Adapted from Sunday Sermon
1 John 5:6
This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
요한1서 5장 6절
이는 물과 피로 임하신 자니 곧 예수 그리스도시라 물로만 아니요 물과 피로 임하셨고
When I was a four-year-old living up in Michigan, I went to an immigrant Korean church in East Lansing, where most of the church members were international students studying for their graduate degrees. When Christmas came, the church would make a big effort to impress the multitude of children with decorations, presents, fun activities, and of course the appearance of Santa Claus. Back then, Christmas meant the celebration of Santa. At that age, I had trouble figuring out the true meaning of Christmas. What did Santa, angels, Rudolf, shepherds, and 'jingle bells' all celebrate?
Then one Christmas I asked my father why we celebrated this holiday. He told me that the fancy events and activities were there to help us celebrate the birth of Christ, the Son of God. I still didn't fully understand what he meant. After a few years passed, I came to understand the reason during 2nd grade. This realization came while playing the role of a shepherd during a Christmas play. The lights were all turned down and all the participants had candles lit to their face. At the center of the stage was baby Jesus. The spotlight was on Him. Every eye whether it was the actors or audience was upon this baby boy. It finally made sense, he was the reason for Christmas.
Today, we come upon a text that reminds us why we celebrate Christmas. The Apostle John shows us the means in which Jesus came into this world. Jesus Christ came by water and by blood. The water symbolizes the baptism of Jesus, in which he was declared the Son of God, commissioned and empowered. The blood symbolizes the eventual death on the cross, where he finished the work for all of humanity. In a sense, John summed up Jesus' earthly ministry through these two symbols. He reminds us today, the reason Jesus had to be born, the reason God chose to send Him into this fallen world, and the reason for Christmas.
When I stumbled upon this text during my reading of 1 John, I was puzzled and perplexed. Why would he include such things so abruptly? Why did he also add and say that the Spirit, the water, and the blood all testify about Jesus Christ? How do the water and blood testify about Jesus? After much thought and prayer, I remembered the two events in scripture. The baptism of Jesus marks the beginning of his ministry. All four authors of the Gospels place it at the beginning of their work. In this familiar scene, God's voice comes from heaven with the words, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17) 마태복음 3장 17 "절 하늘로서 소리가 있어 말씀하시되 이는 내 사랑하는 아들이요 내 기뻐하는 자라 하시니라." God uses these same words His testimony to mankind is clear and direct. The baptism of Jesus testifies to us the divine-humanity of Jesus Christ. He is both God and man.
The crucifixion of Jesus finalizes the work that he came to do. At the moment of his death, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split, and the tombs broke open (Mt 27:51-52). 마태복음 27장 51 "이에 성소 휘장이 위로부터 아래까지 찢어져 둘이 되고 땅이 진동하며 바위가 터지고 52 무덤들이 열리며 자던 성도의 몸이 많이 일어나되" Who did this? Who else could it be but God, testifying about his Son. Perhaps not many noticed it. But the Scriptures include the centurion who saw the earthquake and all that had happened...and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (Mt 7:54) 마태복음 27장 54절 "백부장과 및 함께 예수를 지키던 자들이 지진과 그 되는 일들을 보고 심히 두려워하여 가로되 이는 진실로 하나님의 아들이었도다 하더라."
During Christmas we recount God's witness to the shepherds through the angels, the wise men through the star over Bethlehem, and Mary through the angel Gabriel. We see that God repeatedly testifies about his Son. The baptism and crucifixion of Jesus are no different from these events. John reminds us today why Jesus had to be born to a virgin Mary. He reminds us why he had to be human and God from birth until death. Jesus, who is God, came to this earth to take human form. Without this incarnation, there would be no shedding of blood. Without the shedding of blood, there would be no forgiveness of sins (Heb 9:22). 히브리서 9장 22 절 "율법을 좇아 거의 모든 물건이 피로써 정결케 되나니 피흘림이 없은즉 사함이 없느니라."
The importance of these two historical witnesses cannot be ignored this Christmas. Jesus Christ, fully human and yet fully God, came by the water and by the blood. Water to symbolize the 'pure water to cleanse us from all pollution' and blood to symbolize the 'precious blood to atone for all guilt.' When Jesus came into the little town of Bethlehem, he did so because he wanted to fulfill these two goals. The one who came was Jesus Christ, one person who was always from his birth to his death and forevermore both the man Jesus and the Christ of God. Today when we celebrate Christmas, let us not only celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but the reason he came: to purify and to redeem us.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Who Can Stand in the Presence of the Lord?
