The significance of the ordinary

To the left you see the Wittenberg Schlosskirche Turen, the door to the Wittenberg castle church.  It was on this door that Martin Luther posted his 95 points of debate some 491 years ago.  Many scholars look to that date and event as the start of the Protestant Reformation.

But, I will dare to say, Martin Luther probably did not.

And that brings me to the point of this post, the significance of the ordinary.  All around society - even, maybe especially even, Christian society - are those who are consumed with finding and joining The Next Big Thing (TNBT).  Be it a political party, social cause, religious movement, global initiative, TNBT is eagerly discussed, parsed, disected and its leaders given cult-like status.

For Luther, it was an ordinary day.  He had been progressing in his studies for years; had given many years of faithful service; and was raising some questions he felt needed to be raised according to his understanding of Scripture and its application to life and culture.  Proposing the topics for debate was just another step in the process of this faithful life.

Luther, I will argue, was not trying to lead a movement, overthrow the establishment, initiate a revolution or a reformation.  He was taking steps each day to remain faithful to what illumination God gave him into His holy word.

491 years later, the task still remains.

Today, pastors are faced with a multitude of choices.  They do not have the indulgence system of Tetzel to do battle against; but they do have a society that has become indulgent, tolerant and anesthetized to that which will only bring about her certain destruction.  Now is not the time to create TNBT; it is time to take a stand for what is right.  It is time to do what is ordinary for a follower and disciple of Jesus of Nazareth to do - stand for truth, call those living in darkness to repentence, lift up the empty cross of Christ and proclaim a resurrected, living Savior exists to provide the salvation of souls in desperate need for eternal salvation.  Don't worry about what to call it; someone with far more creativity and insight than we will handle that.  Hold yourself close to the light of God's Word and invite others to warm by its fire and fan the flames so that it burns into their souls as well.

Never underestimate the significance of the ordinary.

Jeremiah 22 - 23

Messages are given to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, particularly the kings and leaders.  They would suffer extreme loss, captivity and go down forgotten by history due to their lack of obedience in following God's commands.  In spite of all this, God would still honor His name by preserving a small remnant of people who did love, follow and obey Him.  This remnant would be gathered from across the world and would be ruled by the Leader God Himself establishes.  This Leader would be named The Lord Our Righteousness, and He would fulfill all the promises made to the nation by God.  The false prophets and priests would be destroyed under the rule of this Righteous Leader

A rare political posting

In less than one week, California will vote on the following proposition: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” 

As you can imagine, the outcry is great.  In fact, the proposition is being called "Opposition to Gay Marriage."  Let me state clearly my position on this issue.  I am voting YES on Proposition 8, not because I am opposed to gay marriage (though I am).  I am voting YES on Proposition 8 because I am COMMITTED to TRADTIONAL MARRIAGE.

Opponents are crying "discrimination."  Proposition 8 has nothing to do with discrimination.  Oh, I hear the cries already "You are discriminating against the homosexual lifestyle."  Proposition 8 does no such thing.  Let me explain.  Discrimination is "the power of making fine distinctions; discriminating judgment" according to www.dictionary.com (their 3rd definition).  "Wait, you just sank your own boat!  You're judgmental!" comes the cry.  No, and yes.

Judgment is always necessary.  You discriminate every day.  You chose to come to this web site above any other (unless you just clicked "next blog").  You chose the type of computer you are using to read this, the wallpaper on your screen, even the password for your sensitive files.  And you did so to the exclusion of a lot of other choices.  You and I discriminate every single day.  And that is a good thing.

You see, I am the victim of discrimination.  For years, my dreams and hopes, all my plans for life centered around one thing.  And then, discrimination reared its ugly head and denied me my dreams and shattered my hopes.  There is no chance for restitution or reparation; and I will always be the victim of discrimination at the hands of my government.  You see, my hopes dreams and plans centered on flying Apache helicopters.  But I was discriminated against - because of what I am.  I am colorblind; and no military will give me a million-dollar piece of equipment when I cannot tell which troops are the enemy and which are friendly.  Nothing I can do will change my colorblindness.  It is part of who I am genetically; and the source of discrimination - and yet it is a good thing!

