It's graduation week.
But this week I won't be saying "goodbye".
Only "see you soon".
Because the promise has been made.
"Surely I am coming soon."
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
And until that great graduation day.
I know You'll continue Your mission for us.
That we may all meet again at that ultimate reunion.
#Rev22.20
June 13, 2012
June 8, 2012
The Heavens Declare
I was recently speaking with a friend who knows that I am a Christian
studying math at a well-known research university. In our conversation,
he asked if my Christian faith ever conflicts with my studies.
I understand his question. Much has been said about how the sciences appear to contradict the Biblical worldview: we can’t multiply bread in a lab and haven’t found the skeletons of our first parents. But I would like to suggest that at the heart of science is very compelling evidence to believe in the Creator God.1 Let me explain.
Much of what we recognize as modern science stems from the work of a few familiar names, such as Newton. Yet did you know Newton spent just as much time studying scripture as he did studying science. This is no coincidence. To us it seems natural that there is some equation to describe gravity and the other physical phenomena, but a priori there is little reason why this should be true. Why should the universe be ordered by “natural laws”? And moreover, why should we be able to understand and describe these laws? It isn’t clear. But Newton, and other men of faith, were convinced that there is a Creator who has ordered the universe. Moreover, they suspected He had made us so that we might study His works, so they set out to discover God’s fingerprints of order. And discover they did.
However, we might wonder if this order is self-imposed. Are we just forcing descriptions of order on things that are really quite messy and chaotic?
A bit of history helps to answer this question. Beginning in the 19th century math became abstract. Up until this point math was largely inspired by real world problems (counting sheep and building buildings). But in the 19th century, mathematicians started working with mathematical ideas that seemed to have no connections with the world.2 Now this may seem silly–why do math if it isn’t useful–but the mathematicians were fascinated by the order of the ideas that they were studying and somebody was foolish enough to keep paying them to do it.
The result was that a lot of books about interesting, albeit seemingly useless, math were written. But here’s the punchline: it wasn’t actually useless. In the 20th century, when physicists started studying things like relativity and quantum mechanics, they discovered that all this useless math that was lying around was perfect for explaining the phenomena that they were studying. At first they were suspicious because the math predicted really counter-intuitive things about the universe, but when they ran the experiments, the predictions were spot-on. They discovered that fundamentally, the universe is mathematically ordered.
Without a belief in the Creator God this doesn’t make sense. Noble winning physicist E. Wigner explains it well, “The enormous usefulness of mathematics in the natural sciences is something bordering on the mysterious and there is no rational explanation for it.” He continues, “It is difficult to avoid the impression that a miracle confronts us here.”3
Creation still testifies of the Creator.
1Let me be cautious to clarify that not every accepted scientific theory is in harmony with scripture. And when there is a clear conflict, we shouldn’t try to force a harmony. The Christian scientist subjects the opinions of even the smartest men to the test of scripture. Yet while she may reject certain scientific claims, she is very comfortable in the domain of science. After all, “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1).
2For instance, non-Euclidean geometry and abstract algebra were developed.
3See E. Wigner’s article, The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences (1960).
I understand his question. Much has been said about how the sciences appear to contradict the Biblical worldview: we can’t multiply bread in a lab and haven’t found the skeletons of our first parents. But I would like to suggest that at the heart of science is very compelling evidence to believe in the Creator God.1 Let me explain.
Much of what we recognize as modern science stems from the work of a few familiar names, such as Newton. Yet did you know Newton spent just as much time studying scripture as he did studying science. This is no coincidence. To us it seems natural that there is some equation to describe gravity and the other physical phenomena, but a priori there is little reason why this should be true. Why should the universe be ordered by “natural laws”? And moreover, why should we be able to understand and describe these laws? It isn’t clear. But Newton, and other men of faith, were convinced that there is a Creator who has ordered the universe. Moreover, they suspected He had made us so that we might study His works, so they set out to discover God’s fingerprints of order. And discover they did.
However, we might wonder if this order is self-imposed. Are we just forcing descriptions of order on things that are really quite messy and chaotic?
A bit of history helps to answer this question. Beginning in the 19th century math became abstract. Up until this point math was largely inspired by real world problems (counting sheep and building buildings). But in the 19th century, mathematicians started working with mathematical ideas that seemed to have no connections with the world.2 Now this may seem silly–why do math if it isn’t useful–but the mathematicians were fascinated by the order of the ideas that they were studying and somebody was foolish enough to keep paying them to do it.
The result was that a lot of books about interesting, albeit seemingly useless, math were written. But here’s the punchline: it wasn’t actually useless. In the 20th century, when physicists started studying things like relativity and quantum mechanics, they discovered that all this useless math that was lying around was perfect for explaining the phenomena that they were studying. At first they were suspicious because the math predicted really counter-intuitive things about the universe, but when they ran the experiments, the predictions were spot-on. They discovered that fundamentally, the universe is mathematically ordered.
