Kings, Pagans and the God-baby. Part 4
19But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,20saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead." 21And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: "He shall be called a Nazarene."
God’s plan rests in Mary’s arms, God’s plan rests in Joseph’s leadership. What kind of a man is Joseph? What kind of a woman is Mary? Ordinary people caught up in this massive story, ordinary people who would listen to God.
Herod died. He’s just a man. God’s son outlasted him. God won.
And yet, there is doubt and confusion on Josephs part. Scared of Herods son, he goes and lives somewhere else.
But this is ok. Josephs doubting is ok, because even in his doubt and semi-faith, God’s plan has succeeded. God knew his fears, and sent him to Nazareth instead.
Human scheming and plans have failed, ultimately. Herod is dead, gone the way of all men. But this
heaven-sent child is carried through all this turmoil safely.
Because God is in control.
Do you know this?
I mean, really know it?
Can you understand that God is in control, and he is bringing about salvation?
Because Herod is not the King of the Jews. He’s not the messiah.
The message of Christ is that all things – even the most horrific of deeds – are written as parts in God’s script. The great big story of the world, where Jesus is the hero.
This is good news! This is the story we can become a part of! The God we follow, the road we walk, the adventure we live! What part in God’s story are you going to take? If you know that the hero is Jesus the Nazarene, why not follow him!
For me, it means daily reminding myself that I am not in control, that I am not God. Because I find it so tempting to try and manipulate my world. I struggle with the temptation to accumulate as much money as I can, because as a student I don’t really know where its all gonna come from. I’ve got fees to pay, a car to afford and a life to live. So for me its really tempting to just hoard money.
But knowing God is in control, knowing that his plan is salvation for all people frees my money. I can then tithe, I can then give my money to charity, or invest in my friends lives, give my time and money for the encouragement of others.
The state of the economy doesn’t dictate how much I’m, willing to give – God does.
And yeah, actually one day that might mean I fall on hard times.
But that’s ok, because God is in control!
That might be true for you, or God might lead you in another way.
For me, it also means that I’m not freaked out when the government fails, or leaders break their promises. God is bigger than parliament. God is bigger than ‘Liberal or Conservative’ ‘them or us’. But when I know I am part of God’s story, I have the power of the Spirit to work through all things for the kingdom of God.
Perhaps it’s tempting to think that if God is in control, I don’t need to ‘do’ anything. If God is in control, why do I need to share Jesus, why do I need to go to church, why do I need to pray, why complain against unfair laws, or write letters to the MP?
Because when we know God is in control, what we receive is an invitation. An invitation to become part of something bigger than ourselves! Our work, rest, and play all become part of God’s story to save the world. How amazing is that!
(pause) I wonder where this meets your life?
Knowing God is in control, and that he will always cause his plan to succeed. What does that change for you, this new year?
All the failures and broken promises of Copenhagen – God is in control
Who’s going to win the next election? – God is in control
Is the pound up or down? – God is in control
Am I going to lose my job? – God is in control
Will I get the grades? – God is in control
Will my children get into the right school? God is in control
What does this mean, for you?
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Kings, Pagans and the God-baby. Part 3
13Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." 14And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son."
16Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
18 "A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more."
So this psycho king decides to kill children. This is a little bit hard to believe, I know, but bare in mind He killed several of his own children and wives because he was afraid of losing his throne to them!
This is nothing new. The Romans knew all about killing each other to protect their power. The legendary murder of Julius Caesar, wars and sieges were how you ‘made yourself’ in Rome.
Instead of worship, as Herod promised, there is death. Herod will not bow the knee, he will bring the sword. A politician in the Roman empire. He’s nothing new. Herod, the king of the Jews, doesn’t look any different to the roman oppressors.
And this whole drama explodes because of the birth of one baby boy.
All this violence, betrayal, blood and weeping.
But that doesn’t matter to Joseph, asleep.
Peaceful
Normal.
But here, two worlds will collide.
The world of politics and power meets the ordinary lives of an ordinary family.
‘Run, Run to Egypt, run for your life!’
