Re-writing the Gospel

[How the interviews should have gone on Good Friday!]

In Gethsemane with Judas and the temple police:

When Judas and a detachment of soldiers reached Gethsemane, Jesus went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” When they said “Jesus of Nazareth”, He assured them, “I am he.” They all drew back in amazement and fell to the ground. Then the soldiers with their commander and the Jewish officials accompanied Him back into Jerusalem, to the courtyard of the former high priest, Annas.

With Annas, in his courtyard in Jerusalem:

Annas asked Jesus more questions, about things He had already discussed in many public places, and even about Annas’s unusual mention of the need for one man to die for the people. Why was that?

With Caiaphas, in his house in Jerusalem:

As the group continued to swell, they all moved on to Caiaphas’s house. Now someone raised the question of what Jesus had meant when He overturned the tables in the temple then said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” He left this as a puzzle to them but when Caiaphas asked Him if He was “the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One”, He left them in no doubt:—“I AM!”

In Caiaphas’s courtyard:

In the growing crowd, Peter got separated from Jesus. He was approached by at least three different people, who asked him, “Aren’t you one of Jesus’ disciples?” He quickly assured them, “I am.”

With the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem:

The crowd moved on again, to the meeting place of the Sanhedrin. Once more, He was asked if He was “the Son of God.” Again, He confirmed with, “I AM!”

With Pilate, at the Praetorium in Jerusalem:

Now Jesus and his torrent of followers moved on to meet the Romans. Pontius Pilate, the governor, was curious as to why they had come but when he found out that Jesus was “the king of the Jews”, he recognized the truth and listened to it.

With Herod Antipas, in Jerusalem:

There was only one more man left to see, the current “king of the Jews”, Herod Antipas. When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased. He was overwhelmed with all the questions he had in mind, and even offered Jesus an elegant robe.

With Pilate again:

Jesus and the immense crowd with him then went back to Pilate to wrap up the morning, with some final clarifications. On the Pavement of Gabbatha, Pilate faced Jesus and proclaimed to everyone, “Hail, king of the Jews!”

With all the Jews:

As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Him, they too shouted, “He is the Son of God!”

-    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

CAUTION! What would be wrong with all these supposed re-writes?

ANSWER! All their sins would still be on all these people and on us. There would be no Substitute, no Redeemer, no Mediator; and no payment for sins, no cleansing, no purification. Annas's statement at the beginning is a fact: One Man had to die for the people. And that Man had to be both man and God--- one or the Other was not enough.

-         

The Prudent Man Helps Others

        Remember that prudent man of Proverbs 22 and 27? A previous article listed almost two dozen possibilities that could go awry in his life. Perhaps a little self-righteously, we felt that we had them all covered in our own life…but maybe not.

        Is it possible that Proverbs is a book of “best practices” from a worldly point of view? As I thought over the prudent man’s list, the idea came to me: “Isn’t this kind of selfish and secretive?” How about helping someone else “prepare to meet God”? How about teaching others how to swim? Or to drive? Or to eat and drink wisely? Or to join a church and worship?

        There is a great New Testament advance on Proverbs, from the merely “prudent” man. Can we say in King Jamesian English, “The prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself and as many others as he can”?

        The story of the good Samaritan makes it very clear who the prudent man is. Perhaps he was well-armed; perhaps he had a bodyguard with him. In any case, his duty was clear—to help. In fact, if we go all the way back to Moses and the Ten Commandments, we find that Commandments 5 through 10 all relate to protecting and helping others, even more than ourselves: We are to honor our parents. We are not to murder—we are to help others to live. We are not to commit adultery—we are to help other couples live in peace. We are not to steal—we are to let others keep and enjoy what they have. We could go on, but you get the idea.

        Jesus, Himself, said in the Sermon on the Mount[1], “Blessed are the merciful…Blessed are the peace-makers…You are the salt of the earth…Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Never mind being super-prudent and looking after only number one. “Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you[2].”

[1] Matthew 5: 7-16.


[2] Matthew 6:33.

A Prudent Man...