Without a belief in the Creator God this doesn’t make sense. Noble winning physicist E. Wigner explains it well, “The enormous usefulness of mathematics in the natural sciences is something bordering on the mysterious and there is no rational explanation for it.” He continues, “It is difficult to avoid the impression that a miracle confronts us here.”3
Creation still testifies of the Creator.
1Let me be cautious to clarify that not every accepted scientific theory is in harmony with scripture. And when there is a clear conflict, we shouldn’t try to force a harmony. The Christian scientist subjects the opinions of even the smartest men to the test of scripture. Yet while she may reject certain scientific claims, she is very comfortable in the domain of science. After all, “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1).
2For instance, non-Euclidean geometry and abstract algebra were developed.
3See E. Wigner’s article, The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences (1960).
May 23, 2012
Society of Explorers
Before I came to California four years ago, I knew very little about what to expect. I remember learning in high school history class about the explorers who went out west and the 1849 Gold Rush that sent masses westward seeking a fortune.
In a similar spirit, when I traveled for the first time westward to begin school at Stanford, I did so with a sense of adventure. I was joining a society of explorers.
But arriving in California, I discovered a new adventure was occupying the people. At Stanford I met buildings named after Hewlett, Packard, and Gates. Zuckerberg would stop by campus to give a computer science lecture. And it wasn't long until we were anticipating who in our class would create the next great start-up and become ridiculously wealthy.
The society of explores had become the society of creators.
But we aren't just creating start-ups and fortunes. At Stanford we have a class put on by the School of Design called, "Design Your Life". The now popular answer to "What is the meaning of life?" is "You create your meaning."
Don't discover. Create.
It sounds exciting. But I wonder if we have gotten too carried away. Is the purpose that we're creating as temporary as the start-ups Silicon Valley produce. Are there some things we should still be seeking for? Something more valuable and eternal than gold?
To those still exploring and discovering, I share the promise: "You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).
In a similar spirit, when I traveled for the first time westward to begin school at Stanford, I did so with a sense of adventure. I was joining a society of explorers.
But arriving in California, I discovered a new adventure was occupying the people. At Stanford I met buildings named after Hewlett, Packard, and Gates. Zuckerberg would stop by campus to give a computer science lecture. And it wasn't long until we were anticipating who in our class would create the next great start-up and become ridiculously wealthy.
The society of explores had become the society of creators.
But we aren't just creating start-ups and fortunes. At Stanford we have a class put on by the School of Design called, "Design Your Life". The now popular answer to "What is the meaning of life?" is "You create your meaning."
Don't discover. Create.
It sounds exciting. But I wonder if we have gotten too carried away. Is the purpose that we're creating as temporary as the start-ups Silicon Valley produce. Are there some things we should still be seeking for? Something more valuable and eternal than gold?
To those still exploring and discovering, I share the promise: "You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).
May 21, 2012
Access
May 19 is my birthday! This year, it was also the day I was invited to deliver the sermon at the Mountain View Japanese Adventist Church.
Public speaking is a couple miles away from my comfort zone. Also, it's nowhere close to making it onto the "skills set" section of my resume.
But just as an Artist who makes a masterpiece by using broken, faulty tools deserves all the more honor, I believe God often uses rusty, unqualified people to accomplish the masterpiece He's working in our lives, directing all the glory to Him.
For those interested in hearing the message, called Access, you may listen to an audio recording here. Soon I'll also post the video recording (which may be useful since we used a diagram during the sermon). It's a theme that has been changing my life and my walk with God; I pray you're also blessed.
Public speaking is a couple miles away from my comfort zone. Also, it's nowhere close to making it onto the "skills set" section of my resume.
But just as an Artist who makes a masterpiece by using broken, faulty tools deserves all the more honor, I believe God often uses rusty, unqualified people to accomplish the masterpiece He's working in our lives, directing all the glory to Him.
For those interested in hearing the message, called Access, you may listen to an audio recording here. Soon I'll also post the video recording (which may be useful since we used a diagram during the sermon). It's a theme that has been changing my life and my walk with God; I pray you're also blessed.
May 5, 2012
Why I keep Sabbath
Yesterday I told a friend that I keep Sabbath. He was impressed that I could make it through four years at Stanford without doing any work from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. To be honest, I don't know if I could have made it through without Sabbath.
However, despite the blessing of Sabbath, I'm sometimes slow to tell friends about my Sabbath observance. Not because I'm ashamed, but because I'm afraid that when I share Sabbath, I'll fail to communicate the point of it. I fear that it'll sound like Sabbath is just my weekly vacation from work or a time I spend with friends. Those are nice aspects, but they totally miss the central theme. Sabbath is a celebration of Jesus.
Let me explain.
The first mention of the Sabbath is at the end of the creation week in Genesis. Throughout the week God had been speaking the world into existence. On the sixth day God stepped down, knelt on the ground, crafted man from clay, and breathed life into him. Then we see creation week come to a close:
Thus God gave humanity an example to rest on the seventh day. As if that wasn't enough, He made it a command (one of big ten actually):
As God rested, we rest. The Sabbath is a memorial of creation--every week we stop what we're doing and remember God our Creator. Talk about a regular dose of perspective! Also note the emphasis on the seventh day. This makes sense, it's the only day that was made holy and hence the only day that we can keep holy. Sabbath on Tuesday wouldn't make sense.
