UNREALIZED POTENTIAL

Have you ever heard of Jeroboam?

His story is one of the saddest in the entire Old Testament, and yet he had SO MUCH POTENTIAL!  His main problem? 

At a critical moment when God directly intervened in his life, he did not listen carefully and believe God!

[To read his whole story, see I Kings 11:26 - 14:20.  All quotes from the NCV]]

The following is a summary of what happened:

>   Jeroboam was an officer in Solomon’s army.  He was an Ephraimite [one of the twelve tribes of Israel]. Solomon observed that he was a good worker and promoted him to be over all the workers from the tribes of Ephraim and Manesseh. 

>   One day Ahijah the prophet approached Jeroboam on a country road.  Ahijah took off his new coat and tore it into twelve pieces [representing the twelve tribes of Israel].  He told Jeroboam to take ten of the pieces, then explained that God was about to take the kingdom away from Solomon because:

(he) has stopped following me and has worshipped the Sidonian god Ashtoreth, the Moabite god Chemosh, and the Ammonite god Molech. Solomon has not obeyed me by doing what I said is right and by obeying my laws and commands, as his father David did.”  [11:33]

>   The prophet then proceeded to explain that Solomon’s son would rule over two tribes [Judah and part of Ephraim] to honor David and his faithfulness.  However, Jeroboam would rule over all of Israel [the northern kingdom’s ten-and-a-half tribes]. 

>   Then came the part of the message that Jeroboam didn’t listen to carefully enough:

[God speaking through the prophet] I will always be with you if you do what I say is right.  You must obey all my commands. If you obey my laws and commands as David did, I will be with you. I will make your family a lasting family of kings, as I did for David, and give Israel to you.

>   Shortly after this, Solomon realized that Jeroboam was a threat and sought to kill him, but he escaped to Egypt where he stayed until Solomon died.

>   He returned when Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, became king.  Rehoboam made some foolish decisions [an interesting story: 12:1-24] and the ten northern tribes walked away from him – refusing him as their king!

>   The northern tribes made Jeroboam their king – as predicted by the prophet!

>   When Jeroboam realized that his people would still faithfully return to Jerusalem for celebrations and to make sacrifices, he made two golden calves and declared them to be the people’s gods!  He set up worship sites in Bethel and Dan, started new festivals, selected priests to serve in these cities and set new festivals.

>   God sent a prophet to warn Jeroboam about his evil ways [chapter 13], but Jeroboam continued to sin and failed to correct his ways.  As a result, God sent him a prophet who declared:

[Speaking for God] Jeroboam, I chose you from among all the people and made you the leader of my people Israel. I tore the kingdom away from David’s family, and I gave it to you. But you are not like my servant David, who always obeyed my commands and followed me with all his heart. He only did what I said was right. But you have done more evil than anyone who ruled before you. You have quit following me and have made other gods and idols of metal. This has made me very angry so I will soon bring disaster to your family.  [14:7-10]

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FACTS:

Ø   Jeroboam was king of Israel for twenty-two years.

Ø   God pronounced every king of Israel who followed Jeroboam as evil!

Ø   In comparison, God announced that some of the kings of Judah [the southern kingdom] were pleasing to him – such as: Asa, Jehosaphat, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, Micah, and Josiah.

Ø   In the same way that David is praised throughout the Old Testament because of his faithfulness, Jeroboam is persistently remembered as a model of disobedience and rebellion throughout the biblical record:

o   I Kings 14:16  -   Jeroboam sinned, and then he made the people of Israel sin. So the Lord will let the people of Israel be defeated.”

o   I Kings 15:30  -  King Jeroboam had sinned very much and had led the people of Israel to sin, so he made the Lord, the God of Israel, very angry.

o   I Kings 15:34  - ...and [Baasha] did what the Lord said was wrong. Jeroboam had led the people of Israel to sin, and Baasha sinned in the same way as Jeroboam. 

o   I Kings 16:2  -  The Lord said, “You were nothing, but I took you and made you a leader over my people Israel. But you have followed the ways of Jeroboam and have led my people Israel to sin. Their sins have made me angry,

o   I Kings 16:7  -  The Lord spoke his word against Baasha and his family through the prophet Jehu son of Hanani. Baasha had done many things the Lord said were wrong, which made the Lord very angry. He did the same evil deeds that Jeroboam’s family had done before him. The Lord also spoke against Baasha because he killed all of Jeroboam’s family.

