Stewards are responsible over something entrusted to them by someone else. As a believer, you are a steward of spiritual resources God has given which include:
-The Gospel: Every believer is a steward of the Gospel. We are to share its message with others.
-Finances: Every believer is a steward of the money God gives to him personally. Those who handle ministry funds of a church or Christian organization are also stewards of these funds.
-Material Resources Of Ministry: Such as church buildings, property, and equipment.
-Spiritual Gifts: Each believer has at least one spiritual gift. You are a steward of your spiritual gift and your place of ministry in the Body of Christ.
-Other Believers: God uses people, not programs, to build His Kingdom. Stewardship involves people. If you are a leader, you are responsible for the people who work with you in ministry. You are to help them grow spiritually and develop their own spiritual gifts for the work of the ministry.
You are to be a good steward of these resources. The main requirement of stewards is that they are to be faithful:
1 Corinthians 4:2 "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."
To be a good steward, you must make plans. The word "objectives" is another word for "plans" or "goals.” So, stewardship by objectives means "making plans to be a good manager of the spiritual resources God gives you.”
Jesus told a parable in Matthew 25:14-30 about servants whose master gave them resources called "talents.” They were told to be good stewards and use the funds wisely. Every man but one had a plan and successfully followed it. The one who did not make a plan for his resources and did not use his talent was judged an unfaithful servant.
Jesus encouraged planning:
Luke 14:28 "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?"
When I write about planning and management in this I'm not talking about planning as it is done in the secular world of business. I am talking about planning under the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the purpose of effective ministry because God knows the future. He can give you wisdom in making plans. Planned objectives will make you a good steward of the Gospel and the ministry God has given you. It will help you work with God to accomplish His purposes. The Bible confirms that when people begin to step out and act in faith on a plan, God works with them.
Friday, December 29, 2017
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Your Promise (Part 5)
The covenant promises of Abraham that we have are yours
through Jesus Christ! But just like an heir in the natural
world must lay claim to their inheritance these tremendous promises are only
yours if you take possession of them.
Mark 6:5, 6 "And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief."
One major reason Israel was shut out of their Promised Land because of
unbelief. At Kadesh-Barnea, God directed Israel to advance and take possession
of the land that was promised through the Abrahamic covenant. Caleb and Joshua encouraged them to do so,
but when the Israelites heard the negative report of ten of the twelve
spies, their hearts were filled with
unbelief in Numbers 13:30-33.
Israel refused to believe Caleb and
Joshua. They listened to the negative
reports of the other spies which shattered their faith. They did not believe they could conquer the
land. They refused to believe the
promises of God. Hebrews 3:19 declares
that “...they could not enter in because of unbelief.” Israel had all of
the covenant promises of Abraham. They had a scriptural foundation to claim
their land, but unbelief shut them out.
Why are the promises of the Abrahamic
covenant not being manifested in the lives of many believers? Because of unbelief. They don’t believe these promises are for
them. We have studied the tremendous
promises given to Abraham and learned how they are passed down to us, but if we
do not believe and act upon this revelation, we will fail to receive it. Just as unbelief shut an entire generation
out of the promised land, it will keep you from taking possession of these
promises. Unbelief shuts off the
supernatural life flow of God.
One of the saddest examples of people
shut out from experiencing the mighty manifestation of God’s promises is found
in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus did mighty
miracles everywhere He went. He healed
the sick and raised the dead. He opened
blind eyes and cast out demons. Yet, when Jesus came to Nazareth, He could do
no mighty works:
Mark 6:5, 6 "And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief."
Jesus was not limited in Nazareth because
His power or anointing had been depleted.
The only thing that prevented these people from receiving the blessings
of God was their own unbelief. Whatever
God says, believe it! Do not let
unbelief limit God’s work in your life or prevent you from receiving these
promises. Do not let unbelief shut you
out. If you have difficulty believing
the promises of God, cry out as one distraught father did, "...Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief" in Mark 9:24.
Your Promise (Part 4)
If You are to embrace God's promises,
you will need to enlarge your spiritual borders and get rid of your stinking thinking. Stinking thinking is any attitude that is contrary to what God's Word says:
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Stinking thinking prohibits the blessing God wants to pour out on you. It will not fit within the parameters
of your natural reasoning, which are usually affected by negative, false, or unreasonable reports.
This blessing cannot be poured into
the old vessels of tradition. It will
not be limited by the parameters of your present life. You will break forth on the right hand and
the left. You will inherit the Gentiles
(the nations). You will march into the
desolation of sinful cities, violent slums, dangerous prisons, and drug houses
to deliver people from the very gates of Hell.
This is your divine calling from God!
God commanded Abraham to walk through
the land and declared that He would give it to him. Applied to us spiritually, this means we can
walk through “the land” of our households and claim our children for God. We can walk through the desolation of our
cities and nations, knowing God has given this territory into our hands
spiritually. If it worked in the Old Testament I see no reason it cannot work today.
There was a widow lady in Old
Testament times who was in deep debt.
She owed so much money to her creditors that they were about to seize
her sons to serve as indentured servants to pay off the obligations in 2 Kings
4.
The prophet of God told this woman to
obtain as many empty vessels as possible from her friends, family, and
neighbors. Then he told her to use the little oil she had and fill the vessels. She obeyed, and as she poured into the empty pots,
the oil was multiplied. The oil
continued to multiply as long as there was an empty receptacle. The miracle was only limited by what she had
room to receive. She had know stinking thinking, only her belief that something good was about to happen.
If you are to fulfill your spiritual calling, you
must put aside stinking thinking. Open your
heart and mind to an unlimited God with unlimited resources that He longs to
bestow upon you. Everywhere Abraham set
his foot, God gave it to him. He will do
the same for you spiritually.
Get rid of the limits you have placed
on God. He is not limited, except by
your stinking thinking. Your destiny is
bigger than you think. God has greater
plans for you than you can imagine.
Rise up today in the spirit
world. Walk through “the land” of your
household, your ministry, your community, and your nation. As an heir of the Abrahamic covenant, God has
declared: “I will give it unto you!”
Claim it in the name of Jesus.
Get rid of your stinking thinking!
Your Promise (Part 1)
You are an heir! You may not have a rich relative or a
financial endowment that has been passed down to you, but you are a spiritual
heir of an inheritance that is far greater.
It is an inheritance so great that it encompasses every area of your
life. It has the capacity to heal every
painful experience you have ever had, supply every need, and equip you for
victorious living and effective service in God’s Kingdom. This spiritual
inheritance is called “the Abrahamic covenant.”
The Abrahamic covenant will take you beyond a blessing into a realm that
makes the impossible possible.
Hebrews 11:11, 12 "Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable."
As God had promised, Abraham was eventually blessed with a
son, Isaac, through whom the nation of Israel was birthed:
Hebrews 11:11, 12 "Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable."
In the book of Revelation, the "stars" represent
the church. Throughout scripture, the land is representative
of Israel. As believers, we do not
replace Israel, but we are recipients of the same covenant blessings. Just as they did for Abraham, these promises
and blessings will enable you to fulfill your divine calling in 2018.
Genesis 21-35 records the story of Isaac, Abraham's
son. As you read through it you will see
the tremendous blessings of God upon his life.
The provisions of this covenant then passed on to Isaac’s son,
Jacob. Despite a rough start, Jacob’s
life was eventually supernaturally changed and with it came a new name, “Israel.” Jacob was mightily blessed of God through the
provisions of the Abrahamic covenant, then these promises were passed on to his
children, and the nation of Israel was birthed.
The tremendous blessings of Abraham extend even further than
the nation of Israel, however. The
Apostle Paul declared:
Romans 8:16, 17 "The
Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so
be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
Romans 4:16 declares that Abraham was the “father
of us all." So as Abraham’s spiritual seed and a joint-heir
with Christ, you are an heir to these covenant promises. The Apostle Paul declared again to the church at Galatia in Galatians 3:29:
“And if ye be
Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
These promises will make your calling a
reality, just as they did for Abraham.
Your Promise (Part 2)
You are walking in the footsteps of Abraham to your Promised Land as you make our journey toward your calling. As a true believer, you are
Abraham’s spiritual seed and the promises that God made to him extend down
through the centuries to you:
Everything you need to fulfill your calling spiritually, physically, mentally, and financially is provided by the Abrahamic covenant. Yet, there are few believers today who comprehend this and are claiming these amazing covenant privileges.
Romans 9:8 "That is, They which are the
children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of
the promise are counted for the seed."
Everything you need to fulfill your calling spiritually, physically, mentally, and financially is provided by the Abrahamic covenant. Yet, there are few believers today who comprehend this and are claiming these amazing covenant privileges.
These blessings from God are so great that they extend to
areas where man would say you are crazy to even have hope. the Bible says in Romans 4:18 that Abraham “...against hope believed in hope,
that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was
spoken, So shall thy seed be.” It's the Abrahamic covenant that will enable you to
believe when there is no hope in the natural:
-The
blessing of Abraham goes where the doctor has said, “No hope.”
-It
goes where the banker has said, “No hope.”
-It
goes where the attorney has said, “No hope.”
-It
goes where the overseer has said, “No hope.”