Because the Empire is not how God works. God is not a politician, nor an economist, nor a billionaire, nor a general. The powers and rulers of this world don’t ‘get it’. They don’t get who this Jesus is. Is he a Conservative or a Liberal? Is he for us or for them?
No, he’s a baby boy. A special baby boy, who is the hope of the world.
The Roman Empire knows only violence. The only way it can succeed and maintain peace is with it’s swords, guns, bombs, money and threats.
But the Saviour of the World is a baby who hides in Egypt.
Whilst Herod slaughters the children. The Empire murders the innocent. To protect itself, to maintain peace!
Where were you, God? Where were you when they took my son! Where were you when they killed my family, when I lost everything?!
God was in Egypt. And he is about to make his debut in the world. What’s it gonna look like?
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Kings, Pagans and the God-baby. Part 2
9After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures,they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. (Matthew 2:9-12)
The strange guiding star in the sky, which has enticed these mystics to travel for so long finally leads them to their destination. These wandering astrologers are led to a baby. And they worship this baby.
Now, throughout the Old Testament the Israelites are told to worship only God, who is unseen! Yet strange men bow before a crying, pooping, eating, sleeping baby! No one stops them, nor protests when strange gifts are presented.
Gold, for royalty. Frankincense for prayers and myrrh for the grave. Confusing.
Is this baby supposed to be God, or a king, or a priest or is he to suffer? Well he can’t be all four. Can he?
What if these pagans knew something the religious leaders did not, something that made the city afraid, something that threatened Herod and his kingdom. Far from the world of roman politics, is this small worship setting. Away from the blood and slander, far from the betrayal and lies in the senate.
Strange, dangerous, risky. What if the neighbours saw what was happening? What if the leader of the synagogue knew?
No, that doesn’t matter now. This strange child is bigger than all of that. God is bigger than all of that. All our ideas about the way things are and the ways things should be… changed. Because God has broken a 400 year silence. And we don’t know what to expect.
But there is joy to be had. This is a baby worth celebrating. Worth giving extravagant gifts to.
It’s all a little bit ridiculous. The promised saviour has come, and some random foreigners are the only ones who mark the occasion.
What, was Herod blind? Could he not see that God was about to do something?
Maybe he could, maybe he just didn’t like it.
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Kings, Pagans and the God-baby. Part 1
1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." 3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.'"7Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." (Matthew 2:1-8)
The king has come! Finally, it’s been 400 years since God last spoke to his people through the prophet Malachi. 400 years of silence. The Assyrians, Greeks, Romans have all conquered the land. God’s people are forgotten, they have been ruled over by foreign powers for centuries.
The king has come! And these strange characters from the east show up in town, stir up trouble. They want to come worship this child. But who worships kings? These men don’t quite get it, do they? Kings don’t get worshipped… God does. Good religious people certainly do not worship other people! The Romans worship their emperor, but the Jews refuse to. No wonder the city has been stirred up!
The king has come! It’s been a long time, but oh how we have longed for it. Longed to be free, longed for God to come near to us, longed for God to listen to us again. The promises of Malachi, that the ‘sun of righteousness would rise with healing in his wings’ are empty words. Bitter to taste.
But there is already a king of the Jews. The Romans ruled by setting up local rulers. Herod was a king, given his power by the Roman Empire. The Empire ruled everything-it went on forever! So what is there to do, obey the empire? Surrender to the king? Hope in your heart that God will save the day.
Another world away, in Bethlehem a young family have just started out. A newly wedded couple and their first son. What could be better? Imagine the busyness, Joseph working, Mary nursing this child. Suddenly this boy has become this new couple’s entire world! You know how it is, ever seen it? When new birth happens, it changes everything.
But not Jerusalem. Not the Empire.
Trouble is being stirred, the rulers and powers of this world are afraid. Because if news of this king, born of the line of David gets out it could be enough for the Jews to rise up against their roman oppressors. Herod would lose his throne, his world would come crashing down around him in a rush of nationalistic pride.
Because of these strange foreigners.
Herod’s self-ambition, the misguided religion of these mystics and a small baby boy. Did they know they were part of a story which was to change the world?
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On the third day (Remembering God’s Grace)
Sunday has been a very significant day for Christians. The reason we have traditionally held church worship on this day is because it is the day of Jesus’ resurrection.
