“A New Year, and a New Start”

Scripture: Titus 2:1-15

Well, Christmas is over, and a new year is just a few hours away. Some see this season as an opportunity to let bygones be bygones, and to welcome in a whole new approach to life – they call these “resolutions”. (Covenants are better than resolutions, though!) But desiring a change in your life, however that may be accomplished, is almost always the right decision! 2017 has been an interesting year for us all – new opportunities to embrace, but also memories of painful situations and struggles that we would just as soon leave behind. The good has been good, but that is what was – what about the “to come”?

The truth is, we are more comfortable with what is, regardless of what “it” may be, than is the unknown that awaits us. But tomorrow holds excitement; it holds out a handful of possibilities. So why not embrace it and look forward to what it may bring? Carefully, of course! We need to have a vision of tomorrow, and how to enter it in a right way, to know what to leave behind in yesterday, and what to claim as the new way for tomorrow.

Read Titus 2:1-5

Titus was one of those new people who would be instrumental in spreading the word of Jesus Christ throughout the world. And was he ever “new” – he was a Greek gentile who had learned of Christ’s great promise from Paul, and now he had been sent to Crete to share what he knew about Jesus with other new “possibilities” in Christ. (Galatians 2:1-3, Titus 1:5) His charge was to teach “sound doctrine” to this new congregation of the Church. Notice that it wasn’t to be his idea of what the church should be about, and it wasn’t to be his thoughts on what Christian doctrine should entail – it was to be based in the truths that Christ taught, and not those that the world advocates for.

This entire book outlines the truths that he is to be introducing to the people of Crete. Interestingly, Paul begins this chapter of instructions to Titus with what he is to teach to the “older men”, or elders of the community. These would be the living examples that others would follow, and who would, one day, become leaders of the Church. The changes that Christian ideals would work in their lives would easily spread to the rest of the community. Consider some of the things that they were to learn – temperance, or a sober life; that they should be worthy of respect, and not simply respectful of others; they should exhibit self-control in both their words and actions; they must be rigorous in faith, love and endurance. These last three work so well together – they call us to live in Christ’s way and not in ours, to be loving and not condemning, and to never give up on the first two!

The older women are second, because they will have the greatest influence with the younger women. This concept of older people being good examples for the younger has been lost in our society. Respect and honor has somehow been transferred to the younger generation, and our elders tend to be conveniently relegated to nursing homes and elder communities. The young of this day are, typically, reluctant to be influenced by old ideas, until, that is, they come to the realization that their ways don’t always work as well as they initially thought they would.

So what are the young women to learn from the older ones? Seemingly, their list of items are very similar to the men’s! To live in reverence, or faith; to avoid gossip and lies about others, or, more specifically, to be respectful of others; to be temperate – to avoid all sorts of excesses; to teach goodness, self-control, and to be industrious in all they do. They are to be respectful within their families, and a uniting influence for them all.

But even more than this, the attributes that each of these influential people are to adopt are very similar to those that the Jewish priests were called to exhibit. Paul seems to be advocating for both men and women to be leaders and influencers within the Christian church! And why not? They had influence within their families as well as society in general, so their involvement as leaders in the church was a natural extension of the life they were already living – they would just be doing it in a new way and for a new purpose.

Read Titus 2:6-10

But the teaching wasn’t to be restricted to only the elders – Titus was called to also teach younger men, as well as the slaves, which was a radical departure from the norm! The young had always learned from the elder members of their family, and slaves simply did what they were told to do. There was nothing that an outsider should, or could, teach them.

And yet, this was a new day and a new way for them all. Gentiles not only being welcomed into the faith, but actually becoming leaders and teachers for the Church; men and women being called to similar responsibilities; even slaves were being taught Christian principles and were expected to live them out just as their masters were.

The Church wasn’t just a new faith expression – it was becoming a new way of life. It was setting the old, worldly and human ways aside, and it would call the world to live Jesus’ words in John 3:17 – that he came, not to condemn, but to save. And even God’s law that had been given to Israel a millennia before, wasn’t to be torn down – the ways of Jesus were the fulfilling, the perfecting of the law (Matthew 5:17-20). He came to make all things new (Revelation 21:5). It wasn’t that the Church was throwing everything out and bringing in different ways and beliefs – it was reestablishing the truth of God that had always been.