o   I Kings 16:19  -   So Zimri died because he had sinned by doing what the Lord said was wrong. Jeroboam had led the people of Israel to sin, and Zimri sinned in the same way as Jeroboam.

o   I Kings 16:26  -  Jeroboam son of Nebat had led the people of Israel to sin, and Omri sinned in the same way as Jeroboam. The Israelites made the Lord, the God of Israel, very angry because they worshiped worthless idols.

o   I Kings 16:31  -  [Ahab] sinned in the same ways as Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he did even worse things. He married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal, the king of Sidon. Then Ahab began to serve Baal and worship him.

o   I Kings 22:52  -  [Ahaziah] did what the Lord said was wrong. He did the same evil his father Ahab, his mother Jezebel, and Jeroboam son of Nebat had done. All these rulers led the people of Israel into more sin.

o   II Kings 3:3  -  But [Joram] continued to sin like Jeroboam son of Nebat who had led Israel to sin. Joram did not stop doing these same sins.

o   II Kings 10:31  -  But Jehu was not careful to follow the teachings of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not stop doing the same sins Jeroboam had done, by which he had led Israel to sin.

o   II Kings 13:2  -  ...and [Jehoahaz] did what the Lord said was wrong. [he] did the same sins Jeroboam son of Nebat had done. Jeroboam had led Israel to sin, and Jehoahaz did not stop doing these same sins.

o   II Kings 13:5-6  -  [The LORD] gave Israel a man to save them, and they escaped from the Arameans. The Israelites then lived in their own homes as they had before, but they still did not stop doing the same sins that the family of Jeroboam had done. He had led Israel to sin, and they continued doing those sins. The Asherah idol also was left standing in Samaria.

o   II Kings 14:23-24  -  Jeroboam son of Jehoash became king of Israel in Samaria during the fifteenth year Amaziah was king of Judah. (Amaziah was the son of Joash.) Jeroboam ruled forty-one years, and he did what the Lord said was wrong. Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to sin, and Jeroboam son of Jehoash did not stop doing the same sins.

o   II Kings 15:18  -  ...and [Menahem] did what the Lord said was wrong. Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to sin, and all the time Menahem was king, he did not stop doing the same sins.

o   II Kings 15:24  -  ...and [Pekahiah] did what the Lord said was wrong. Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to sin, and Pekahiah did not stop doing the same sins.

o   II Kings 15:28  -   ...and [Pekah] did what the Lord said was wrong. Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to sin, and Pekah did not stop doing the same sins.

o   II Kings 17:21-23  -  When the Lord separated them from the family of David, the Israelites made Jeroboam son of Nebat their king. Jeroboam led the Israelites away from the Lord and led them to sin greatly. So they continued to do all the sins Jeroboam did. They did not stop doing these sins until the Lord removed the Israelites from his presence, just as he had said through all his servants the prophets. So the Israelites were taken out of their land to Assyria, and they have been there to this day.

o   II Kings 23:15  -  Josiah [a righteous king] also broke down the altar at Bethel—the place of worship made by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel to sin. Josiah burned that place, broke the stones of the altar into pieces, then beat them into dust. He also burned the Asherah idol.

WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS?

1.    When God speaks, we should listen carefully!

2.    Obeying God brings rewards here and in Heaven!

3.    Disobeying or disregarding God brings punishment here and for all eternity!

MAKE YOUR CHOICES…

WHOA! THAT'S ENOUGH! THAT'S ENOUGH!

Exodus 36 records an incident that is every pastor's dream!

The children of Israel were being led by the Lord through the wilderness under Moses' direction. When they arrived at the Mountain of God, Moses spent a great deal of time on the mountain receiving instructions from the Lord.

After delivering the laws that God had declared, God proceeded to show Moses how to have the vestments made for the priests along with their clothing, the altar, the lampstand and the table. All of this was intricate work that demanded great attention to detail and immense knowledge and skill!

God designated two men - Bezalel and Oholiab - to oversee all of the workers. God had gifted these men with a vast array of knowledge and ability to accomplish all of the tasks related to these multiple projects!

These projects also required massive amounts of gold, silver, precious stones, and many other resources. So, Moses challenged the people to give! And they did! The gave not only on the Sabbath, but every day! Exodus 36 records an incident that is every pastor's dream!