Now, jump forward to Jesus. One Sabbath Jesus encounters a blind man. Jesus often healed the blind, but his method this time is unique, "he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud" (John 9:8).
Don't miss the significance. This is happening on the Sabbath. The day everyone has been commanded to rest and remember creation. And what does Jesus do? He kneels down, shapes some dirt, and breathes/spits into it.
Just like God did at creation. By his actions, Jesus is identifying himself with the Creator.
This is no new idea for the gospel of John which opens by declaring of Jesus, "All things were made by through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:2).
But here Jesus isn't creating new life. He's healing disease and restoring broken life. The Creator is also the Redeemer!
What does this mean for Sabbath? Good question. Let's go back to the Ten Commandments. We read the version recorded in Exodus, but another is recorded in Deuteronomy. Nearly identical, except the Sabbath commandment:
Before Sabbath was linked to creation, but here it is linked to deliverance. The New Testament closely ties God's act of bringing Israel out of Egypt with bringing individuals today out of the slavery of sin. Hence Sabbath celebrates both God as Creator and God as Redeemer.
We see this on the cross. It's the sixth day of passion week and the Christ is on the cross. In triumphant agony he declares, "It is finished". Then he rests on the Sabbath. Just like at the close of creation week when God finishes creating and rests on the Sabbath.
Powerful. The acts of creation and redemption are linked. Sabbath is the golden thread that travels across time, connecting us with God's mighty acts in history.
Perhaps that's why Jesus was so passionate about the Sabbath. He spent his Sabbaths challenging the popular opinion that Sabbath was just about avoiding tasks like snacking and heavy lifting (cf. Matt. 12, John 5). Instead, he teaches Sabbath is about doing good, healing, and blessing. This kind of seventh day Sabbath keeping he expected his followers to continue with after his return to heaven when they would be facing troubling times (Matt. 24:20).
Most importantly, Jesus is clear about the central focus of Sabbath. Matthew, Mark, and, Luke all record Jesus claiming the title "Lord of the Sabbath". And no wonder. Jesus is the Creator-Redeemer (Col. 1:15-20). The seventh day Sabbath is a celebration of what He's done and is doing for humanity.
That's why every Sabbath I rest from my work and remember the works of Jesus (Heb. 4). Because when it comes to me standing before God, me and my works are nothing. They contributed nothing to my creation and are no basis for my redemption. But Jesus and his work are everything. He molded me and his blood covers me.
This Friday, when I see the sun begin to set, I'll stop. I'll look towards the heavens and marvel at God's glory. Then I'll notice the setting sun's red glow and reflect on the blood shed at Calvary. I'll spend the Sabbath celebrating my living Creator-Redeemer. Will you join me?
However, despite the blessing of Sabbath, I'm sometimes slow to tell friends about my Sabbath observance. Not because I'm ashamed, but because I'm afraid that when I share Sabbath, I'll fail to communicate the point of it. I fear that it'll sound like Sabbath is just my weekly vacation from work or a time I spend with friends. Those are nice aspects, but they totally miss the central theme. Sabbath is a celebration of Jesus.
Let me explain.
The first mention of the Sabbath is at the end of the creation week in Genesis. Throughout the week God had been speaking the world into existence. On the sixth day God stepped down, knelt on the ground, crafted man from clay, and breathed life into him. Then we see creation week come to a close:
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. [Gen. 2:1-3]
Thus God gave humanity an example to rest on the seventh day. As if that wasn't enough, He made it a command (one of big ten actually):
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. [Exodus 20:8-11]
As God rested, we rest. The Sabbath is a memorial of creation--every week we stop what we're doing and remember God our Creator. Talk about a regular dose of perspective! Also note the emphasis on the seventh day. This makes sense, it's the only day that was made holy and hence the only day that we can keep holy. Sabbath on Tuesday wouldn't make sense.
Now, jump forward to Jesus. One Sabbath Jesus encounters a blind man. Jesus often healed the blind, but his method this time is unique, "he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud" (John 9:8).
Don't miss the significance. This is happening on the Sabbath. The day everyone has been commanded to rest and remember creation. And what does Jesus do? He kneels down, shapes some dirt, and breathes/spits into it.
Just like God did at creation. By his actions, Jesus is identifying himself with the Creator.
This is no new idea for the gospel of John which opens by declaring of Jesus, "All things were made by through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:2).
But here Jesus isn't creating new life. He's healing disease and restoring broken life. The Creator is also the Redeemer!
What does this mean for Sabbath? Good question. Let's go back to the Ten Commandments. We read the version recorded in Exodus, but another is recorded in Deuteronomy. Nearly identical, except the Sabbath commandment:
Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant, or your ox or your donkey or any of your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. [Deuteronomy 5:12-15]
Before Sabbath was linked to creation, but here it is linked to deliverance. The New Testament closely ties God's act of bringing Israel out of Egypt with bringing individuals today out of the slavery of sin. Hence Sabbath celebrates both God as Creator and God as Redeemer.