-It
goes where those around you have declared, “No hope.”
Claiming your inheritance under the
Abrahamic covenant will renew your hope and give you supernatural faith to
persevere and reach your divine calling.
When Abraham first received this
powerful covenant, it was so great that he fell on his face before God in Genesis
17:17. But the Bible declares that
Abraham “... staggered not at the
promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to
God. And being fully persuaded that,
what he had promised, he was able also to perform” in Romans 4:20, 21.
These promises are so great that they
could cause you to stagger in unbelief. Like Abraham, however, you must be
fully persuaded that the provisions of this covenant are for you and that God
is able to bring them to pass in your life.
By faith, be fully persuaded of the
amazing promises of God. Every provision
has already been made to enable you to achieve your calling.
Monday, December 25, 2017
The Humanity of Jesus Christ (Part 2)
The humanity of Jesus is essential to the character of Jesus as the Christ. 2 John 1:7 specifically states that those who deny the humanity of Jesus are false teachers: "For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist."
Jesus is God in the flesh!
1 John 4:1-3 says, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already."
To fail to accept Jesus as fully human is to miss the true message of Jesus.
The humanity of Jesus is important because prophecy required a physical birth. The Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 9:6 said, "a child is born." Galatians 4:4, 5 says, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."
The Son of God entered the world fully human in order to experience the struggles of humanity. Without His humanity, Jesus could not have been tempted as we are in Matthew 4:1-10, nor could He experience human sadness, suffering, or pain.
Another important reason Jesus had to be fully human was that He had to die for the sins of humanity on the cross. If He did not have flesh and blood, then He could not shed His blood; He could not die. Without the death of Christ, there is no sacrifice for sins, and we are unforgiven.
Related to the fact of His death is the fact of His resurrection. After His physical death, Jesus physically rose from the dead. If He had not died, then He certainly could not have been resurrected. This teaching is essential to the Christian faith. Paul stated it in the strongest terms:
I Corinthians 15:14, 15 "If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ."
Verse 17 "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins."
Those who deny the humanity of Christ reject an essential doctrine of the Bible. A belief that Jesus was a spiritual being or that He only had the appearance of physicality negates the reality of His death and makes salvation impossible. Scripture proclaims that Jesus is both the Son of God and the Son of Man.
Jesus is God in the flesh!
1 John 4:1-3 says, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already."
To fail to accept Jesus as fully human is to miss the true message of Jesus.
The humanity of Jesus is important because prophecy required a physical birth. The Messianic prophecy of Isaiah 9:6 said, "a child is born." Galatians 4:4, 5 says, "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."
The Son of God entered the world fully human in order to experience the struggles of humanity. Without His humanity, Jesus could not have been tempted as we are in Matthew 4:1-10, nor could He experience human sadness, suffering, or pain.
Another important reason Jesus had to be fully human was that He had to die for the sins of humanity on the cross. If He did not have flesh and blood, then He could not shed His blood; He could not die. Without the death of Christ, there is no sacrifice for sins, and we are unforgiven.
Related to the fact of His death is the fact of His resurrection. After His physical death, Jesus physically rose from the dead. If He had not died, then He certainly could not have been resurrected. This teaching is essential to the Christian faith. Paul stated it in the strongest terms:
I Corinthians 15:14, 15 "If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ."
Verse 17 "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins."
Those who deny the humanity of Christ reject an essential doctrine of the Bible. A belief that Jesus was a spiritual being or that He only had the appearance of physicality negates the reality of His death and makes salvation impossible. Scripture proclaims that Jesus is both the Son of God and the Son of Man.
Christmas Symbols (1)
The term "angel" literally means "messenger." It is in this prominent role that angels take part in the Christmas story. An angel appeared to Mary to announce the birth of Christ in Luke 1:26-38. An angel appeared to Joseph telling him that what was conceived in Mary was from the Holy Spirit in Matthew 1:20-21. And, an angel appeared to shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus after which “a great company of the heavenly host” appeared in Luke 2:8-14.
Understandably, images of angels have become a familiar symbol of Christmas. However, contrary to their depiction as gentle feminine creatures that top Christmas trees and hover over Nativity Scenes, the Bible reveals angels as persons of tremendous strength. Psalm 103:20 refers to angels as the “mighty ones” who do God’s bidding. On one occasion, as recorded in 2 Kings 19:35, a single angel killed 185,000 soldiers over night at the Lord’s command.
That may sound a bit terrifying, but the strength of God’s holy angels is actually great news for believers. After all, angels follow the commands of a God that loves and protects his people.
Psalm 91:9-12:
“If you make the Most High your dwelling-even the Lord, who is my refuge-then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
At the time of Christ, a belief in guardian angels was already prevalent among the Jews, so it came as no surprise to them when Jesus, speaking about children, said, “Their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven” in Matthew 18:10.
Several references throughout the Bible imply that angels have assignments not only to people, but to churches in Revelation 1, nations in Daniel 10 and 12 and even nature in Revelation 7. For example, Revelation 16:5 speaks of “the angel in charge of the waters.”
So what do angels really look like? In their natural state, angels are spiritual beings and do not have physical or material bodies. This doesn’t mean that they are without “form.” Humans simply don’t have the eyes to see their spiritual bodies. Thus, on several occasions, angels have assumed a physical body in order to communicate with men.
The Bible describes angels as dressing in white, gleaming like lightning, and wearing clean, shining linen with gold sashes around their chest (Daniel 10:5-6; John 20:12; Luke 24:4; Revelation 15:6). The only classes of angels clearly described as having wings are the Seraphim and the Cheribum who seem to guard or attend the throne of God (Isaiah 6:2; Exodus 25:20). Regardless, wings have become a standard feature in our depiction of angels – perhaps an artistic way to portray the speed at which angels can travel. In the same way halos are an artistic way to portray the “gleam” of angels.
Yet, of all the recorded angelic appearances in the Bible, the most fascinating may be the most ordinary; so ordinary that humans do not even realize they have been visited by an angel. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Surely, there are many facets of angelic beings that remain a mystery to humans, and believe it or not, there are some aspects of humanity, particularly God’s grace toward us, that appear to be a mystery to angels. Imagine discovering that the Creator of the Universe had chosen to become a man. Imagine knowing the true identity of Christ, the King of Kings, yet witnessing his most humble birth and his most ordinary Jewish upbringing. As Jesus grew into a man and began his ministry, imagine seeing men hurl insults at, and ultimately crucify, the Author of Life and Salvation.
Apparently, the work of Christ on earth was indeed a mystery to the angels. When speaking of grace and salvation, 1 Peter 1:12b says, “Even angels long to look into these things.” May our amazement surpass that of the angels, for we, unlike them, are the recipients of God’s grace and salvation!
Understandably, images of angels have become a familiar symbol of Christmas. However, contrary to their depiction as gentle feminine creatures that top Christmas trees and hover over Nativity Scenes, the Bible reveals angels as persons of tremendous strength. Psalm 103:20 refers to angels as the “mighty ones” who do God’s bidding. On one occasion, as recorded in 2 Kings 19:35, a single angel killed 185,000 soldiers over night at the Lord’s command.
That may sound a bit terrifying, but the strength of God’s holy angels is actually great news for believers. After all, angels follow the commands of a God that loves and protects his people.
Psalm 91:9-12:
“If you make the Most High your dwelling-even the Lord, who is my refuge-then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.”
At the time of Christ, a belief in guardian angels was already prevalent among the Jews, so it came as no surprise to them when Jesus, speaking about children, said, “Their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven” in Matthew 18:10.
Several references throughout the Bible imply that angels have assignments not only to people, but to churches in Revelation 1, nations in Daniel 10 and 12 and even nature in Revelation 7. For example, Revelation 16:5 speaks of “the angel in charge of the waters.”
So what do angels really look like? In their natural state, angels are spiritual beings and do not have physical or material bodies. This doesn’t mean that they are without “form.” Humans simply don’t have the eyes to see their spiritual bodies. Thus, on several occasions, angels have assumed a physical body in order to communicate with men.
The Bible describes angels as dressing in white, gleaming like lightning, and wearing clean, shining linen with gold sashes around their chest (Daniel 10:5-6; John 20:12; Luke 24:4; Revelation 15:6). The only classes of angels clearly described as having wings are the Seraphim and the Cheribum who seem to guard or attend the throne of God (Isaiah 6:2; Exodus 25:20). Regardless, wings have become a standard feature in our depiction of angels – perhaps an artistic way to portray the speed at which angels can travel. In the same way halos are an artistic way to portray the “gleam” of angels.
Yet, of all the recorded angelic appearances in the Bible, the most fascinating may be the most ordinary; so ordinary that humans do not even realize they have been visited by an angel. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Surely, there are many facets of angelic beings that remain a mystery to humans, and believe it or not, there are some aspects of humanity, particularly God’s grace toward us, that appear to be a mystery to angels. Imagine discovering that the Creator of the Universe had chosen to become a man. Imagine knowing the true identity of Christ, the King of Kings, yet witnessing his most humble birth and his most ordinary Jewish upbringing. As Jesus grew into a man and began his ministry, imagine seeing men hurl insults at, and ultimately crucify, the Author of Life and Salvation.
