Torn in Two

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. Matthew 27:50-51

The most watched miniseries of all time was The Bible on the History Channel. I, too, watched this production produced by Roma Downey, star of the TV series Touched by an Angel, and her third husband, Mark Burnett. Although enjoyable, there were many liberties taken of Scripture. I had issues with some of the portrayals, but I was deeply concerned with how Burnett and Downey depicted the crucifixion. The Lord’s suffering along the Via Dolorosa was very Roman Catholic. Jesus fell three times, spoke to his mother Mary, and had his brow wiped by Veronica—none of which is in Scripture.

On the cross, Jesus spoke seven times—the most important being when he cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me!” This wailing statement came forth at the time when all of sin was placed on him as he became the curse of God. A holy God cannot look upon sin and therefore Christ felt abandoned. But this abandonment gives us hope, for Christ died to pay our debt, serve our punishment, and make peace with God the Father. These words were not in the crucifixion scene of Downey and Burnett. To neglect this cry is to ignore the real reason that Jesus had to die. Roman Catholics still think they can attain heaven by their good deeds. If this were so, then Jesus had no need to come to earth and die on a cross.

The producers did show that an earthquake occurred at the death of Christ and a curtain in the temple falling down before Caiaphas. There was no depiction of the veil in the holy of holies being torn in two from top to bottom, another significant occurrence left out of the miniseries, which tells mankind that the way to Christ is now open without having to go through priests. I can’t help but think of the Roman Catholic influence that still insists that a person must go to a priest to confess his sins. The priest therefore continues to act as mediator between sinner and God.

The renting of the veil was no small miracle, for such a curtain was 4 to 6 inches thick. The tearing was not intended merely as a display of power, but rather to teach believers some great truths. First, the law of sacrificial ordinances was satisfied and, like a worn-out vestment, ripped and thrown away. When Jesus died, the sacrifices were finished, completed and fulfilled in him; and therefore the place of sacrifice, the temple, was clearly marked with change.

Second, the torn curtain tells us that all the hidden and concealed things of the Old Testament sacrificial system could now be seen. The mercy seat that hid behind the veil was revealed, indicating that all who place faith in Christ have direct access to the Lord Almighty. Christians can now boldly approach the throne of grace without an earthly mediator, for Christ is the only mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5).

Third, the annual ceremony for the day of atonement was also abolished. The atoning blood that once every year was sprinkled behind the curtain and inside the Holy of Holies was now offered once for all by the great High Priest, Jesus Christ. No blood of bullocks or of lambs need be shed, for Jesus has entered inside the curtain shedding his own blood as the Lamb of God.

The renting of the curtain, however, does not allow all people access to the gates of paradise. Jesus is the High Priest, who has entered the inner place behind the curtain to become the anchor of our soul and is the only key to heaven (Heb. 6:19-20). Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; and no one comes to the Father unless through him” (John 14:6). When Diogo Morgado (portrayer of Jesus in the miniseries) quoted this Scripture from John’s gospel, he did not repeat the last phrase. Neglecting to say “no one comes to the Father except through him” removes the exclusivity of Christianity—that Christ and Christ alone is the way to heaven, thereby letting the populace think that there are other roads to God the Father.

Christ is the ONE-WAY STREET to God. No one will see heaven without confessing Christ and placing faith in him.

Why Christian Schooling

Twin Oaks Christian School (TOCS) is a wonderful ministry of our church. Some have wondered, however, why Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church continues to support a large and rather resource-intensive ministry. Although parents have the primary responsibility of educating their children, the church believes in coming along side and helping them in this all important discipleship ministry.

In the community around us, we have many options for schooling our children. There are some fine public schools, homeschooling, private schools, and Christian schools like TOCS. All are viable options, and as a church, we support parents in whatever choice they believe is right for their family. When we were rearing our family, Deena and I have had positive and negative experiences in public schools, homeschooling, and Christian schooling.