We see this on the cross. It's the sixth day of passion week and the Christ is on the cross. In triumphant agony he declares, "It is finished". Then he rests on the Sabbath. Just like at the close of creation week when God finishes creating and rests on the Sabbath.
Powerful. The acts of creation and redemption are linked. Sabbath is the golden thread that travels across time, connecting us with God's mighty acts in history.
Perhaps that's why Jesus was so passionate about the Sabbath. He spent his Sabbaths challenging the popular opinion that Sabbath was just about avoiding tasks like snacking and heavy lifting (cf. Matt. 12, John 5). Instead, he teaches Sabbath is about doing good, healing, and blessing. This kind of seventh day Sabbath keeping he expected his followers to continue with after his return to heaven when they would be facing troubling times (Matt. 24:20).
Most importantly, Jesus is clear about the central focus of Sabbath. Matthew, Mark, and, Luke all record Jesus claiming the title "Lord of the Sabbath". And no wonder. Jesus is the Creator-Redeemer (Col. 1:15-20). The seventh day Sabbath is a celebration of what He's done and is doing for humanity.
That's why every Sabbath I rest from my work and remember the works of Jesus (Heb. 4). Because when it comes to me standing before God, me and my works are nothing. They contributed nothing to my creation and are no basis for my redemption. But Jesus and his work are everything. He molded me and his blood covers me.
This Friday, when I see the sun begin to set, I'll stop. I'll look towards the heavens and marvel at God's glory. Then I'll notice the setting sun's red glow and reflect on the blood shed at Calvary. I'll spend the Sabbath celebrating my living Creator-Redeemer. Will you join me?
April 28, 2012
Greater Than
Written for the Cross Connection blog. Check out online episodes of the show!
I’m thinking of a number:
- Its digits add up to 7. Like 61 (6+1=7) or 232 (2+3+2=7).
- It has two digits. Like 12 or 95.
- It’s a perfect square–that is, it equals a number times itself. Like 9 (3×3) or 100 (10×10).
- It’s less than 20.
Can you figure it out?
Notice, each relation helps us figure out what this mystery number is. Similarly, Jesus gave us relations between himself and historical entities to help us understand who he is. Thus Matthew 12 presents three statements describing Jesus as “greater than…”
Greater than the temple
The context: Jesus’ disciples have been accused of unlawful activity on the Sabbath. Granted, they had just plucked some grain for a snack, but the Pharisees construed it as harvesting and hence a form of work. Jesus replies:
“Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the temple is here.” (Matt. 12:5,6)
He’s referring to the fact that priests had work to perform on Sabbath; namely, they handled Sabbath sacrifices (see Numbers 28:9). The Pharisees had accepted that this was necessary temple work, similar to how present day churches need pastors to preach on Sabbath. If the work is necessary for the temple–the site of divinity among humanity–of course it was appropriate.
Hence Jesus defends his disciples by explaining he is greater than the temple. Christ is the true site where divinity intersects humanity, so let his disciples work!
Greater than Jonah
Asked for a sign, Jesus responds.
“For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.” (Matt. 12:40,41)
Jonah’s experience in the fish’s belly is both a historical event and a preview of what Christ would experience. Jonah records: “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice” (Jonah 2:2).
Likewise on the cross, “Jesus cried out with a loud voice… ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” By faith, Jesus must have clung to the promise of Jonah–“and he answered me”–until he received the confirmation three days later.
But not all accepted Jesus as Messiah. Even the wicked city of Nineveh had acknowledged Jonah’s testimony; how tragic that some would fail to recognize the one greater than Jonah.
Greater than Solomon
Jesus reiterates this tragedy:
“The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.” (Matt. 12:42)
Great rulers traveled far to hear Solomon’s wisdom. But now, those present in Israel were rejecting the one who had given Solomon his wisdom.
Jesus is greater than the temple, greater than Jonah, and greater than Solomon. These relations inform us to his identity. Then we make a choice. How will we respond?
Jesus is greater than the temple, greater than Jonah, and greater than Solomon. These relations inform us to his identity. Then we make a choice. How will we respond?
April 10, 2012
Creation Song
You're familiar with the Genesis creation account. 7 days. God speaks the world into existence. But there's an extra detail provided in the book of Job. The setting: God is addressing Job.
Sons of God is often a title to describe God's people (such as in John 1:12), but clearly that isn't the case here as man is not yet created. So to whom does Job apply the title "the sons of God"? Some think the angels, but I'd like to suggest another possibility: in Job the sons of God are representatives from the many worlds God has made.
This idea that God has created multiple worlds shouldn't be surprising--He's the Creator and has eternity. Hence why He has angels, or translated literally, messengers.
This understanding of sons of God fits well with the opening of Job. There the sons of God gather "to present themselves before the Lord" (Job 1:7, 2:1). Like a congress of all creation.
But Satan also comes. God asks which planet he is representing, "From where have you come?". Satan answers by claiming earth as his turf (similarly, he claims possession of the world in Matt. 4:8,9).