Apparently, the work of Christ on earth was indeed a mystery to the angels. When speaking of grace and salvation, 1 Peter 1:12b says, “Even angels long to look into these things.” May our amazement surpass that of the angels, for we, unlike them, are the recipients of God’s grace and salvation!
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
We Die With A Different Hope-Preparing for 2018
Hebrews 11:14-16a “People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one.”
Dying well is something of a lost art today. We don’t talk about it or preach about it or think about it, and we certainly don’t train our people in how to do it. We have “grief recovery” classes that help those who have lost loved ones. But when was the last time you attended a class on how to die well?
-That’s why we won’t go back in 2018.
-That’s why we won’t turn around in 2018.
-That’s why we keep our eyes always on heaven and for the rapture in 2018.
We live by a different standard and we die with a different hope. Death for the believer is not what it is for the unbeliever. For those who know Jesus, death is going home, to our real home, our eternal home, to the place where when we get there, we will say, “This is where I belong.”
Dying well is something of a lost art today. We don’t talk about it or preach about it or think about it, and we certainly don’t train our people in how to do it. We have “grief recovery” classes that help those who have lost loved ones. But when was the last time you attended a class on how to die well?
The Puritans saw things differently. They preached a great deal to their people about how to die well, full of faith and hope and joy in the Lord. By this they did not mean how to plan your own death, nor did they intend to suggest that you could somehow avoid the sudden death that comes to so many people. They simply meant to train their people so that they would live with conscious, abiding faith in Jesus Christ to the very end of life, and that they would give a joyful testimony to the watching world they left behind.
The writer to the Hebrews is making the same point in his own way. In earlier generations people believed in two worlds, and they knew that the next world was the “real” world, the one that would last forever. And so they lived in this world (the solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short one) with one eye looking forward to the next one. They understood that this world could not, cannot, and does not bring you ultimate happiness.And so we believe there is another world. Hebrews 11 calls it a “a country of their own” and “a better country—a heavenly one.” We are destined to live and die feeling slightly (and maybe more than slightly) out of place.-That’s why we won’t go back in 2018.
-That’s why we won’t turn around in 2018.
-That’s why we keep our eyes always on heaven and for the rapture in 2018.
We live by a different standard and we die with a different hope. Death for the believer is not what it is for the unbeliever. For those who know Jesus, death is going home, to our real home, our eternal home, to the place where when we get there, we will say, “This is where I belong.”
Live By A Different Standard-Preparing For 2018 (Part 4)
Hebrews 11:13“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.”
What the writer means is, all the heroes of faith lived and died without ever fully entering into what God had promised them. They were like sailors who saw the shoreline a great distance away, and stood at the rail waving and shouting and saying, “See, there it is! What a beautiful land! And look at all those people! They are waving back at us.” The sailors see the land, but their ship never reaches the shore. So they sail on, left with their memories of a harbor they never seem to reach.
We, as Christians, are aliens and strangers on earth. In our shrinking, flat, and increasingly crowded world, we are all continually reminded that “we aren’t from around here.”
-Getting on a bus in a strange city frightens us, so we look for someone who looks like us.
-Traveling in a large city overseas can be a scary experience if we don’t speak the language, and sometimes even if we do, especially when we see people looking at us, whispering to each other, sometimes laughing at us, sometimes pointing.
During a friend's last visit to Jerusalem they were accosted by a very angry man who began shouting at them, waving his arms, making various political statements, and uttering vague threats. Now that would be unnerving for anyone because you can’t engage a man like that in a discussion or things will quickly escalate. All you can do is keep walking and remember, “We’re not from around here.”
Christians are truly “not from around here.” That’s the whole point of Verse 13. We are from somewhere else, a realm not visible or touchable. We’ve got a green card that says, “Citizen of Heaven.” Sometimes life comes down to the tough-minded, not-gonna-turn-back-now decision to keep on following Jesus even when the world collapses around you. Sometimes that’s the best you can do, and I’m always in awe of people who can say, “I’m not giving up,” when quitting would be easier.
What the writer means is, all the heroes of faith lived and died without ever fully entering into what God had promised them. They were like sailors who saw the shoreline a great distance away, and stood at the rail waving and shouting and saying, “See, there it is! What a beautiful land! And look at all those people! They are waving back at us.” The sailors see the land, but their ship never reaches the shore. So they sail on, left with their memories of a harbor they never seem to reach.
We, as Christians, are aliens and strangers on earth. In our shrinking, flat, and increasingly crowded world, we are all continually reminded that “we aren’t from around here.”
-Getting on a bus in a strange city frightens us, so we look for someone who looks like us.
-Traveling in a large city overseas can be a scary experience if we don’t speak the language, and sometimes even if we do, especially when we see people looking at us, whispering to each other, sometimes laughing at us, sometimes pointing.
During a friend's last visit to Jerusalem they were accosted by a very angry man who began shouting at them, waving his arms, making various political statements, and uttering vague threats. Now that would be unnerving for anyone because you can’t engage a man like that in a discussion or things will quickly escalate. All you can do is keep walking and remember, “We’re not from around here.”
Christians are truly “not from around here.” That’s the whole point of Verse 13. We are from somewhere else, a realm not visible or touchable. We’ve got a green card that says, “Citizen of Heaven.” Sometimes life comes down to the tough-minded, not-gonna-turn-back-now decision to keep on following Jesus even when the world collapses around you. Sometimes that’s the best you can do, and I’m always in awe of people who can say, “I’m not giving up,” when quitting would be easier.
Hebrews 10:34 “For you knew you had a much more solid and lasting treasure in heaven.” (Phillips).
NKJV “...a better and enduring possession.”
CEV “...because you knew you had something better, something that would last forever.”
Do God's Will-Preparing for 2018 (Part 3)
Ephesians 5:17 "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Martin Luther King’s final speech was on April 3, 1968, the day before he was assassinated. If you read it in context, it is a remarkably hopeful message, given the pressure of those momentous days. Because we know what happened the next day, we tend to miss the optimistic tone. Though you can sense the unrelenting pressure of opposition and death threats, underneath there is bedrock faith. Dr. King frames the whole message this way. Suppose God were to come to him and ask this question, “Martin Luther King, which age would you like to live in?” He goes on to survey all of human history, starting with Egypt, going on to Greece and Rome, then skipping the centuries to the Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation, then on to the days of Abraham Lincoln, then on to the very troubled times of 1968 when the whole fabric of the nation seemed about to unravel. Here is his imagined answer to the Almighty’s imagined question:
He goes on to talk about what it means to live at such a crucial moment of history and I think we should remember them as we face the challenges of the New Year:
A thousand years from now, we will still remember those words. I am always struck by this simple sentence in his final paragraph: “I just want to do God’s will.”
Those seven words summarize how we all ought to face the future, understanding the fierce urgency of now, grateful for the privilege of being alive for such a time as this, wherever God has placed us:
Martin Luther King’s final speech was on April 3, 1968, the day before he was assassinated. If you read it in context, it is a remarkably hopeful message, given the pressure of those momentous days. Because we know what happened the next day, we tend to miss the optimistic tone. Though you can sense the unrelenting pressure of opposition and death threats, underneath there is bedrock faith. Dr. King frames the whole message this way. Suppose God were to come to him and ask this question, “Martin Luther King, which age would you like to live in?” He goes on to survey all of human history, starting with Egypt, going on to Greece and Rome, then skipping the centuries to the Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation, then on to the days of Abraham Lincoln, then on to the very troubled times of 1968 when the whole fabric of the nation seemed about to unravel. Here is his imagined answer to the Almighty’s imagined question:
"Strangely enough, I would turn to the Almighty, and say, “If you allow me to live just a few years in the second half of the twentieth century, I will be happy.” Now that’s a strange statement to make, because the world is all messed up. The nation is sick. Trouble is in the land. Confusion all around. That’s a strange statement. But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars."
He goes on to talk about what it means to live at such a crucial moment of history and I think we should remember them as we face the challenges of the New Year:
"Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. And I’m happy tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
Those seven words summarize how we all ought to face the future, understanding the fierce urgency of now, grateful for the privilege of being alive for such a time as this, wherever God has placed us:
I just want to do God’s will in 2018. How about you?
Redeem Your Time-Preparing for 2018 (Part 2)
The King James Version uses the word “redeem,” as in “redeeming the time.” To us redeem is a salvation word, but originally it comes from the marketplace and means to “buy back” or to “purchase” something. You “redeem” something when you buy it for your own use.
The NIV uses the word “opportunity” instead of time. That’s because the Greek language has two basic words for time. One word refers to the passage of time in the sense that we talk about hours, minutes and second. “What time is it?” “It’s 6:22 PM. We’re leaving in eight minutes.” That’s one sort of time. The other Greek word refers not to the strict passage of time but to the moment of opportunity that requires action. It’s what Martin Luther King meant when he told the vast crowd gathered at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on a hot August day in 1963, “We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now.” It’s that phrase-the fierce urgency of now.”
Paul says there is a particular reason we must “redeem the time” and grasp “the fierce urgency of now.” Check that little phrase at the end of verse 16. “Because the days are evil.” Here’s another translation. The Message Bible says, “These are desperate times!”