        “The people continued to bring gifts each morning because they wanted to.”

And so the work advanced.  However, there came a point where the continually growing stockpile of gifts became an obstruction to the workers.  They approached Moses with a request:  “The people are bringing more than we need to do the work the LORD commanded.” [v.5]

So, “Moses sent this command throughout the camp:

‘No man or woman should make anything else as a gift for the Holy Tent.’ 

So the people were kept from giving more, because what they had was already more than enough to do all the work.” [vs.6-7]

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Imagine yourself in church this Sunday and when it comes time for the offering, your leader announces that no offering will be received because all of the needs have been met and the church is overwhelmed with resources to continue its ministry! 

Does that put a smile on your face? 

Can you imagine a situation where you and your fellow worshippers became so enthused about the ministries of your church that you brought gifts every day and dropped them off at the church?  The mission of the church was being so effective that you just WANTED TO GIVE!  You gave bountifully!  You gave joyfully!  You gave persistently!  No guilt!  No pleading, No faith-promises!  No pledge cards!  Just jubilant, free-spirited generosity!  [For further reading on this subject:  https://hal-lelujah.blogspot.com/2023/09/generous-churches-grow.html]

MINISTRY STORIES - MOVING THE CROSS!

When I was appointed to serve the Free Methodist Community Church in New Middletown, Ohio, it was the summer of 2003.  I had been serving as an associate in a large church in Akron, Ohio for the previous six years.  I had apprehensions about resuming the role of ‘Lead Pastor’. 

I decided to begin by not provoking suggestions of change since there was already a great deal of turbulence in this congregation, and I didn’t want to add to it. 

However, one need for change became apparent immediately.  

The use of video projectors was exploding during this time period.  The church was – at that time – using a projector that was set up on a board across two pews at the front-right of the sanctuary.  They were projecting on a standard-size three-legged projection screen that was set up on the same level as the pews. 

I suggested that it would be helpful if we could mount the projector from the ceiling and project on the large front wall above the pulpit.  However, there was currently an eight foot cross hanging in that spot.  But there was a large room on the side of the platform with a wall facing the congregation that could become an equally prominent place for the cross.

However, I failed to predict how controversial the idea of moving the cross might be.  Moving it from its central position ended up turning into a much-discussed issue.  Rumors were cast about that the new pastor wanted to remove the cross from the sanctuary [which, of course, was not accurate]!  The congregation quickly polarized over this issue – the very thing I had not wanted to happen!

Some threatened to leave the church if we moved the cross!

I was so disappointed to be the cause of so much disturbance when I really wanted to be a stabilizing presence!  I began to wish that I had not made the suggestion.  Making this needed change was certainly not worth further  dividing this congregation!

That’s when Bob Persing approached me.

Bob was a member of the founding family of this church many years earlier.  He was a highly respected leader in the church and community!  He gave no explanation, but simply asked if he could address the congregation the next Sunday.

Already knowing him to be a responsible leader and man of integrity, I told him that he could address our people following the offering on Sunday.  I admit to having some apprehension about his request, but felt confident that he had a good heart and trusted that whatever he needed to say would be received by the congregation.

At the appointed time on Sunday I simply stated that Bob had requested the privilege of speaking to the congregation.

He came forward to the pulpit accompanied by his wife, Marilyn.  His comments were brief and went something like this:

Good morning. My name is Bob Persing and this is my wife, Marilyn.  We represent the Persing family that helped to found this church many years ago.

 

We heard our new pastor’s request to move the cross to the smaller wall to my left.  We’ve become aware of the fact that this seems to have become a controversial issue among some of our members.

 

I am here this morning to give you some information.  First of all, it was the Persing family that purchased the cross!  It was also the Persing family that installed the cross.  I’ve discussed it with our family and we simply want you to know that the Persing family has no problem with our pastor’s request!  As a matter of fact, if the church Council agrees to move the cross, we will help with that project!  I just wanted you to have that information!  Thank you very much!

Within a few weeks, the cross was moved and remained there until a later time [after my tenure] when that room was removed. 

LET'S GO TO GOD'S HOUSE!

It happened just a few weeks ago.  Debbie had been fighting a virus for several weeks.  We chose not to go to church for two consecutive Sundays. However, one of those Sundays I just really had a strong desire to attend a Free Methodist Church.

