Christmas Arrangement

When I heard the reports, I was not certain what I was going to do. Part of me wanted to avoid it altogether; yet, I knew that curiosity would win out. I just had to see it. Nothing could prepare me for what I saw and heard.

I’ve discovered (and hereby report) that words fail. There is no way words will communicate exactly what I would like to say about it. And I noticed that others are having the same problem--if indeed one could call it a problem. I’ve noticed that all I have read or heard mention that they come up against some barrier when trying to articulate their reactions. And we have most all heard the reactions. I now have a better grasp of who are believers and who are not.

Obviously I am speaking once more of “The Movie”; or, as one put it in today‘s terms, “The Jesus Chainsaw Massacre”.

I am convinced that the movie was not as graphic as the actual event and the movie delivered much more than anyone needed--or perhaps we did need it. I’ve talked about many aspects concerning the torture and execution of Jesus, but for some reason, I never fully comprehended all this implied until now.

We were certainly not left much to imagine, that’s certain. This movie will be to us what Cecil B. DeMille did for the 1950’s and the Ten Commandments. But Gibson did not give us concepts. He gave us concrete. What DeMille gave us then was such a good interpretation that people’s memory of the Exodus is tainted with his story. Ask anyone to describe the Exodus, and most will describe that movie. Gibson gave us accuracy and images we will never forget.

I run the risk of continuing with Siskel-Ebert-isms. The fact I was faced with was this: (Heb 12:4 KJV) “Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin”. Or as the Contemporary English Version says, “None of you have yet been hurt in your battle against sin.”

So I am taking another look at Jesus.

Matthew 1: “The Record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah . . .”

Looking for water implies that water can be found. One finds water not by where it is (remember, it is lost and must be found). One begins his search by discovering where it has been.

In Northern Kenya, some tribes get their water from wells that form in the ground. It is a rather odd process, but one generally looks for sharp indentations in the landscape, then begins to dig until water “wells” up out of the ground. At that point, a barrel is sunk into the ground as a catch-basin and water can by pumped out into a larger reservoir.

Martian scientists (that sounds funny, doesn’t it) are doing basically the same thing right now, as I write. Spirit and Opportunity are buzzing their way around the Martian landscape, not looking for water directly, but are looking for where water has been. Scientists learned how to do this by using the same principles on earth and they are finding rocks that are smooth, channels, washes, even mineral deposits that gush a flood of tell-tale signs that water was once there.

What does this have to do with Matthew, Chapter 1? This book begins with the traces of trickles near the fountainhead. This chapter is a list of ancestors. So? Well, if you want to find something that will benefit, better follow the signs . . .

These genealogies are evidence of where God has been and what God has been doing. Take a look:

Abraham, beyond child-bearing years, bears the markings of God’s touch and there is now an indelible mark on the world. Abraham should not have had children, yet be became the dam-break of a nation.

Isaac, Abraham’s son, should have been childless as well; as a matter of fact, he should not have lived at all. But he bears the unmistakable marks of God who saved his life, no, gave him a new one altogether.

Jacob should be nothing more than a name on the list, being the second-born. God made certain he received all the rights and privileges of the first-born, moreso, was given a new name, a new identity and became the root of an entire nation.

Judah. What was he doing here? He was the fourth-born of thirteen (11 brothers and one sister). It seems that since Isaac, each generation should be swept further and further under the rug. Where is God going with all these people? What is He up to? Judah sold his young brother into slavery, lied about it, didn’t like to mourn, slept with his sons’ wife (he was tricked) and should not really be in this list. Yet, if Tamar had not tricked him, he would not have been shocked into realizing what righteousness looked like (I’ll explain this if you want--just ask!) and finally became the one to help turn the family around!

The stream takes us to this narrow passage where we rush through Boaz, Ruth and ultimately, King David. Here is another instance of a hall of shamer---but not in God’s lineup! David was one who went through the rapids and was touched by God again and again.

On and on the stream flows--now we are getting somewhere! Like the River Anduin, we flow through the Argonath of Israel’s kings.

I hope you are getting the idea that God is at work and is going somewhere with all of this. We are reading the Moldau of Redemption! All this is building and flowing together and now, we are swept up to splash in the pool of Messiah!