2011 was a bad year for many of us! We lost jobs, suffered illness, felt betrayed by friends, struggled through financial crisis, were disappointed by leaders, and are hoping that 2012 will be kinder to us. Is that likely? Here are my New Year predictions. The first is brutal reality: The world won’t get better in 2012. As Christ’s return approaches, “evil men and impostors will proceed  from bad to worse deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Tim. 3:13) So don’t count on the nightly news being your formula for sound sleep. I don’t put much stock in it, but the Mayan calendar actually predicts the end of the world in 2012. So we may be in for another rough ride! But I also have great hope as we face the future, for I’ve put my faith in a Great Savior who says, “In the world you will have tribulation but take heart, I have overcome the world,” “My grace is sufficient for you,” for “as your days, so shall your strength be.” (John 16:33;  2 Cor. 12:9; Deut. 33:25)

Luke’s Portrait of Jesus: Savior (pt 1)

In my last few posts, I’ve described the portraits painted of Jesus by the gospel writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Matthew wrote to persuade the Jews that Jesus is their long-awaited King. Mark wrote to the Romans picturing Jesus as the Servant of God endowed with all power from on high. But Luke, whose book is the focus of this post, approaches his subject from a different angle. He was an evangelist to the Greeks offering them a fully human Savior who suffered like we suffer, but also has the power and compassion to save us from the evil of this world. To do that, he gives us 3 reasons why Jesus came to earth:

1) To Partake of Humanity. Ancient Greek history is based on myth. Read Homer’s Iliad or Odyssey and you’ll find gods like Zeus and Apollo empowering heroes like Achilles and Ajax to perform superhuman feats. The problem with his writings is that it’s impossible to tell fact from fiction. Luke doesn’t want us to make that mistake about Jesus. From the opening of his gospel, he assures us of its historical accuracy and the humanity of Jesus. “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus (meaning ‘lover of God’), so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:1-4) In other words, his gospel is no myth. It’s a record we can trust written by one of the first true historians who carefully investigated everything he wrote.

The facts Luke includes also leave no doubt about Jesus’ humanity. He  is no god come down from Mt. Olympus pretending to be one of us. Though His Father is God and His mother was a virgin, He is fully human. Luke spells out the details of His birth from the angel’s announcement to Mary and the shepherds to His manger cradle and circumcision in the Temple.  (Luke 2:1-24) Luke’s genealogy is also important. Matthew traces His lineage back to Abraham the first Hebrew, but Luke stresses His humanness by tracing his family tree back to Adam the first human. (Luke 3:23-38) Nor does he picture Him as a superhero impervious to pain. Now that He’s risen and ascended to heaven, He’s invincible, but not in His days on earth. He was as vulnerable to suffering as you. This is the hallmark of Luke’s gospel – the weakness of Christ. He hungered, He grew tired, and at one point wasn’t strong enough to carry His cross. (Luke 4:2; 8:23; 23:26). But He was weak for our sake. He became a man in order to live a perfect life in our place, give us His righteousness as a gift, and die on a cross for our sins.

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death… he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Heb. 2:14-18)

Let this be your encouragement whatever trials you face in the year ahead. Jesus became a real human being to sympathize with your suffering, to take away your fear in the midst of it, to help you overcome it, and to forgive you when you give up in unbelief. As Charles Spurgeon put it, “You can look and study and weigh the evidence, but Jesus is a greater Savior than you think Him to be when your thoughts are at their greatest. My Lord is more ready to pardon than you are to sin, more able to forgive than you are to transgress. My Master is more willing to supply your needs than you are to confess them. Never tolerate low thoughts of my Lord Jesus.” For Jesus is an incomparably great Savior!

Click here to listen to Michael Card’s song, “The Nazarene.” You’ll like it!

(In my next post,  I’ll focus on two more reasons Luke gives us for Jesus becoming human – to provide an example and to purchase our salvation.)

While Cheryl recovers from cancer surgery and I stay with her at UW Medical Center, two of our  good friends take my place sharing what God has put on their hearts. Remembering what was said about Jesus at His birth – “they shall call his name Immanuel” which translated means, ‘God with us.’” – Doug Wisdom shares how he experiences this truth every workday.