Read Titus 4:11-15

And Paul concludes this chapter with the purpose behind the teachings that Titus is to offer to the people of Crete. And these items, while a major part of what is to be taught, do not come from living the righteous life, but rather are the reason for living in righteousness. It is a concise summary of what the gospel message is all about. 1) Christ has come to bring us the salvation that only God can convey. 2) Our response to Christ’s salvation must be our rejection of ungodly ways and the perverse ways of earth. 3) We learn to live the ways that Titus is to teach – to live with self-control, in righteous and Godly ways, in the here and now. 4) This life is our gift to God for the redeeming grace that we receive from Calvary, and 5) it all comes together in the hope that we have been given for the Christ’s return and the eternal life that faith in him will bring.

And Paul’s final word to Titus is that he is to teach and encourage the people in Christ’s ways, and to rebuke the ways and false teachings that would justify the conduct of earth. And not only is he given the charge to serve the Lord in this way, but he is granted the authority of God to do so!

This is the newness of Christ at work in our lives. No longer is salvation for Israel alone, but is offered for the entire world by faith in Jesus Christ. God’s favor no longer resides in adherence to the law, but in acceptance of the grace that is inherent to all who believe. The love of God in Christ no longer is reserved for those who live in perfection (which no one can actually do any way!). It is now bestowed on those who live faithfully. And finally, authority to share the gospel message does not come by position or rank or heritage or human decision – it comes to all who the Lord chooses to receive it. And who does God choose for this blessing? It rests upon all who will witness faithfully to what the Lord has given them.

Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” And yet, the lives we live, and the testimony that we share, is the very evidence that world seeks. Oh, it’s true, that the world can still accept or reject anything that they deem unfit, but the Church must continue to be the proof of Christ for each and every one.

The new year, and the possibilities that it brings, is nearly upon us, and the opportunities and the authority that Christ conveys, are within our call. The authority to proclaim the truth of Christ is ours. A vision of salvation is ours to share with the world, and not just with each other. And above it all is our responsibility to be the Church for the world, in this place and in this time.

It is a new year, and with it comes a new start for each of us. Whatever we have done, or haven’t done, in the past is inconsequential – the only issue for us today is how we intend to live from here on. 2018 is a year that is filled with hope and promise, if only we will accept it.

Happy New Year, and may it bring a sense of newness to your life.

“Rejoice!” (Christmas Eve worship)

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

If you ask folks what Christmas means for them, you will hear answers like 1) it’s a time to get family together, or 2) it’s a time for giving to others, or 3) it’s a time for parties with friends, maybe 4) it’s a time to shop ‘til you drop!, and for some, unfortunately 5) it’s a time of too much work, to much cost, and too many memories that hurt. Christmas has become a time for presents, and trees, and meals, and decorations that are better than the ones our neighbors put up. And, oh yes, I think that it might have something to do with Jesus?

Christmas has, for most of the world, been secularized to the point that all the joy that it should possess has been wrung out until the holiday is so dry and purposeless that it seldom ever bears a resemblance to that holy night so long ago.

So what should Christmas be about?

Read Luke 2:1-20

There had been many prophecies regarding this day, but very few were joyful. Micah 5:2 proclaimed that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, a small suburb of royal Jerusalem, and not in the holy city itself. Isaiah 7:14 said that Messiah would be born to a virgin – as if anyone in their right mind would believe that story! Of course, Isaiah also prophesized that “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2) He also said that Messiah would have glory – in Isaiah 9:6-7 we read that he will come as a child, but that he would have all power within his grasp. “He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” And it didn’t end there – the good words continued on. But most of the words that the prophets offered were dire and painful – (Isaiah 53) he would be rejected by his own people, he would be betrayed (Psalm 41:9), he would be tried and condemned, and wouldn’t even defend himself (Isaiah 53:7-8), and that he would be crucified and die at the hands of sinners (Psalm 22:16-18), but Israel managed to forget most of the negative, and only focused on the majestic and royal.

And in their misdirected thinking, they would miss out on the most joyful period in their history. They missed out on experiencing the very promise of deliverance that they had watched for during the previous centuries. Why did most people fail to see the most incredible entry that this world had ever known? Simply because it didn’t match their expectations and beliefs.

But the coming of the Son of God was truly an overwhelmingly joyful event, even while struggle and opposition threatened to destroy God’s plan. Take Mary as an example.

