagree.  Still, our helpful and kind actions are like the light of a single candle.   It has the power to dispel the night and the darkness, but that requires proximity. Closeness. Coming nearby. Sometimes proximity is built through mutual respect even when we disagree vehemently.  

In her 2018 Christmas address HM Queen Elizabeth II said: 

“Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding.”

 So cross the bridge of proximity to find mutual respect with those around you and as you begin to ponder how Christmas can be actionable this year, look for some ways large or small to help those in need.  Even if you share nothing in common, as Fred pointed it out, we are indeed all on the same journey together. 

Why theology? Well, first let’s look at what is theology.

Theo + Logos = Theology 

Theo - God 

Logos - Word, discourse, discussion, reflection 

Theology is the thought, reflection, discourse about God that occurs between when we come to know Him and when we express His message of hope and joy to others. Theology is crucial for us for several reasons.  

In my time in ministry, I have observed mostly two camps when it comes to theology and  Christian leaders in North America.   We either emphasize theology to the detriment of practical application, or we emphasize the practical without concern for the deep-rootedness that good theology provides. In this case, an overemphasis on the foolish confounding the wise gives way to just foolishness.  

While I firmly believe in the priesthood of the saints and the equipping nature of the Pastor. I also think that we must reach for it all and not remain content with whatever level of knowledge of God we have.  

Theology has come to be something we often rush past or are self-deprecating about: "Well, I'm no theologian."  I've heard this too often in conversations, in sermons, in meetings and other gatherings of Christian leaders.   Pastors, Church Leaders, Missionaries, Worship Leaders, Evangelists, etc.  You are all theologians because you talk about God based on your knowledge of Him, and others look to you for answers!  

From my perspective and experience, Christian theology appears to have become institutionalized.  It is for those people at Bible College. (Or seminary, or teaching pastors, or…)  Hiring a teaching pastor does not absolve you or me from our responsibility to reach for it all.  

Somewhere along the line, being a theologian or engaging in theological discourse became someone else's job. It became professionalized, an aspect of a job description rather than the outward fruit of an inward rootedness in God.  This has led to challenges in terms of leadership development and sustainability for the church today.  

We must reclaim the theological discourse so that we are better positioned to disciple others. Does this mean the everyone needs a degree in the subject? No. But some people in Church leadership do so that they can be a helpful resource to others. Maybe you are one of them?  

Theology reminds me of essential parts of a tree (or bush, or some other growing thing, I'm not a horticulturist).  We can take them for granted when we are interested in the fruit. The fruit is alluring, smells lovely, looks beautiful, possesses immense potential in terms of multiplication. It is often the first thing we notice it is often what we think about when we think of that tree. Who says; "apple tree" and doesn't think of apples?  

But the fruit goes bad really quick when it falls away from the tree.  The tree sustains life. Deep-rootedness in God is life-giving, deep-rootedness inwardly in God will give rise to the outward fruit of the Christian life. 

I see theology as representative of that deep rootedness. Theology is not an old person in a stuffy library lecturing about dispensationalism. LOL — well maybe it is is that also — but it needs to be all of us in the course of our ministry and daily lives reflecting on God and our growing knowledge of Him so that we can healthy and balanced and fruitful (That answers the ‘Why?’)

Have a look at these lyrics:    

1: So here it is my alabaster heart

I'm keeping nothing back from who You are

No hidden treasure veiled by key or lock

You're a lifetime worth of worship, and that's only just the start

2: Here it is my every waking day

The minutes, hours, the years of endless praise

For You're worthy far beyond all I could say

There’s a lifetime worth of worship in the nuance of Your names

Chorus: Let it rise like incense

My whole life a fragrance

Every ounce here broken at Your feet

Every breath an offering

My heart cries, these lungs sing

Over You, my worthy King of kings

3: There it is, Your alabaster cross

Giving all You are for all I'm not

I can’t believe that’s the kind of King You are

How could I not bring a lifetime worth of worship to You God

A number of years ago I had one of the most meaningful experiences with the Holy Spirit in my life. It took place during a fairly nondescript church gathering.  The theme of the sermon that evening was brokenness.  The imagery employed was the woman with the alabaster box.  There is something about brokenness in worship that is special in God’s eyes (Psalm 51:17).  My lived experience is that moments of brokenness and humility before God have been the basis for some of the most extraordinary experiences and spiritual formation in Him.   

While considering the practical implication of the theology presented in the post We Need More Women In Ministry & Leadership; that of Christ empowering women who were once marginalized in the old covenant, and now empowered in the new covenant;  the imagery of Mary breaking the alabaster box at Bethany takes on deeper meaning for women certainly; but really for us all.   It is an example of how far reaching and incredible Jesus’ transformative power is.   In the Lukan account of this story Jesus defends the woman actions by telling the story of cancelled debts (Luke 7:43-47).  Those for whom Christ has done so much can’t help but give him extravagant worship.   

The chorus of “Alabaster Heart” particularly relates this idea well.  The lyrics embody worship in a prayer of living sacrifice; emphasizing the best of OT worship— the sentiment that we cannot offer God worship  that isn’t costly (2 Samuel 24:24)  — and yet threading the needle of the NT worship which is spirit and truth (John 4) worship of  represented by the living sacrifice (Rom. 12). 

So maybe the Bethany anointing was the embodiment of the John 4 and Romans 12?   What could be more ‘true’ than breaking our hearts open before the Lord and pouring them out for Him (Phil. 2:17; 2 Tim. 4:6).  This extravagant worship that disciples of Christ found offensive is the example for us to follow when endeavouring to rise to the occasion of the living-sacrifice worship (again see Rom. 12:1).  

Songs like this are a beautiful prayer rooted in a good theology that can have an enormous impact on us when we gather as worship. But we have to allow it.

I understand the calls that have been made for more artistry in the church that celebrates deeper theology, and focuses on the deity of Christ.  However, there is also a continued need for prayers of worship, that serve as a response.  The Bible has many examples (i.e. Psalm 51, 22, 86; See: Five Reasons Lament and Praise Must Stand Together by Dan Wilt: ).    

For me, this song is new covenant prayer,  a confession — that echos the confession of David, the action of Mary and the call to worship given by Paul.  

If you haven’t done so, take a few minutes and have a listen to the song. Then listen to it again and involve yourself in it by reflecting on all that God has done for you by way of forgiveness and ‘cancelled debts’. 

And then, one more time, let it play and soak in the goodness of God — I’m sure you won’t be able help but let worship rise from your heart.