Fast forward to the issue on the ballot.  To say that this proposition is discriminating is true.  We must make a distinction between what is acceptable and what is not.  This discrimination is not made judgmentally based on what a person is; but it is made to differentiate between what a person does to qualify for the label "married" in the state of California.

Jeremiah 20 - 21

Jeremiah faces political pressure to change his message.  This pressure comes from the chief of the temple police.  Yet, Jeremiah does not - indeed, he cannot - change his message.  He states, that when he attempts to hold back what God has given him to share, it is physically painful to him.  The message is unchanged; Judah will fall.  Those who are willing to defect to the side of the attackers will live; but none who try to 'tough it out' will survive.

Jeremiah 18 - 19

Jeremiah is given the assignment to go to the potter's house and observe the actions of the potter.  God uses this as an illustration of what He will do to the nation.  He will do as He plans, and nothing will stand in His way.  After Jeremiah gives the message, the people revolt and try to imprison the prophet.  He gives them another illustration, breaking a dish before them symbolizing the way that their destruction will come and the total calamity that will result.

Jeremiah 15 - 17

God is determined to bring judgment to the nation of Judah.  Nothing will dissuade Him from punishing his rebellious people.  However, He promises Jeremiah that those who return to Him will not suffer as greatly as those who refuse to repent.  As a sign of God's displeasure with the nation, He commands Jeremiah to not marry or attend funerals or weddings.  God was going to take away all the reasons for rejoicing; and Jeremiah's absence at these events would speak to that fact.  There would be those who trusted their own conscience's message of peace; but God states that the heart of man is desperately wicked and its thoughts unknowable by humankind.  God repeatedly calls the nation to a restoration of its former ways, a reinstitution of the law He had given them.  But the nation would not listen or obey.

Jeremiah 12 - 14

Nestled in this passage is a chilling indictment of the prophets in the land of Israel concurrent with Jeremiah.  God states that the majority of those claiming to speak on His behalf are lying prophets.  They do not know, do not represent, and do not stand as a representative for God.  What a statement!  Many were being deceived, thinking they were hearing from one called the "man of God" who knew less than the people they claimed to instruct.  Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident.  Even today, there are many who do not know God or His ways, and yet seek to communicate His words to the detriment of those who hear and the damnation of their very souls.  Anyone who claims to speak on behalf of the Almighty would do well to be sure that when they say "thus saith the Lord" they are accurately representing Deity.  Those who fail to heed this warning do so at their own peril.

Jeremiah 9 - 11

The prophet reminds his hearers that strength, glory, power or wisdom are not qualities in which one can rest.  The only quality in which one can find reason to rejoice is in knowing and understanding God.  Knowing that God is just, holy, supportive of mercy and loving loyalty will give a man a reason to rest and find comfort.  So ... where do you find YOUR comfort?

Jeremiah 6 - 8

Among this prophecy that predicts the coming destruction of the nation, Israel is challenged to return to "the old ways and the former paths" of following God.  Too often today, we as a society are so enamored of the new and that which is different that we hardly notice we have gotten off the old path of following God.  By following after fads and fame, we have forsaken the Father.  God in heaven, keep me on the right path, the old path of following You.

Jeremiah 3 - 5

God reveals to Jeremiah the terrible condition of the nation of Judah.  She has not learned the lessons intended to be learnt from her sister nation, Israel (the northern 10 tribes carried away by Assyria).  As a result of Israel's sin, she was taken captive; yet Judah did not see this as a call to repentence and change.  Instead, she acted much like an adulterous woman, going after as many strange bedfellows as possible.  Jewish law prohibited such a woman from being returned to her husband; but God demonstrates His great love and mercy by wooing His beloved nation back to Himself.  Those who would respond would be restored; while those who continued their lecherous ways would be destroyed.

Jeremiah 1 - 2

Jeremiah is commissioned to take a message of judgment to God's people.  He records for us that he served the Lord during the time leading up to the captivity of Jerusalem by Babylon.  God's commission of Jeremiah reminds me that God has a purpose for each person - a design for life that extends far beyond the borders of one's existence.  Jeremiah is sent ot a peoplet hat have turned their backs on God and His ways.  He is to call them back in repentance so that they will avoid the punishment that must surely follow disobedience.  Israel is unconvinced of her sin, all the while continuing to engage in it.  She has been blinded by her actions and will be held accountable.

