Bob’s Blog

God is always in the midst of great darkness and suspicion, and when hatred and hostility rule, he brings love through the light of Jesus.

Many people today, even Jesus-followers, have lost sight of the simplicity and serenity of the Christmas season.  Jesus offers hope, joy, peace and love for the hurting and eternal life for those who are willing to accept the Father’s gift of light—the birth of his Son.  This Advent message series helps to remind us all that Christmas is not about us—Christmas is Jesus!

We are living this Christmas in a culture that is caught up with too much concentration on self.  We are driven to guarantee that our desires are met in the activities and relationships of our lives.  Besides, self-absorption impedes any true love of others or for that matter, any true celebration including Christmas. We want our desires to be met before we sense the needs of others.  Like our children, we want the gifts and perks of the Christmas season. We become infected with what may be called “life-rage.” “Life-rage” is an irritation that surges through our spirit when anyone or anything impinges upon our “space”.  For example, we are overcome with “road-rage” when another driver cuts us off on the highway as we enter a crowded mall. We even feel “parking lot rage” when a shopper blocks our “right-of-way” and takes away our parking place at that mall.

 Now that I am older and slower I sometimes feel rage welling up inside me when the young rush by riding their skateboards or bikes on the narrow sidewalks, oblivious of my presence, sometimes brushing against me as they crowd together, obviously more interested in each other than in me. Over time I am beginning to realize that this is but an aspect of a more general rage, a “geezer rage” at their being young and vigorous while I am growing old and wobbly.

We are centering our focus upon four key declarations concerning darkness and light:

In the darkness of DESPAIR Jesus is the light of HOPE

In the darkness of FEAR Jesus is the light of JOY

In the darkness of ANXIETY Jesus is the light of PEACE

In the darkness of SUSPICION Jesus is the light of LOVE

The first Advent message focused on the fact that God brought us hope from despair through the Father’s gift of light—the birth of his Son.  Traditionally Christmas is seen as a time of hope, but for so many people despair is the controlling emotion of their lives.  And that despair can bring a suffocating darkness.

The second Advent message focused on the fact that God brought us joy from fear through the Father’s gift of light—the birth of his Son.  Christmas is seen as a time of joy, but for so many people fear is the compelling emotion of their lives, and that fear can bring a paralyzing darkness.

The third Advent message focused on the fact that God brought us peace from anxiety through the Father’s gift of light—the birth of his Son.  Christmas is seen as a time of peace, but for so many people anxiety is the constraining emotion of their lives, and that anxiety can bring a troubling darkness.

The fourth and final message focuses on the fact that God brings us love from suspicion through the Father’s gift of light—the birth of his Son.  Christmas is seen as a time of love, but for so many people suspicion is the critical emotion of their lives, and that suspicion can bring a disbelieving darkness.

Suspicion = to have a feeling of distrust or perceived guilt for someone or something.

There are many people today who suspect that something is wrong without proof or on slight evidence.  Suspicion causes a state of mental uneasiness and uncertainty.  This uneasiness and uncertainty even carries over into our value or belief system.  Therefore, many people today cannot believe that God would enter the world in the miracle of the Incarnation.  “God becoming flesh” causes suspicion—this feeling of distrust for believing in the true essence of Christmas.

So it is obvious that such suspicion delivers a death-blow to the possibility of displaying authentic love with others. Such attention to self is the root of a destructive pride whereby we believe that we are better than everyone else, or that we take on a disbelieving suspicion when it comes to trusting others in their pursuits of life. We are enraged when others do not seem to recognize our superiority. We, the self-proclaimed philosophers, are infuriated by the utter ignorance of those around us. Love them? They are lucky that we do not sweep them out of our way!

We will discover in this message that Herod embodied a “life-rage,” a suspicious nature toward anyone who would challenge his superiority as king. 

Let’s center our attention on the gospel writer’s account in Matthew 2:1-12…

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 ” ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

We can observe in these verses another important contrast in our message series.  We see the suspicious nature of Herod unwilling to acknowledge Jesus’ right to the throne—in essence, the throne of people’s lives.  Alongside this suspicion is the loving nature of the magi that willingly serve as a positive model of response to Jesus.  These foreign visitors come expectantly to the house where the little family lived.