1 Samuel
Chapter 5-6
The Christmas season has begun. Malls have added trees and Santas, stores have created new holiday sales, and churches have began to preach about baby Jesus. This is a special time of year for family, friends, and loved ones. It is within this atmosphere that I read today about the incredible holiness of God in 1 Samuel. For those of you who are not familiar with the story, I am essentially reading the section when the Philistines ponder what to do with the ark of the Lord. They have their suspicions that God is plaguing their cities and killing their people because they have unlawfully brought the ark into their presence.
So they put this theory to the test by strapping two cows on the ark and seeing whether it will go to Beth Shemesh (the nearest territory in Israel) or anywhere else. The ark finds it way to Beth Shemesh. The inhabitants begin to rejoice and praise the Lord. The Levites set the ark of God down and offer burnt offerings and sacrifices.
However, God strikes down “some” of the inhabitants who looked into the ark of the Lord. The Bible makes no mention of the manner in which they looked inside. I can imagine many of them were curious in what they would see. Perhaps they expected to see the face of God. They wanted proof of his existence. They wanted evidence that God was really there. Are these harmful or evil motivations or intentions? Probably not. But they forgot the words in Exodus 33:20 when God said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” “네가 내 얼굴을 보지 못하리니 나를 보고 살 자가 없음이니라.”
In the wrong light, God may seem unfair or unjust. Perhaps God can even seem to be evil. So I began to wonder what God is communicating to His people with this heartbreaking action. Why would a loving God wipe out the people who perhaps had good motivations to get to know their God? Is this an example of the “bipolar God” we find when reading the Old and New Testament characteristics of God? No, there is no such God in the Bible. He is a God of love that fallen humanity fails to understand.
The inhabitants of Beth Shemesh are disturbed. They ask a key question amongst each other and to God. “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God?” “이 거룩하신 하나님 여호와 앞에 누가 능히 서리요.” The rhetorical question ponders the same questions that I begin to ask. The answer is obvious. No one can stand in the presence of the Lord. God's holiness and supremeness excludes this possibility. However, is God only communicating His perfection to fallen humanity? Is He showing that He is “too cool” to be in their presence? No, God is showing the manner in which He communicates to this world. It is never on our own terms, but on the terms that God has already established. That is why humility plays a big part in experiencing God's mercy. When you humble yourself to the commands of God, you follow the terms that God has established. You admit that your ways and methods are fallible and trust in God's infallible message.
What does this have to do with Christmas? Lots. First of all, God has humbled himself as a child and taken the form of a human. Not only has He been born as a powerless baby, but He has displayed Himself to all mankind. The celebration of Christmas must focus on this glorious event. God became flesh. God took the punishment of our flesh. Thus, God delivers us from our flesh and provides a new resurrected “flesh”. This Christmas season, I hope we can appreciate the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Chapter 5-6
The Christmas season has begun. Malls have added trees and Santas, stores have created new holiday sales, and churches have began to preach about baby Jesus. This is a special time of year for family, friends, and loved ones. It is within this atmosphere that I read today about the incredible holiness of God in 1 Samuel. For those of you who are not familiar with the story, I am essentially reading the section when the Philistines ponder what to do with the ark of the Lord. They have their suspicions that God is plaguing their cities and killing their people because they have unlawfully brought the ark into their presence.
So they put this theory to the test by strapping two cows on the ark and seeing whether it will go to Beth Shemesh (the nearest territory in Israel) or anywhere else. The ark finds it way to Beth Shemesh. The inhabitants begin to rejoice and praise the Lord. The Levites set the ark of God down and offer burnt offerings and sacrifices.
However, God strikes down “some” of the inhabitants who looked into the ark of the Lord. The Bible makes no mention of the manner in which they looked inside. I can imagine many of them were curious in what they would see. Perhaps they expected to see the face of God. They wanted proof of his existence. They wanted evidence that God was really there. Are these harmful or evil motivations or intentions? Probably not. But they forgot the words in Exodus 33:20 when God said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” “네가 내 얼굴을 보지 못하리니 나를 보고 살 자가 없음이니라.”
In the wrong light, God may seem unfair or unjust. Perhaps God can even seem to be evil. So I began to wonder what God is communicating to His people with this heartbreaking action. Why would a loving God wipe out the people who perhaps had good motivations to get to know their God? Is this an example of the “bipolar God” we find when reading the Old and New Testament characteristics of God? No, there is no such God in the Bible. He is a God of love that fallen humanity fails to understand.