Here is a young, unmarried, common, and poor girl, promised for marriage to a local man, who receives a visit from the angel Gabriel with a message for her from the great Yahweh Himself. This girl, a youth who was without any personal resources or royal lineage or glorious future for herself, had been chosen to give birth to the Messiah. Today, an unmarried and pregnant teenager may not seem so unusual, but in that day and in that society, this was a sign of adultery, and the punishment was death by stoning – no exception. And yet, Mary received this honor with grace and joy.

In Luke 1:46-55, we read of her song of praise. It begins with these words - “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Might One has done great things for me – holy is his name.” She believed, she accepted, and she rejoiced that she had been chosen by her God to be his blessed servant.

And then there was her intended, Joseph. An honorable man who loved this young woman dearly. He had begun preparing for their life together, creating a home, and developing a trade to support her and the family they would have together! But she told him that she was pregnant through the most unbelievable story he had ever heard. She should be stoned for her sin, and yet, his love for her never wavered. He decided to quietly break their engagement, and allow her to live, somewhere, alone.
But God’s plan didn’t include their separation – Joseph was to continue to love her, and to discover his love for the Child, and to care for them both throughout his life. So the Lord sent his angel with a second message for him. He was to let go of his fear, for the child who was growing within Mary was, indeed, a gift by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph was to love them both, and when the child was born, he was to take responsibility as the boy’s father, giving him the name Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-22)

He had struggled – with fear for his wife-to-be, and, undoubtedly, a little for himself; the unsettled sense of her apparent betrayal in their relationship and their commitment to each other; knowledge of what the law demanded and how unfair it seemed to be. And in spite of it all, Joseph’s love for Mary and the great expectation that he had for their life together, survived and triumphed through the glorious gift that Yahweh had given them. He, too, believed, and accepted, and rejoiced, that together they had been chosen as God’s special servants.

Shepherds, too, would be scared half to death, and yet this same joy caused them to leave their sheep behind to go to find their Savior. (Luke 2:8-20) Magi from many miles away would marvel at the signs that proclaimed the Savior’s birth, and then led them for many days so that they, too, could worship at the Christ Child’s side. (Matthew 2:1-12) And nothing – not King Herod’s hatred, not the Pharisees’ misplaced dependence on their interpretation of the law, not the ignorance and hard hearted lives that resided in the people – nothing could interrupt God’s plan or the joy that believers experienced.

On Friday, we had about 30 folks who took a bus trip to Lancaster, PA to visit Sight and Sound – a Christian company that presents the most incredible stage shows you will ever see. We attended their production of “The Miracle of Christmas”, and every one of us was blown away. The acting, the music, the choreography, the staging, the live animals – everything contributed to this wonderful story of God’s personal entry into the lives of humanity. For me, the most powerful moment was when the innkeeper’s wife reluctantly helped to deliver the Christ Child in the stable. When the child was born, she picked the baby up, marveling at this new life, and quickly coming to the realization that this child was different than the other babies she had known.
It was his eyes, she said, that struck her first, and slowly, the truth of this birth began to filter into both her and her husband’s lives, and suddenly, they realized that this child that she was holding in her arms was the long awaited Messiah! But then, reality began to set in – she was holding God’s own in her arms, and yet, she was a sinner – unworthy of such an act. What might the Lord do to her for this arrogant act? She begins to quickly walk back to Mary, prepared to give the child back to his mother, saying “I’m unworthy, a sinner – I must not even touch this child!” And Mary replies “But you’re wrong – you are the reason he has come!”

At that, I began to choke up, remembering that the Child of Bethlehem had also come into this world to save that unworthy sinner named Bill Prentice. We sometimes say that Christ came for the salvation of the world, but the truth is that he came to save each and every individual person of the world, not to just offer some general “Y’all come” to humanity. And each and every one of us must be like Joseph and Mary – to set our own fears, and reluctances, and prejudices, and failures, and misconceptions aside, so that the joy and truth of Christmas might rise up in our life to bring us the greatest blessing that we will even know!

And just as Christ’s offer of salvation to us is individual, so must our acceptance of his offer. It isn’t what our parents have done, it has nothing to do with what our husband or wife has done – it is whether we are willing to set our fears, our misunderstandings, our sin aside in favor of welcoming Messiah into our life, too. If you have never had the opportunity to discover the fullness of Christmas joy, tonight is the night. If you have never given your life to Christ, or wish to renew and refresh your joy in him, I would be honored to lead you in a prayer of surrender to the Lord’s way.