God took the darkness that caused suspicion in Herod, and ushered in a worshipful spirit of trust in the lives of the magi.  In the likeness of our previous messages, God took the  suspicious and distrusting situation of Mary and Joseph, he took the things that made no sense at all and out of that darkness and suspicion, he brought light and love…not just for the magi, but to all who will allow Jesus to rule on the throne of their lives.  We affirm once again that it’s just like God to take what’s weak, worthless, uneasy and dark and use it to bring light and love to the world.

The Greek word agape (love) seems to have been virtually a Christian invention — a new word for a new thing (apart from about twenty occurrences in the Greek version of the Old Testament, it is almost non-existent before the New Testament). Agape draws its meaning directly from the revelation of God in Christ. It is not a form of natural affection, however, intense, but a supernatural fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). It is a matter of will rather than feeling (for Christians must love even those they dislike — Matt. 5:44-48). It is the basic element in Christ-likeness.  We can read 1 Corinthians 13 and note what these verses have to say about the…

Primacy of love (vv. 1-3)    

Profile of love (vv. 4-7)

Permanence of love (vv. 8-13) 

During the 17th century, Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, sentenced a soldier to be shot for his crimes. The execution was to take place at the ringing of the evening curfew bell. However, the bell did not sound. The soldier’s fiancé had climbed into the belfry and clung to the great clapper of the bell to prevent it from striking. When she was summoned by Cromwell to account for her actions, she wept as she showed him her bruised and bleeding hands. Cromwell’s heart was touched and he said, “Your lover shall live because of your sacrifice. Curfew shall not ring tonight!” 

As we approach Christmas Day, many of us may be called to sacrifice our own lives like this young woman for the sake of those we love.  We are living in the midst of suspicion.  However, these magi will teach us that we can place the longing in our hearts upon the baby Jesus and worshipfully seek his lordship this Christmas.

A Twofold Outcome

We can affirm one last time the fact that God is not afraid of the dark. Out of darkness God can bring light and love where otherwise suspicion would rule.  No sooner was Jesus born than we see a twofold outcome in which people are always to be found in regard to Jesus Christ.  Through Herod, we can perceive what it means to harbor suspicion and distrust.  Through the magi, we can discover what it means to seek Jesus—gladly bow down in his presence in adoring worship, and welcome him with our gifts not only as Savior but also as our Lord.

The birth of Jesus and the subsequent journey of the magi unfold for us a twofold outcome:

1.  The reaction of hatred and hostility in the midst of royalty

3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

It came to the ears of Herod that the magi had come from the East, and that they were searching for the little child who had been born to be King of the Jews.  Any king would have been suspicious at the report that a child had been born who was to occupy his throne.  But Herod was doubly disturbed.

Herod was concerned that this little child was going to interfere with his life, his place, his power, his influence, and therefore his first instinct was to distrust and destroy him.  He even summoned the chief priests and scribes.  However, they were completely indifferent to Herod’s distrust.  They were so engrossed in their Temple ritual and their legal discussions that they completely disregarded this babe from Bethlehem.  He meant nothing to them.  So Herod was unrestricted in his suspicion to react with hatred and hostility.  The Jewish leaders were non-players in this drama of the Incarnation.

It’s never enough to know who Jesus is.  Those who acknowledge his supernatural birth, but fail to commit themselves to him as Savior and Lord, are very much like Harod. There are still those people today who would gladly destroy Jesus Christ, because they see in him the one who interferes with their lives. They wish to do what they like, and being a Jesus-follower is based upon selflessness—not doing what they like. So many would dismiss Jesus as a Savior and Lord of their lives.  Jesus-followers are those who have ceased to do what they like, and have dedicated their lives to do as Jesus likes.  The outcome: like Harod, suspicion is embedded in our minds.

2.  The response of humility and homage in the midst of sovereignty

11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Alerted by the appearance of an unusual star, the magi traveled to Judea to honor One born to be King.  We’ve noted that their arrival caused consternation, and Herod demanded to know where such a Person might be found.  The magi traveled a great distance to witness this child with his mother Mary.

As a side light, do we know what would have happened if it had been Three Wise Women instead of Three Wise Men? They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole and brought disposable diapers.