The inhabitants of Beth Shemesh are disturbed. They ask a key question amongst each other and to God. “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God?” “이 거룩하신 하나님 여호와 앞에 누가 능히 서리요.” The rhetorical question ponders the same questions that I begin to ask. The answer is obvious. No one can stand in the presence of the Lord. God's holiness and supremeness excludes this possibility. However, is God only communicating His perfection to fallen humanity? Is He showing that He is “too cool” to be in their presence? No, God is showing the manner in which He communicates to this world. It is never on our own terms, but on the terms that God has already established. That is why humility plays a big part in experiencing God's mercy. When you humble yourself to the commands of God, you follow the terms that God has established. You admit that your ways and methods are fallible and trust in God's infallible message.
What does this have to do with Christmas? Lots. First of all, God has humbled himself as a child and taken the form of a human. Not only has He been born as a powerless baby, but He has displayed Himself to all mankind. The celebration of Christmas must focus on this glorious event. God became flesh. God took the punishment of our flesh. Thus, God delivers us from our flesh and provides a new resurrected “flesh”. This Christmas season, I hope we can appreciate the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Just Keep Praying
1 Samuel
Chapters 2-4
Chapter 2 begins with a beautiful prayer by Hannah that speaks about the Lord's holiness, righteousness, and mercy. These are key lessons Hannah has learned though her experiences in the previous chapter. Interestingly enough, there is a turn in the storyline in examining the wicked sons of Eli who take the prime cuts of meat from the sacrifice (v 12-17) and have adulterous relationships with the women at the sanctuary entrance (v 22). Eli's relationship to his sons and Hannah's desire to raise Samuel up in the Lord are in stark contrast. Eli's sons no doubt continued the “family business” of the priestly duties. They had an understanding when they were growing up that eventually it would be time for them to take over Eli's role as the Judge and High Priest of Israel. They did not understand that in God's kingdom, he has no grandchildren.
There are many people like Eli's sons. I was one of them. They are born into very religious families that have family worship each night, never miss any Sunday services, and the church is the center of their existence. Perhaps their father or mother is very involved in church. But there is a disconnect with their frequent religious activities and their shallow relationship with God. How easy is it to be religious and miss a chance to know the one all these activities are supposed to lead us to? I wonder if Eli explained the necessity for his sons to be able to speak and hear from God. Hannah perhaps prayed tremendously that this be the case for Samuel. She didn't just let him be a Nazarite by dropping him off with Eli, but she unceasingly prayed that Samuel come in contact with the God she had met.
God does not ignore our prayers. The importance of prayer can never be stressed enough. In a culture that esteems efficiency and the-blaze-through-everything-you-do attitude, it is difficult to show why prayer should a foundation behind all things a Christian does. Our actions must be fueled by constant prayers to God. If we fail to skip this step, those plans and goals will come down into vain and pointless ambitions.
What are you praying for? Who are those people in your life that you love so much that you are willing to intercede on behalf of them? I believe praying for others is one key element for God to grow a Christ-like love in us. Someone once said that prayer is the breathing of a Christian. Let us breathe and enjoy the eternal life that God has blessed us with today.
Chapters 2-4
Chapter 2 begins with a beautiful prayer by Hannah that speaks about the Lord's holiness, righteousness, and mercy. These are key lessons Hannah has learned though her experiences in the previous chapter. Interestingly enough, there is a turn in the storyline in examining the wicked sons of Eli who take the prime cuts of meat from the sacrifice (v 12-17) and have adulterous relationships with the women at the sanctuary entrance (v 22). Eli's relationship to his sons and Hannah's desire to raise Samuel up in the Lord are in stark contrast. Eli's sons no doubt continued the “family business” of the priestly duties. They had an understanding when they were growing up that eventually it would be time for them to take over Eli's role as the Judge and High Priest of Israel. They did not understand that in God's kingdom, he has no grandchildren.
There are many people like Eli's sons. I was one of them. They are born into very religious families that have family worship each night, never miss any Sunday services, and the church is the center of their existence. Perhaps their father or mother is very involved in church. But there is a disconnect with their frequent religious activities and their shallow relationship with God. How easy is it to be religious and miss a chance to know the one all these activities are supposed to lead us to? I wonder if Eli explained the necessity for his sons to be able to speak and hear from God. Hannah perhaps prayed tremendously that this be the case for Samuel. She didn't just let him be a Nazarite by dropping him off with Eli, but she unceasingly prayed that Samuel come in contact with the God she had met.
God does not ignore our prayers. The importance of prayer can never be stressed enough. In a culture that esteems efficiency and the-blaze-through-everything-you-do attitude, it is difficult to show why prayer should a foundation behind all things a Christian does. Our actions must be fueled by constant prayers to God. If we fail to skip this step, those plans and goals will come down into vain and pointless ambitions.