New life and new hope came on Sunday.
This week, I'm thankful for the way in which God has inspired me. I wrote a sermon for my church, and a drama and some prayers. I completely did not deserve to have God do that, but for the building up of his church, God did it for me.
And more than that, I actually quite enjoyed it. Engaging with and struggling through the text brought be a great sense of joy, peace. That satisfied feeling you get from doing what you love. God gave me that gift, through preaching and leading worship.
He also provided me with enough money to fill my petrol tank, and also kept me safe when driving on the ice.
Fond friends encouraged me this week, also, and helped me when I was worried about my sermon.
I am thankful for many things this week
God is good.
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Singleness, Discipleship and the story of God
At the moment I'm reading a really interesting book, 'Resident Aliens' by Stanley Hauerwas and William H. Willimon. This book is full of fantastic wisdom and provoking thoughts for Christians living in countries like mine where the Church has ceased to have a moral majority in society.
One specific passage really challenged me:
If our society has lost good reasons for getting married and having children, we appear even more so to have lost good reasons for staying single. About the best we can muster, in regard to staying single, is that we do not want to be "tied down," or we want "to keep our options open." Yet for those who are on the adventure called discipleship, singleness becomes a sign that the church lives by hope rather than biological heirs, that brothers and sisters come not through natural generation but through baptism, that the future of the world and the significance of our future is ultimately up to God rather than us. The telos, the end, gives meaning to our choices. Ultimately there is for us only one good reason to get married or to stay single, namely, that this has something to do with our discipleship. (Page 66)
Now, if you're still here, some reflection.
I suppose I am guilty of regarding singleness for the kingdom of God in rather the same way I would regard it in relation to a career: So I can be better at what I do. In the way someone might stay single to devote time to a job, I thought I would remain single in order to devote time to Church.
Though this does not seem to be the case.
God does not need me to remain single in order to devote more time to his Church. Frankly, he doesn't need me to do anything for his Church. It is his body which I have the privilege of being a part of.
Then, if I am called to singleness in my journey of discipleship - my journey of becoming more like Christ, perhaps the way in which God is moulding me is to be a beacon of faith, faith that the Church exists by faith and not by procreation.
Now, thats not to say those who marry are not saying that, and marriage is discussed very helpfully in the book. Marriage is the faith that in God's kingdom, it is safe and reasonable to become intimate with one person for your whole life, when the world would have us become strangers.
Marriage demonstrates to me that true, intimate community can exist because of God. Then I am single to demonstrate that this community exists by faith and obedience.
This book is a great challenge to stop engaging the world on the worlds terms (Liberal, Conservative, Secular, Religious...) and to start engaging with God in his redeeming story, reflecting his character and shining his glory.
Peace.
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Christmas Eve
The people who walked in darknesshave seen a great light;those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,on them has light shined.(Isaiah 9:2)
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A Discontented Prayer
Dear Lord.
I want to be found.
I want to be discovered.
I want to be known.
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winter wonderland // frozen wilderness
It's snowing in december!
This may not seem a big deal for people not in the UK, but over here it snows once a year if you're lucky, and then usually in february or march. And where I am, the snow has been here a few days now.
I remember looking out on this unexpected white blanket when daylight was enough that I could examine the vast expanse of now alien landscape before me.
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On the third day (Remembering God’s Grace)
Sunday has been a very significant day for Christians. The reason we have traditionally held church worship on this day is because it is the day of Jesus’ resurrection.
New life and new hope came on Sunday.
God has brought me safely through the week. I saw a dear old friend, had a wonderful meal with my college, finished some work, prepared a carol service and participated in the sketch.
God has been good, giving me strength, resolve and hope to be able to do all these things.
He has kept me safe from sin and placed people in my path this week who would sit and listen to me.
The snow and ice have not harmed me, and I have been able to bless people by offering them lifts when they might otherwise be stuck inside.
He provided me with enough money to afford the petrol home, given me patience with which to bless my parents and the peace in my heart which ends my stress.
I am blessed and I am a blessing. I am blessed to be a blessing.
Merry Christmas.
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