Lord of heaven and Lord of my life, I have avoided you for much too long. I know that I have sinned. I know that I am unworthy to reach out to you. I know that I’m unworthy to even ask, but Lord, I need you today. I will no longer close the door when you call, and I gratefully accept your gift of salvation.
I praise you Lord for coming to earth to save me. I believe that you are the Son of God who died on the cross of Calvary to free me from my sin, and who rose to new life, promising me that same new life. I believe that your words are true, and that by the power of your Spirit, I can live the life you have created for me.
Come into my life and my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior today. Amen.

May you know the joy that sustained that young couple of Nazareth over 2000 years ago, and may the glory of Christ bath you during this Christmas season.

“The Restoring Light”

Scripture: John 1:6-14

John’s Gospel begins as no other does – it begins with the time that was before all time, with that which existed before anything else did, with the Life that is the source of all life. It speaks about the Light that came to dispel the darkness, and the truth that the darkness couldn’t understand. John begins his book of Good News, not with the Hope itself, but rather with the source and proclamation of that Hope.

This gospel will speak of the power of God that came to earth in flesh, and how it came to bless and enrich the lives of humanity. And today’s text doesn’t begin with the coming of that blessing, or with our need of that power, or even how this Godly flesh can enrich us. It begins with the one who would introduce this Hope to the people of Israel, and ultimately to all of earth. It begins with “another” who was sent by God.

Read John 1:6-9

This book treats John differently than do the other 3 gospels – it doesn’t speak of his human relationship to Jesus, it doesn’t refer to him as a baptizer, it doesn’t even call him a prophet – it reveals John solely as a witness to the Light that has come into the world.

The reason for any witness has one, and only one purpose – and that is to publically proclaim the truth. Whether in a court room, or in service to the Lord, it is seldom our own idea – we are called, summoned, to reveal the truth to others. We can always refuse to cooperate in either court or faith, but there will always be consequences to our denial of the call.

The prophets of the Old Testament were called to proclaim, and they did. The world, in general, didn’t want to hear those words, and tried to suppress them with every means at their disposal, but the “called of God” remained faithful to the Lord’s desire, which would turn the world against them. That has been the case since the beginning of time, and the world will hate the Truth until the end of all time. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me, but that narrowness of thought still exists, none-the-less.

But regardless of what the world may think or do, the Light of God will continue to shine and illuminate all that is, and will, at the same time, reveal all that is not. Our gospel tells us that John was not the light itself, but came to show us the way to the light of God’s truth. What an incredible opportunity – to be God’s witness to the people of earth! The call to witness to Divine truth is a gift unlike any other, but how many times do people see it as an obligation instead of a joy? Certainly, it is a great responsibility, but being a witness to the Lord’s presence and activity should be the cause for ecstasy, for elation, to experience the thrill of this lifetime! That was John’s attitude to his call, and it should be ours, too.

The call to share the Light and Word and Truth of God with the people of earth should be the greatest joy that we will ever know.

Read John 1:10-13

The darkness that tries to suppress the light will never, can never, overcome it. Darkness may surround the light, it may make it difficult for us to find the light, it may even think that it is more powerful than the light, but nothing – nothing - is greater than the Light. Light dispels the darkness and it will never be the other way around - the dark of earth can never stand against the light of Almighty God.
But the darkness is blinding! It makes us believe that nothing else exists. It obscures the truth, and as we venture further and further into its gloom, it is so easy to believe that this is all that there is. That is when a “witness to the light” becomes so important for the blinded of earth. That is where we find John.

God had created the world, but when he came into the world, the created order that owed him so much had become so engrained in their own brand of truth, their own depth of darkness, that when the Truth of God finally arrived, they thought that it was Satan’s deception. Even those who had been chosen by God to be a blessing to the rest of the world refused him. In Genesis 22:15-18, the angel of the Lord tells Abraham “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” God’s blessing comes to us through obedience to his commands.