We do, however, support Christian schooling over public schools for a number of reasons. (1) Public schools cannot teach Scripture, sound doctrine, and proper relationships based in Christ; (2) Public schools cannot train our children to integrate their faith with all areas of life; and (3) Public schools favor secularism and values that in many instances are contrary to our biblical world and life view. In contrast, TOCS instills biblical values into our children and encourages them to follow Christ in all facets of life. This is essential if our children are to thrive as Christ-followers in a fallen world. Not only do TOCS teachers pray with and for the students, they give our children a biblical lens through which to view the world.

When my children were in the public school, I had the task of implanting within them biblical values. But without support from the education system, it was an uphill battle because my children were being influenced by the world about them. This world is attractive and luring and desirous of engulfing our children in the way “they should not go.” I had to read their textbooks, go over their assignments, and talk to them about curriculum that was contrary to biblical teaching. Anyone who has their children in public school knows how hard it is to keep up with the teaching and “brain-washing” that goes on in our national education system. I admire our public school parents who take an interest in the education of their children and become involved with the school system, pouring time and energy to nurture their children in the midst of a culture that wants to rob them of their innocence. Yet, many parents do not have the time, energy, or encouragement to become actively engaged in a system that frowns upon Christian parental involvement.

I remember when my wife and I sat across from the regional director of public schools in Maryland who made it quite clear that “they” knew what was best for our daughter. At the suggestion of my daughter’s second grade teacher, we had asked for her to be placed in another school that would challenge her intellect. She was bored and already reading at high school level. When I heard the words, “we are the experts who know best,” my antenna went up and the words of Scripture echoed in my brain that I was responsible for the education of my children. That revelation led my wife and I to place our daughter and then our sons into Christian education.

Although parents have the primary obligation for raising children, I believe that nurturing children is also a responsibility of the entire covenant community, not just those who have children, but all of us. We affirm this thought whenever we baptize a covenant child. Having a Christian school like TOCS is one of the ways we fulfill our vows at baptism. As a church, we want to come along side parents and help them equip their children to think biblically, not just about theology, but also about literature, history, science, and the entire curriculum. This occurs at our Christian school to which the entire congregation supports through their tithes and offerings. 
     

If you are a parent and realize that you would like assistance in training your children in a biblical view of all of life, then we encourage you to check out TOCS. Although attending TOCS requires a financial investment, it is an investment well worth the mind and soul of our children. There is, however, financial assistance available to those who have need. So, I encourage you to talk to Cathy Jones, our school administrator, and learn why Christian education may be a good option for your family. May God bless all your decisions as you rear your children in the nurture and admonition of our Lord and Savior (Eph. 6:4)!

It is Finished

Was Jesus a victim of crucifixion? Although he was innocent and railroaded into execution, Jesus was not a victim. Why? Because he willingly came to pay our debt of sin and take the penalty we deserve. He was God in flesh, who came to earth to redeem his people. 

On the cross, Jesus cried out, "It is finished." The word used in Scripture is "tetelestai"--a term also used in the New Testament era as an accounting term. The word was stamped across notes or accounts, which meant "PAID IN FULL." The debtor no longer owed anything, for his debt was paid.

     Jesus Paid it All
     All to Him I owe;
     Sin had left a crimson stain,
     He washed it white as snow.

Sin is a debt owed to God and payment is required. According to Romans 6:23, "the wages of sin is death"--i.e. eternal separation from God--"but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The gift was a note stamped "PAID IN FULL" and it was nailed to the cross in the body of our Lord and Savior.

Since none of us is good or even seek after God (Rom. 3:10-12), we could never pay the debt of sin to a God who demands  perfect holiness. It only takes one sin to make us guilty before the Lord, but we were born in sin and have committed so many sins that we could never repay.  All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). We therefore need a benefactor, one to pay our debt for us. And that Benefactor is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And so he cried out from the cross, "It is finished" - our debt has been paid.