Why - you ask?

It will sound strange to some, but I just felt a strong desire to step forward and pray at the altar.

Don't leap to conclusions.  I did not step away from God.  I was not guilty of any unusual sins.  It wasn't even guilt that motivated this desire.  If anything, I'd describe it as a longing.  

The church that I currently worship in doesn't have an altar [I notice that many churches have done away with the altar].  It doesn't encourage individual prayer during worship.  We pray collectively together and under the leadership of our pastor, but not person with person or in small groups.  [This does happen in our Sunday School classes.]

I just felt like a child who wanted to sidle up beside a parent for safety and security.  I wanted assurance. I needed to express my dependence on God and enjoy His comfort.  

It's a tradition in worship that I grew up with.  Altar prayer was always welcomed and encouraged in my 'growing-up' church.  It was a common practice for people to slip forward during worship and spend time praying at the altar.  Sometimes a group of people might even go forward and pray together at the altar.  I really miss this.

While leading The Foundery Free Methodist Church [Wellsburg, WV] last year, I was immediately impressed with the high priority for prayer during worship.  Volunteer prayer leaders stood [often couples] at the front sides of the sanctuary throughout the worship time.  People were free to approach these leaders to receive attention and prayer.  There were also two short sections of altar in front of the platform that were frequently used for private prayer.  

A couple of years ago, Debbie and I visited The Rock Church in Poland, Ohio, to hear a former associate give the message.  All throughout the service, people approached the altar alone or in groups to pray.  I went forward a couple of times to pray with people that I knew.  The freedom to pray was obviously a high priority in this congregation - and it is a beautiful thing.

I continually struggle with the highly predictable format for worship seen in so many churches.  These environments must be so awkward and uncomfortable for anyone new who walks in to participate.  

During my leadership years I was a bit of an iconoclast [a person who challenges traditions and formulated patterns].  I believed that by frequently changing forms and structures you could keep interest and engagement high.  I came to resolve that worship was a verb and should activate God's people in animated, meaningful and exciting processes that enabled them to worship God with all their being!  There are so many possibilities: humor, choral readings, spiritual dance, drama, as well as the nearly unlimited advantages available due to technology.  

The desire was to create an atmosphere of expectation and anticipation that caused people to come to worship wondering what to expect this week!  Our hope was to replicate King David's attitude expressed in Psalm 122:1  [New Century Version]

I was happy when they said to me, 'Let's go to the Temple of the LORD.'

We worship the God of all creation!  This God created us with various gifts, abilities, interests and traits.  He created a magnificent and impressive array of animals, birds, and fish.  He created our earth with widely divergent environments.  He gave us sight that is ignited by an explosion of colors from fall leaves, birds feathers, sunrises and sunsets, awe-inspiring scenery, and so much more!  He has given us hearing that allows us to marvel at bird chirping, coyote calls, the ringing of bells, our choice of music, the captivating voices of family and friends, and the sound of rain hitting the trees and the ground.  He has created us in His own image, yet gifted us with unique abilities, interests and talents that make every one of us special!  We delight in the skills, creations and diversions of those who populate our lives!

Consequently, HOW DARE WE PLAN OR ENGAGE IN WORSHIP THAT IS MONOTONOUS, REPETITIVE OR BORING!!!!  We can do better!  

COULD THEY BE ANGELS AND WE DON'T REALIZE IT?

A few years ago, when the illegal immigration was beginning to have a dynamic impact on our American culture, I was still working as a Lyft driver.  I clearly noticed an increase in riders who could not speak English.  The more I encountered this phenomenon, the more I realized the opportunity it offered for relevant and evangelistically aggressive congregations to make a difference in their broader community by offering ‘English-as-a-second-language’ classes.  Although this could have been done in the churches own facilities, I felt that it would be more effective if these classes were offered in a neutral setting. 

Now we realize that our culture was flooded with millions of immigrants who were struggling to find a means of survival in a strange and complex culture.  Churches could have stepped into that gap to help.  After all, many of these immigrants were actually Christian people and families who were routed to various parts of our country with no associations and few resources. 

Although my purview is strictly limited, I did not become aware of any churches that took advantage of this opportunity to serve.  Nor did I read of or hear of churches offering this vital service to a needy part of our population. 

