6-26-12 Something’s Different here

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; but you shall be called the priests of the LORD; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast.

Isa 61:1-6 

Master, I am attending a conference on restoration of The Land of Israel, sponsored by a group called HaYovel (English translation – Jubilee). This group of people that I’m worshiping with, eating with, studying with; they are… well, Lord, there’s no word I can put on them right now, other than… “Different”.

You know my heart, Adonai and I’m tempted to put labels on things instead of to understand. And I really want to understand. And so I’m asking Your help for a better definition here. Please give me eyes to see and ears to hear beyond of what I’m capable.

These folks are much like other Christian groups I know. When they start worshiping, they break into song to get things going. They pray for Your presence to be in the room. They seek You in the Text and they exhibit the warmth and genuine “community feel” I’ve experienced with other deeply convicted believers.

There is definitely a “spiritual earthiness” about this modest crew. They are incredibly family-oriented; children…many, many babies and toddlers are on everyone’s laps, older kids are running or crawling everywhere. Many of the women are dressed in long field skirts and cover their hair with scarves; most of the men have beards (all according to ancient traditions). I suspect that some would say this distinguishes the group – sets them apart so to speak. Perhaps: But, external trademarks are not what concern me at this moment.  I’ve mingled with many who look and act differently, unconventional to our modern day customs and I’m at ease in this setting. There’s something else at work here. What are You trying to say to me, through these humble and beautiful worshipers, Adonai?

Could it be the message they convey?  These spiritual followers of Yours have a very specific banner they carry before them. They are all about Israel – the land, the God , the Spirit and the Messiah therein. They make no excuses for their passion to help restore The Land – as they refer to it – in partnership with the Jewish people. Their language is full of references to vineyards, fields and a geographical relationship with You that many of us “Western” believers have either denied or ignored.

When I first met with the leadership of HaYovel, I was amazed, Lord, at the many things we had in common, how much we spoke in unity of a love of The Land, how much we both shared a passion for Your plan for the Jewish People and how we Christians are connected to that plan. But they also shared some additional insights (things I had only suspected) about how we, as “grafted family members”, have misinterpreted, misapplied and even abused our relationship to The Land and Your people.

That’s why I’m here before You, YHWH. I want to understand if this group is just some cultish offshoot of our Christian faith or if…

…If what, Master? What if they are on the main track and I…we, have missed the proper focus? I actually fear that answer because it will require intensive, possibly radical, change. For many years I have had what I have considered a “heart” for Israel and have had a desire to understand how Old Testament and New connect. But does that mean I’ve been (and am) wholeheartedly committed to seeking relationship with the Jewish people? Have I fully considered the ramifications of Your Word which implies all believers – me included – will eventually take up residence in The Land? It’s right there in black and white, Lord. Do I live like I believe? Am I willing to support and defend the Jewish Homestead as my own?

That’s the difference. These folks are “living” You, “breathing” You and obeying You. Not that I and many others aren’t, it’s just that the HaYovel crowd have dug in to find a deeper understanding of their…our…origins. They are taking Your Word, all of it – not just parts of it – seriously and literally, from its Alef to its very Tav.

What can I learn from HaYovel? And do I have perspective – wisdom that You have bestowed on me to share with them in kind? Maybe the answers are within the questions. Why do I refer to them as “them”? Are we not all grafted in, and if so, is there an opportunity for communion here?

HaYovel points out how the Jews have been deeply, historically and spiritually wounded by actions intended to marginalize, even eliminate Your Chosen People. The “Organized Church” (a term You, know I have come to abhor) has either endorsed, sanctioned or ignored these actions so that now, a breech of spiritual trust divides we who are newly born to faith from those You call “servants” and “the remnant” of Your kingdom.

Am I responsible for this? Am I to apologize for this? I want to think not, but if not, how do we mend the wound? Does it matter who is responsible? Should our example be Your example – serve rather than be served? Obey in humility rather than try to justify my personal value?

I know, Adonai, I’m “all over the place” with this my questions and this journal. Help me to center in on Your purpose through all of this. Am I hearing right? Do you want me to Do to Others as I would have them Do to me?  And by “others”, does that mean I am to serve my spiritual relatives who are in The Land?

That seems so simple. And…I’m willing, Lord – even inspired by Your example through HaYovel. That does leave one more question that only you can answer. If I am willing to obey, what would you have me do?

Mark C.

6-19-2012 Epistilo

And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and    

     wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, 'After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins,  and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,  says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.'

“Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.”          Act 15:12-20 

Traditional site of the upper room

I've been to this room, Lord! At least it’s the room in which “they” claim amazing things happened. This is where you reportedly had your last meal prior to offering yourself as a sacrifice for mankind. This is a possible location where you appeared to your disciples after your resurrection. And traditionally, this is thought to be the place where the apostles and first elders of the church met for council, administration and prayer.

Outside view of the Upper Room (Traditional Site)

I confess, I’m not impressed with the location. Even if the facts are accurate, it seems dark and lacking, probably because of the physical renovations that have taken place since.

On the other hand, regardless of where these things happened, they were amazing occurrences; which leads me, Master, to be highly focused today on the last example mentioned – the discussion by the apostles of embracing Gentiles…non-Jewish folk…and inviting them into The Faith. What an astounding historical and spiritual event! There in the same room (wherever that might have been) were your faithful – Peter, James, John, Paul, Silas, Barnabas , Luke – the Who’s Who of New Testament leaders goes on and on. But that’s not even what impresses me, Adonai. Most significantly…You were there, in Spirit.

