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Luke 2:10

The Shepherd’s perspective

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
December 6, 2024

Every Christmas pageant in the world has shepherds in it. What would a Christmas play be without shepherds? It would be incomplete. That’s what it would be! The Gospel of Luke makes a big deal out of the shepherds coming from the hills of Bethlehem to visit Jesus in the manger. The text of Luke 2 regarding the shepherds begins, “And in the same region…” That means Bethlehem! They are not just ordinary Shepherds. Bethlehem is the major suburb of Jerusalem. It’s where David, the little boy, was a shepherd. He was a songwriter and poet from his earliest days and did that in these very same hills. But more importantly, the hills of Bethlehem were occupied by shepherds who were assigned to care for and watch over the sheep being raised for one purpose and one purpose only. They were the sheep that were to serve as the sacrifices that were offered in the temple. There are several things worth noting about the Luke passage in this regard.

First, when the angels appeared to the shepherds, the text says, “The glory of the lord shone around about them.” That’s a clear reference to the Holy of Holies, where the “Glory of the Lord” was believed to reside. These shepherds were raising these sheep to be offered at the Temple as sacrifices to the Glory of the Lord. But, they themselves were never allowed to enter into God’s presence. That’s why they were “filled with great fear.” The angel tells them not to fear because he has some wonderful news of great joy for all the people. They were about to be introduced to the one great sacrificial lamb who would rend the veil separating God from the people. That’s why the angel added that this great joy will be for “all the people.” It’s not just for the religious elite who enter God’s presence. It was for them, too. It’s for me too! It’s for you too!

The angel told them, “This would be a sign to you; you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” How could that be a sign for shepherds? One of the toughest jobs of the shepherds was to protect the newborn sheep. The mortality rate of sheep (and humans) in those days was pretty high. But, even more important was the fact that when sheep are first born, they struggle and wiggle and strive to stand up and bump into things and very often break legs or cut themselves or hurt themselves in such a way that they are no longer “perfect” as a sacrifice at the Temple. Shepherds worked hard at watching the expectant ewes so they could be there for the delivery. They would receive the baby sheep right from the womb, and to ensure it would remain acceptable as an offering, they would wrap it up tightly and bind it so it couldn’t hurt itself. You guessed it; they would use “swaddling” clothes. Further, after wrapping the newborn sheep, it would be laid in the feeding trough so that the other sheep would not bother it until it had time to survive the birth experience without damage. The swaddling clothes and lying in a manger would assure the shepherds that this infant was the “perfect” sacrifice that would be offered for the sins of the world. According to Luke 2:10, the angel said, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

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Luke 2:11

The Three Kings

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
December 5, 2024

Every Christmas pageant in the world has the three kings of “Orient are…” They are bearing gifts that they’ve brought from afar! (Or something like that!). We don’t know how many wise men there actually were. But we do know there were three gifts. Luke 2:11 says, “Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” My grandson, Zeke, played one of the wise men in the school play one year. He didn’t know which one. I asked him, “Are you Balthazar?” He said no. I wondered if he was “Melchior?” He said no. I asked him if he was “Casper.” He said no. Those are the traditional names of the three wise men. Zeke didn’t know which one he was playing, but he made a cute-looking wise man with a crown and a long bathrobe.  We called him the “wise guy.” He didn’t appreciate that.

There were many contrasts involved in the Christmas story: Nazareth, the nothing spot, and Bethlehem, the city of the great King; Shepherds from the nearby hillsides; and Kings from very far away. They came bearing gifts. Everyone knows what the three gifts were. One child said they were “Gold, frankincense, and smurfs.” The Gold was expressing great value. From that day to ours, it has increased incredibly in value and still represents one of the most solid economic investments of the day. The key to understanding this gift is its value and beauty. Nothing was more pleasing to the eye. Frankincense was about the nose. The Hebrew word for frankincense is(usually translated INCENSE by NIV. It derives from a root meaning “white.” When the gum first exudes from the bark, it is of an amber color; later, when removed from the tree, the resin produces a white dust on its surface. When warmed and burned, the gum produces a sweet, pleasant odor. Its primary value is its fragrance. The same is true for Myrrh. But the key to Myrrh was not its odor. In addition to being offered to Jesus shortly after His birth, myrrh was also presented to Him at the time of His death (Mk 15:23). Historically, myrrh was utilized for cosmetic purposes but also for medicinal purposes.

