Lengthening LENT

I have a personal fascination with commemorative events on the Christian calendar.

There is just something beautiful about walking through certain events in the life of Jesus when He was on earth – His birth, death, resurrection and ascension, or understanding the symbolic practices the Jewish people carried out in remembrance of God’s deliverance and faithfulness. Significant dates are made all the richer when time is taken to fully appreciate the history behind and cultural context that surrounded them!

Furthermore, the stipulated period of time leading up to an event, as opposed to just a single day, gives me the much-needed time in reflection and preparation before the oft-busy season descends on the church.

It hardly seemed two months ago that Advent preceded Christmas, and now we are already into the second week of Lent.

Lent what, you may ask?

Foreign as this term may be to some of us, Lent actually is one of the oldest observations on the Christian calendar. Historically in Western Christianity, Lent is the 40-day period, not counting Sundays, lasting from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. This is a time set aside in preparation for Easter, to be spent in quiet self-examination and repentance of sin, demonstrated by self-denial of some form – usually fasting. These forty days are an imitation of Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days before He was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-2).

Lent is more commonly observed by churches with a more liturgical tradition, while it comes and goes without a mention for others. Although we may frown upon the ritualistic observances and mandatory adherence to a fast that are practiced in some places, Lent can possibly be adopted as a useful period for reflection and taking stock for us. It offers us ways to ‘lengthen’ the Good Friday and Easter season through the time of meditation on the deep significance of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection for our own lives and for the world.

For the more convicted, this might be an appropriate time to be involved in prayer and daily fasting. For others, it might be a call to give up a coffee or meal each week or even ‘fasting’ from the media such as television, computer games, or lifestyle magazines. Quite often, our bodily appetites control our actions. The purpose of fasting is to make our bodily appetites our servant rather than our master. The emphasis ought not to be so much on the fasting in and of itself, as on the spiritual renewal desired as Easter approaches through the cultivation of humility and reliance on the Father. The purpose of Lent is fulfilled when the desire is created in us to do God’s will and to make His kingdom come by making it come first of all in our hearts.

Today in our day, age, and church culture, Lent can become a purposeful time when material things are put again in their proper secondary position; when we make the effort to adjust our lenses to sharpen our ability to see the spiritual in our daily lives. If we missed the opportunity twice over in the new years recently passed to contemplate the year past and set resolutions, this can be an opportune time to take that long overdue spiritual inventory as we reflect upon our present position in the journey and double-check our directions. However, more than just mental resolutions to do better, this time of personal readjustment can be about yielding ourselves afresh to the God who demands to be obeyed, and identifying again with the Saviour who makes all things new…

Go ahead and take up the challenge to spend protected time with the Lord in the days leading up to Easter beginning today. Give something up, or simplify an area of life. And in doing so, not let the busyness of our lives and the season be yet another excuse for the irony of missing the very One we want to celebrate and worship.

35 Days to Easter!

The Mind of a Servant

Jesus knowing that...
the Father had given all things into His hands,
and that He was come from God,
and went to God;
He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments
...and began to wash the disciples’ feet.
John 13:3-5

Dedication Sunday took place last Sunday and each year, I find a quiet joy receiving the prayer of blessing as we corporately dedicate our service afresh to the Lord’s work and people. The reminder of His faithful sustaining in the year past and the necessity for dependence on God in the journey ahead in yet another year, is needful. It also brought to mind some personal reflections on service during a bible study we had at the YF ExCo Leaders’ Retreat not too long ago.

We were looking at the all-too-familiar passage in John, chronicling the account of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples the night before His crucifixion. Without a doubt, humility was at the very core of Jesus’ words and actions. John, in recording this event, does not gloss over the details. He makes it a point to carefully narrate each step Jesus takes in the entire process - Him rising from the supper, laying aside His outer garment, taking a linen cloth, tying it around His waist to be used to dry their feet after the wash, pouring water into a basin, before finally proceeding to do the deed. One can almost imagine the scene playing out in slow motion, with each deliberate step a literal and figurative stripping away of Himself in a demonstration of humility - a visual demonstration of a greater one to follow, a humiliation unto death on a cross.

In service, in ministry, in working with others who may or may not think or act like us, we need humility. But how exactly does this humility come about? There is a humorous saying that goes we cannot know for sure if we are humble, as one who is truly humble will never admit that he is! However, I believe that the key to this question lies at what was going through the mind of Jesus at that point when He decided to wash His disciples’ feet in John 13:3. It was the knowledge of these 3 truths that enabled the Master to serve the disciples which we ought to emulate:

1. Know...God’s AUTHORITY (the Father had given all things into His hands)
In service, do you sometimes feel burnt out, overwhelmed, or inadequate?