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” Proverbs 22:3; 27:12. KJV

A prudent man…

• prepareth to meet God.
• joineth a church and worshippeth weekly.
• treateth his family, relatives, neighbours, and even enemies, as ones whom God loveth.
• eateth and drinketh wisely.
• getteth education or a trade.
• learneth to swim.
• learneth to drive.
• carrieth a spare wheel in his car at all times.
• filleth his gas tank before a trip.
• reserveth a hotel room before he getteth there.
• reneweth all his licenses in good time.
• stocketh good tools for household needs.
• learneth computers.
• payeth his taxes in good time.
• payeth into a retirement fund while working.
• getteth a doctor’s check-up before anything goeth wrong.
• seeth his children out of the nest debt-free.
• saveth or insureth in case of his wife’s widowhood.
• arrangeth for financial and medical power of attorney in case of need before death.
• writeth a fair will.
• prepareth for his own death (funeral, burial, cremation, etc.)
• writeth his own obituary.
• teacheth his children all these guidelines.
• …………
• …………

“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” Proverbs 22:3, NIV

The Balcony Over Burlington

  

  

     I was sitting on my apartment balcony the other day, enjoying the view over the trees and the houses to the blue of Lake Ontario, on the southeastern horizon. As I looked over at the matching balcony chair beside me, the thought struck me, "What if Jesus was sitting there?"

        Suppose a stranger knocked at my door and, when I answered, he struck up an enchanting conversation about Scripture. Suppose I then invited him in and sat him in that matching chair. Suppose further that his conversation was all about prophecy in the Old Testament concerning what the Jews called "That Prophet". Suppose still further that as my heart was warmed and my mind was thrilled and stimulated, I suddenly realized Who my Guest was! What would I do?

        I don't know for sure about myself, but there are a few people in Scripture who had just such an experience. For example, there were Cleopas and his friend on the road to Emmaus. When they recognized this Stranger, He disappeared; their response was to rush back to Jerusalem in the dark and tell their friends the wonderful news.[1]

        Then there was "doubting" Thomas. His recognition provoked that eternal exclamation, "My Lord and my God!"[2]

        Mary Magdalene didn't recognize Him either, but when the "gardener" spoke her name in that familiar voice, she wanted to cling to Him.[3]

        All these believers reacted from the heart when they realized this Stranger was Jesus. I trust that my response will be appropriate too, but I think the centurion, Cornelius, in Caesarea, had exactly the right idea. He misdirected his response and fell at the feet of Peter instead. Perhaps for a moment he mistook Peter for Jesus. I think his heart full of worship was still credited; not many moments later the Holy Spirit came on him in power.[4]

        So, what would I do? I still don't know, but I trust that somehow the Lord will get every breath of worship I have in me to offer Him.

---

[1] Luke 24:33.

[2] John 20:28.

[3] John 20:16.

[4] Acts 10:2.

“Oh, My Soul!”

              Some years ago, my wife and I were “at sea” on an ocean cruise, when the Directors organized what was facetiously but erroneously called a “tiny talent” time. An entertainment afternoon was set aside and any of the passengers with suitable skills were invited to perform. The musicians, singers, comedians and even magicians were outstanding.

              But then a lady, probably in her fifties, took the stage and started to quote poetry. We weren’t paying close attention to the words at first, but then she shifted to a more rousing, martial type of beat and people started standing up to keep time with her actions.

              She encouraged this as she moved to her last poem, with the audience still at one with her. I recognized the poem, I knew where the words led, and I sat my wife and myself down again. The crowd marched on straight to the end: “I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul…I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul!”[1]

              How perverse! Did those people realize what they had said? Were there any Christians who had been dragged in as well? Did they catch the verse that says, “It matters not … how charged with punishments the scroll”? Joy and I were seated almost at the front so I hope the lady saw our protest.

              How desperately wrong can a person be? In a sense, our choices do decide our fate, but “unconquerable soul”? No way! She discounted the possibility of any true God, and she ignored everything Jesus has done for us. But there is punishment coming, and it does matter. The God Who made us will eventually require obedience and every soul will be conquered. The wise person foresees this and gets things fixed up with God before it’s to late. Two Bible verses answer the poem: “Submit yourselves, then, to God…Come near to God, and he will come near to you.”[2]

              How? “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.”[3]

 

 

 

---

[1] This poem is Invictus [“invincible”] by William Ernest Henley, written in 1875.

[2] James 4:7, 8.