Not so fast. Satan can't claim the planet for God still has an embassy on it, His faithful servant Job. "Have you considered Job... who fears God and turns away from evil?"
Satan's response: Job is only faithful because God has blessed him. It is not authentic loyalty to God. Not a true embassy for God.
With all creation watching, God allows Satan to test his claim and remove those blessings. Thus begins Job's trouble, but I'll let you read the story for yourself.
Back to the sons of God. In our original passage, we see that they assembled at this world's creation with the angels. They watch God create. They sing. They shout for joy!
Our creation had a soundtrack. We were born into music.
But there's another song as well. It appears in the climaxing chapter of Revelation, a book about the second advent and end of earth's history.
Our history started with a song of creation. It ends with a song of redemption. The end echos the beginning, because at the end the world is made new again (see Rev. 21). This new song is the new creation song. And we'll be the ones singing it.
We'll watch God recreate. We'll sing. We'll shout for joy!
What will it be like? I can't wait to find out.
The last two lines really catch my attention. They tell us that at our world's creation, the angels and sons of God were present.Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?Tell me, if you have understanding.Who determined its measurements—surely you know!Or who stretched the line upon it?On what were its bases sunk,or who laid its cornerstone,when the morning stars sang togetherand all the sons of God shouted for joy? [Job 38:4-7]
Sons of God is often a title to describe God's people (such as in John 1:12), but clearly that isn't the case here as man is not yet created. So to whom does Job apply the title "the sons of God"? Some think the angels, but I'd like to suggest another possibility: in Job the sons of God are representatives from the many worlds God has made.
This idea that God has created multiple worlds shouldn't be surprising--He's the Creator and has eternity. Hence why He has angels, or translated literally, messengers.
This understanding of sons of God fits well with the opening of Job. There the sons of God gather "to present themselves before the Lord" (Job 1:7, 2:1). Like a congress of all creation.
But Satan also comes. God asks which planet he is representing, "From where have you come?". Satan answers by claiming earth as his turf (similarly, he claims possession of the world in Matt. 4:8,9).
Not so fast. Satan can't claim the planet for God still has an embassy on it, His faithful servant Job. "Have you considered Job... who fears God and turns away from evil?"
Satan's response: Job is only faithful because God has blessed him. It is not authentic loyalty to God. Not a true embassy for God.
With all creation watching, God allows Satan to test his claim and remove those blessings. Thus begins Job's trouble, but I'll let you read the story for yourself.
Back to the sons of God. In our original passage, we see that they assembled at this world's creation with the angels. They watch God create. They sing. They shout for joy!
Our creation had a soundtrack. We were born into music.
But there's another song as well. It appears in the climaxing chapter of Revelation, a book about the second advent and end of earth's history.
I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. [Revelation 14:2,3]Those singing are God's redeemed people from earth--a group also often given the title "sons of God". It is their unique experience that allows them to sing a unique song.
Our history started with a song of creation. It ends with a song of redemption. The end echos the beginning, because at the end the world is made new again (see Rev. 21). This new song is the new creation song. And we'll be the ones singing it.
We'll watch God recreate. We'll sing. We'll shout for joy!
What will it be like? I can't wait to find out.
April 4, 2012
The Untouchable, Touched
“Hello, a few days ago I got back from spending the summer in a developing country and now I have this really nasty cough,” I told the woman at the hospital’s check-in desk. I was asked a few questions then immediately put into isolation where I remained for the weekend as tests were run. Fortunately, it was just a case of pneumonia and I was able to go home.
Less fortunate were the first century lepers who had to spend their lives in isolation from the society. Much like modern hospital procedures, this isolation was mandated in the Jewish community as a practical way to stop the spread of skin disease (see Leviticus 13). But these isolated lepers were treated as social outcasts and considered cursed.
Matthew records the account of such a leper:
When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. [Matthew 8:1-3]
The context is immediately following the Sermon on the Mount. There Jesus had “astonished” the people having spoken with “authority” (Matt. 7:28,29). It seems our leper was on the outskirts of that crowd or had heard the reports of Jesus’ authority. Challenging a lifetime of experience, the leper declares by faith, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean”.
Jesus wills and immediately acts.
In preaching on the mountain, Jesus’ authority was evident in his words. But in healing this man, Jesus stepped down and “stretched out his hand”. He could have healed by speaking (as the very next healing story illustrates), but choses instead to touch the untouchable.
Scenes of creation come flashing to mind. For 6 days God had been creating by His words. “Let there be…”. “And there was…”. God’s words have creative power! But when it came time to create man, God stepped down, took His hands, and crafted him from clay. Similarly, He shaped woman. God could have simply declared, “Let there be humanity”, but instead opted for something far more intimate.
What an awesome thought: God longs for an intimate relationship. Not just to create and heal from a distance, but to be close to us.
Granted, there are times when we are overcome with feelings of impurity and fear that it would be wrong for us to approach God and taint His holiness. But notice that when Jesus touched the leper, Jesus didn’t become unclean, but the leper became clean. Jesus’ healing power is more contagious than man’s sickness.