Our holy scriptures include clear instructions for how we are to behave when situations like this confront us:

Leviticus 19:33-34  [NASB]

“When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.  The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD”

Matthew 25:35  [NASB]

“For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in…”

Hebrews 13:2  [NASB]

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Galatians 5:14  [NASB]

“For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’”

However, for those churches – as well as us as individuals – who did not respond to this language barrier crisis, there is a looming crisis of even greater magnitude on the horizon today! 

The newly installed Trump administration will inevitably remove many of the support systems and funding programs that proliferated under Biden’s leadership [whether or not we agreed with these funding priorities]. 

It only takes a little imagination to recognize that there are millions now living among us who will – as of today – be living in fear of being discovered and deported from this great country.  It is likely that these immigrants will go to even greater extremes to be invisible and under the radar! 

Ah, what a great comfort a church family could be to individuals and families living under this constant threat of eviction complimented by diminishing resources and the high level of disdain expressed by the majority of Americans. 

Re-read the verses above!  Not all of these people crossed into our country illegally.  Many were processed at the border by official border agents.  They were, in turn, offered bus tickets to major U.S. cities where – in many cases – they were provided housing and even financial support.  Although President Trump is right in saying that some of these individuals have been dumped on our culture by countries that were trying to rid themselves of undesirables, that is not the case for all of these people.  Many simply saw that the door was open to one of the greatest countries in the world!  Why not try to improve themselves?

But consider the potential for church families to create a safe haven for those living in this fear.  I’m not suggesting that we harbor these individuals and families.  I’m simply suggesting that making inroads to this community could allow us to be a great blessing to those who will now be living in daily fear. 

It is likely that we are all in agreement with a plan to locate the horrific criminal and gang-related immigrants who have done unspeakable harm and have proliferated the increase in fentanyl deaths in our country. 

However, there are many others who came simply because the door was open for four years.  Have these ‘strangers’ and ‘aliens’ been welcomed by the American Church?  Have they been embraced?  Have they found us to be a welcoming and helping part of the American community? 

You can answer that question by looking at the impact of your own church…

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How many are hovelling together in cramped conditions trying to survive this terribly frigid winter that is such a new experience from these who have come from significantly warmer climates?  How many are sorry that they made this venture?  How many long for the comforts they may have left behind in their own homeland, but have no resources to return?  How many are struggling to survive – or who will be with the withdrawal of support systems that have been sustaining them?  How many will now be living in fear of ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] agents showing up to brutally remove them from the small haven they’ve been able to carve out as unwelcome visitors? 

But don’t look for an overwhelming response from our American churches.  They’re too focused on planning the Sunday worship service and maintaining the traditions and distinctions that are so important.  Like it or not, it’s a VERY rare church in America that is actually acting on the scriptures listed above!

A WAKE-UP CALL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE!

There’s a personal story that I have shared on occasion with younger people who are still in their formative years.

While studying for my Masters of Divinity degree at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary [a three-year course that I managed to complete in eleven years as a part-time commuter], I heard about a dual degree option with the University of Pittsburgh that would merge coursework and allow me to also attain a Master of Social Work degree [which would have been a door-opener for me into the world of counseling]. 

I applied and was not accepted.  I appealed the decision and was told that they had MANY applications that particular year and they had to go back to high school records to make final decisions.  They then reported that although all of my graduate and post-graduate work was excellent, I had received twenty-eight C’s during my high school career!  That eliminated me from consideration. 

I had not been highly motivated in high school.  My parents didn’t place high demands on me; they were happy with C’s.  Obviously, I was capable of much better grades, but I had no sense of purpose in making the investment to receive higher evaluations.

Very few high school students are aware of the impact their high school performance might have on their future. 

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For several hours yesterday, I sat and watched the broadcast of a Senate subcommittee in the process of questioning [and lecturing] Pete Hegseth – President-elect Trump’s candidate for the Secretary of Defense.

It was difficult to listen to.  For the most part, the Republican Senators complimented him on his qualifications and passion, while their Democratic counterparts literally took Hegseth apart in many areas.  It should be noted that this is standard procedure for Senators in this process. 