And because of the imposing darkness, Israel fell away from obedience. Jesus himself would one day tell a parable about what this disobedience would bring (Matthew 21:33-42). Those who refuse the Lord’s way will be left where they are - in the darkness - but the light of God will bath the faithful. The people had to be shown the way back – but by who? Who, indeed! It would, first, be by the Lord’s chosen witness John, and later by the disciples, and now by the Church!

John, and all who will witness to the glory of Jesus Christ, will be the ones who point the way toward the light and the truth of God. And why should the people of earth believe them? Because those who would accept that redirection for their lives will come to know, not just the name and way of God, but will live within the heart of God. The gospel writer tells us that when we receive the Light, we become “children of God” – not children in a human way, not like God’s children, but truly and fully His children in a way that only God can. Later in John’s gospel, Jesus will have a conversation with a Pharisee by the name of Nicodemus, where He will tell us even more about this new relationship as a child of God, and how it comes into our lives. (John 3:1-21)

Read John 1:14

The Word, the “Logos”, Messiah, the Christ, would leave glory and take on the fleshly covering of earth. He would become, not only like us, but would become one of and with us. Those who believe in this truth - this Light of God, and who will follow and proclaim this truth throughout the world of darkness, will come to know his glory for themselves.

We have become the called to be his witness to the world. And just like John, even though we aren’t the light that we testify to, even though we may not have a total understanding of what the Light can be for us, we are to carry it, and shine it, and share it with those who are hopelessly lost in the darkness of unbelief. Christmas is the time when we refocus our lives on that call, on our witness, and on how that light came to be in this place.

This Christmas season is a time to refresh the joy that may have begun to ebb from our lives, and to find the “Merry” of Christmas once again. May each of us find that child-like joy in Christ.

“Who Would You Be in the Lord?”

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:8-15

Jesus’ coming has always been misunderstood. And it doesn’t matter if we are talking about the first coming or the second – there have always been those who tried to make it out to be something completely different than God ever intended it to be. In Jesus’ day, there were those who had their own expectations of Messiah – that he would be an all-powerful Warrior King; that he would immediately destroy all of Israel’s enemies; that Israel would finally receive the glory and honor that had been promised. (1 Samuel 2:10). And in their ignorance, they completely missed the coming of God’s Truth.

And there is just as much misunderstanding over His second coming. Some claim that it is a fairy tale (even though it isn’t); others believe that they know the exact day and time (they don’t, of course!); still others believe that at His coming, everyone will be restored and welcomed into the grace and glory of the King (but they won’t); and even though there are a number of passages in scripture that address Christ’s Return, no one can possibly imagine what that day will actually be like.

Peter’s second letter to the Church was a warning about the false teachers of that day, and how their lies could only lead the people away from the truth of Christ. His advice was to look to the word of the true prophets for all they needed to know about the Lord, and to trust in nothing else.

Read 2 Peter 3:8-9

Some of the false teachers were claiming that the “coming” was a lie, because the time had passed them by. The general belief had been that Christ would come during that first generation of believers, and since most of them had already died, the lie that Christ would never come began to spread. The one truth that they had missed was that God’s “time” and God’s “soon” have nothing to do with our definitions of either word. Peter offers a clarification on the matter, but it is also one that makes little sense in worldly terms. How could a day and a thousand years possibly be the same?

The truth behind Peter’s explanation is this: God is timeless. The Lord was before time ever existed, and will be after time, along with every other aspect of creation, ceases to be. Time, quite simply, is a human measurement of change in the created order, but if aging, and renewing and birth and death don’t exist, neither can time. For the Lord God Almighty, time is completely irrelevant! So what could “soon” possibly mean to the Lord?

The word simply establishes a point of reference – that Christ’s return is on its way and will occur at some point in our future. It means that the first “day of arrival came at God’s initiating, not the world’s, and the second precious and long awaited “day” will arrive when all is ready for Christ to reappear. And what is the purpose of this delay? It means that God is being patient until all is ready, and so must we. He has a plan that we may not understand, but we must believe that it is for the opportunity of salvation for all - and not by our actions, but by faith. (Habakkuk 2:13-14)

Read 2 Peter 3:10-13

Scripture is full of hints as to the signs that Christ’s return is imminent. The entire 24th chapter of Matthew’s gospel addresses this issue, and apparently the “false teachers” – those in Peter’s day as well as those in ours - either never read it, or they choose to ignore it. Either way, the day of the Lord’s return is on its way, whether the people of earth wish to admit it or not! And Peter gives a few more clues for the doubters, and what does he tell them?