“Jesus Meets Us at Roosters” by Doug Wisdom

Roosters is a little restaurant in Shelton that also sells gasoline in front of their store, a modern day version of the little crossroads restaurant with the single gas pump out front where your grandparents and great grandparents met to have a friendly meal with their neighbors. I spend an hour or two there most weekdays between school bus runs. Tuesdays are especially nice for me because Nancy meets me there before she starts her activities with her Youth for Christ group.

Yesterday, Bruce Colebank came by to have breakfast and share good stories about his wife Linda who battles COPD. Then Maudi Newman (local missionary for Youth for Christ) arrived and she shared her need for some men to step up to help with mentoring her teenagers at YFC. Bruce is intrigued with the idea to help out. Andi Uffelman from CareNet, who had a cancelled meeting joined us to share her vision for CareNet, that it will be as well known as Planned Parenthood and offer a more Godly way of handling the unexpected pregnancy.

Other days I have seen Sharon Fitchitt and Sharon Milner nestled in the back room working on Christmas cards and Christmas crafts. Randy Churchill meets  with the Salvation Army group. You’ll always see Randy around Safeway this time of year greeting shoppers as they pass his little red pot trying to help make Christmas a little more joyful for others in need.

And, yes, Jesus is there with his friends, sharing his love, encouraging each of us, laughing, crying, just providing whatever is needed for the occasion. Our day is just so much better, because he met us at Roosters.

Thank you, Doug, for reminding me that Jesus is my Emmanuel, always with me, not only at Christmastime, but every day in every place throughout the year!

While my wife Cheryl recovers from cancer surgery and I stay with her at UW Medical Center, two of our good friends share what God has put on their hearts.

The Lamb of GoD BY SCOTT MILNER 

In the first 5 books of the Bible, Moses describes the requirement of sacrificing a lamb “without defect” to remove sin. (Lev. 22; Num. 29) “Without defect” meant not blind, no broken bones, no skin defects, not lame, no blemishes, no cuts or bruises anywhere. (Lev. 22:21-24) The sacrifice was recurring and frequent. So, a lamb without defect was highly valued and protected. A newborn lamb was examined and if without defect, aggressively guarded.

A baby lamb can injure itself in the first hours of life by energetically reacting to changes in light, temperature, and moisture. Therefore, a lamb without defect would be wrapped in binding (swaddling) cloths and placed in a V-shaped feeding trough (manger) until accustomed to the new environment, so it wouldn’t jump and bump around. Every shepherd and farmer knew that is how you care for, guard, and protect a highly valued sacrificial lamb.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, an angel appeared to some shepherds and said “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12) The shepherds puzzled over what it meant. This is how we care for a sacrificial lamb, wrapped, protected. They went to see a baby and came away praising God. (Luke 2:20)

When John the Baptist saw Jesus he said “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) Revelation 3:20 quotes Jesus saying “Behold! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone invites me in…………… I will come in…….” All we have to do is open the door and invite him in.

When Jesus, the sacrificial lamb, went to the cross, his death paid for all sin for all people forever, and that, THAT, is the original, perfect, Christmas gift and…

The reason for a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Thank you, Scott, for helping us better appreciate God’s Christmas gift!

The story is told of Shah Abbis who once ruled the land of Persia. The Shah loved his people and often disguised himself so as to mingle among them and understand their lives. On one occasion he visited the home of a peasant. He ate his coarse food, tolerated his good and bad moods, and returned again and again to visit him. Then one day he revealed his identity expecting the man to ask him for a favor. Instead, the peasant gazed at him in wonder. “You left your palace to sit with me in this humble place, to partake of my food, to care whether my heart was glad or sad? On others you may bestow riches, but to me you’ve given the best gift of all – yourself! Pray never take this gift away from me.”

This is the picture Mark paints of Jesus. In our last study, we focused on His humility – how He the Prince voluntarily became a pauper, “so that we through His poverty might become rich.” (2 Cor. 8:9) Imagine the impact this had on the 6 million slaves in the Roman Empire! The King of Creation became a Servant taking on humanity to die for our sins. No wonder they turned to Him in droves! Mark was written to the Romans, but not just to slaves. He also hoped to reach their masters. For this reason, he portrayed two additional facts about Jesus.