When the magi arrived at the house (not a barn in Bethlehem), they bowed down in humility and worshiped Jesus.  The gifts recorded are the traditional gifts given to One in authority—gold, frankincense and myrrh.   More significant, however, is the pattern we see here in the magi.  They worshiped Jesus first, and then they opened their treasures and presented Jesus with gifts.  In humility, the response of adoring worship was the desire to lay at the feet of Jesus the noblest gifts which they could bring.

Too often we worship our treasures.  Money, or the things money can buy, becomes the focus of our lives.  When we worship wealth we have no room for Jesus, or for others.  We suspiciously hold close our treasures, unwilling to part with them for any cause.  Worshipping Jesus frees us from materialism.  Our “treasures” lose their grip on our hearts, and as we discover the blessing of serving Jesus, we willingly present our material treasures to him as gifts.  The outcome: like the magi, love is engraved upon our hearts.

Jesus provides a remedy for this darkness of suspicion.  Let’s note some of Jesus’ words…

Mark 12:30

30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

John 14:15

15 “If you love me, keep my commands.”

John 14:23

23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.”

Matthew 6:24

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Matthew 25:40

40 “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it for me.”

When God is involved, out of darkness comes light.  Out of suspicion comes love.  This truth is tenderly illustrated by the care given to an unsuspecting child—one considered like Jesus to be the “least of these.”

Ted Stallard undoubtedly qualifies as the one of “the least.” Turned off by school. Very sloppy in appearance. Expressionless. Unattractive. Even his teacher, Miss Thompson, enjoyed bearing down her red pen — as she placed Xs beside his many wrong answers. If only she had studied his records more carefully. They read: 1st grade: Ted shows promise with his work and attitude, but (has) poor home situation. 2nd grade: Ted could do better. Mother seriously ill. Receives little help from home.  3rd grade: Ted is good boy but too serious. He is a slow learner. His mother died this year.  4th grade: Ted is very slow, but well-behaved. His father shows no interest whatsoever.

Christmas arrived. The children piled elaborately wrapped gifts on their teacher’s desk. Ted brought one too. It was wrapped in brown paper and held together with Scotch Tape. Miss Thompson opened each gift, as the children crowded around to watch. Out of Ted’s package fell a gaudy rhinestone bracelet, with half of the stones missing, and a bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to snicker. But she silenced them by splashing some of the perfume on her wrist, and letting them smell it. She put the bracelet on too.  At day’s end, after the other children had left, Ted came by the teacher’s desk and said, “Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother. And the bracelet looks real pretty on you. I’m glad you like my presents.” He left. Miss Thompson got down on her knees and asked God to forgive her and to change her attitude.

The next day, the children were greeted by a reformed teacher—one committed to loving each of them—especially the slow ones. Especially Ted. Surprisingly, or maybe, not surprisingly, Ted began to show great improvement. He actually caught up with most of the students and even passed a few.

Time came and went. Miss Thompson heard nothing from Ted for a long time. Then, one day, she received this note… Dear Miss Thompson: I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my class. Love, Ted.

Four years later, another note arrived… Dear Miss Thompson: They just told me I will be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be first to know. The university has not been easy, but I liked it.  Love, Ted.

And four years later…Dear Miss Thompson: As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married next month, the 27th to be exact. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year. Love, Ted.

Miss Thompson attended that wedding, and sat where Ted’s mother would have sat. The compassion she had shown that young man entitled her to that privilege.  Let’s have some real courage, and start giving to those considered the “least of these.” They may become like a Ted Stallard. Even if that doesn’t happen, we will have been faithful to the One who has always treated us—as unworthy as we are—like very special people.

What will be the outcome for you this Christmas?  Will you allow suspicion to rule your mind through a reaction of hatred and hostility?  Or will you allow love to embrace your heart through a response of humility and homage?  You may be in the darkness right now, restless with suspicious thoughts concerning the events surrounding your life.  If suspicion describes your mental and emotional state, your life—then I want to encourage you with the Christmas story.  It is a story of God taking suspicion…the suspicion of hatred and hostility, and out of that suspicion bringing LOVE.  God will do the same with your suspicion.  That’s what God does best.  In the darkness of SUSPICION Jesus is the light of LOVE! Amen.