Paul writes these words while chained to the guards in a Roman jail. The emperor was a man by the name of Nero, a perverted excuse for a king. Before too long he would set fire to Rome and blame the Christians. Later he would order Paul beheaded. And Ephesus was a city wholly given over to heathenism. In Paul’s day it was the most important city in the Roman province of Asia. Located near the coast, Ephesus served as a center for international commerce. It was a prosperous, bustling, booming city. It was home to the famous Temple of Artemis. That was the glory of ancient Ephesus. Artemis was called Diana by the Romans. But they referred to the same thing. Artemis was the goddess of sex. Her temple was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The central portion contained a statue of a woman with many breasts, symbolizing unfettered sexual freedom. We in this century have nothing on the ancient world. The people worked themselves up into a religious frenzy and then followed their lustful desires. One ancient writer said of the Ephesians, “Their morals were lower than animals.” Astrology, black magic, and sorcery joined with sexual perversion to produce a degraded form of idolatry that held ancient Ephesus in its grip.
Meanwhile clouds of persecution are rolling in on the horizon. As the gospel spread, it encountered opposition that saw Jesus and his followers as a threat. The crosscurrents of heresy threatened to undermine the purity of the gospel. That’s what Paul meant when he said, “These are desperate times!”
Evil days tempt us to despair, encourage us to give up, to say, “We can’t do it” because the day is dark, the hearts of men have grown cold, and there is nothing to be done. I for one refuse to think like that. Sometimes we give up too soon. The things that make it difficult for us for live as Christians are the things that make us shine.
-Hard times are blessings in disguise.
-Days of moral compromise offer incredible opportunities for the gospel.
When the world around us seems to be going haywire, we have an incredible opportunity to display the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. The darker the night, the brighter the light shines. Redeem your time!
Watch Your Step-Preparing for 2018 (part 1)
Ephesians 5:15 “Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise.”
To “be careful” means literally to walk accurately or precisely. The King James uses the old word “circumspectly.” It has the idea of walking on a narrow path along the side of a steep mountain. Keep your eyes open lest you take a wrong step and plunge to your death.
What happens when you hurry, hurry, hurry? You don’t watch where you’re going and you trip and fall. Most often we trip not in headlong pursuit of evil but in our headlong pursuit of good.
The answer lies not in buying a planner or getting organized, but in the words of the Psalmist. :
Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.”
When we slow down enough to get God involved, we discover that He can do more through us than we can ever accomplish on our own. Remember there are 365 new days ahead if the Lord allows. Take them one step at a time and watch where you step.
To “be careful” means literally to walk accurately or precisely. The King James uses the old word “circumspectly.” It has the idea of walking on a narrow path along the side of a steep mountain. Keep your eyes open lest you take a wrong step and plunge to your death.
Sometimes we are guilty of living too fast. We make too many snap judgments, too many hasty decisions, we speak too fast, we move too fast, we react too fast, we answer before we hear the question, we just keep on pressing the throttle of life forward because we’ve got too much on our plate and we dare not slow down. It’s even possible in the name of God to go too fast. We want to right the wrongs of the world too fast. We try to win the world too fast. Because we speak too quickly, our words are hasty and ill-timed. We go before we’re ready, speak before we have anything to say, teach before we’re taught, and build high before we build deep.
What happens when you hurry, hurry, hurry? You don’t watch where you’re going and you trip and fall. Most often we trip not in headlong pursuit of evil but in our headlong pursuit of good.
The answer lies not in buying a planner or getting organized, but in the words of the Psalmist. :
Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.”
When we slow down enough to get God involved, we discover that He can do more through us than we can ever accomplish on our own. Remember there are 365 new days ahead if the Lord allows. Take them one step at a time and watch where you step.
Monday, December 18, 2017
The Humanity of Jesus (Part 1)
The humanity of Jesus is as equally important as the deity of Jesus. Jesus was born as a human being while still being totally divine. The concept of the humanity of Jesus co-existing with His deity is difficult for the finite mind of man to comprehend. Nevertheless, Jesus’ nature, wholly man and wholly God, is a biblical fact. There are those who reject these biblical truths and declare that Jesus was a man, but not God, which is Ebionism. Docetism is the view that Jesus was God, but not human. Both viewpoints are unbiblical and false.
(1) Jesus had to be born as a human being for several reasons.
Galatians 4:4, 5 “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”
Only a man could be “born under the law.” No animal or angelic being is “under the law.” Only humans are born under the law, and only a human being could redeem other human beings born under the same law. Born under the law of God, all humans are guilty of transgressing that law. Only a perfect human, Jesus Christ, could perfectly keep the law and perfectly fulfill the law, thereby redeeming us from that guilt. Jesus accomplished our redemption on the cross, exchanging our sin for His perfect righteousness according to 2 Corinthians 5:21.
(2) Jesus had to be fully human is that God established the necessity of the shedding of blood for the remission of sins in Leviticus 17:11 and Hebrews 9:22. The blood of animals, although acceptable on a temporary basis as a foreshadowing of the blood of the perfect God-Man, was insufficient for the permanent remission of sin because Hebrews 10:4 says, “iI is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, sacrificed His human life and shed His human blood to cover the sins of all who would ever believe in Him. If He were not human, this would have been impossible.
(3) The humanity of Jesus enables Him to relate to us in a way the angels or animals never can.
Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin.”
Only a human could sympathize with our weaknesses and temptations. In His humanity, Jesus was subjected to all the same kinds of trials that we are, and He is, therefore, able to sympathize with us and to aid us. He was tempted; He was persecuted; He was poor; He was despised; He suffered physical pain; and He endured the sorrows of a lingering and most cruel death. Only a human being could experience these things, and only a human being could fully understand them through experience.
(4) It was necessary for Jesus to come in the flesh because believing that truth is a prerequisite for salvation. Declaring that Jesus has come in the flesh is the mark of a spirit from God, while the Antichrist and all who follow him will deny it according to John 4:2, 3.
-Jesus has come in the flesh.
-He is able to sympathize with our human frailties.
-His human blood was shed for our sins.
-He was fully God and fully Man.
These are biblical truths that cannot be denied.
(1) Jesus had to be born as a human being for several reasons.
Galatians 4:4, 5 “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”
Only a man could be “born under the law.” No animal or angelic being is “under the law.” Only humans are born under the law, and only a human being could redeem other human beings born under the same law. Born under the law of God, all humans are guilty of transgressing that law. Only a perfect human, Jesus Christ, could perfectly keep the law and perfectly fulfill the law, thereby redeeming us from that guilt. Jesus accomplished our redemption on the cross, exchanging our sin for His perfect righteousness according to 2 Corinthians 5:21.
(2) Jesus had to be fully human is that God established the necessity of the shedding of blood for the remission of sins in Leviticus 17:11 and Hebrews 9:22. The blood of animals, although acceptable on a temporary basis as a foreshadowing of the blood of the perfect God-Man, was insufficient for the permanent remission of sin because Hebrews 10:4 says, “iI is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, sacrificed His human life and shed His human blood to cover the sins of all who would ever believe in Him. If He were not human, this would have been impossible.
(3) The humanity of Jesus enables Him to relate to us in a way the angels or animals never can.
Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin.”
Only a human could sympathize with our weaknesses and temptations. In His humanity, Jesus was subjected to all the same kinds of trials that we are, and He is, therefore, able to sympathize with us and to aid us. He was tempted; He was persecuted; He was poor; He was despised; He suffered physical pain; and He endured the sorrows of a lingering and most cruel death. Only a human being could experience these things, and only a human being could fully understand them through experience.
(4) It was necessary for Jesus to come in the flesh because believing that truth is a prerequisite for salvation. Declaring that Jesus has come in the flesh is the mark of a spirit from God, while the Antichrist and all who follow him will deny it according to John 4:2, 3.
-Jesus has come in the flesh.
-He is able to sympathize with our human frailties.
-His human blood was shed for our sins.
-He was fully God and fully Man.
These are biblical truths that cannot be denied.
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Christmas (8)
The name Santa Claus is the English form of the Dutch name for St. Nicholas Sinterklaas. Though the modern Santa Claus is associated with a world of fantasy, the historical St. Nicholas was a godly man known for his charity and generosity.
Nicholas was born in the 3rd century to wealthy Christian parents in Patara (a harbor city in modern day Turkey). It is probable that Nicholas and his parents could trace their spiritual heritage to the Apostle Paul, who stopped in Patara on his third missionary journey 200 years earlier.
It is said that Nicholas’ parents were devout believers who had long prayed for a child. When Nicholas was finally born, they devoted him to God. As an only child, he was raised with great affection and special attention. However, when Nicholas was still a young boy (likely a teenager), a plague struck his city, and both of his parents died. Though a loss like this might turn some away from God, it seems to have drawn Nicholas closer to him. The loss of his parent’s also seems to have made the boy’s heart tender to the suffering of others.
Nicholas was left with a large inheritance and decided that he would use it to honor God. He developed such a good reputation in his region that he was chosen as Archbishop of Myra (a harbor city just south and east of Patara) when he was in his early 20s, an indication that he must have demonstrated wisdom and maturity beyond his years.