Still today, when we by faith come to Jesus and in recognition of our sinfulness plea, “Make me clean”, Jesus immediately acts. His purity prevails over our impurity.
Let nothing keep you from Jesus. He is longing to extend his healing hand and restore the intimate relationship for which he created us.
Also view on the Cross Connection blog and check out online episodes of the Cross Connection show.
Victory at Sea
I now contribute to the blog for the awesome TV show Cross Connection--check out episodes of the show here. This and future posts labeled "Cross Connection" were originally written for their blog.
Growing up in Florida, I’ve experienced a number of hurricanes. From listening to predictions of the storm’s path to surveying the damage left behind, it is difficult not to be overcome with feelings of powerlessness.
We sometimes label natural disasters as “acts of God”. It is true that God has on some specific occasions executed judgment through natural phenomenon, but these cases are limited and are always preceded by a warning and call to repentance. Before the flood, God sent Noah; before the plagues on Egypt, Moses. Hence, we must be very cautious to label a storm as a judgment of God.
Genesis reveals that God never intended for storms. At creation, God gave man dominion over the earth. But at the fall, man forfeited it. In every natural disaster, we are reminded of that lost dominion as roles are reversed and the earth rules over us.
The dominion we lost, another claimed. When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he took him up on a mountain and offered him the world (Matt. 4:9). He was claiming, “Here’s my world, I can give it to whom I please.”
Perhaps this is why the Bible gives the enemy titles such as “prince of the air” and “god of this world” (Eph. 2:2;2 Cor. 4:4).
Some storms indeed are direct attacks by demonic forces (such as in Job 1:19), but in general they seem to be the result of forfeited dominion and the curse of sin. Simply put, the world is falling apart.
Enter Jesus.
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” (Matt. 8:23-27)
Matthew, Mark, and Luke all immediately follow this account with the story of Jesus casting out demons. This consistency suggests that the gospel writers viewed the two events as closely connected. Indeed, note here Jesus rebukes the winds. The term “rebuke” often is reserved for when Jesus is exercising authority over the demons (for instance Matt. 17:18).
While it’s not clear if this storm was a direct demonic attack or simply a product of a sinful world, Jesus’ actions reveal his authority over nature. The dominion man lost and Satan claimed belongs to Christ. The winds and the waves recognize his voice above any other.
Furthermore, in calming the storm Jesus was offering a preview of his kingdom. The storms, destruction, and suffering we witness today will have no place there.
Until there, we do not need to fear the storms we face as the disciples did, for we know Who really rules the world!
March 10, 2012
Luke 2:40-52
The Passover has drawn to a close. Last post we focused on the parents -- following ritual expecting Jesus to follow, rather than following Jesus. Now we focus on the Son.
40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” 50 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. Andhis mother treasured up all these things in her heart.52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
How did the God-man Jesus come into a knowledge of his identity and mission? Was he born with a homesickness for his heavenly throne? Or did he wake up one morning with an eternity of memories? Our passage is bookended with the idea of growth (vs. 40, 52), suggesting an alternative explanation: his self-recognition was gradual. Perhaps this is part of the mystery of the incarnation.
The fact that this is the only story the gospels record about the boy Jesus suggests it is a critical scene of that growth.
The setting of Passover is significant. In the ritual feast dating back to the Exodus from Egypt a central component were the sacrifices. They pointed back to the first Passover when the families of the Israelites were commanded to sacrifice a male lamb without blemish and cover their doorposts with his blood. The life of the lamb served as a substitute for the life of the firstborn who was sentenced to die.
More significantly, it anticipated the One coming to accept the wrath of judgement in place of humanity.
We know that at twelve years old Jesus witnessed this ritual. But I wonder if for him it was more than ritual. Did something click. Perhaps the scriptures he had studied as a child came to mind:
Was it then--witnessing the story the slain lamb was telling--that he recognized his own life story: to live a pure life "without blemish" and die in humanity's stead.He was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53)
In response, he moves into action. Not the action of a religious fanatic, yelling in the streets, but the action of one come to unite with humanity. Joining the circle of religious leaders, he listens and asks questions. Yet through his meekness they recognized a fresh teaching. Perhaps he communicated from the scriptures the meaning of their ancient rituals. Whatever the dialogue, they were "astonished".
Mary and Joseph reunite with Jesus and he continues to live humbly under them, still growing. He models holistic growth: mental, physical, spiritual, and social (vs. 52). But throughout it all, he knows Who to call "Father" and recognizes his mission.
When the time is right, he'll begin that mission. Until then, more growing.
March 4, 2012
Less Words
"When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise."
[Hebrew Proverb]
February 29, 2012
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Recently, I've been volunteering at a nearby middle school. I mentor two kids, Cristian and Nolvin, in a weekly Wednesday afternoon science program. We're doing an experiment to see what kinds of light kill bacteria -- infrared, red, green, blue, or ultraviolet. So today we took a few minutes to talk about the electromagnetic spectrum and check out this nifty video by NASA.