Just as Jesus came into the world with the authority of the Father to serve mankind, we too go out with His authority (Matt 28:18-20) to render unto others what Christ had demonstrated to us. Our time, money and giftings are given into our hands from the Father that we may use them to serve God and others, and not serve ourselves. When we do that, our source of power and strength, is the source of power and strength, God Himself. When we feel like we are running on empty, check to see the real source of our fuel...

2. Know...our IDENTITY (He was come from God)
In service, do you sometimes feel like you need to always try harder, be impressive, or are unwilling to fail?

Our identity is in Christ and Christ alone. How smart we are, how rich we are, how talented we are, how attractive to others we are, how healthy we are, whatever, does not change our position as sons and daughters, and heirs of God (Romans 8:17). Our identity in Christ or lack thereof has repercussions in the way we behave toward God and others. Once we iron that out and come to the realisation that we do not need to work or be of a certain calibre to earn our position in Christ, we learn that what we do, does not determine who we are, and that there is nothing ‘beneath us’ to get our hands dirty with. We can thus find the freedom and security to do even the most menial of tasks...

3. Know...our final HOPE (He went [was going back] to God)
In service, do you sometimes feel unappreciated, short-changed, or discouraged?

In order to allow Himself to be made of no reputation, to take upon Himself the form of a servant, a man, before finally having to be humbled by dying on a cross, Jesus fixed His eyes on the final and eternal hope of not just returning back to God’s presence, but also of eventually being highly exalted (Philippians 2). We likewise, have that hope - that as we suffer for His sake, we will also be glorified together with Him (Romans 8:17). As we have come to realise in one way or another, the world more often than not does not operate on the law of fairness, made evident by the exploitation and material inequality around us. Someone works, but another claims the credit or enjoys the benefits. However, what keeps us going will be the rewards that await us beyond this world, and the new world where God’s chosen will not labour in vain - they, and not another, will live in the houses they build and eat the fruit of their own vineyards (Isaiah 65:21-23). As we toil and labour for His kingdom, we persevere and eagerly anticipate our just rewards and new inhabitance...

Looking at the perfect example of Jesus, I believe these are the 3 keys of successful service as we look ahead to a brand new year. In rendering any kind of service - big or small, we need to put on the mind of the ultimate Servant; to put on the mind of Christ - by having the knowledge that we go in God’s authority, that our identity comes from Him, and that we are eventually returning back to Him... only then will be able to begin to wash the dusty feet of others.

Losing to Gain

What approach exactly should one take in the asking for God’s blessing for things or in endeavours? Frankly this can be quite a tricky issue since Scripture has much to say about it, and by cherry-picking what we want to hear, there is a tendency to create our own tidy little theology about God and the subject of blessing without combing Scripture in its entirety in order to gain a balanced perspective.

For the Wisdom Literature module that I recently completed at ABTS, the assignment required me to write a paper on one proverb - Proverbs 11:24. Though I was clueless at the start as to how to churn out an entire paper on just two short lines, I was amazed to discover many relevant truths and biblical principles relating to the matter of blessing and prosperity along the way…

"There is that scatters, and yet increases;
and there is that withholds more than is meet,
but it tends to poverty."
Proverbs 11:24

At first glance, this proverb appears paradoxical as it seems to runs counter to our ordinary experience and expectations. Mathematically speaking, one does not have more of something when it is given away, and in keeping something, it ought not to diminish either. However the picture that is painted here is that of economic activity in an agricultural setting. In order to reap in abundance, the farmer has to first scatter the seed liberally, far and wide. On the flipside, the converse holds true that when the farmer withholds from sowing seed, he cannot expect to harvest any crop as well. The sowing and scattering of the seed in the initial stages is an investment for the payout of future dividends. The literal interpretation of this verse is that the harvest is directly proportional to the amount of seed sown.

Some have taken this proverb along with other similar verses in Scripture, as a ‘key’ to unlock the promises of physical wealth and blessing through giving or doing good. Also known as the prosperity gospel, the theory is that one can give to get. The act of giving thus becomes motivated by the self-seeking desire to be personally prosperous, and the sovereign work of God is reduced to a simplistic formula, making Him out to be no more than the proverbial genie-in-a-bottle. What then ought to be our biblical response?