[3] Acts 16:31

Epiphanies—Great and Small

      When I was a child, I assembled a plastic model of Columbus’ sailing ship the Santa Maria. It was only about six inches long but I was very proud of the way it rode on its plastic base, with the waves swirling around and the wind billowing the sails. My father helped me colour the seas and the sails and get the decals in place, then he left me to finish it. I attached the flags and banners, streaming out behind, and proudly put my handiwork on display on my bedroom dresser. Not long afterward, my cousin, two years older, visited. After ten seconds in my room, he walked up to

the model and right before my eyes, turned every flag and banner around 180 degrees—and I let him. He was right and I knew it instantly. The wind fills the sails and blows flags, streamers and everything else, forward!

    Let’s turn to a Bible story that affects me similarly. The Apostle Peter was in Joppa when he got a call to come and visit the Roman centurion Cornelius in Caesarea. Armed with some background information he had received in a vision, Peter and some friends made the day-and-a-half hike to Caesarea, and arrived at Cornelius’ door. Cornelius was greatly honoured to have Peter come, and he had gathered his relatives and closest friends (God-fearers all) to hear what Peter had to say. As Peter told them that, “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name,” at that instant “the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.” As I understand it, they saw instantly that Peter was right—they believed him, and were forgiven, redeemed, “saved”. 

    So just what is an “epiphany”? Merriam-Webster gives multiple definitions, all clustering around “a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something.” It seems to be something of its type that happens only once. I never again need to learn which way flags blow. And those friends and relatives of Cornelius never again have to learn what Jesus is about. Whatever they may learn of the details of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection, they know without any doubt, that he forgives sins. 

    Christians down through the ages have often told us of that sudden illumination, that sudden knowing of what is true and right. The Apostle Paul, on the road to Damascus, was blinded by a light but instantly knew it was “the Lord”[1]. More examples:—Saint Augustine (“Remember not our former iniquities…You convert me to Yourself.” )[2]; John Bunyan (“Blest rather be, the Man that there was put to shame for me! );[3] John Newton (“I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.” )[4]; C.S.Lewis (“When we set out I did not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and when we reached the zoo I did.”)[5]; myself, knowing Jesus is real and falling on him for rescue; and even my four year old son, as he tucked his head under the covers of a hospital crib and simply “asked Jesus into his heart”. 

      We know Jesus’ character—we know He is true. The best thing we can do is cry out like Peter, as he was about to drown, “Lord, save me!” or say, as Jesus recommended from the cross, “Father, forgive me!”

---

[1] Acts 9:5

[2] Augustine, The Confessions of St. Augustine, The Eighth Book—pp.61,65

[3] Bunyan, John. The Pilgrim’s Progress. P.88.

[4] Newton, John. Amazing Grace hymn.

[5] Lewis, C.S. Surprised by Joy, p.189

Vision Surgery

    In June, I visited the Eye Doctor— I needed cataract surgery. As we discussed the experience, and any discomfort or pain I might expect, he suggested that however mild or severe it might be, we all have to go through it to get our vision restored. As he spoke, the thought crossed my mind, “It would be great if I could get someone else to endure all this.”

      What a parallel that is to the darkening of our minds and souls that daily life often brings us. A surgeon can’t operate on his own eyes any more than we can operate on our own souls— we need someone else’s help. Help from our own parents or friends will never do. We need someone qualified— we need an expert.

      My surgeon has fixed over 30,000 eyes, so he is spectacularly qualified. I didn’t know him well but, on his reputation, I trusted him with my eyesight—both eyes at once! But the expert I’m really talking about is Jesus Christ. Jesus is fully qualified to dispel any darkness: He is God and made us and therefore all our shortfalls are ultimately against Him; and He is Man, and has taken on Himself all the punishment we deserved.

      I’ve had my surgery now and I’m at the stage of just putting drops in both eyes six times per day. My bedroom light is brighter; my bathroom light is brighter, our kitchen is brighter, and so are all the trees, the grass, the skies, and the lake. Before the surgery I once saw two Canada Geese strut across a beach in perfect unison, about six inches apart—in fact, it was my confused double vision of only one goose! Last month I saw a child kicking a pair of soccer balls down the field, in perfect symmetry—no it was only one ball!

      What a physical relief to see brightly and clearly again. But I come back to my spiritual application. In my more introspective moments, I know I haven’t done right by everyone I’ve met—maybe not even anyone I’ve met. That creates a shadow between me and God; it would be great to be in the light again.

      Here is just the help we need:— Jesus Christ tells us: “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” Jesus also promised: “If we confess our sins, He [Jesus] is faithful and just and will purify us forever.” Jesus provides our souls with light, clarity, and peace forever.