2) His Miraculous Ministry. What the Romans respected most was power! Therefore, despite its brevity (16 chapters), what do we find more of in Mark than any other gospel? Miracles! In John, there is 1 miracle every 6 pages; in Luke and Matthew, the average is 1 miracle every 2 ½ pages; but in Mark there is a miracle on every page. Why? To picture Jesus as God’s Anointed Servant endowed with all power from on high. To the Romans, this was an oxymoron – a servant with power? But Jesus proved that it is not only possible, but God’s prerequisite for bestowing power on His servants. It also helps to explain the most frequently used word in Mark. 41 times he uses the word “immediately” to picture Jesus as a man of action always on the move serving God and others. The application for us? Get busy, work hard, and wear yourself out – not merely for the sake of being busy – but for the purpose of serving God and others.

3) His Sacrificial Death. Suffering is a major theme in Mark. 4 times Jesus predicts His death in this gospel (e.g., Mark 10:32-34). Even more obvious is the space Mark gives to His suffering – 40% is devoted to the final week of His life. Mark 10:45 is both the key verse and a good outline of the book. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life a ransom for many.” Chapters 1-10 focus on His serving; chapters 11-16 focus on the events surrounding His death. All of which reminds us, if our Lord endured suffering, then shouldn’t we expect and accept suffering in our lives as well?

The reason we can accept suffering is because of how Mark’s gospel concludes. Each of the gospel writers ends his story a different way. Matthew ends with the Resurrection and Great Commission as a final argument to convince the Jews that Jesus is their Messiah King. But Mark’s conclusion is also strategic. It says,  ”So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19) How is this a fitting ending? It reminds us that suffering only lasts a short while, then comes glory and honor. Yes, the Prince became a pauper, “so that we through His poverty might become rich.” But He didn’t remain poor. He was exalted to heaven’s throne reminding us that when we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand casting all our cares upon Him, He rewards us without fail in His time. Our suffering, then, is never without purpose and always worthwhile when endured for the glory of God.

Even more inspiring is the last line of Mark’s gospel taking us full circle to where this post began. “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” You and I are never alone. Our King is with us always giving us strength to serve Him and confirming that we are His. May that be your inspiration not only this Christmas season, but in every joy and trial you face in the year to come.

(Click here for the audio version of this message.)

P.S. Don’t miss the video below. You’ll love it! It’s very creative.

If Mary and Joseph Had Facebook…

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Merry Christmas, Dear Friends!

With Cheryl’s cancer surgery approaching this Monday morning, we thank you for your loving support and give praise to God for meeting our many needs according to His matchless grace and glorious riches found in Christ Jesus.

Good News: After 5 weeks of chemotherapy and 29 rounds of radiation (external and internal), Cheryl’s surgeon found no signs of her tumor at her pre-op exam last week. Her drainage tube, which was putting out 2,000cc’s of lymph fluid a day, has finally stopped draining. Physical therapy on her leg, which was damaged by radiation, is also improving as we work together on it twice a day. The company that produces Lovenox, a blood thinner Cheryl injects into her abdomen every evening to protect against blood clots, has generously donated a two months supply to us, because Cheryl is a cancer patient and we have no prescription coverage. At $30 a shot, that’s a savings of $1,800.

Thank you: We also want to thank you for the thousands of dollars you have contributed to help with our co-insurance payments and medical costs ($22,500 out-of-pocket expenses so far), the dozens of get-well cards you’ve sent us, the scores of meals you have made for us, the transportation you have provided, the housework and handyman projects you have helped us with, and the countless prayers you have offered up on our behalf. No one has ever been blessed with more genuine friends than we have been given, and we love you for it!

Prayer Request: Pray for Cheryl’s surgery this Monday as they remove the organs and tissues damaged by the cancer, the chemotherapy, and the radiation. Pray too for the swelling and pain in her abdomen and right leg to be relieved by the operation and therapy to follow. We are confident of God’s healing, but we do not take it for granted. We believe it’s through your prayers and ours that the Spirit of Grace is pleased to dos His work. If you’re available, Cheryl will join us this Sunday afternoon for a special prayer meeting focused on her healing. It will start at 6:00 pm at the PUD 3 Auditorium following the Gathering. Join us if you can! You don’t have to regularly attend the Gathering to do so. And if you can’t join us in person, please take a few minutes to pray for her at that time.

