Convoluted

Have you ever thought of the ways of God as being convoluted? Perhaps it sounds a bit disrespectful or irreverent, but many of us have felt that way even if we have not been willing to express our opinion in so many words. According to Webster’s New Dictionary, convoluted means, “1. folded in curved or tortuous windings, 2. involved, intricate.” It seems that so much of God’s ways are not simple and to the point but indirect, complex and often difficult to understand with the natural mind. Can you imagine how difficult it must have been for Joseph to grasp God’s plan to use the woman to whom he was pledged to marry as the mother of the messiah through a miraculous intervention by God. Why would God choose a manger as the birth place of his son? Why reveal the birth of Jesus to the shepherds? Why have the Magi make the trip to deliver gifts to the child and then allow the slaughter of the innocent children? Why choose Mary? Why in Bethlehem? Why? Why? Why?

We can look back on these events and give an explanation for many of the why questions. I seriously doubt those involved at the time would have known what we know or had the insight we currently possess. Perhaps you have had some unanswered questions as well. You may wonder why certain things have occurred in your life. You may even be tempted to feel that the ways of God in your circumstances are convoluted. They don’t always make sense. Life can feel out of control. Like God is somewhere else and not involved in or perhaps even interested in your issues. We know better of course, but …

God’s ways are not our ways. His plans and purposes are often not what we would expect not wish. Yet, his ways are best. But, they still may seem convoluted from the view of the natural way of thinking. If that describes you this year, may I suggest you try an experiment? Put yourself in the position of one of the characters of the Nativity narrative. How must they have felt? What would that have thought about their circumstances? How did they process the challenges they faced?

So often our walk with the Lord comes down to a simple concept, faith. I will trust when I cannot see. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In a culture where the modern world view with its scientific method dominates our way of thinking, pain, suffering, discomfort, and unanswered questions is often seen as old fashioned and unnecessary. God, however, still desires his children to trust him and walk in faith, trusting him and his goodness even when the path appears to be convoluted. Christmas is outmoded and old fashioned to those who do not know our Lord. To those of us who know him, it makes perfect sense. Someday, the circumstances of our lives will be understood and recognized as the perfect plan of God. Until then, may we walk in faith and trust his heart even though his plan does not make sense.

Merry Christmas!

Christology

Education provides opportunities to grow and learn about ideas that might well escape our attention in the normal course of life and thought. One course included in my studies at a liberal seminary I attend some years ago was called "Christology." I joyfully signed up for the three credits anticipating the future discovery of new insights and deeper understanding of the Incarnate Word.

Purchasing the required texts was disappointing because of the lack of exegetical approach to Scripture pursued by the authors. Entering the classroom and reviewing the syllabus produced a similar response. The essence of the professor's view of Christ revolved around the concept of what was called "Creative Transformation." There is a little of Christ in everyone, some more than others. Jesus possessed the greatest amount along with other great religious leaders as well as anyone who exhibited creativity that resulted in change. Jesus (mythological character to be sure, according to the 'teacher') possessed a greater amount of this creative transformation than most and may be considered a prototype for Christians. Developing your inner christ is the goal of the Christian life.

How sad! No, pathetic might be a better choice of words. Compromising, heretical, and unfaithful to a sound biblical theology would be accurate terms as well. I have never ceased to be amazed that intelligent people can totally distort a clear reading of the biblical text to develop a theory with absolutely no bases in the text of Scripture. Christology as Creative Transformation? Please! Nothing is as profound, creative, or worthy of discovery as the living Word of God! Hear the words of the text...

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:1, 14 NIV). We celebrate the coming of the Incarnate One who became a human being in order to redeem humanity and provide reconciliation to the Father. "Yet to all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12 NIV).

Incredible truth and profound mystery! Our Savior came as a baby to live his life and give his life for you and me. May we be forever captivated by the wonder of the miracle of the Incarnate Word. We celebrate Him! Our Christology is nothing less than the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth.

Advent

The prophesies of the coming of the Messiah run through the Old Testament Scriptures proclaiming the hope of "God with us." Isaiah 11 declares "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit." Not very majestic and not much glamour in that pronouncement! But for we who know Him, the reality grips our hearts and fills us with hope and anticipation.

Isaiah 11 reminds us that Jesus came to bring us hope. He reigns in our hearts as King and Lord. One look around us reveals that everything has not been fulfilled that is recorded in this passage. The lion and bear are still predators and no parent will allow their child to play where a cobra dwells. We still live in a world filled with pain, sorrow, grief and toil. Some teach the Christ rescues us from all the pain and sorrow in life. Many have found that He keeps them in the midst of the problems of life. Historically, the greatest appeal of Christ has been that the cross reveals that Jesus understands our pain and because he endured the agony of death on the tree. Yes, He is a miracle working God. Nothing is too difficult for the Lord.

Still, we live in this world where sickness, death, and sorrow still exist and followers of Jesus are not exempt from those realities. There is a hope for the believer that far surpasses even the hope for deliverance in the here and now. Yes we can and should trust God for his intervention in our sickness, pain, and problems. The greater hope is in the promise of the King. Not just the manger baby, but also the coming King who will be the fulfillment of Isaiah 11. He has come to be the Branch that will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord rests upon Him. He will judge righteously! He will slay the wicked! The nations will rally to him! "for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (vs. 9).

The celebration of Christmas is not just about the baby. It is about the hope we all have in Him!