Isaiah 65 - 66

God promises that in the last day, at the final judgment, His servants will not suffer want of anything; but that His enemies will know only want and destitution.  In that day, God will recreate the heavens and the earth and this new creation will not know the stain of sin.  Time will be greatly different from what we understand it to be currently.  God will be the focus of everyone's attention; and all will gladly and willingly serve Him the way He deserves and demands to be worshipped.

Isaiah 62 - 64

God again promises the salvation and deliverance of His people.  Those who would be tempted to write them off as desolate and forsaken, will find that they are the ones in whom God delights - and their joy rivals that of newlyweds.  The people of Israel will not be forgotten or forsaken.  In light of this fact, the nation calls out to God and begs for forgiveness and restoration.  They seek to be reunited with the God Who chose them.  They humbly return to the One who loves them and ask for all to be made right.

Isaiah 59 - 61

When man tries to redeem himself from the problems he faces, he encounters only more trouble.  God sees man's vain attempts to perform a self-rescue; and it prompts Him to offer Himself as the Ransom in the person of His Son.  The Son (also called the Servant in Isaiah) will provide rescue, release and relief.  He brings the brightness and clarity that is needed in a dark and wandering society.  He provides a vast contrast from the world around Him; in fact, events take a drastic 180-degree turn from darkness to light, mourning to rejoicing, and sadness to gladness.

Isaiah 56 - 58

The one who follows themself, will always find themselves following a fool!  Those who attempt to make their own rules and live the way they please will find themselves at odds against the God who created them.  For this reason, these people are called to come to the Lord and learn His ways, so that they might be prosperous.

Isaiah 53 - 55

God's Servant is described as One Who will demonstrate God's love at a great cost.  Misunderstood and mistreated, the Servant is greatly rewarded and is seen by God as being highly successful.  God's ways are carried out in the life of this Servant; and we are the beneficiaries, we who are so undesrving.  For this reason, we can sing and rejoice in the peace that the Servant initiates on our behalf.  An invitation is extended to those who will respond to God's offer of peace and abundance.  This is not a life of ease; but a life that is blessed by having God as its Director and Sustainer.  His ways and words are right and righteous.  His plans bring the way of life and rejoicing.

Isaiah 50 - 52

God continues to call for those who will respond to His voice and come repentently to His side.  Those who do will find solace, comfort and protection.  Those who look to their heritage (national, family, etc.) will be disappointed.  But those who turn to God will never be disappointed.  In fact, far from knowing disappointment, they will know true joy and peace while the rest of the world knows nothing but destruction.  In the midst of this, Jerusalem becomes a place of joy and delight.

Isaiah 47 - 49

Judgment is pronounced on Babylon.  Unfortunately, pride will overcome Babylon, so that she does not even perceive the danger she is in until it is too late.  She has taken pride in her dealings conducted seemingly unseen by anyone; but she has not escaped the view of the Holy One of Israel.

Even through this process, Israel will be brought into a greater relationship with her God.  Although they are stubborn and refuse to acknowledge their dependence on God, He performs His mighty works in order to magnify His own great name.  His plan from the beginning has been to redeem the nation of Israel and give no rest to the wicked.

To fulfill this plan, God will send His Servant to do His work and bring Israel back to Him.  Not only will this Servant redeem Israel; but He will bring salvation to the ends of the earth.  This should result (and will result) in global expressions of praise and thanksgiving.  God will not abandon the nation He has set apart to display His glory.

Isaiah 45 - 46

God promises to support and direct a leader named Cyrus who will be His servant, though he does not know God.  This demonstrates that God has power to orchestrate even the lives and names of those not yet born to prove His power to provide what He has promised.  He also promises to be found by those seeking Him - for He alone is God.  There is none other.  Nothing can be compared to Him, for He is unique in His character.

Isaiah 43 - 44

God steps in and reminds Israel that they have no need to fear when He is present.  Over and again, He reminds them "Fear not" and even lists the times when He will be present.  Floods, darkness, fire - none of these present a barrier to God's protective powers.  He simply states "You are Mine."

The nation will not always respond to the call to fear not, and to come into His presence.  They will rebel and suffer the punishment necessitated by their actions.  But yet God still promises forgiveness and restoration.

No matter what I face today, I do not have to fear.  God is always beside me.