Our love and thanks in Jesus,

Pastor Gary & Cheryl

Have you ever dreamed of being a butler? According to the International Butler Academy, it’s a good career. The position pays $50,000 to $100,000 a year, which isn’t bad in this economy. But it’s demanding! A butler works an average of 60 hours a week. To prepare for the position, the student is taken through an intensive course of study. It doesn’t last long – just 8 weeks – but the schedule is grueling. Classes are held 6 days a week with an occasional Sunday off, each day lasting from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm. That was enough to make up my mind. I’m much too independent and not nearly humble  enough to make a good butler.

With that in mind, consider Jesus’ career choice. Prior to Bethlehem, He was equal with God the Father enjoying heaven’s glory and the worship of angels. But from eternity past, He planned to lay it aside “taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” (Phil. 2:8) To what end? To die on a cross to pay for our sins – an act of servanthood surpassing any act of humility on our part. This is the message found in Mark’s gospel. In the last post, we studied the first of 4 portraits painted by the gospels. Crafting his story for Jewish readers, Matthew depicted Jesus as the King who fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. In Mark’s account, which I focus on in this next study, Jesus is still the King, but the focus now shifts from who He is to what He did. The Prince became a pauper so that we “through His poverty might become rich.”  (2 Cor.8:9)

First, a few facts about Mark. Mark is the shortest gospel – 16 chapters compared to 28 in Matthew, 24 in Luke, and 21 in John. Some have called it the Jack Webb version of the gospel because what it gives us are “just the facts, Ma’am!” It has  few Old Testament references because that wouldn’t have impressed the Romans, and there are no long speeches like we find in Matthew and John because Romans were people of action, not words. It’s also helpful to know that his full name was John Mark and that it was in his mother’s (Mary) home in Jerusalem that the church prayed for Peter’s release from prison. (Acts 12:12). He was also Barnabas’ cousin and caused a division between Paul and Barnabas when he deserted them on their first missionary journey. (Acts 15:39) But he was redeemed through the ministry of Barnabas and Peter. Peter refers to him as “my son” or disciple in the faith (1 Peter 5:13) which means, when we read the words of Mark, what we’re hearing is the gospel according to Peter.

1) Humble Beginnings. Jesus’ humility is seen from the first page of Mark. There are no genealogies or birth stories like we find in Matthew and Luke, for  no one cares about a servant’s pedigree.  All we’re told is that He’s from heaven, that He is “the Son of God.” Instead, the book opens with His baptism, one of the humblest acts a human can undergo. This is followed by His ministry of healing and teaching. Mark 1:33 says “the whole city gathered” at His door begging to  be healed. In fact, they were so insistent and persistent that He and His disciples didn’t even have time to eat. (Mark 3:20) But He never complained. Why not? Mark 10:45 is the key verse. Jesus explains, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life a ransom for many.” This, of course,  is what He also expects of us. “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”

That was my least favorite verse as a boy, because like Dennis, I hoped to get as much out of life as possible. But live a little longer and you discover that life also brings heartache and loss, which means the most effective servants of Christ are those who can endure personal suffering and minister with compassion to others who are going through disappointment and loss. In fact, Christmas provides us with an excellent opportunity to do that. People are out of work, anxious about their finances, lonely because a loved one has recently died, brokenhearted over  a relationship that has ended, and fearful because of health issues they’re facing. The question to ask at this time of year is: What would Jesus do? I believe what He’s doing is calling us to temporarily lay aside our problems and find someone we can serve with the love of Christ. For He Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) That is the message of Mark and the story of Christmas – finding new joy and purpose through the act of serving others.

(Later this week I’ll finish this study from Mark’s gospel by focusing on the miraculous ministry of Jesus and His sacrificial death for our sins.)

What Would Jesus Do?