At one point or another during this process, Mr. Hegseth was accused openly of the following:

·         repeated public incidents of being extremely drunk

·         being in his third marriage

·         admitting to having immoral sexual relationships while in his first marriage

·         having an immoral sexual relationship outside of his second marriage that ended in a pregnancy [and his third marriage]

·         making public comments about women not having a place in the military

·         drinking on the job while a host on the Fox News Channel

·         inappropriate behavior with female employees

·         poor management of several organizations that he previously led that reportedly saw a significant drop in contributions during his leadership

He was repeatedly accused of having a lack of integrity and being extremely unqualified for the level of leadership that he was nominated for. 

He consistently defended his record and withstood the onslaught of accusations and allegations.  He frequently referred to “having been cleared of all wrongdoing” or by openly denying the reality of the Senator’s reports.

Although I am a Trump supporter, I have no vested interest in the outcome of this process.  I am not particularly a fan of Pete Hegseth.  I don’t have sufficient background information to be capable of deciding whether or not he should serve in this role at such a high level of our government.  I will leave the outcome of this process to those who do have the information and the power.

My interest in this painful and embarrassing saga is the education of our youth!

Here’s a man who clearly has struggled with alcohol abuse.  His insistence that he will NOT drink if appointed as the Secretary of Defense is hard to believe. 

Here’s a man who has had repeated marriages and has a record of infidelity.

Here’s a man who has failed to garner respect from his fellow employees.

Here’s a man who is reported to have treated women in a demeaning manner.

Here’s a man whose past statements have the potential to prevent him from holding a highly privileged and extremely powerful position.

Here also is a man who claims to have had a spiritual awakening within the last thirty days – since he was nominated by President-elect Trump for the position of Secretary of Defense! 

THESE ARE HEAVY CONSDERATIONS THAT OUR SENATORS ARE CONSIDERING!

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Suddenly – in a totally unforeseen manner – Pete Hegseth discovered that he had been noticed by the President-elect! 

In a turn of events that most would never have imagined, Pete Hegseth is seriously being considered for an extremely important leadership role in the future development of our country!

Here’s the question for young people to consider:  If Pete had seen this coming, might he have changed his behavior in the past?  Having lived in an apparently reckless manner, does he now look back with regrets?  Does he wish he would have worked harder on his marriages?  Do the fleeting rewards of sexual irresponsibility now seem foolish?  If he could, wouldn’t he like to purge numerous areas of his life from public knowledge? 

Our youth are not known for great wisdom.  They are inexperienced and curious.  They want to experiment and discover things for themselves. 

They need guidance and parameters!  That’s why God gave them a parent from each gender to advise and protect them throughout their development. 

Wise parents might take the ‘Pete Hegseth’ episode and talk about it with their youth.  Some starting points might be:

·         Do you think Pete has regrets about his past behavior?

·         You need to be careful about your daily activity.  It may affect your future! Life is a progression. The things you say and do today may have an impact on your future.

·         What are your goals for the future?  What are some behaviors and decisions that could totally destroy your hopes?

·         In light of your hopes and dreams, what kind of behavior today will develop character and integrity in you that will facilitate your dreams coming to reality?

Parents have the potential and opportunity to have these kind of vital conversations with their young people.  Wise parents will take full advantage of modern-day examples to help their children develop with wisdom and integrity!

And while you’re talking with them, why not also pray with them about their future!  Let them hear you voice your concerns to God on their behalf! 

WHEN DOES CHRISTMAS END?

The twelve days of Christmas are no longer observed in American culture.  Now, Christmas ends abruptly on the morning of December 26^th.  Trees come down, decorations get packed away and Christmas music is replaced with whatever was playing before November. 

I’m observing – not complaining. 

But, in its original context, things were considerably different!

We only know time contexts in a very broad manner.  We know that Herod – in his paranoia about the birth of a new king of the Jews – sent soldiers to Bethlehem to destroy all of the male children under the age of two. However, it's not as quick as we might think [or as is usually portrayed in movies].  It is likely that Joseph and Mary lived in Bethlehem for a couple of years?  We get a hint in Matthew 2:11 where we are told that the wise men came to visit Mary and the ‘child’ [not the baby] in a ‘house’  [not a stable].  This seems to imply that Joseph had settled his family in Bethlehem for a short season [perhaps a couple of years].

It was after this visit that “God warned the wise men in a dream not to go back to Herod…”  [Matt. 2:12]  [All quotes from The New Century Version]

Sometime “After they [the wise men] left, an angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and said, ’Get up! Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt…” [Matt. 2:13]   God’s divine intervention was obviously intended to protect the holy family! 