1. POSSESS a giving spirit
Firstly, we need to recognise that generosity and blessing is more than material. More than monetary generosity, having a giving spirit is the giving of our time, talents and resources both to God, as well as to others. Similarly, money or achievements are not the only forms of blessing and prosperity that we can receive. With our minds and our intellect, we learn that one of the best ways to learn is to teach; when we serve those who lack, we gain a renewed appreciation for we have - our health, abilities, loved ones. Our ability to give freely is really what helps set our priorities aright and gives us true freedom from the uncertainties and insecurities of life.

In addition, we are blessed to be a blessing. God enriches not just for our personal comfort but that we in turn might be instruments of His blessing - "being enriched in everything, to all bountifulness, which causes through us thanksgiving to God" (2 Cor 9:11). Some of us may be blessed with material riches or lifted up to prominent places in society that God may be glorified through us to the watching world as in the case of Abraham (Gen 12:1-3).

2. PERCEIVE God as the true source
Secondly, we ought to acknowledge that all that we are and have come from the Lord Himself. Hence when God blesses, we thank Him; when God takes away, we are able to thank Him as well as best illustrated by Job’s example, "Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return...the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). We also have the faith that God is able to bless us "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Eph 3:20), and will work all things for good to those that love Him (Rom 8:28). When we surrender completely to His purposes for our lives, we have the wonderful assurance that there is nothing that will take place outside His will for us.

3. PRACTICE good stewardship
Finally, Christ demands faithfulness in the work He has entrusted us to do. It does not matter if we are given ten talents or just one; much wealth or modest possessions; health and vigour or a frail being. The expectation is the faithful administration of what we have, even in our vocation at work or as a student. A biblical faith which centers on Christ and not ourselves focuses on how we can go about furthering our Master’s interest as opposed to having a constant fixation on how we can bring increase to ourselves. This balanced perspective of stewardship then enables us to both rightly claim the beautiful promises of God’s blessings, and practically heed His admonitions to invest in the work of His kingdom.

We give as we have been given.

We trust the heart of the Giver as we faithfully do our part.

We believe that in order to gain true blessing, we have to lose our desire to determine for ourselves what is best, trusting the God who does know best.

Ascension Day - The Grand Culmination

Christmas means cantatas, joyful singing, month-long festivities to celebrate Christ’s birth – undisputedly the most exciting event in our Christian calendar; Good Friday arrives sombrely, we reflect on the cost of our sin – His suffering and journey to the cross, as we partake the Lord’s supper; Easter, we rejoice with resounding hallelujahs that the tomb is empty and the Christ has risen victoriously conquering sin and death! However 40 days on, Ascension Day usually comes and goes quietly without half as much notice. Yet it is a most essential part of the Christian story…

Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday, 40 days after Easter, and is usually remembered the following Sunday – today in which case. It commemorates the bodily ascension of Jesus into heaven after His resurrection, the grand culmination of Jesus’ earthly ministry and mission.

The Significance

What is so significant about the fact that Jesus ascended into heaven? Why did He have to leave us for that very matter if we read in the gospels of how much He accomplished in person? Would things be any different if He lived amongst us till today? I for one would find that very helpful in finding answers to my questions, being assured when doubt sets in, and most of all, convincing non-believers of His existence and transforming power… Doesn’t sound like too bad a plan!

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” Mark 16:19

In being received up into heaven by God, Christ’s ascension proclaims His rightful Lordship over all as He reigns with the sovereign authority of God, sharing in His glory and His majesty. In being seated on the right hand of God, we have the reassuring comfort that we have a great Mediator…the best Mediator who acts as our Advocate, our defence, and intercedes on our behalf in the presence of the holy Father. Instead of looking on our sin and blemish, God looks on the garments of righteousness that Christ has placed over us. In times of loneliness, suffering and persecution, we know that Jesus has walked the road before us. He hears our prayers and cries. He will come again to deliver us and crush His enemies.

“And [the disciples] went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” Mark 16:20

The Ascension also marks the beginning of the church age, and propels us forward as His chosen means through which His Message will be heard. Christ has imbued His power in us through the Holy Spirit that we might carry on His work. This is the role of the church, our church – to be an extension of Christ through the ages, an extension of Christ throughout the community, throughout the nations. Is that really what the world can testify of us? It is most pertinent for us to stop and ponder every once in a while how much we are living up to this great calling…

Expected of Us

“And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8

Over the last 40 days that Jesus was on earth, He spent it appearing to many – affirming His deity and victory over death, and speaking of things concerning the kingdom of God. His final commands to His disciples, and still is to us His people today, is to go into all the world, to all the ends of the earth to bring the gospel to all creation. And He promises His presence with us. He promises the Holy Spirit.