During his service as Archbishop, a violent persecution of Christians began. Nicholas was almost certainly imprisoned during this time and was likely tortured for his faith. The persecution that began during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian was carried on by his successor, Galerius, for a total of eight long years.
Christian leaders who endured this period of persecution earned a tremendous amount of admiration from believers and pagans alike. Had anyone questioned Nicholas’ young age at his appointment as Archbishop, they would no longer express concern. Years of suffering for his faith had most certainly deepened his godly character in a manner worthy of respect.
There are an overwhelming number of stories regarding Nicholas’ generosity and even miracles. After his death on December 6, a tradition of gift giving was begun in his honor.
St. Nicholas Day is still observed on December 6 in many countries, but in others, America included, the practices associated with the day were combined with Christmas. It seems natural that a holiday celebrating giving would merge with the birth of Christ, the greatest gift ever given to the world. However, the merger happened to the dismay of many Christian leaders who thought that St. Nicholas drew too much attention away from Christ. In Germany, parents were encouraged to teach their children that the Christ Child was the gift-giver. The name Kriss Kringle is the English form of the German name for Christ Child. Ironically, in America the name Kriss Kringle came to be used synonymously with St. Nicholas, St. Nick, Santa Claus and even the English name Father Christmas.
In Middle Age art, St. Nicholas was typically depicted as a tall, thin, bearded cleric. So how did he evolve into the Santa that we know today in America? Santa’s white beard and red suit are actually quite similar to the bishop’s vestments worn by the Dutch Sinterklaas. But the “chubby and plump” appearance of America’s Santa Claus is generally traced to the 19th century poem “’Twas The Night Before Christmas” – an attempt to create a more friendly image of Santa and assure children that they had (in the words of the poem) “nothing to dread.”
Though the modern Santa Claus has devolved into a secularized figure surrounded by fantasy, his image can serve to help us remember the real St. Nicholas, a man who devoted his life to serving God and inspiring others to do the same.
Furthermore, the idea of giving gifts in Santa’s name is a useful practice. In essence, when gifts are given in Santa’s name, they are given anonymously. Secret generosity is consistent with how St. Nicholas gave gifts, and more importantly it follows Jesus’ instruction to let our giving be done in secret. As Jesus said, “Your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
Nicholas was born in the 3rd century to wealthy Christian parents in Patara (a harbor city in modern day Turkey). It is probable that Nicholas and his parents could trace their spiritual heritage to the Apostle Paul, who stopped in Patara on his third missionary journey 200 years earlier.
It is said that Nicholas’ parents were devout believers who had long prayed for a child. When Nicholas was finally born, they devoted him to God. As an only child, he was raised with great affection and special attention. However, when Nicholas was still a young boy (likely a teenager), a plague struck his city, and both of his parents died. Though a loss like this might turn some away from God, it seems to have drawn Nicholas closer to him. The loss of his parent’s also seems to have made the boy’s heart tender to the suffering of others.
Nicholas was left with a large inheritance and decided that he would use it to honor God. He developed such a good reputation in his region that he was chosen as Archbishop of Myra (a harbor city just south and east of Patara) when he was in his early 20s, an indication that he must have demonstrated wisdom and maturity beyond his years.
During his service as Archbishop, a violent persecution of Christians began. Nicholas was almost certainly imprisoned during this time and was likely tortured for his faith. The persecution that began during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian was carried on by his successor, Galerius, for a total of eight long years.
Christian leaders who endured this period of persecution earned a tremendous amount of admiration from believers and pagans alike. Had anyone questioned Nicholas’ young age at his appointment as Archbishop, they would no longer express concern. Years of suffering for his faith had most certainly deepened his godly character in a manner worthy of respect.
There are an overwhelming number of stories regarding Nicholas’ generosity and even miracles. After his death on December 6, a tradition of gift giving was begun in his honor.
St. Nicholas Day is still observed on December 6 in many countries, but in others, America included, the practices associated with the day were combined with Christmas. It seems natural that a holiday celebrating giving would merge with the birth of Christ, the greatest gift ever given to the world. However, the merger happened to the dismay of many Christian leaders who thought that St. Nicholas drew too much attention away from Christ. In Germany, parents were encouraged to teach their children that the Christ Child was the gift-giver. The name Kriss Kringle is the English form of the German name for Christ Child. Ironically, in America the name Kriss Kringle came to be used synonymously with St. Nicholas, St. Nick, Santa Claus and even the English name Father Christmas.
In Middle Age art, St. Nicholas was typically depicted as a tall, thin, bearded cleric. So how did he evolve into the Santa that we know today in America? Santa’s white beard and red suit are actually quite similar to the bishop’s vestments worn by the Dutch Sinterklaas. But the “chubby and plump” appearance of America’s Santa Claus is generally traced to the 19th century poem “’Twas The Night Before Christmas” – an attempt to create a more friendly image of Santa and assure children that they had (in the words of the poem) “nothing to dread.”
Though the modern Santa Claus has devolved into a secularized figure surrounded by fantasy, his image can serve to help us remember the real St. Nicholas, a man who devoted his life to serving God and inspiring others to do the same.
Furthermore, the idea of giving gifts in Santa’s name is a useful practice. In essence, when gifts are given in Santa’s name, they are given anonymously. Secret generosity is consistent with how St. Nicholas gave gifts, and more importantly it follows Jesus’ instruction to let our giving be done in secret. As Jesus said, “Your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
Christmas (7)
Poinsettias are certainly a natural plant to associate with Christmas. They bloom during the Christmas season, and their star-shaped leaves call to mind both the star of Bethlehem and Christ himself who is called the “bright morning star.”
The poinsettia, which is native to Mexico, is called “Star Flower” in the language of the Aztec people. Apparently, poinsettias were so popular among the Aztecs that the last of their kings, Montezuma, had large quantities carried to what is now Mexico City (since they could not be grown in its high altitude).
Even after the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in the 16th century, the poinsettia retained its popularity in Mexico. However, since the country was Christianized through the influence of the Spaniards, the poinsettia came to be associated with Christmas. A charming legend was spread throughout Mexico telling of how a simple weed was miraculously transformed into the first poinsettia plant on Christmas Eve. The plant soon came to be known in Mexico as the Flores de Noche Buena (Flowers of the Holy Night).
The American name, Poinsettia, comes from a 19th century physician, botanist and politician, Joel Roberts Poinsett. In 1825, Poinsett became the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico. Apparently, he injected himself so deeply in Mexican politics until his recall in 1830 that the Mexicans coined the word poinsettismo to describe intrusive behavior. Though his contribution to Mexico may have been questionable, Poinsett’s contribution from Mexico proved to be an enduring one. Because of his interest in botany, Poinsett actively sought out new plant species during his stay. While visiting an area in Southern Mexico, Poinsett found the plant that was soon to carry his namesake. He sent samples of the plant home to his greenhouse in South Carolina and thus introduced the plant to the United States.
The origin of the botanical name of the poinsettia, Euphorbia Pulcherrim, is even more intriguing. In the 18th century, Carl Linnaeus, often called the “Father of Taxonomy” because of his system for naming and classifying organisms, named the genus Euphorbia in honor of Euphorbus, a first century physician. Little is known of Euphorbus beyond his association with a plant from distant Africa, but it is believed that he used this African plant medicinally. On the other hand, Euphorbus’ brother, Antonius Musa, was a much more distinguished physician who had a bronze statue erected in his honor.
Linnaeus was struck by the contrast between the legacies of Euphorbus and his brother Musa. The bronze statue of Musa had vanished, but Euphorbus’ legacy of a remote plant had remained. Musa’s name was attached to the creation of man, whereas Euphorbus’ name was attached to the creation of God. Linnaeus wrote, “Where now is the statue of Musa? It has perished, vanished. But that of Euphorbus is perdurable, perennial, nor can it ever be destroyed.”
Linnaeus had a passion for nature and a deep love for God. He believed that the study of nature revealed God’s divine order, and in the preface to his taxonomy book, Linnaeus wrote that “the earth’s creation is the glory of God, as seen from the works of Nature by Man alone.”
As we enjoy the stunning and radiant colors of poinsettias this Christmas season, may we, like Linnaeus, recognize God’s glorious hand in its creation.
The poinsettia, which is native to Mexico, is called “Star Flower” in the language of the Aztec people. Apparently, poinsettias were so popular among the Aztecs that the last of their kings, Montezuma, had large quantities carried to what is now Mexico City (since they could not be grown in its high altitude).
Even after the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in the 16th century, the poinsettia retained its popularity in Mexico. However, since the country was Christianized through the influence of the Spaniards, the poinsettia came to be associated with Christmas. A charming legend was spread throughout Mexico telling of how a simple weed was miraculously transformed into the first poinsettia plant on Christmas Eve. The plant soon came to be known in Mexico as the Flores de Noche Buena (Flowers of the Holy Night).