It reminded me of how good science is to totally grow your perspective. Can you remember the first time you discovered that there are radio waves in the air all around you? And a host of other activity too. Some we can see (visible light), but much we cannot.
Interestingly, the spiritual dimension is like this too. Through nature and personal testimonies we see and hear that God is at work (as well as the enemy), but this is only a glimpse of the spiritual activity that takes place around us. Only through the careful study of revelation do we learn of the activities of "ministering spirits sent out to serve" and "spiritual forces of evil" (Heb. 1:14, Eph. 6:12).
Indeed, we're in the midst of a whole lot of action -- like the scientist, we may do well to study what's going on around us.
February 18, 2012
Calling to the Cat
"Anthony, come quick," calls mom from the back of the house.
I was in my bedroom, home for break, and could tell from the tone of her voice that this was going to turn into something story-worthy.
"What is it?" I inquired.
"The dog chased a cat up the tree, we have to get it down."
"Mom, it's a cat, it'll be fine."
"No, it's been up there for hours; it's stuck. You have to climb the tree."
I knew she was serious. Our family has a long history of adventures centered around my mom's love for animals. Turtles in the middle of the street, stray cats and dogs, even a pig once -- anything in need of help. Today it was a cat in a tree.
Stepping into the backyard, sure enough, there was a terrified cat stuck in very straight tree some 18 feet up. "Mom, there's no way I can climb that," I think to myself, but I know her animal-affection will trump my protests.
The tree is next to our backyard fence. I climb the fence and get a foothold in the tree. I stretch out my arms. Not quite there -- the cat is still a handful of feet away.
"Why don't we have a ladder?" I ponder.
What now? If only I can get the cat to jump down into my outstretched arms.
"Here kitty kitty kitty. Jump. You can trust me. I will catch you. Here kitty kitty kitty. I'm right here."
The terrified cat eyes me. But no jump.
Mom has an idea: we'll lure her down to me with some tuna fish. As she retrieves the bait, I begin to question my footing.
She returns with a bowl full of stinky tuna fish. I extend it as high as I can, hoping the scent lofts up to the cat.
"Here kitty kitty kitty. I have some yummy tuna fish. You like that. Jump. I'll catch you."
Nothing.
But mom's not out of ideas. Perhaps the cat just needs a nudge. In our backyard we have a tree that grows some small citrus fruits (tangerines, I believe). She picks, aims for the cat, and throws -- hoping to hit the cat. And misses.
Again: Throws. Misses. Throws. Misses.
Then she recruits my friend Jin Tik who has been amusedly watching up until this point. They throw. And miss. This continues for some time.
Finally, a hit! The nudge. And again, nothing. Cat still stuck in the tree.
Normally, one probably would now give up. Actually, normally one likely would have never climbed into the tree in the first place for such a clearly hopeless endeavor. But for some reason my mom loves that cat -- the stray neighborhood cat we don't even know -- and I suppose I'm identifying with that love a bit too.
So we persist. Mom has another idea -- we need another cat. You see we have a house cat. Although this cat never goes outside, my mom reasons that if she brings her out and lets me hold her in the tree close to the other cat, then for some reason the cat stuck in the tree will trust us and jump. Perhaps it'll learn that we're friendly cat people.
So my mom brings my bewildered cat out and hands her to me. "Here kitty kitty kitty. Look, we have a cat too. You can trust us. Jump into my hands. I'll bring you down."
Nothing. We return our cat to the house.
At this point two thoughts are running through my head:
(1) This is kinda ridiculous. Climbing a tree; outstretched arms; reasoning with a cat; luring with tuna fish; throwing citrus; bringing our house cat out. And for what? To get some neighborhood cat out of a tree?
(2) I'm not sure how safe this is. I've been juggling quite a bit up here and I'm not sure how solid my footing is. This could be dangerous. I could fall! Doesn't mom remember that I'm her only son.
Conclusion: She must love that unknown cat. And so do I. It's terrified stuck up in a tree, but we're going to get him down, whatever it takes.
It was in that moment, in that tree, that a profound question struck me. Rather, a series of questions.
What if God is like this?
What if when I was terrified and stuck, his love compelled him to act?
Even to send his Son, his only Son?
What if it was a dangerous -- even to death -- mission for that Son?
But what if his loving act prevailed?
An often quoted scripture flashed to mind with new force:
"For God so loved the world, he sent his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
He's still calling: Here I am. Jump into my outstretched arms. I know that you are terrified. I know that you are stuck in a mess that you can't get yourself out of. But I'm here. You can trust me. Jump. I will take you home; whatever it takes.
I was in my bedroom, home for break, and could tell from the tone of her voice that this was going to turn into something story-worthy.
"What is it?" I inquired.
"The dog chased a cat up the tree, we have to get it down."
"Mom, it's a cat, it'll be fine."
"No, it's been up there for hours; it's stuck. You have to climb the tree."
I knew she was serious. Our family has a long history of adventures centered around my mom's love for animals. Turtles in the middle of the street, stray cats and dogs, even a pig once -- anything in need of help. Today it was a cat in a tree.