1. No one will ever know the day and time before it occurs. Jesus wants us to be ready now, and not to wait until the last minute. And why is that? Because we are to be involved in his ministry while we wait for that glorious day.

2. Everything that we know will be destroyed. No more sun or moon or stars. No more land or seas or planets. No more lies, or hatred or anything else, for that matter. The Lord’s rebuilding will be absolute and complete.

3. But until that day arrives, we wait – not with fear and inactivity, but in great anticipation and active ministry.

And Peter asks the question that we all have probably considered at some point and time in our lives – what do we do while we wait? And Peter’s answer is about as specific as Jesus’ would have been – “live holy and Godly lives”. Since creation is going to be destroyed, which in turn will open the way for the Judgment of imperfection to begin, we need to begin cleansing our own lives. Holy and Godly lives are incompatible with earthly life – they cannot exist side by side. So the one way that Peter calls us to live, is that which is not of this world. The Church has been called and set aside for Christian love and ministry, not for the world’s brand of social justice.

During this time of waiting, the Church is supposed to be spreading the word of Almighty God, and not the false ways of earth. And when we are faithful servants of the Lord Jesus, and when we share his gospel of salvation with the people of earth, eternal life will come sooner than later for the “full number of the Gentiles” that Romans 11:25 speaks about. And that will be the only thing that can hasten the Day of the Lord’s return. That day will be characterized by the destruction of the heavens and earth by the purifying, the cleansing fire of God, which will clear the way for the coming of righteousness and holiness for both our home and our lives. The hope of Christ’s return will become a reality.

The false teaching of earth cannot stop the Lord’s coming, but if we buy into those lies, it will, without question, put that glorious day off until all does come to fruition.

Read 2 Peter 2:14-15

In our faith and expectation, we work in an attempt to be “found”. This brings the opportunity for a choice on our part. Peter is telling us that we can either be found faithful by God on his return, or we can continue to be lost in the lies and ways of earth. It would seem that “free will” will fight against us right up until the last moment before Jesus. And the disciple lays it all out for us – the return of the Lord will be a complete surprise, so we need to be prepared for His return now. And how are we to be when he finds us? Spotless, blameless, and at peace with God.

And in case you are wondering just how you will ever get to that place in life, we can't! The truth is that, for now, committed faith in Christ, and showing the love that comes from following his commandments, will be sufficient – at least until the day of cleansing comes through the fire of God. And then we will discover the spotlessness, and blamelessness, and peacefulness that only God can provide.

Who and how must we be as we wait upon the day of Christ? Patiently faithful! No more and no less. Patient, because we believe in that day and all that it will bring. Faithful, because the lies that some tell can only lead us away from the glory that is on its way.

Can we be any different than the one God created us, and calls us, to be?

“Come, and Come Quickly!”

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. While the word “advent” symbolizes the first “arrival” of Jesus Christ, it can also refer to the long awaited arrival – the second coming – of Christ. But why would the arrival of Christ – both the first and the second – be so important for us? Why is this season to be a special and intentional period of worship?

In the next few weeks leading up to Christmas, we will consider the day that is to come – what it will be like and how we are to wait for its coming. We will see what we can discover about the One who is on His way, how we will know that it is truly Him, and what He will be bringing with him. But today, we consider the need for not only Christ’s coming, but more importantly, for God’s presence in our lives.

This season is a time of great anticipation, and rightly so. The Lord is on His way to bless us in ways that we can’t even imagine. But why should we need God in such a personal and intimate way? Isn’t the mere fact that God IS sufficient?

Read Isaiah 64:1-3

The prophet is remembering how their great Jehovah had been with them in bygone days. He remembered how the Lord had become visible and personal to the people during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, and he knew that the nation needed that intimate Divine Presence once again. God had provided the way for Israel to cross the sea, even while he held the army of Egypt at bay. (Exodus 14:10-31) He revealed Himself and His word to Moses, for the benefit of the people, on Mount Sinai. (Exodus 19:20-20:21) He led them for 40 years in a Cloud by day, and a Pillar of fire at night. (Exodus 13:21-22) The power of God was made real to the people throughout the journey, even when the people were disobedient.