And You were at work, beginning something that I believe no one in the room was anticipating would a big deal. I’ve missed it over and over again in my reading of this passage…until now. How astounding it is to have You, Elohim, open my eyes! Let me write out what I’m now seeing – please, Lord, coach me if I’m not “getting this right”.

Tile Pictorial of the Gospel Writers

Setting the stage; there appeared to be a division between the church fathers at that time about the rules of membership into Christianity. After all, most were Jewish and it was very clear to that segment that one could not be a follower of God without being circumcised. But Paul, Barnabas and some of the others argued convincingly that – from the time that you, Lamb of God, were sacrificed and resurrected – it is now by the “cleansing of our hearts through faith” that we are brought into community with Father YHWH.

OK, so that’s all Great news. I’ve read this text and been blessed by the message many times before. It’s what happened next that I had missed: After Paul’s passionate plea, the brothers are absolutely silent – they must have been absolutely convicted and moved by You – then James speaks out and suggests something absolutely incredible. To paraphrase, “Let’s write letters to the Gentiles.”

Spiritual graffiti by the Sea of  Galilee

I know You were there and were active in this conversation, but I, Ancient of Days, am just now wrapping my head around this Spiritual stepping stone. Here are all the heavy hitters of the early church in one room, and someone suggests a very innocent idea for practical communication. I can almost visualize Paul, Luke, Peter, John and company all looking at James, tilting their respective heads in consideration and possibly either thinking or responding out loud, “Letters, hmmm, good suggestion – we’ll try that!”

Wanda and friend writing by the Sea of Galilee

So began an extraordinary journey, not by foot or by cart, but by Your written word. The world might have forgotten a speech in a synagogue or a testimony in a town center, but deeply personal letters, sent to newly formed groups of believers, read in meetings, in private houses or public places…churches…would forever change the hearts of nations.

I look at my Bible so differently now, Adonai. Having traveled to The Land, the words now have become alive: Each scribed message, a picture in my mind, embellished by what I witnessed on site; spurring me to live out that picture in hope of inspiring others.

Today You’ve gifted me with a new picture: A writer, sitting down at his or her desk, applying pen to parchment, or laying hands to a keyboard; the writer prays and then begins to share a message breathed in from Another; confirmed in scripture; tested by experience with fellow believers. The writer’s location matters not; only the dwelling place of his heart is at issue; and when his spirit is set right, Your Spirit speaks, preparing new readers to be changed through each jot and tittle…

“...Dear friends, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…”

6-1-2012 Connecting with Andrew

Olive wood carving of the last supper

Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal."

Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?"  

Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."

Joh 6:27-29

Tiles at the church of Jacob's Well

Lord, your disciple Andrew keeps popping up, over and over in my scripture study. It was Andrew who had sought out and become a disciple of John the Baptist (John 1:35-40). Andrew encountered you, Yeshua, through John and insisted to his brother Simon Peter, that, “we have found the Messiah.” (John 1:41). It was Andrew who knew of a boy, within the great crowd following you, who had two fish and five loaves of bread (John 6:8-9). Even though Phillip had learned about the Greeks seeking out Jesus, he took that information to Andrew who then, with Phillip, made the introduction to you, his Rabbonai (John 12:20-22).

Mt. Gerizim

These were not the only scriptures in which Andrew is mentioned and, after witnessing your ascension, history records him as a significant evangelist, traveling as far as modern day Russia to share the Gospel, finally according to tradition, to be martyred in Greece.

Could it have been Andrew who said, “I know of a house in Capernaum (his, in fact) where you can stay”? Could it have been Andrew who knew of the whereabouts of a donkey and of a certain house with an upper room in Jerusalem? Was this man your “networker” while you walked the earth? As I read the scriptures, I don’t find anyone else described with these skills and yet this man’s specific abilities are repeatedly and deliberately mentioned. There must be a reason.

Eastern shore - Sea of Galilee

And then, there are the things I don’t see mentioned about Andrew. There is no evidence of his ever seeking credit or recognition for his accomplishments. There are no complaints from him about his doing all that “connecting”, but you, Jesus receiving the recognition. This appeared to be a humble servant – doing what he did naturally, and offering all of it to You.

Adonai, in retrospect, I see that you have put me in contact with so many people and resources. I wondered for a long time why I’ve had such a wide array of vocations and locations. Now I believe it was Your way of preparing me as a connector like Andrew.

Friends making friends in Jericho

Honestly, Ancient of Days, I have to confess I know others who are better at connecting than I am. I’ve seen them in action. Many of these I‘ve observed in church or ministry settings. I’m actually humbled (maybe even intimidated?) by the more highly connected people and resources they know. It temps me to dwell more on who and what I don’t know rather than on how to serve as Andrew served. You remind me, my job is not to understand what my net catches – just that I am to cast.

Scripture study by the Sea of Galilee

Mark & Patti at Ein Gedi

Emmanuel, I appreciate this gift, but I struggle because the curiosity seeker in me wants to see where the connections I put together will ultimately lead. Then again, what if Andrew had known that he was facilitating, even indirectly, in connecting you to the crucifixion moment? Would he have tried to alter his plans in ignorance of your destiny? No; it’s better that I just obey –  anticipating Your grander scheme is just way too dangerous.

Thank You for the example of Andrew. Help me, God, to be satisfied with the work You created for me to do. Help me to not try to redefine my destiny, but to accept and trust Your perfect design. Thank You, Father for Your desire to be connected with me, and with all those who believe. Praise You for The One You sent to connect us with You – Yeshua, Your son.

Amen.