December 24, 2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING:

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1.27)

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name drive out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’.” (Matthew 7. 22-23)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

It happens that when we trust in God to share by His Spirit the Word intended for us to hear, it comes in sometimes unexpected ways and at unexpected times. By this I mean, reflecting on the Sermon on the Mount[ainside] would not be a normal choice for advent readings and reflections. Yet, here I am and here you are as you happen upon my posts or having following along with me on this spiritual journey in His Word. It bears asking, then, what does this passage of scriptures (vss 21-23) have to do with Advent and more specifically Christmas Eve leading to Christmas Day. Hear the introductory verse of this section from Jesus who said, “Not everyone who says to Me: Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” In one fail swoop of the wing of the hen who gathers her brood she gathers some and brushes aside others. How would she know if some chicks are not of her brood? If she were a compassionate hen, in terms of our modern day understanding, wouldn’t she gather them all in and treat them as her own? Would she cast discernment aside and think “You are here and asking, so I should take you in…because you are asking.” Would they have all known her name and identity and taken on the persona necessary to be included in her watchful care? What of the chicken hawk, the chicken snake and the rat? Would they by some scheme find the means to accommodate the requirement of inclusion? Once included, could they reveal their true nature as hawks, snakes and rats (we could include wolves, coyotes, wild dogs, badgers and so on and so forth) and thus take advantage of the situation to their good? It makes me wonder, without answer, the thoughts Jesus had when Judas of Kerioth declared “Lord, Lord” and was called into the fold of discipleship. He who knew all things, knew JK (and I do not mean just kidding, but it works doesn’t it) had the potential to deny JC and betray the ministry to which they were all being called. Of course, the necessity of such “betrayal” goes without speaking. Without it, Jesus would have had a way to surrender His life to death for us all so that all who surrendered their lives to Him would have life and have it eternally. If not Judas of Kerioth, then who? Even Peter’s “betrayal” was insufficient to the task of having Jesus crucified. It merely kept his bacon out of the frying pan, so to speak. What Jesus does tell us is that not everyone has the intent of heart, mind and soul to authentically believe and thus receive the gift of eternal life which God offers to us in His Son. They may certainly say “Lord, Lord” and then go on to list all their accomplishments because they flashed His name as a calling card to people reaping the harvest of attention and possible prosperity. Of course, the divining line would have been the defense of “in My name.” They may have been able to fool some people but they would never be able to fool Jesus at any time.

Perhaps that is a part of the reason I have been led to the Sermon on the Mount in Advent. Before Jesus descended from Heaven and came to earth, those who were the “truth discerners” were appointed judges, prophets, priests and even kings. They could have been teachers in their service but that rank would have been overseers of the teachers of the Law. Yes, there should have been a balance of power between them as we might see in this country on the political side with the Legislative, Judicial and Executive branches. Do you see the chink in the armor by which this nation (and others who might pattern themselves on our system of governance) prepares itself to rule and lead its citizens in the daily battle against injustice? Where is the spiritual voice of reason? It is left to each citizen to determine for himself or herself or itself (as the case may now be) their spiritual bearing. By their own personal “faith” they will lead others in whatever position they may hold. Oh, to have such a carefree attitude toward governance faith that we would believe the “rights” of the people in leadership were held in check by the balance of power politically. And that is what we have and for it we see the fruit of their labors. There has to be a voice that is pure, just, holy, righteous, loving and true to judge and hold the spirits of the people in check. Even now, in this country, the evidences of a Judeo-Christian faith are threatened so that we would no longer pledge “one nation under God” nor have money which declares “In God we trust.” And it is not merely substituting a lower case “g” for the capital “G” that I am speaking to. It is the elimination of god or God altogether. That being said, we find ourselves with no higher authority to trust except whoever happens to sit in power. Mighty ones of God, this amounts to a polytheistic pantheon of leadership which would exist apart from spirit and truth.

Such a world existed in the time before Jesus was born. It was into such a world that Jesus was born. It was for this world that Jesus was born so that there would be such a witness, a voice, an accountability to provide discernment between right and wrong, good and evil, righteous and unrighteous, friend and foe, believer and unbeliever. In the words given to Isaiah to speak to the nations, “The people walking in darkness will see a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light will dawn.” (Isaiah 9.2) And we must never forget the prelude to that declaration from God which said “…but in the future He will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan.” (Isaiah 9.1b) It would not be out of Jerusalem that the Son of God and Man would come to espouse “the way of the Lord.” Jesus was sent into the world to “seek and save those who are lost.” Even His crucifixion was outside of the city walls of Jerusalem. His commissioning of the disciples was in Galilee. Those who were His disciples did not come from Jerusalem but from the north and the south. It was as if the vision given to Ezekiel of the Spirit of the Lord which had departed Jerusalem due to the unfaithfulness of its leadership in the Temple remained in waiting to return. Ezekiel was privileged to see that it would happen. It would only happen when the true Jerusalem and the true Temple were reformed and set apart. This can only happen under the leadership of the Messiah. As we come to recognize the birth of that Savior, we are placing ourselves in an Age of Waiting for His Return. Our Advent season is not merely four weeks leading up to the liturgical celebration of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Nor is it refined to include the “Twelve Days of Christmas” leading up to Epiphany when we celebrate the two year journey and arrival of the wisemen who called Him “Deliverer.” We are reminding ourselves of the beginning of life knowing there will be a glorious conclusion on a day and at a time no one but God knows.

And what of our “Christmas” celebration as we declare in our own ways and fashions “Lord, Lord” and with charity disseminate gifts to those in need of “food and want” beyond the reach of workhouses, institutions and prisons. And all the while we offer gifts to each other which challenge our personal economies in order to 1) make others know they are loved lavishly, 2) support corporate and institutional economy and 3) to honor God (?). Have we missed the message which the birth of the Savior delivers? Have we missed the mission which the life of the Savior intimates? Have we missed the burden which we accept by faith taking up our own cross to follow Him into all the world? It may well be that such celebrations as we offer do not speak of Jesus saying “I know you not” but speaks to us that “We know You not.” Token worship is empty worship. It is time we capture our spiritual gift of discernment and speak the truth in love before another generation is cast into the fire of self-desire thinking “well it doesn’t matter as long as we say the right name and words of Christmas.”

Let those with ears to hear, hear; and those with eyes to see, see; and those with mouths to speak, speak. Shalom, y’all and a Joy-filled Christmas where the true gift that is needed is given: the gospel which leads to authentic life and living.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, You have revealed to us best in Jesus the Christ. By Him and Him alone shall we gain this eternal life and our place in eternal rest, living for You always. Show us more and by Your Holy Spirit instruct us in the way we should go, the truth we should reveal and the life we shall live with you forever. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.