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Americans have high expectations of their leaders. We’ll tolerate bad behavior on their part but the moment it touches our pocketbooks, we’re ready to throw them out of office. Polls say that 82 percent of Americans would like to do that with Congress; 54 percent with the President. We’re a tough crowd to please. It makes me wonder. What would we do if we had a king who was enthroned for life? Try to overthrow him the way we did King George? No doubt! But America will soon, along with the whole world, have a perfect king who will live forever – Jesus the Christ! The question is: How will we respond to Him? In my last post, I cited two reasons for His Kingship. In this study, I give one more reason, based on Matthew’s gospel, followed by two responses we ought to have as a result.

3) His Royal Bearing. If a president is expected to be presidential, how much more a king? A king is to remain calm in the face of trial, solve problems others cannot overcome, and do it with dignity and grace. This we find in the words and works of Jesus. On one occasion, you may recall, the chief priests sent guards to arrest Him but they came back empty-handed. What was their excuse? “No man ever spoke like this man!” Matthew is best at portraying this aspect of Jesus’ personality, giving far more emphasis to His words than Mark or Luke. The quintessential example is the Sermon on the Mount. Mark doesn’t record the message. Luke gives a page to it. But Matthew devotes 3 full chapters to this, the most powerful proclamation given by any king. Why? To demonstrate the eloquence of Jesus as He delivers the entrance requirements for His kingdom.  “Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the pure in heart. Blessed are the meek.” Why? “For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

His majesty is also seen in His works. Matthew 8:27 is a case in point. Jesus and His disciples are traveling across the sea by boat when a storm comes up on the water, so great that the boat is on the verge of capsizing and His disciples are sure they’re about to drown. Meanwhile Jesus is at perfect peace sleeping in the hold. So they wake Him up crying, “Lord, save us! We’re perishing!” With great dignity and grace, Jesus calms the disciples, rebukes the wind and the waves, and the sea becomes as smooth as glass. And now, instead of fearing the storm, they  fear Jesus. “What kind of man is this?” they ask one another. “Even the wind and the waves obey Him!” You know the answer. He is the King, not only of Israel, but of Creation with all authority in heaven and on earth. That’s the portrait of this Gospel, and lest you think it’s hyperbole, remember who the witness to His words and works was – Matthew, the converted tax collector, whose passion is now  integrity. After living with Jesus day and night for 3 years, he testifies,  ”This is the Messiah King, matchless and majestic in His character!”

4) His Royal Rights. By virtue of his office, a king is accorded certain rights and privileges by his subjects. But Jesus is more than a king. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, worthy of two divine rights. The first is reverence. Let me offer a few slices from the book of Matthew. It began with the worship of the magi, but there are multiple other examples. Matthew 8:1 says, “When He (Jesus) had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Matthew 9:18 adds, “While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him saying, ‘My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.’” Matthew 14:33 tells the story of Jesus walking on the water with this conclusion: “Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God.’”

Two more examples from Matthew 28. How a writer ends his story is telling. Marks ends with the Ascension, Luke with the promise of the Holy Spirit, John with a reminder of the Second Coming, but Matthew ends with the resurrection and His disciples’ response to it. Verse 9 says the women “left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.’” Verse 16 adds that the disciples then “proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him.” Make no mistake. Jesus welcomed the worship of His followers, which begs the question: Are you  His follower and are you giving Him the worship He deserves. Americans are not by nature a respectful people. Watch our late night comics and see how quick we are to mock the failures of our leaders. We say, “Respect must be earned.” I agree and pray that the Spirit of Christ will convince you that Jesus your King is worthy of all the reverence you can give Him.

His second divine right is obedience. Jesus is the Friend who sticks closer than a brother, but He’s not our buddy. We find this reminder in Matthew’s closing lines where Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” The proof of discipleship is obedience, loyalty, and submission to His will no matter where He asks us to go, what He calls us to do, or what it costs us to do it! This is why missionaries leave home and comfort to serve in hard places. This is why believers in persecuted lands suffer and die rather than give up their faith. It’s also how we appropriate the promise made to the shepherds that first Christmas. The NASB translates the words of the angels very precisely, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” For this is where true peace begins – from surrendering to the Kingship of Jesus and submitting to His rule.

(To hear or download the full audio message, click on this link.)