Liberty in Christ

"Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom," commented Alexis de Tocqueville when the United States was just a fledgling nation. 

In Christianity all are equal in Christ. Freedom is found in our relationship with Jesus. It does not matter our status, our economic situation, or our ethnic background. In Christ there is no male or female, no Jew or Gentile, and no slave or freeman (Gal. 3:28), for all have the freedom to approach the throne of grace. But in Christ, we have different job descriptions to fulfill and different gifts to employ for the enhancement of God's kingdom. Some of us may be wealthier than others; but all of us are rich in Christ. The wealthy have a responsibility to care for the less fortunate, for to whom has been given much, much will be required of him (Luke 12:48).

In the world, equality is all about rights and redistribution of wealth so that no one is inferior or superior to another. This is the view of communism, not Christianity. It eventually leads to an impoverished nation because the heart of man is evil continually (Gen. 6:5) and will seek to do best for him to the disregard and disrespect of others. Why put in full effort when the pay is equal? The Pilgrims learned this lesson quickly. At first, everyone was to work the community garden and share everything. Soon, the slackers were discovered who put in minimal effort. When each family was given their own plot of ground to cultivate their own produce, then the colony flourished. "A slack hand causes poverty, " says Scripture (Prov. 10:4). To have others remunerate the sluggard for his lack of effort is not equality; it is foolishness.

De Tocqueville also wrote, "Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude." May the Lord change the hearts of men, for without Christ they will remain in slavery to their fleshly appetites, which lead to destruction. Hope is in the One who freed us from the bondage of sin and released us to live in grace for the betterment of mankind.

Bedlam in Bethlehem

Ironically, the word bedlam is a corruption of the word Bethlehem which literally means house of bread.  But in the 1500’s, the London monastery known as St. Mary of Bethlehem was converted from a monastic hospital into a city-run insane asylum.  For a small admission price, people could visit the asylum and heckle the inmates.  Although the practice may sound horrible, astonishingly enough, it became one of London’s most famous tourist attractions.

Eventually, the asylum’s name was shortened to Bethlehem and when people hurriedly said the word, the slur became BEDLAM.  As time went on “bedlam” became to mean “noisy uproar and confusion” which symbolized the happenings within an insane asylum.  Yet, this word is an apt description of what happens in the days prior to Christmas.  What ever happened to peace on earth?  Or peace in the malls?  Or peace in the family when Santa failed to deliver the right goods?

The first Christmas at Bethlehem in Israel was probably a scene of bedlam as well.  Noise and confusion abounded as people poured into the town to register for the census.  Caesar Augustus decreed that a census be taken every 14 years for the purposes of drafting men into the Roman army and to assess taxation.  The census mentioned by the gospel writer Luke was taken in 7 BC.

The mention of a census is important because it pinpoints the Incarnation - when God came to earth in human form.  It documents the reality of the birth of Christ.  The census was an historical fact.  Since the census was a recorded and documented event, there is no legitimate reason to deny the fact that an unusual birth occurred in Bethlehem in or around 7 BC.

A Bethlehem Christmas is about Christ who was born in the city of David in fulfillment of prophecy.  The prophet Micah had foretold that “Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah” would be the city from which Messiah would come (Micah 5:2).  Joseph and Mary, descendants of David, were led to Bethlehem because of a government decree to register their family.  And there in a stable in the town that meant house of bread, the Bread of Life would be born.

Christ was born to die in fulfillment of God’s promise to provide a sacrifice, an atonement, for the sins of mankind.  This Messiah would take the punishment for sin which all of us deserve, for the Scripture says no one is good (Romans 3:12).  A Bethlehem Christmas is a reminder that Jesus was the bread of life in that His sacrifice on the cross was a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy which said that Messiah bore our iniquities as a guilt offering, was pierced through for our transgressions, and was poured out unto death on our behalf (Isa. 53:4,5, & 12).