The American name, Poinsettia, comes from a 19th century physician, botanist and politician, Joel Roberts Poinsett. In 1825, Poinsett became the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico. Apparently, he injected himself so deeply in Mexican politics until his recall in 1830 that the Mexicans coined the word poinsettismo to describe intrusive behavior. Though his contribution to Mexico may have been questionable, Poinsett’s contribution from Mexico proved to be an enduring one. Because of his interest in botany, Poinsett actively sought out new plant species during his stay. While visiting an area in Southern Mexico, Poinsett found the plant that was soon to carry his namesake. He sent samples of the plant home to his greenhouse in South Carolina and thus introduced the plant to the United States.
The origin of the botanical name of the poinsettia, Euphorbia Pulcherrim, is even more intriguing. In the 18th century, Carl Linnaeus, often called the “Father of Taxonomy” because of his system for naming and classifying organisms, named the genus Euphorbia in honor of Euphorbus, a first century physician. Little is known of Euphorbus beyond his association with a plant from distant Africa, but it is believed that he used this African plant medicinally. On the other hand, Euphorbus’ brother, Antonius Musa, was a much more distinguished physician who had a bronze statue erected in his honor.
Linnaeus was struck by the contrast between the legacies of Euphorbus and his brother Musa. The bronze statue of Musa had vanished, but Euphorbus’ legacy of a remote plant had remained. Musa’s name was attached to the creation of man, whereas Euphorbus’ name was attached to the creation of God. Linnaeus wrote, “Where now is the statue of Musa? It has perished, vanished. But that of Euphorbus is perdurable, perennial, nor can it ever be destroyed.”
Linnaeus had a passion for nature and a deep love for God. He believed that the study of nature revealed God’s divine order, and in the preface to his taxonomy book, Linnaeus wrote that “the earth’s creation is the glory of God, as seen from the works of Nature by Man alone.”
As we enjoy the stunning and radiant colors of poinsettias this Christmas season, may we, like Linnaeus, recognize God’s glorious hand in its creation.
Christmas (6)
There are a great variety of species of mistletoe; most of them are evergreen and bear their fruit, generally either red or white berries, in the early winter. Since so few plants remain green in the winter, mistletoe naturally came to be associated with the Christmas season.
The botanical name for the genus of mistletoe is Phoradendron (phor meaning “thief” and dendron meaning “tree” in Greek). As a partly parasitic plant, mistletoe does in fact act like a thief, because it “steals” nutrients from its host tree. But it is only “partly” parasitic, because it has the ability to photosynthesize its own food and survive independently. However, mistletoe is generally found on trees, and it will use whatever means necessary to survive. It has been known to endure extremely harsh weather and even droughts by reaching deep beneath the tree bark of its host to drain water and minerals.
Likely, due to its tenacity to survive, mistletoe came to play a prominent role in many pre-Christian traditions: Druidism, Nordic legend and Greco-Roman mythology.
The Druids believed that mistletoe would make barren animals fertile and would act as a remedy against any kind of poison. Some scholars believe that the practice of kissing under mistletoe originated with the Druid notion that mistletoe helped to “bring forth” life through the union of male and female.
In Norse mythology, mistletoe played a significant role in the story of Balder, the god of light. After Balder became troubled by dreams that he would die, his mother extracted an oath from all the creatures and things on earth not to harm her son. Unfortunately, she overlooked one thing, mistletoe, because she thought it was harmless. Learning of this oversight, a mischievous and jealous god named Loki persuaded another one of the gods to hurl mistletoe at Balder, who died of the wound. The beloved Balder’s death was mourned throughout the world.
This story inspired a curious practice among the Nordic people in which mistletoe would become a symbol of protecting life. Basically, when enemies met under mistletoe, they were obligated to drop their weapons and embrace. Perhaps in honor of Balder, the Nordic people would hesitate to needlessly harm one another. Surely, Balder’s death was pointless and resulted only in sorrow. An embrace would further emphasize the commitment of good will between enemies in the presence of mistletoe. This ancient tradition may be another source for the modern custom of kissing when men and women (sworn enemies throughout history) meet under mistletoe.
The plant also plays a part in Greco-Roman Mythology. In the epic poem Aeneid, the hero Aeneas desires to seek counsel from his deceased father in the land of the dead. A prophetess advises Aeneas that he must seek a “golden bough (branch)” in order to return safely from the land of the dead.
Most scholars believe that the “golden bough” is mistletoe on the branch of a tree, since mistletoe can have a golden-like appearance. Interestingly, since the Middle Ages, Virgil’s writing (the author of Aeneid) has come to be viewed as symbolic and even prophetic regarding many aspects of Christianity. Whether there is any merit to this claim or not, the image of a golden branch certainly calls to mind the many Old Testament references to Messiah as the “Branch.” Since the purpose of Virgil’s golden branch was to save Aeneas from the land of the dead, the reflection of Jesus is further emphasized in the Christian mind.
Interestingly, many of the pre-Christian traditions surrounding mistletoe and its power to protect survived well into the Christian era. Mistletoe was hung over doors as protection from witches and demons, hung in cradles to protect infants from fairies and kept in homes as protection from fires. Surely, mistletoe has no power to offer such protection, but let it serve as a reminder of the One who truly can protect our lives and, more importantly, our souls – Jesus Christ, the One who Isaiah called the “beautiful and glorious Branch of the Lord!”
The botanical name for the genus of mistletoe is Phoradendron (phor meaning “thief” and dendron meaning “tree” in Greek). As a partly parasitic plant, mistletoe does in fact act like a thief, because it “steals” nutrients from its host tree. But it is only “partly” parasitic, because it has the ability to photosynthesize its own food and survive independently. However, mistletoe is generally found on trees, and it will use whatever means necessary to survive. It has been known to endure extremely harsh weather and even droughts by reaching deep beneath the tree bark of its host to drain water and minerals.
Likely, due to its tenacity to survive, mistletoe came to play a prominent role in many pre-Christian traditions: Druidism, Nordic legend and Greco-Roman mythology.
The Druids believed that mistletoe would make barren animals fertile and would act as a remedy against any kind of poison. Some scholars believe that the practice of kissing under mistletoe originated with the Druid notion that mistletoe helped to “bring forth” life through the union of male and female.
In Norse mythology, mistletoe played a significant role in the story of Balder, the god of light. After Balder became troubled by dreams that he would die, his mother extracted an oath from all the creatures and things on earth not to harm her son. Unfortunately, she overlooked one thing, mistletoe, because she thought it was harmless. Learning of this oversight, a mischievous and jealous god named Loki persuaded another one of the gods to hurl mistletoe at Balder, who died of the wound. The beloved Balder’s death was mourned throughout the world.
This story inspired a curious practice among the Nordic people in which mistletoe would become a symbol of protecting life. Basically, when enemies met under mistletoe, they were obligated to drop their weapons and embrace. Perhaps in honor of Balder, the Nordic people would hesitate to needlessly harm one another. Surely, Balder’s death was pointless and resulted only in sorrow. An embrace would further emphasize the commitment of good will between enemies in the presence of mistletoe. This ancient tradition may be another source for the modern custom of kissing when men and women (sworn enemies throughout history) meet under mistletoe.
The plant also plays a part in Greco-Roman Mythology. In the epic poem Aeneid, the hero Aeneas desires to seek counsel from his deceased father in the land of the dead. A prophetess advises Aeneas that he must seek a “golden bough (branch)” in order to return safely from the land of the dead.
Most scholars believe that the “golden bough” is mistletoe on the branch of a tree, since mistletoe can have a golden-like appearance. Interestingly, since the Middle Ages, Virgil’s writing (the author of Aeneid) has come to be viewed as symbolic and even prophetic regarding many aspects of Christianity. Whether there is any merit to this claim or not, the image of a golden branch certainly calls to mind the many Old Testament references to Messiah as the “Branch.” Since the purpose of Virgil’s golden branch was to save Aeneas from the land of the dead, the reflection of Jesus is further emphasized in the Christian mind.
Interestingly, many of the pre-Christian traditions surrounding mistletoe and its power to protect survived well into the Christian era. Mistletoe was hung over doors as protection from witches and demons, hung in cradles to protect infants from fairies and kept in homes as protection from fires. Surely, mistletoe has no power to offer such protection, but let it serve as a reminder of the One who truly can protect our lives and, more importantly, our souls – Jesus Christ, the One who Isaiah called the “beautiful and glorious Branch of the Lord!”
Christmas (5)
Lighted trees were certainly used in various pagan religious celebrations throughout history, but contrary to popular belief, there does not appear to be any direct link between the pagan rituals and the Christmas tree. Rather, the Christmas tree almost certainly has its roots in Christian practices.
Among the many accounts claiming to explain the origin of the Christmas tree, the three most popular are from Germany making it the likeliest place of origin. The stories span from the 8th to the 16th century; all three are rooted in historical fact and may even be connected to one another.
(1) The first story is about St. Boniface (whose birth name was Winfried). In the 8th century, he was a missionary to some of the remotest tribes of Germany. He is probably best known for what is called the “Felling of Thor’s Oak.” It is said that upon entering a town in northern Hesse (hessa), Boniface learned that the people worshiped the god Thor. They believed that Thor resided in a great oak tree among them. Boniface determined that if he wanted to earn an audience with the people, he would have to confront Thor. He announced before the people that he was going to cut down the oak, and he openly challenged Thor to strike him down. Miraculously, as Boniface began to chop the oak, a mighty wind blew and hurled the tree to the ground. Tradition holds that a fir tree was growing in the roots of the oak, and Boniface claimed the tree as a symbol of Christ. Needless to say, the people readily accepted Boniface’s message, and the tree would serve as a reminder of the mighty God who was humbly born into the world as a man on Christmas day.