The words “myrrh and balm” are sometimes synonymous. It’s the healing characteristic that’s most unique. I love the old hymn that we don’t hear very much, but it would make a great Christmas song. There is a “balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.” Wise men and those with sin-sick souls still seek him. The real gift is not what the wise men brought but what the baby offers us all. Merry Christmas!

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Ephesians 2:5

The Odors of Christmas

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
December 4, 2024

Interestingly, Jesus was rejected by most of the people at His birth. The religious leaders knew something about the prophecy because they informed Herod when he inquired about the predicted whereabouts of the child’s birth, but they weren’t interested. Herod, the King of the Jews, was only interested in it so that he could kill the baby. The only kings interested in it were those from foreign countries. The innkeepers in Bethlehem had no room for him, and he was left to be born in a stable, an animal shelter. He was born at the place where animals were born. He was inspected by the Shepherds who raised the sheep for sacrifice and found to be wrapped in swaddling clothes to preserve his perfection as an offering acceptable to God for the sins of the world.

I have been in horse stables and barns where animals were kept, and the thing that I remember most about those experiences was the odors. The Old Testament even mentions the “smell in barns” produced by the animals. In an agricultural economy, the stench of animals was a smell of prosperity. But comparatively speaking, there are many other odors I’d rather smell. The contrasting aromas in the Christmas story are interesting. The odor of the wise men’s gifts of frankincense and myrrh is on the pleasant side, while the odors of the stable are on the unpleasant side. Further, there have been many traditions regarding the “smell” of angels. Some argue that angels smell like the fragrance of flowers, others from fruits, but mostly, the comparison is with freshly baked cookies. You might remember that in the movie “Michael,” John Travolta was supposed to smell like cookies. I have no strong opinion about whether angels truly have an odor. I’d probably vote no if pushed into the corner simply because there is no biblical reference to their odor. Yet, anything is possible with God.

I’m convinced that odors are significant, however. The use of many different fragrances in the worship services described in the Old Testament proves that odors are somehow involved. The acceptable sacrifices of man to God are frequently said to ascend in a “sweet-smelling aroma.” In this regard, as the ultimate sacrifice, a burnt offering, for the sins of the world, Jesus was indeed a sweet-smelling fragrance. Our victory over the stench of the world is also characterized by the presence of Christ and alluded to as an odor. Paul writes to the Corinthians, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” The word “angel” means messenger, and as Christ’s messengers, we should have the same odor (presence) that he had. Paul teaches us in Ephesians 2:5 to “…walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

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Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Psalm 77:12

A Time for God

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
December 3, 2024

Jesus exhorts us to become like little children because heaven belongs to them. He said in Matthew 18:3, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” What exactly is the Kingdom of Heaven all about then that God gives it to children? Romans 14:17 gives us the answer. It says, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Thoughts of peace and joy always dominate the Christmas season. That’s what the angels declared when they announced the coming of Jesus. Peace and Joy are two characteristics that are probably most appropriate for children. Grown-ups worry too much about what we’re going to eat and drink and how to put a roof over our heads, and how to make a living. Jesus frequently addressed the stress of adulthood. He wanted us more like children who rest confidently and comfortably under His care. “Don’t worry about tomorrow,” He says, “tomorrow will take care of itself.” But like the Israelites whose sins brought devastation to their lives, we lament with the writer of Lamentations, “The joy of our hearts has ended…” (Lamentations 5:17).

Many things rob us of our childlike faith, joy, and peace in life. One of those things is an unbalanced schedule. The wisest man in the world exhorts us to get a grip on our perspective on various activities under the sun. When I was preparing my sermon series on Ecclesiastes about 10 years ago, I was moved by Ecclesiastes 3:1-8  where Solomon exhorts us to remember that there is time for every purpose under heaven: plant & harvest, kill and heal, cry and laugh, grieve and dance, embrace and refrain, keep and throw away, tear and mend, love and hate, be quiet and to speak and war and peace. In the modern adult mindset, we must balance our lives with respect to our activities. God balances the world, and we should live balanced lives. That’s why Peter tells us (1 Peter 5:8 – Amplified Version), “Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.”

