Debate has begun over the birthplace of Jesus. Due to the identification of a second city by the name of Bethlehem not far from Nazareth, some scholars have taken the position that Jesus was born not in Judea but in Galilee. “If Jesus were born in the City of David,” they argue, “why is he called the Nazarene?” Even early Christians were called Nazarenes and Christianity was known as the Nazarene Sect.
Standing stones are important, but equally important are the words Jacob spoke about that place. He named it Beth-El. It is a compound word, “beth” (pronounced “bait” in Hebrew) meaning house, and “El” which was the common name for God. Together they mean “House of God” which to my way of thinking is odd. How can a place outside, in the wilderness, be a “house”? The answer is given by the wisest man who ever lived. Solomon asks himself “Will the Lord God dwell in a house built be the hands of men?” The place is unimportant; where the Lord dwells is his home. That can be in a wilderness, it can be in a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. It can be upon a golden ark or a temple adorned as no other. Home isn’t where you hang your hat; it’s where the presence of the Lord is!
Acts 19 tells the only story of an unsuccessful exorcism in all of Scripture. The seven sons of Sceva tried to invoke the power of the name of Jesus without first preparing properly for the battle. As a result, they were defeated, embarrassed, and luck to escape with their lives. If these Jewish exorcists were so abused, what hope does any Christian have when in the presence of such evil forces?
Yesterday we read that just before departing Corinth for home Paul shaved his head. Luke cryptically tells us that this was due to a vow. Just what vow was taken, and why would it involve shaving one’s head? It is best to allow Scripture to interpret Scripture whenever possible, and this is a case where it may be possible.
Back on October 23 of this year I made a passing reference to the location of the temple in Jesus’ day and hinted that it might not be where we have been thinking for a good many hundreds of years. Before too much time passes I want to address this issue, and especially as it has some bearing on other issues to be discussed this holiday season. Of all the articles we’ve posted here on Think-Biblically.com this is one you will probably want to bookmark.
Begin this week’s study by reading Genesis 28.10-.19 then come back here and keep reading. You’ll be glad you did. Clearly when Jacob stopped to rest the place he chose to camp was unremarkable. It was an ordinary place, and he chose an ordinary stone for a pillow. This sounds uncomfortable but it doesn’t have to be. A properly shaped stone behind your neck can be wonderfully relaxing, especially at the end of a long journey. But I want to be sure we understand that there were no signs posted: “No Trespassing – Holy Ground!” There was nothing mystical about the stone he slept on; it held no magical powers. Yet in the light of the new day both the ground and the stone would be honored in a special way.
Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles, begins today at sunset. This Jewish holiday, one of seven feasts instituted by God himself, is a seven or eight day celebration depending on if you are celebrating in Jerusalem or outside Israel. In the distant past it could be difficult to know what day exactly the celebration was held on as, like most of the feasts, it starting day was determined by the phase of the moon. If it were a cloudy night, for example, the moon could not be observed, leading to some allowances for those who could not make the journey to Jerusalem. This year it is celebrated during a blood moon.
Yesterday we read about Paul’s proclamation of impeding judgment. His message, while reasoned very differently, didn’t differ from Jonah’s message to Nineveh centuries earlier. Both men called a people to repentance in order to avoid God’s judgment. The only significant difference between the two messages is that Jonah had set the judgment day as 40 days hence, while Paul’s message leaves the day open ended. When considering the creations complete history, Judgment day was near during Paul’s time. How much nearer is it for us?
When a football team wins the Super Bowl each member of the team receives a special ring of great value, both as a reward and a reminder of their accomplishment. Every year there is an awards ceremony for those film and television actors who have performed in a way so stellar they are deserving of special recognition. Pageants are held to recognize men and women of extreme beauty and talent. Mankind is very good at recognizing the accomplishments of other men and women, yet we rarely (if ever) award God for the outstanding achievements he creates in our lives.
In the West, the God of Christianity has been superseded by the gods of modernity: money, sex, fame, power. These gods give a good life, but they cannot sustain life. As Christianity is a dying faith in every Western nation, every Western nation is dying.
At sunset tomorrow, October 3, the celebration of the sixth (of seven) Feast of the Lord begins. Known as Yom Kipur, this feast is the celebration of atonement and repentance. It is the holiest 25 hours in the Jewish year and is a time marked by fasting (the only fast ever mandated by God) and attendance of services. Before the destruction of the temple sacrifices were offered for the whole of Israel. It was the only day of the year priests could enter the holy of holies.
Tomorrow the liturgical church celebrates Corpus Christi, a Christian feast celebrating Communion. Most protestant churches do not celebrate the event as it is a decidedly Catholic invention, and one that espouses a very different theology surrounding the Communion elements (bread and wine) than does the non-liturgical churches. Because of the theological element its worth understanding the holiday.