(2) Another possible source of the Christmas tree comes from medieval religious plays in Germany. Among the most popular of these plays was the “Paradise” play. It started with the creation of man, acted out the first sin, and showed Adam and Eve being expelled from Paradise (the Garden of Eden). It closed with the promise of a coming Savior, which made the play a particular favorite during the Christmas season. In the play, the Garden of Eden was most often represented by a fir tree hung with apples and surrounded by candles.
At one point, religious plays were suppressed in Germany, and the popular symbol of the Paradise play made its way into the homes of Christians. By the 15th century, Christians started to decorate their trees not only with apples (the symbol of sin and the need for a Savior) but with small white wafers (the symbol of Christ’s body, the Savior). These wafers were later replaced by little pieces of pastry cut in the shape of stars, angels, and bells.
The connection between the Garden of Eden (Paradise) and Christmas is profound. The first sin in the Garden of Eden was eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and wanting to be like God. How did God address this sin? God became a man that we might be saved. Trees play a significant role in the entirety of the Christian story, for the temptation that brought sin into the world hung on a tree (the forbidden fruit), and the act that resulted in salvation from sin (Christ on the cross) hung on a tree. Furthermore, once sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve, and all mankind, were no longer permitted to eat of the tree of life. However, in eternity, Christ’s work on the cross will give us “the right to eat of the tree of life” once again.
(3) A third tradition about the origin of the Christmas tree attributes it to Martin Luther, the leader of the Reformation. Some say that on Christmas Eve, Luther was walking through the woods near his home. He was struck by the beauty of how the snow shimmered in the moonlight on the branches of the trees. In an effort to re-create the magnificent sight for his family, he cut down the tree, placed it in his home, and decorated it with candles.
Though Christmas trees may have already existed in homes throughout Germany at the time of Luther, it is possible that he did in fact conceive the idea of adding candles to their branches. He may have been erroneously credited with beginning the tradition of the Christmas tree itself simply because his followers were the ones to spread the custom around Europe as they fled persecution in Germany.
Though there may be disagreement on when the tradition of Christmas trees first started, the case is certainly strong for both a German and a Christian origin. As might be expected, the popular carol “O Christmas Tree” (“O Tannenbaum” in German) also had its beginning in Germany.
Interestingly, in the Bible, God compares himself to a tree. He says in Hosea 14:8b, “I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me.”This is a relevant analogy to consider during the Christmas season. The fruitful lives of Christians can serve as the “ornaments” that draw others to admire the “tree” God himself!
Among the many accounts claiming to explain the origin of the Christmas tree, the three most popular are from Germany making it the likeliest place of origin. The stories span from the 8th to the 16th century; all three are rooted in historical fact and may even be connected to one another.
(1) The first story is about St. Boniface (whose birth name was Winfried). In the 8th century, he was a missionary to some of the remotest tribes of Germany. He is probably best known for what is called the “Felling of Thor’s Oak.” It is said that upon entering a town in northern Hesse (hessa), Boniface learned that the people worshiped the god Thor. They believed that Thor resided in a great oak tree among them. Boniface determined that if he wanted to earn an audience with the people, he would have to confront Thor. He announced before the people that he was going to cut down the oak, and he openly challenged Thor to strike him down. Miraculously, as Boniface began to chop the oak, a mighty wind blew and hurled the tree to the ground. Tradition holds that a fir tree was growing in the roots of the oak, and Boniface claimed the tree as a symbol of Christ. Needless to say, the people readily accepted Boniface’s message, and the tree would serve as a reminder of the mighty God who was humbly born into the world as a man on Christmas day.
(2) Another possible source of the Christmas tree comes from medieval religious plays in Germany. Among the most popular of these plays was the “Paradise” play. It started with the creation of man, acted out the first sin, and showed Adam and Eve being expelled from Paradise (the Garden of Eden). It closed with the promise of a coming Savior, which made the play a particular favorite during the Christmas season. In the play, the Garden of Eden was most often represented by a fir tree hung with apples and surrounded by candles.
At one point, religious plays were suppressed in Germany, and the popular symbol of the Paradise play made its way into the homes of Christians. By the 15th century, Christians started to decorate their trees not only with apples (the symbol of sin and the need for a Savior) but with small white wafers (the symbol of Christ’s body, the Savior). These wafers were later replaced by little pieces of pastry cut in the shape of stars, angels, and bells.
The connection between the Garden of Eden (Paradise) and Christmas is profound. The first sin in the Garden of Eden was eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and wanting to be like God. How did God address this sin? God became a man that we might be saved. Trees play a significant role in the entirety of the Christian story, for the temptation that brought sin into the world hung on a tree (the forbidden fruit), and the act that resulted in salvation from sin (Christ on the cross) hung on a tree. Furthermore, once sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve, and all mankind, were no longer permitted to eat of the tree of life. However, in eternity, Christ’s work on the cross will give us “the right to eat of the tree of life” once again.
(3) A third tradition about the origin of the Christmas tree attributes it to Martin Luther, the leader of the Reformation. Some say that on Christmas Eve, Luther was walking through the woods near his home. He was struck by the beauty of how the snow shimmered in the moonlight on the branches of the trees. In an effort to re-create the magnificent sight for his family, he cut down the tree, placed it in his home, and decorated it with candles.
Though Christmas trees may have already existed in homes throughout Germany at the time of Luther, it is possible that he did in fact conceive the idea of adding candles to their branches. He may have been erroneously credited with beginning the tradition of the Christmas tree itself simply because his followers were the ones to spread the custom around Europe as they fled persecution in Germany.
Though there may be disagreement on when the tradition of Christmas trees first started, the case is certainly strong for both a German and a Christian origin. As might be expected, the popular carol “O Christmas Tree” (“O Tannenbaum” in German) also had its beginning in Germany.
Interestingly, in the Bible, God compares himself to a tree. He says in Hosea 14:8b, “I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me.”This is a relevant analogy to consider during the Christmas season. The fruitful lives of Christians can serve as the “ornaments” that draw others to admire the “tree” God himself!
Christmas (4)
In many areas of the world, red and green are the only bright colors that survive in nature during the winter. In fact, at a time when most plants are barren, those that remain green and even blossom (eg: holly with its red berries and the poinsettia with its brilliant red leaves) captivate attention. Since the vibrant red and green colors of these plants have long had a meaningful association with winter, it seems natural that they would eventually become attached to the most significant celebration of the season, Christmas. The colors of red and green also have intriguing biblical relevance, particularly in so far as they represent life.
Throughout the Bible, the color red has a strong association with life and blood. Interestingly, the first human life in all creation was a man named “Adam.” The name in Hebrew can be translated as “man” or “red.” This man was created as the first of all human life on earth, but he also became the first to bring death to humanity.
When Adam and his wife Eve first sinned against God by eating of the forbidden fruit, they brought death into the world. Since man was the source of death, man would also have to be the solution in overcoming it. Herein lies the dilemma; only God himself could conquer death, and God was not a man. Human blood was required to reverse the consequence of human sin. For this reason, and beyond all comprehension, God chose to become a man.
This man Jesus is also called the last "Adam.” Remember that "Adam" means both “man” and "red". Jesus became a real man with real flesh and red blood of humanity. He spilled this blood to conquer death and give us life!
Leviticus 17:14 records that “the life of a creature is in the blood.” For this reason, the Jewish people were not permitted to eat the blood of any creature. This sheds light on the significance of Jesus’ words when he said in John 6:53, 54. "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
For hundreds of years, the Jewish people used the blood of animals to “cover” their sins. The blood of Jesus, however, was meant to do more than cover sins; it was given as a drink offering that would purify man from the inside out. Isaiah 1:18 foretold, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” The color red gives a visual of the sacrificial animal blood that was shed to cover and hide sin. In a sense, our sins were so drenched with blood that they were “like scarlet” and “red as crimson.” Isaiah pointed to the future sacrifice of Jesus whose blood would not simply cover over sins; it would so effectively wash them away that his people would be “white as snow.”
Though the red of blood is often associated with death, in the case of Jesus and all who believe in him, it always symbolizes life. Death could not conquer Jesus. He is alive, and his blood, real human blood, gives life to all who believe in him.
In regard to the color green, it is used frequently throughout the Bible to describe living things in nature: leaves, grass, pastures, plants and trees. Yet, just as sin brought death into the world for man, it brought death and decay to all of nature. The course of nature follows the course of man. After time, all living things wither and die. However, Jesus came to redeem man back to life, and he will do the same for creation.
The Book of Romans records how all of creation “waits in eager expectation” of being “liberated from its bondage to decay” and being brought into “glorious freedom” in Romans 8. Not only will the bodies of Christians be made new, God will one day make “a new heaven and a new earth” that will never decay or die according to 2 Peter 3:13.