One of the things I always need to do is to schedule time with God. Now that I’m retired and don’t have the weekly pressure of preaching, it takes more effort to do that.  Having no deeds to do and no promises to keep makes for a comfortable retirement, but it misses out on one of the most important things in life: spending time with God regularly. One of the reasons I keep writing these devotions is so I’ll have a schedule that helps me spend time with God’s Word every day.  It will affect everything else I do that day. The Israelites recognized that Moses spent time with God. Exodus 34:29 tells us that as Moses descended from Mount Sinai—with the two tablets of the testimony in his hands as he descended the mountain—he did not realize that the skin of his face shone due to his speaking with the LORD. Those who spend time with Jesus will find confidence and security in their day-to-day life today also. Acts 4:13 (ESV) Now, when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. The Psalmist sings in Psalm 77:12, “I will spend time thinking about everything you have done. I will consider all of your mighty acts.”

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Psalm 119:159

The One Thing that Never Changes

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
December 2, 2024

The older I get, the less I like things to change. I will find myself fighting any change at times.  But, like everyone who ever lived, I’ve had to learn to prepare myself for change.  We can’t stop it. Nothing ever stays the same!  I have to say it again, the older I get, the less I like change. Now that I’ve been retired for seven years, I’ve established a routine for daily living, and I get upset when I have to change it to accommodate one of my family members or to adapt to various unforeseen circumstances.  There is no escape! Things are going to change whether you like it or not. We have to learn to live with that no matter how uncomfortable it becomes.

Everything changes! One of the songs I enjoyed in the 1960s was “Where are you going?” The first verse went like this:

Where are you going, my little one, little one,
Where are you going, my baby, my own?
Turn around, and you’re two,
Turn around, and you’re four,
Turn around, and you’re a young girl going out of my door.
Turn around, turn around,
Turn around, and you’re a young girl going out of my door.

It’s all a part of growing up, and we can do nothing to stop it. The older I get, the more incredible it becomes for me, and the faster time seems to go. I look forward to spending time with the family. The family comes and the family goes.  I remember the first Christmas without my father. It wasn’t the same. I remember the first Christmas without my mother several years later. It wasn’t the same. She was the one to bring the family together. There were no more family get-togethers like there were when she was alive. My sister tried to fill that role, but then she passed away, and there were no more family gatherings like before. Change is very unsettling at times, and it causes one to ponder its purpose. What does it matter anyway? It is here for a moment and then gone. Dust in the wind! Sand through the hour glass of time. Etc. The bottom line for me is that there is something that never changes through it all. Look at these brief verses from God’s Word: Malachi 3:6 (NIV) I, the Lord, do not change! Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV) I have loved you with an everlasting love. Psalm 119:159 (GN) Your (God’s) love never changes. It’s great to meditate on Romans 8:38. The Message translation puts it this way, “…nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, thinkable or unthinkable – absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love…” In the midst of years coming and years going, it’s good to remember one thing never changes. It is God’s Love!

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Ecclesiastes 1:1-3

What’s the use?

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
December 1, 2024

Some time ago, Rick Warren wrote a book entitled “The Purpose-Driven Life.” It became a best-seller almost immediately, and surprisingly, the sales surpassed that of nearly all religious books published in the previous decade. I believe it was so popular because it focused on everyone’s need to find meaning and purpose in life. Early in the book, Warren notes a survey conducted by Dr. Hugh Moorhead in which he wrote to 250 leading intellectuals and scientists asking them, “What is the meaning of life?” None of those who responded provided a satisfying answer to the question. But all admitted to struggling with the issue. If you’ve never wrestled with understanding the meaning of life, you are in the minority. Most people have to come to grips with ultimate truths that shape their view of the most important issues in life.

Solomon, in his older years, also struggled with this question. No one had the wealth, popularity, power, or possessions that he had, but none of that brought lasting satisfaction to his life. Solomon also wrote a book about it. Unlike Warren’s book, Ecclesiastes has been a best seller for over 3000 years. Having been inspired by God it’s one of the biblical books in the genre of wisdom literature. It begins by asking the question, “What’s the use?” Literally, Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 says, “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?” In my vernacular, he’s looking at life and asking, “What’s the use?” David Jeremiah tells of a college student who wrote this note before taking his own life: “To anyone in the world who cares, Who am I? Why am I living? Life has become stupid and purposeless. Nothing makes sense to me anymore. My questions when I came to college are still unanswered, and I am convinced there are no answers. There can only be pain and guilt and despair here in this world. My fear of death and the unknown is far less terrifying than the prospect of the unbearable frustration, futility, and hopelessness of continued existence.”