And now, the people were facing calamity once again, and they needed to know that their Lord was still with them. But now, God is being asked to reveal Himself, not only to the people, but also to their enemies. Isaiah knows that no one can stand against the mighty name of their Jehovah God, and if their tormenters could just see who is on the side of Israel, they would fall before Him.

If the prophet only knew. The revealing of Almighty God to the world had always been in the Divine plan, but Israel would have to experience another few centuries of struggle before that day would actually come. God would come to them again, but not in symbolic ways, such as in fire and cloud and wind – he would come in human flesh – He would arrive as one of them.

And by coming in this way, not only could He be known, but He could make the Father known, too. (John 14:6-7) God would no longer be impersonal; He would no longer be remote; He could no longer be misunderstood – He could only be ignored! Emmanuel – “God with us” – is heaven’s answer to Isaiah’s plea “O that you would rend the heavens and come down”!

Read Isaiah 64:4-6

God works for those who wait for him – which is unshakable evidence that no one has ever seen a god quite like Him. And in that proclamation, the relationship that God is creating for us begins to develop. Who receives the benefit of the Lord’s work? Is it everyone? Does the entire world benefit from that “rending" of heaven's fabric?

Not exactly. The prophet tells us that it is those who “gladly do right”, and remember “Godly ways”. Notice that it isn’t just doing right that pleases the Lord – it’s gladly doing right. It isn’t solely the act, but the attitude that we have while doing it! And it isn’t just doing good things – it’s doing them in and through God’s never ending and never changing way.

The world gets confused over these issues, and tries to do their things in their ways! And in our failure to follow the Lord - and His call - and His ways, the prophet tells us that we sin. And we also read that sin angers God! Those things that we do can make the greatest power in all the universe, can make the God of Creation, can make the very One who is being asked to leave heaven and come to help us, angry! Why would anyone intentionally do that?
Quite honestly, it doesn’t happen through an honest and intelligent decision – it can only occur in either the denial that our choices are wrong, or in the mistaken thought that God is wrong – both of which are sadly lacking in wisdom!

And just in case we miss his point, Isaiah goes deeper in his discussion of how sinfulness affects us. In our sin, he says, our lives have no meaning – even when we do good things. Isaiah says we are “unclean”, like “filthy rags”. I have a number of old, retired hand towels that I use to clean my hands after working outside, and to clean tools that get oily or covered in dirt. Once upon a time, they were nice, attractive towels that had purpose in the house, but now, they don’t even go inside to be washed – I do that in a bucket out in the yard! And you might think that once they are clean, they can become useful again to my wife as towels in the house. Think again! They are no longer worthy of any dignified use. The only future those towels have is once they are no longer of any use to me, they will go in the trash.

And the filth in our lives, our sinfulness, if it remains, will destroy any hope that we might have in the One who throws open the gates of heaven for us.

Read Isaiah 64:7-9

There is no hope for this world, unless the God of Glory responds to Isaiah’s plea. And He did. The Lord our God is no longer hidden; is no longer angry; is no longer condemning. Our lives condemn us, but by faith and obedience in the God who left heaven to come down in flesh, we will not only be redeemed, but those old, filthy rags that we call “life” will be taken away, and will be replaced with glorious robes of righteous love. (Zechariah 3:1-9)

That is what Christ is for the world. The One who left glory, and honor, and praise behind, the One who caused the gates of heaven to be flung wide open, the One who welcomes all – not through their own good works, not by their social justice, not by their personal wisdom, not by their love of the world and its ways, and not through justification of the life they live. The gates have been opened wide for those who live as the prophet Micah describes – who “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly” with the Lord. (Micah 6:8) Salvation isn’t found in what we do for the world – it’s found in how we live for and in Jesus.

Isaiah plead for Christ to come, and after He came and suffered for our sins, He then returned to His glory, calling us to carry on His ministry and word for the world. But Christmas, with its celebration of that coming, isn’t the last word for us. There will be another coming – one that will change everything, one that will make everything new, one that will fully answer Isaiah’s plea – to rend the heavens and come through that tear to be with us. He will make the mountains tremble, He will burn up the rubble of earth, the nations will tremble at His name, and He will reveal Himself and His truth to the entire world – to His friends and foes alike.

Are each of us prepared to wait in the Lord’s way – faithful to His word and joyful in His call?

Come Lord Jesus, and may the day of Your return come soon!