May the colors of Christmas serve as a reminder of how all creation from man, symbolized by red, to all of nature, symbolized by green will be redeemed by Jesus for new and eternal life.
Throughout the Bible, the color red has a strong association with life and blood. Interestingly, the first human life in all creation was a man named “Adam.” The name in Hebrew can be translated as “man” or “red.” This man was created as the first of all human life on earth, but he also became the first to bring death to humanity.
When Adam and his wife Eve first sinned against God by eating of the forbidden fruit, they brought death into the world. Since man was the source of death, man would also have to be the solution in overcoming it. Herein lies the dilemma; only God himself could conquer death, and God was not a man. Human blood was required to reverse the consequence of human sin. For this reason, and beyond all comprehension, God chose to become a man.
This man Jesus is also called the last "Adam.” Remember that "Adam" means both “man” and "red". Jesus became a real man with real flesh and red blood of humanity. He spilled this blood to conquer death and give us life!
Leviticus 17:14 records that “the life of a creature is in the blood.” For this reason, the Jewish people were not permitted to eat the blood of any creature. This sheds light on the significance of Jesus’ words when he said in John 6:53, 54. "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
For hundreds of years, the Jewish people used the blood of animals to “cover” their sins. The blood of Jesus, however, was meant to do more than cover sins; it was given as a drink offering that would purify man from the inside out. Isaiah 1:18 foretold, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” The color red gives a visual of the sacrificial animal blood that was shed to cover and hide sin. In a sense, our sins were so drenched with blood that they were “like scarlet” and “red as crimson.” Isaiah pointed to the future sacrifice of Jesus whose blood would not simply cover over sins; it would so effectively wash them away that his people would be “white as snow.”
Though the red of blood is often associated with death, in the case of Jesus and all who believe in him, it always symbolizes life. Death could not conquer Jesus. He is alive, and his blood, real human blood, gives life to all who believe in him.
In regard to the color green, it is used frequently throughout the Bible to describe living things in nature: leaves, grass, pastures, plants and trees. Yet, just as sin brought death into the world for man, it brought death and decay to all of nature. The course of nature follows the course of man. After time, all living things wither and die. However, Jesus came to redeem man back to life, and he will do the same for creation.
The Book of Romans records how all of creation “waits in eager expectation” of being “liberated from its bondage to decay” and being brought into “glorious freedom” in Romans 8. Not only will the bodies of Christians be made new, God will one day make “a new heaven and a new earth” that will never decay or die according to 2 Peter 3:13.
May the colors of Christmas serve as a reminder of how all creation from man, symbolized by red, to all of nature, symbolized by green will be redeemed by Jesus for new and eternal life.
Christmas (3)
The traditional Christmas candy cane is white with red stripes and flavored with peppermint. Though several accounts make their claim to be the “true story” of the origin of the candy cane, history reveals that, most likely, it took several centuries and the contributions of several countries for the candy cane to evolve into its current form.
It appears that the candy cane has its origin in the plain white candy sticks invented in the early 1400s. The most credible story for how the sticks became canes is based on an incident that took place more than 200 years later in Germany. In 1670, the Cologne Cathedral hosted a living Nativity Scene for its Christmas celebration. The choirmaster had great difficulty keeping the children of the choir in order, so he got creative. Plain white candy sticks were popular with the children, and the choirmaster believed that if they were kept busy licking candy, they wouldn’t chatter so much. But the choirmaster wanted more than just keeping the children quiet; he wanted them to learn something of the significance of the Nativity. He appealed to a local candy maker to bend the sticks in the form of shepherd’s staffs.
Legend holds that the choirmaster used his design to encourage the children to watch how the shepherds of the Nativity used their canes to direct the live animals. More importantly, the choirmaster could instruct the children to consider how Jesus became the “Good Shepherd.”
The shape and purpose of a shepherd’s cane is significant. The design is meant to literally hook sheep by the neck in order to lead them to better nourishment or to rescue them from harm. For nervous and fearful sheep, the sight of the shepherd’s staff is a great comfort. Surely that is why the psalmist David could say to the Lord his shepherd in Psalm 23:4b, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
The choirmaster’s idea became so popular that the practice of passing out candy canes at living Nativity scenes spread throughout Europe. They could be used not only as a teaching tool, but to serve another practical purpose, which was that their shape made them an ideal decoration to easily hang on a Christmas tree.
In regard to the red striping on candy canes, it is possible that the Swedish town of Granna, known as the peppermint candy capital of the world, influenced the addition. Peppermint candies with red stripes first appeared in the town in the mid-19th century. At this time, candy canes were still portrayed in plain white on Christmas cards throughout Europe and America. However, by the early 20th century, candy canes were depicted with their familiar red stripes.
Though some popular stories credit American confectioners with inventing the candy cane, historical evidence conflicts with these claims. It is possible, however, that an American was the first to infuse the candy cane with extensive Christian meaning.Though the candy cane was not designed with intentional symbolism beyond its shape, it has proven to be a useful teaching tool. It seems appropriate to use it as such, particularly if its original form was meant to teach children about Christ, the Good Shepherd. The most common symbolism is as follows:
(1) The hard candy reminds us that Jesus is our rock- Psalm 61:2.
(2) The cane shape reminds us of a shepherd’s staff and the shepherds that came to worship Jesus. It also reminds us of how Jesus came into the world to be a shepherd of his people-Luke 2:8-15 and John 10:11.
(3) The upside-down candy cane forms the letter "J" and reminds us of the name of Jesus which means "God saves"-Matthew 1:21.
(4) The peppermint flavor reminds us of the gift of spices from the Wise Men-Matthew 2:11.
(5) The white candy reminds us of purity and holiness. It recalls the virgin birth of Christ, the sinless life of Christ and the holy life that Jesus wants his people to live-Matthew 1:23 and 1 Peter 1:15.
(6) The color red reminds us that Jesus became a real flesh and blood man and spilled his blood to save his people-Hebrews 2:14.
(7) The stripes remind us of the lashes Jesus received when he suffered for us and ultimately bore our sins that we might be healed-1 Peter 2:24, 25.
It appears that the candy cane has its origin in the plain white candy sticks invented in the early 1400s. The most credible story for how the sticks became canes is based on an incident that took place more than 200 years later in Germany. In 1670, the Cologne Cathedral hosted a living Nativity Scene for its Christmas celebration. The choirmaster had great difficulty keeping the children of the choir in order, so he got creative. Plain white candy sticks were popular with the children, and the choirmaster believed that if they were kept busy licking candy, they wouldn’t chatter so much. But the choirmaster wanted more than just keeping the children quiet; he wanted them to learn something of the significance of the Nativity. He appealed to a local candy maker to bend the sticks in the form of shepherd’s staffs.
Legend holds that the choirmaster used his design to encourage the children to watch how the shepherds of the Nativity used their canes to direct the live animals. More importantly, the choirmaster could instruct the children to consider how Jesus became the “Good Shepherd.”
The shape and purpose of a shepherd’s cane is significant. The design is meant to literally hook sheep by the neck in order to lead them to better nourishment or to rescue them from harm. For nervous and fearful sheep, the sight of the shepherd’s staff is a great comfort. Surely that is why the psalmist David could say to the Lord his shepherd in Psalm 23:4b, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
The choirmaster’s idea became so popular that the practice of passing out candy canes at living Nativity scenes spread throughout Europe. They could be used not only as a teaching tool, but to serve another practical purpose, which was that their shape made them an ideal decoration to easily hang on a Christmas tree.
In regard to the red striping on candy canes, it is possible that the Swedish town of Granna, known as the peppermint candy capital of the world, influenced the addition. Peppermint candies with red stripes first appeared in the town in the mid-19th century. At this time, candy canes were still portrayed in plain white on Christmas cards throughout Europe and America. However, by the early 20th century, candy canes were depicted with their familiar red stripes.
Though some popular stories credit American confectioners with inventing the candy cane, historical evidence conflicts with these claims. It is possible, however, that an American was the first to infuse the candy cane with extensive Christian meaning.Though the candy cane was not designed with intentional symbolism beyond its shape, it has proven to be a useful teaching tool. It seems appropriate to use it as such, particularly if its original form was meant to teach children about Christ, the Good Shepherd. The most common symbolism is as follows:
(1) The hard candy reminds us that Jesus is our rock- Psalm 61:2.
(2) The cane shape reminds us of a shepherd’s staff and the shepherds that came to worship Jesus. It also reminds us of how Jesus came into the world to be a shepherd of his people-Luke 2:8-15 and John 10:11.
(3) The upside-down candy cane forms the letter "J" and reminds us of the name of Jesus which means "God saves"-Matthew 1:21.
(4) The peppermint flavor reminds us of the gift of spices from the Wise Men-Matthew 2:11.
(5) The white candy reminds us of purity and holiness. It recalls the virgin birth of Christ, the sinless life of Christ and the holy life that Jesus wants his people to live-Matthew 1:23 and 1 Peter 1:15.
(6) The color red reminds us that Jesus became a real flesh and blood man and spilled his blood to save his people-Hebrews 2:14.
(7) The stripes remind us of the lashes Jesus received when he suffered for us and ultimately bore our sins that we might be healed-1 Peter 2:24, 25.
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