Stepping into the backyard, sure enough, there was a terrified cat stuck in very straight tree some 18 feet up. "Mom, there's no way I can climb that," I think to myself, but I know her animal-affection will trump my protests.
The tree is next to our backyard fence. I climb the fence and get a foothold in the tree. I stretch out my arms. Not quite there -- the cat is still a handful of feet away.
"Why don't we have a ladder?" I ponder.
What now? If only I can get the cat to jump down into my outstretched arms.
"Here kitty kitty kitty. Jump. You can trust me. I will catch you. Here kitty kitty kitty. I'm right here."
The terrified cat eyes me. But no jump.
Mom has an idea: we'll lure her down to me with some tuna fish. As she retrieves the bait, I begin to question my footing.
She returns with a bowl full of stinky tuna fish. I extend it as high as I can, hoping the scent lofts up to the cat.
"Here kitty kitty kitty. I have some yummy tuna fish. You like that. Jump. I'll catch you."
Nothing.
But mom's not out of ideas. Perhaps the cat just needs a nudge. In our backyard we have a tree that grows some small citrus fruits (tangerines, I believe). She picks, aims for the cat, and throws -- hoping to hit the cat. And misses.
Again: Throws. Misses. Throws. Misses.
Then she recruits my friend Jin Tik who has been amusedly watching up until this point. They throw. And miss. This continues for some time.
Finally, a hit! The nudge. And again, nothing. Cat still stuck in the tree.
Normally, one probably would now give up. Actually, normally one likely would have never climbed into the tree in the first place for such a clearly hopeless endeavor. But for some reason my mom loves that cat -- the stray neighborhood cat we don't even know -- and I suppose I'm identifying with that love a bit too.
So we persist. Mom has another idea -- we need another cat. You see we have a house cat. Although this cat never goes outside, my mom reasons that if she brings her out and lets me hold her in the tree close to the other cat, then for some reason the cat stuck in the tree will trust us and jump. Perhaps it'll learn that we're friendly cat people.
So my mom brings my bewildered cat out and hands her to me. "Here kitty kitty kitty. Look, we have a cat too. You can trust us. Jump into my hands. I'll bring you down."
Nothing. We return our cat to the house.
At this point two thoughts are running through my head:
(1) This is kinda ridiculous. Climbing a tree; outstretched arms; reasoning with a cat; luring with tuna fish; throwing citrus; bringing our house cat out. And for what? To get some neighborhood cat out of a tree?
(2) I'm not sure how safe this is. I've been juggling quite a bit up here and I'm not sure how solid my footing is. This could be dangerous. I could fall! Doesn't mom remember that I'm her only son.
Conclusion: She must love that unknown cat. And so do I. It's terrified stuck up in a tree, but we're going to get him down, whatever it takes.
It was in that moment, in that tree, that a profound question struck me. Rather, a series of questions.
What if God is like this?
What if when I was terrified and stuck, his love compelled him to act?
Even to send his Son, his only Son?
What if it was a dangerous -- even to death -- mission for that Son?
But what if his loving act prevailed?
An often quoted scripture flashed to mind with new force:
"For God so loved the world, he sent his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
He's still calling: Here I am. Jump into my outstretched arms. I know that you are terrified. I know that you are stuck in a mess that you can't get yourself out of. But I'm here. You can trust me. Jump. I will take you home; whatever it takes.
January 1, 2012
So Many
I pulled out of my wallet the Hilton post-it note and confirmed, "15048. 11pm." Knocked on the door; no response. I was a few minutes early.
As I waited by some nearby couches, I peaked out the window. From the 15th story I was able to survey the many tens of thousands gathered directly below for Houston's downtown New Year's celebration. A vast sea of pockets of people, many decorated by those flashing lights street vendors love to sell. I was struck with the thought, "So many; who will tell them?"
A moment later I was in the room. I heard about countries like Mali, Turkey, and India where only a tiny elect in a vast population knew. "So many; who will tell them?"
So with this group of missionaries I prayed. We prayed that the message of the Crucified, Risen, and Soon-coming Christ might be told. The message that gives hope, peace, and joy.
It's an impossible task. But by faith we claim the promise of Christ, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to myself." He was lifted up on calvary. He was lifted up from the grave. He was lifted up at his ascension.
May also he be lifted up in his Church today. May he be lifted up through my life.
As I waited by some nearby couches, I peaked out the window. From the 15th story I was able to survey the many tens of thousands gathered directly below for Houston's downtown New Year's celebration. A vast sea of pockets of people, many decorated by those flashing lights street vendors love to sell. I was struck with the thought, "So many; who will tell them?"
A moment later I was in the room. I heard about countries like Mali, Turkey, and India where only a tiny elect in a vast population knew. "So many; who will tell them?"
So with this group of missionaries I prayed. We prayed that the message of the Crucified, Risen, and Soon-coming Christ might be told. The message that gives hope, peace, and joy.
It's an impossible task. But by faith we claim the promise of Christ, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to myself." He was lifted up on calvary. He was lifted up from the grave. He was lifted up at his ascension.
May also he be lifted up in his Church today. May he be lifted up through my life.
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