Firsts

“Firsts” are memorable. I remember the first day at my first job, my first kiss with the beautiful lady who would become my wife, and seeing each of our children for the first time.

Pentecost is about firsts. Pentecost (Pentēkostē – “the fiftieth day”) is the Greek name for the Feast of First Fruits (also Feast of Weeks/Harvest, compare Leviticus 23:9-22) which occurred 50 days after the first grain offering from the harvest. It is also the commemoration of the first coming of God’s Holy Spirit on each of the disciples which occurred 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Birth . . .

Where and how do we start telling the story of Christ? Matthew starts his narrative with a genealogy, Mark kicks off with a prophecy from Isaiah, Luke takes an historical approach, and John pushes back to a time before time saying, “In the beginning was the one who is called the Word . . .” (v 1).

When the Grinch Shows Up!

Life is messy and things don’t always go according to plan.

Consider Joseph’s story: He’s a good man, in love with Mary, maybe thinking about the wedding or dreaming about growing old together.

The Indescribable Gift

A few years ago on “Good Morning, America,” Joan Lunden featured some amazing gifts. One of them was the Jaguar 220. To order the Jaguar 220 you go to the dealer and put down an $80,000 deposit. When the automobile is delivered you pay the balance of $507,000. If you purchase the Jaguar you may be interested in buying a special car wax for the ultimate shine. The wax retails for $3,400 for 225 grams. I guess if you can afford a $587,000 automobile you’re in the market for a $3,400 can of car wax!

Agony and Ignominy

In the memoirs of Pierre Van Paasen there’s a story about Nazi storm troopers who seized an elderly Jewish rabbi and dragged him to headquarters, to a room where another Jew was being beaten to death. Then, stripped naked, he was ordered to preach the sermon he’d prepared for the Sabbath. The rabbi asked for his yarmulke, and the Nazis, grinning, agreed. Poked and prodded by his captors, the trembling rabbi delivered, to the cries of his dying neighbor, a sermon on humility.

From Tragedy to Triumph

Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried, and descended into hell (compare Romans 10:7; Ephesians 4:9).

Imagine Christ’s descent into hell: demons in an ecstasy of glee—strutting and parading, gloating and cackling as they celebrate the death and demise of the Son of God. Then Satan arrives amidst thunderous applause. There’s backslapping and high-fives; congratulations for finally winning what they believed to be the ultimate victory.

The Day Death Died

According to German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, “God is dead.” According to God, “Nietzsche is dead!”

For those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, God’s not dead—he’s alive! Yes, some may think, as some of the disciples did, that it’s “all nonsense” and “not believe” (Luke 24:11). But it’s true, Christ “has been raised from death” Luke 24:6. So we celebrate, thanking God that this is the day death died!

Prayer moves the heart of God

In the showdown at Mount Carmel an epic struggle unfolds between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. Everything is on the line. It’s a power encounter second to none. One man against the apostasy of a nation. One resolute prophet boldly defying public opinion by challenging the people to stop wavering between two opinions and either worship God or worship Baal.

Strength in the struggle

It doesn’t make sense. Elijah had successfully eliminated 450 religious opponents. He was king of the hill! Yet threatened by one woman, his faith turns to fear. Admittedly, Jezebel was a heartless, blood thirsty, Baal loving priestess and queen who had the political power and means to kill Elijah. But Elijah had proven himself – triumphing in the terrible intensity of the Mount Carmel conflict.

Do not covet

Even though our dog Katie is deaf and nearly blind, there’s nothing wrong with her sense of smell. Open a jar of peanut butter and she starts panting. We’re well trained! She always gets a spoonful of her favourite snack.

The literal meaning of the word “coveting” is “panting after.”

Read More judgment, covetousness, discontent