Christmas is a time for celebrating the Incarnation.  This should be done with joy and festivities.  Traditions should be honored and gift giving practiced, but not to the degree that the true meaning of Christ is camouflage.  Observe a Bethlehem Christmas by remembering that a child was born to die for you. Merry Christmas!

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

“Dear Santa,” writes Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes fame.  “Attached is my Christmas list for this year.  Last year I did not receive several items I requested.  For your convenience, I have grouped those items together on page 12.  Please check them carefully, and include them with the rest of my loot this year.”

Hobbes, Calvin’s alter ego in Tiger form, reads the letter with some concern at the unabashed impertinence of his little buddy.  Calvin, however, continues his diatribe, “That’s the problem with this guy.  He’s gotten sloppy without any competition.”

I can just imagine Calvin’s parents rushing around the malls to find one of the 250 or so gifts that Calvin had on his list.  Why would they do this?  Why would they fight the crowds, wait in enormous lines, and even cajole people out a gift they were carrying because the store had run out of the item Calvin wanted?  Their reason would be the same for most human parents.  They don’t want to disappoint their child.

As parents we will do anything to make Santa look good.  We will risk being crushed in overcrowded malls.  We will risk the rising of our blood pressure to run helter-skelter to buy gifts, secure trees, decorate the house, and attend parties.  We will even risk the high anxiety of bedlam just to please our little urchins.

Christmas has become an excuse for over indulgence and self- approbation. Rather than thinking about the reason we celebrate - God's love gift to us - we get caught up in the rush of things. Christmas should be merry, for God has given us something to celebrate - His Son. God humbling himself to become man is truly amazing. Jesus, who was born to die in our place, is our gift of life - eternal life! And he is the gift that keeps on giving!

Who were the Magi?

Matthew 2:1-3
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, 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. 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Why was Herod and all Jerusalem troubled upon the appearance of the wise men from the East? Herod could have been worried because they were espousing a newborn king of the Jews. This certainly would make Herod very uncomfortable. Here was a man who had his wife, mother-in-law, and two sons assassinated because he feared they were calculating the overthrow of his government. He was an insecure man, constantly in fear of his life. The inhabitants of Jerusalem, however, were also concerned and troubled with the appearance of the magi. Why?

The Greek word "Magoi" in this Matthew scripture is transliterated into English as "magi" or "wise men." They came from the East, i.e. east of Jerusalem, which meant an area controlled by the Parthians. This would include the modern countries of Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and part of Turkey. We also know from the Bible that Daniel, serving under Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, was called the Rab-mag or chief of the Magi (Dan. 4:9; 5:11). As the Rab-mag, Daniel ruled the entire province of Babylon (Dan. 2:48). Magi evidently were powerful men who consulted kings. The magi of Scripture may be descendants of Daniel's office and could have been Jewish as well. Daniel had never returned to Israel and must have left a great legacy in Persia. If the magi were of Hebrew descent, then it stands to reason why they would have been looking for the sign of the king of Israel, would want to find him, and would desire to worship him.

The Parthian empire, although ruled by kings, also had a governing body known as Megistanes, which means "lords" or "great ones.". The were comprised of Magi who incidentally had a part in choosing the kings. They were preeminent, authoritative, and influential; and their power was exceeded only by the kings. When they traveled, therefore, they would have been riding Arabian horses and accompanied by a small contingent of the army. When they came to Jerusalem, they were not three magi on camels. Scripture only tells us there were at least two magi and three gifts. There could have been more than three magi and more than three gifts. The picture of wise men on camels can be traced to the origin of Christmas cards. When the wise men were depicted, the artist portrayed them on camels, even though Scripture never tells us what they rode.

If the normal Roman garrison of soldiers protecting Jerusalem were off fighting the Homonadensian War (as some scholars surmise), then Jerusalem was vulnerable. An army suddenly appearing from Parthia would have terrified all of Jerusalem as well as Herod, Rome's puppet king of Israel.