His mission is now our mission. He has no hands and feet on earth but ours. No voice of hope, mercy and love but ours. Our hearts are to beat in union with Christ’s for the concern of God’s kingdom until He restores it wholly and completely again. Until all creation can reflect His glory perfectly and worship Him as we were made to do.

Philip Yancey words the significance of Christ’s ascension most beautifully...

The law and the prophets had focused like a beam of light
on the One who was to come,
and now that light, as if hitting a prism,
would fracture and shoot out
in a human spectrum of waves and colours.

May we truly be that burst of brilliance and colour to pierce this dark world blind to Jesus… He is risen and has ascended!

That First Christmas

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem…to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:4-7

Stark Reality vs. Pretty Picture
A calm and serene Joseph and Mary gazing upon the hushed little Lord Jesus, is the sentimental picture of the holy family often depicted on many Christmas cards and painted in our imagination when we think upon that night that changed the course of history.

However, as we take a closer look at the gospel accounts of the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus, it is apparent that the situation was far from pretty and cushy. From seemingly every angle, it appeared to be disruption at work.

Just nine months ago, Joseph and Mary were preparing for what was perhaps to be one of the biggest moments of their lives. It would not be surprising that there was anxiety and uncertainty for the both of them leading up to the time when they had to leave the comfort zone of their own families and home to begin a new life with someone that they were betrothed to, but not necessarily familiar with in that time and culture when parents chose their children’s marriage partners, and intimacy between members of the opposite sex before marriage was considered taboo. So when a supernatural being made his appearance to Mary to explain to her what was to come, it was clear that would be an even bigger disruption in addition to the major changes that were already going to take place in her life. What if no one believed her unlikely story that she was pregnant by divine means? Not that anyone would have asked for an explanation in the disdainful whispers that would have travelled fast and far in a tight community. The shame of carrying a baby out of wedlock is painfully obvious and impossible to hide. But these frightening rumours would be the least of worries if Joseph were to call off the engagement and in retaliation to having been made a cuckold, drag her to court to demand her rightful death by stoning. And even if Joseph was gracious enough not to do so, what would her future lie as a single mother in a conservative Jewish community? To feel troubled and fearful is an understatement. Yet young Mary was the first person to accept Jesus on His own terms, regardless of the personal cost.

When Jesus was eventually born against these odds, the world He entered was one of strife and terror under the oppressive Roman government headed locally by a tyrannical Herod well-known for his massacre of the innocents. It was in submission to the heavy tax demands of this regime that Joseph and heavily pregnant Mary made their long journey of about 113 kilometres (or an exhausting ten days on donkey-back) from Nazareth to Bethlehem, only to be rejected at an inn and have Mary deliver the child almost single-handedly in a dank and foul-smelling animal shelter and lay Him in a feed trough. If the divine Christ hungered and thirsted in His humanity as an adult, there is no reason why the baby Jesus did not enter into the world crying to clear His lungs and to ask to be fed as opposed to the famous carol which depicts the little Lord Jesus, "no crying He makes".

A Humble God
If Jesus came to reveal God to us, that first Christmas demonstrated the incomprehensible humility of God that allowed Him to enter the world within the limits of time and space, and in the confines of not just human flesh, but shockingly the flesh of a helpless, dependant child to be brought up and provided for by the very sinful humans that He came to save. Many, if not all, religions depict their gods as awesome, powerful and supreme. The very idea of a humble God is an oxymoron in itself. An obtrusive truth that sets Jesus apart from other gods.

Jesus’ first night as a human child in those stark conditions was the first step of many to come, to demonstrate the extent of His meekness – a meekness and humility consistent with a God who would go on from there to associate with the poor and the powerless, to don on the garb of a servant to wash the feet of His disciples, and eventually to be tortured and humiliated before taking that dreadful cup of death on a criminal’s cross. All this, so that the way humans approach deity would be forever changed from primarily fear to that of a relational love. An unfathomable plan no human mind could ever conjure up, set in motion that first Christmas when God delivered His message of Jesus; when the Word was made flesh.