Those who understand biblical history tell us that it is likely that Joseph would have taken his family to Alexandria – where there were already a substantial number of Jews living.  This was a growing area that would need skilled laborers like Joseph.  He is described in scripture as a ‘tekton’ – or craftsman. 

Again, those who have studied this era suggest that they would have made this long journey in one of two ways:

1.    Typical travel would be by foot or donkey.  The distance would have been approximately 300 miles.  At 10-15 miles per day, we can assume that this trip took the holy family about a month.  It is noteworthy that this plan would leave them vulnerable to be overtaken by Herod's soldiers.  

2.    Others suggest that the urgency of the angel’s instructions would have motivated Joseph to travel the shorter distance [40 miles] to Jaffa, where they could board a boat for Alexandria – a trip of 285 miles.  The recent gift of gold could have been used to enable this speedier departure. 

The Bible and extra-biblical sources give us very little about this intervening period; we are left to speculate.  Did Jesus grow up speaking Egyptian?  Was He bi-lingual?  How many years did they stay in Egypt?  Did He see the pyramids – the distance to Giza would have been over 100 miles? 

We know from Matthew 2:15, that Joseph stayed in Egypt until Herod died.  One would think that determining the length of the holy family’s stay in Egypt would be fairly easy.  However, there are several complicating factors.

For instance, the date of Christ’s birth is not even precisely known.  We do know from scripture that Jesus was born while Herod was king in Judea.  His reign is typically measured from 37 B.C. until his death in 4 B.C.  [It is essential to note that even the death date of Herod is greatly debated].

We also know that Quirinius was governor in Syria during the same time and that a census was ordered in 6 B.C.  There is general belief – based on these facts – that Jesus was likely born in either 6 or 5 B.C. 

From these facts, we can ascertain that the holy family likely stayed in Egypt for about two or three years.  Matthew 2:22 reports that Archelaus [Herod’s son] became king in Judea upon Herod’s death.  His reign was about ten years – from 4 B.C. until 6 A.D.  Consequently, Jesus would have been two or three years old when “…an angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph in a dream while he was in Egypt. The angel said, ‘Get up! Take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, because the people who were trying to kill the child are now dead.’” [Matt. 2:19-20]

A FINAL ADJUSTMENT

“So Joseph took the child and his mother and went to Israel.  But he heard that Archelaus was now king in Judea since his father Herod had died. So Joseph was afraid to go there. After being warned in a dream, he went to the area of Galilee, to a town called Nazareth, and lived there.” [Matt. 2:21-23]

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Joseph and Mary’s lives were anything but easy in these early years.  In fact, they were immigrants in a foreign land for several years.  They had left all of their belongings in Nazareth when they made the journey to Bethlehem – to be taxed.  Yet, God’s provision was evident through the generous gifts of the magi.  Also, Joseph was a man with skill and ability.  He was capable of protecting and providing for his new family! 

We can only wonder how they were received upon their return to Nazareth.  Jesus would likely have been about five years old upon their arrival there. Were they shunned by their families because of the lack of understanding about the birth of Jesus?  Were they ostracized by the community there?  Were they able to have some of their belongings restored upon this return? 

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With no intention of being critical, even our liturgical year moves us along in a fairly quick manor.  With Christmas behind us, we will be called on to observe Lent on March 5^th [Ash Wednesday].

I simply observe that we anticipate Christmas for at least a couple of months by decorating, buying gifts, baking cookies and watching romantic (or silly) movies.  On Christmas Eve, many still participate in a worship service to commemorate the special event of Christ’s birth.  However, as stated earlier, on December 26^th the celebration is pretty much over. 

Yet the fear of the unknown, the uncertainty, the inconvenience of repeated moves, the transition to a foreign culture, the absence of family, the loneliness and the deep inner questions about all that had happened – continued in the lives of this little family of three: Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus. 

Sovereign God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Thank You for Your long-range planning and careful preparation for the coming of our Savior!

For a few moments, our eyes are open to the fragile environment that Jesus was born into.  We see the humility of His birth, the specifically chosen visitors who welcomed and honored Him. We are aware that this story is true and involved tremendous adventure and inconvenience.  We are moved – in this moment – to continue our celebration of the coming of our Savior!

And You did it all for us!

For me!

Thank You!