What are you praying for? Who are those people in your life that you love so much that you are willing to intercede on behalf of them? I believe praying for others is one key element for God to grow a Christ-like love in us. Someone once said that prayer is the breathing of a Christian. Let us breathe and enjoy the eternal life that God has blessed us with today.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
God Remembers Us
1 Samuel
Chapter 1
I've made a deal with a special friend to read the Bible in Korean everyday for a month because she knows my Korean skills need some improving. We decided to read 1st and 2nd Samuel. Why did we choose that? No idea. I always enjoy sections in the Old Testament that have interesting narratives. Anyways, I know God will work in my heart during this time and I hope I am able to discern His voice. May God be glorified during this period.
I read the first chapter in Korean, digesting maybe 70% of what had happened. Therefore, I began to read the English version to clarify. Furthermore, when I found something of interest, I checked the Hebrew. Today the verse that really stuck out to me was verse 19, “They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.” “여호와께서 그를 생각하신지라.” You see those words a lot, “and the LORD remembered her.” I'm sure there is a rich description of this word throughout the Bible. I can think of the time when “God remembered Noah” (Ge 8:1), “he remembered Abraham” from Sodom and Gomorrah (Ge 19:29), “God remembered Rachel” (Ge 30:22), and the Psalmist (136:23) says, “He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever.”
A simple verb with such strong connotations. God's Love is so evident in this passage. Hannah, no doubt had felt the pain of being mocked by Peninnah. There are people in this world who God allows for them to throw arrows of ridicule, shame, and guilt. They are Satan's agents to strip away the joy that is in knowing Christ. But God uses this situation to bring about good. In the midst of all the distress and pain, God remembered Hannah. His eyes were glued to her and He was watching her every footstep. Even when she felt that God was far away from her (when she prayed unceasingly to the Lord), God was working out the sanctification of Hannah through this suffering. I've had a very similar situation happen to me recently.
To those of you who know me, I've learned first-hand what it means to feel as if God is distant and far away. During that period, I was also troubled in spirit. I did not know what to do with myself. But God used that uncomfortable situation to get me to turn all my prayers to Him alone. In the end, when we have no where else to turn, we can only hold tighter to the God who made us and gave us life. This was God's plan for Hannah and me.
Are you going through some tough situation? Perhaps a nasty divorce, a horrific accident, or the passing of a loved one? Maybe you have Peninnahs in your life that give rise to anger, shame, and bitterness. Let us remember that God remembers us. He is thinking of us forever and He will never ignore the cries of the lowly who are kneeling down in prayer. These are times for us to seek Him more and grow in our deep appreciation of the Creator of the world.
Chapter 1
I've made a deal with a special friend to read the Bible in Korean everyday for a month because she knows my Korean skills need some improving. We decided to read 1st and 2nd Samuel. Why did we choose that? No idea. I always enjoy sections in the Old Testament that have interesting narratives. Anyways, I know God will work in my heart during this time and I hope I am able to discern His voice. May God be glorified during this period.
I read the first chapter in Korean, digesting maybe 70% of what had happened. Therefore, I began to read the English version to clarify. Furthermore, when I found something of interest, I checked the Hebrew. Today the verse that really stuck out to me was verse 19, “They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.” “여호와께서 그를 생각하신지라.” You see those words a lot, “and the LORD remembered her.” I'm sure there is a rich description of this word throughout the Bible. I can think of the time when “God remembered Noah” (Ge 8:1), “he remembered Abraham” from Sodom and Gomorrah (Ge 19:29), “God remembered Rachel” (Ge 30:22), and the Psalmist (136:23) says, “He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever.”
A simple verb with such strong connotations. God's Love is so evident in this passage. Hannah, no doubt had felt the pain of being mocked by Peninnah. There are people in this world who God allows for them to throw arrows of ridicule, shame, and guilt. They are Satan's agents to strip away the joy that is in knowing Christ. But God uses this situation to bring about good. In the midst of all the distress and pain, God remembered Hannah. His eyes were glued to her and He was watching her every footstep. Even when she felt that God was far away from her (when she prayed unceasingly to the Lord), God was working out the sanctification of Hannah through this suffering. I've had a very similar situation happen to me recently.
To those of you who know me, I've learned first-hand what it means to feel as if God is distant and far away. During that period, I was also troubled in spirit. I did not know what to do with myself. But God used that uncomfortable situation to get me to turn all my prayers to Him alone. In the end, when we have no where else to turn, we can only hold tighter to the God who made us and gave us life. This was God's plan for Hannah and me.
Are you going through some tough situation? Perhaps a nasty divorce, a horrific accident, or the passing of a loved one? Maybe you have Peninnahs in your life that give rise to anger, shame, and bitterness. Let us remember that God remembers us. He is thinking of us forever and He will never ignore the cries of the lowly who are kneeling down in prayer. These are times for us to seek Him more and grow in our deep appreciation of the Creator of the world.
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