The book of Ecclesiastes is the story of Solomon’s search for meaning and purpose in life. Throughout his story, he describes the conclusions he reaches. His conclusions are far different than those of the hostess at the end of the Monty Python movie, “The Meaning of Life.” She dramatically opens the envelope containing the answer. She reads, “Try to be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations.” Although good instructions for living in community, does that really answer the question? Of course not! You can’t answer the ” why ” question by giving directions on “how.” Solomon’s conclusions prove to be much more meaningful. His answer is repeated several times throughout the course of the book. It’s all about having a relationship with the God who created us. One website explained it well. Commenting on Solomon’s use of the phrase “vanity of vanities,” It says, “Solomon used this phrasing to demonstrate the meaninglessness of living apart from God. The term vanity of vanities is a superlative, emphasizing the emptiness of a Godless life. Without God, life is empty, holds no real meaning, and provides no lasting significance

 

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Ephesians 5:18-21

Gratitude & The Spirit-filled Life

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 30, 2024

When Paul writes to the Ephesians, he says, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:18-21). While many of us are familiar with the fruits of the spirit listed in Galatians 5-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control-this list is not exhaustive. It’s more than a mere checklist. There are other “fruits of the spirit.” One significant one is “thankfulness” as we discover in the Ephesians passage. When the Spirit of God guides our lives, we are enveloped in a spirit of gratitude, becoming thankful people in all aspects of our lives.

It is through the transformative presence of the Spirit that we can become people of perpetual gratitude. It’s through the power of the Spirit that Job proclaimed, “the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed is the name of the Lord.” It’s through the indwelling of God’s Spirit that he declared, “naked came I into the world and naked from it I will go.” And only the Holy Spirit could have inspired his words, “Although He slay me, yet will I put my faith in Him.” An unknown author beautifully encapsulated this transformation in a poem:

O Thou whose bounty fills my cup, With every blessing meet!
I give Thee thanks for every drop—The bitter and the sweet.

I praise Thee for the desert road, And for the riverside;
For all Thy goodness hath bestowed, And all Thy grace denied.

I thank Thee for both smile and frown, And for the gain and loss;
I praise Thee for the future crown And for the present cross.

I thank Thee for both wings of love Which stirred my worldly nest;
And for the stormy clouds which drove Me, trembling, to Thy breast.

I bless Thee for the glad increase, And for the waning joy;
And for this strange, this settled peace Which nothing can destroy.

“Be filled with the Spirit… giving thanks always for everything.” Ephesians 5:20

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Colossians 1:12

Thanksgiving as Therapy!

Filed Under: Devotions by Chuck
November 29, 2024

I’ve always argued that the commandments of God are not given to us in order to keep us from the enjoyable things in life. On the contrary, they are given to us so we’ll live the best possible lives in this fallen world. God always has our best interests foremost in mind when he allows suffering and when he commands obedience. He’s not, like some think, the kind of God who wants to keep good things from us. Eve fell for that Satan’s ploy! He only wants our best in every situation and circumstance. The scriptures make ingratitude a sin, and it commands us to be thankful. He commands us to be thankful because that’s the best thing for us.

David Jeremiah tells this story: A man on the verge of a nervous breakdown was counseled to practice the therapy of thanksgiving. He was told to make a list of all the people who had ever helped him in his life. Then he was to sit down and write a letter of thanks to a person who had especially blessed his life in the past. This man thought through his life and remembered a school teacher he’d had when he was growing up. She was a very old lady now. He wrote her a letter expressing his appreciation for all she’d meant to his life during his days of schooling. Several days went by and he got a letter back from her. She wrote, “Dear Willie, as I recall all the children I have taught over the years, you are the only one who ever took time to write and thank me for what I did as a teacher. You’ve made me so happy. I’ve read your letter through tears. I keep it by my bedside and read it every night. I shall cherish it until the day I die.” This man was so thrilled by the reply that he wrote more letters. At last he’d written 500 letters to the people he felt grateful to. Do you know what happened? The man got better.

Louis Smedes, in his reflection after a near-death experience, wrote: I found myself soaring beyond my physical self. High. Suspended in weightless lightness, as if my earthly existence required no solid ground but was suspended in space, buoyed only by love. I was overwhelmed with gratitude. In that moment, I discovered that gratitude is the most profound emotion I would ever experience in my life. It was the ultimate joy of living. It surpassed the thrill of winning the lottery. It was richer and more profound than any other emotion. It is, perhaps, the source of all other truly positive emotions in the human experience. I am certain that nothing in life can ever match the sensation of being fully, completely, and utterly grateful.

“Give thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” Colossians 1:12

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