Tag Archives: Teachings of Christ

An introduction into the psychology of the cross

Posted on March 19, 2013 by | Comments Off on An introduction into the psychology of the cross

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Its obvious to the world that Christians are getting ready to celebrate Easter – the time where Christians celebrate and remember the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  On television, we see the annual parade of Christian and Easter centered shows, the never-ending rows of Easter baskets and candy at the local Wal-mart, and the never-ending barrage of the critics of Easter who correctly point out that Easter was celebrated long before the death of Christ.  It is important to realize that in their attempt to shatter what they consider the myth of Jesus, they actually miss the simple message of the Cross; this should come as no surprise as the apostle Paul wrote, But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness (I Corinthians 1:23).

For many, celebrating Easter means that family gathers around the dinner table, egg hunts, and a sunrise Easter service.  Lip service is made to what Easter is with little evidence of the actual meaning of the cross evident in their lives.  During a world civilization class one afternoon about six years ago, I was asked a question by a student that really got me thinking.  She asked “why are some people so devoted to a religion that offers them no hope, no security, and yet will devote their entire life and being to it?”  I do not remember the answer I gave her, but I do remember considering the opposite question: “why are some people unwilling to be totally devoted to the worship of the Lord Jesus Christ who offers a hope, unconditional forgiveness, and an eternal security?”  Its because we fail to understand the very nature of the cross.

Christianity is not merely a belief in God – as too often many of us believe it to be.  We have been raised and educated in a society where we have been told to leave our faith at home or in the walls of our church.  We have been told that we do have the “right” to worship, but the privilege of worshiping and honoring God has been removed through the guise of political correctness.  If we are to really see the spiritual growth and fulfillment that we long to see in our lives, we must allow ourselves to become consumed in the meaning of the cross.  After we have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior we are renewed, or as the apostle Paul wrote, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (II Corinthians 5:17).

In my own life, although I had fully accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior, I tried to retain all that I had been taught from the world before.  I believed the lies of this world that I had to keep my faith hidden except when around other Christians and only in the confines of church or church related activities.  I was afraid to take opportunities to tell others about the love of Jesus Christ because of not wanting to be offensive.  What I did not and would not understand for nearly two decades is that I was doing the very thing that Christ had warned us against: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24).

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Building memorials lest we forget

Posted on March 13, 2013 by | Comments Off on Building memorials lest we forget

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As a historian and lover of history, I am always fascinated in my travels when I come across statues, historical markers, and other means that localities choose to mark where significant people, events, or ideas originated or just affected their community.  Within the tri-state area of Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois, there are literally thousands of such memorials that commemorate everything from famous people, Revolutionary and Civil War battles and participants, Astronauts, and the Great Flood of 1927.

In our homes we also continue to celebrate milestones and people on a more personal level.  In the entryway of the townhouse my family lives in we have pictures of things we have done with our daughter. Upstairs, in our bedroom there is a copy of our wedding invitation that has been mounted in a frame that now hangs on the wall.  Each family has photographs and portraits of family members, many who have gone on before; pictures of graduations, marriages, first car, first house, or other important family events are often prominently displayed for all to see.  We use these things to create memorials so that we will remember those we love and what they or we have been able to achieve.

In the Old Testament, we see that often God instructed those men we consider as the patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, Israel (Jacob), and Moses were often instructed to build altars, pillars, and to institute feasts and holy days – each with a specific intent in mind: to be continual memorials of the goodness and holiness of God. One of the study methods commonly used is called the law of first usage which is basically any term in the Bible is defined throughout by the first usage of it in Scripture.  In the case of the word memorial it is found here: And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations (Exodus 3:15).  In this case, the very name of God is to be the memorial to the Children of Israel that for each generation, they would remember that it was God – Yhwh – who had delivered them from their bondage in Egypt.

Within the New Testament, there are such memorials that the Lord Jesus Christ has instructed us to continue within the church.  The first, which is also the only memorial that is considered as one of the two sacraments of the church, is the Lord’s Supper.  Within the gospel of Luke, we see Jesus and the disciples as he began what Christians continue to celebrate today: And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me (Luke 22:19).  This idea of the Lord’s Supper as a memorial continues into the teachings of the Apostle Paul: For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come (I Corinthians 11:26).  It’s easy to understand the significance of such a memorial to commemorate the death of Christ on the cross as payment for our sins.

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Sharing our faith as intensely as we share our vacations

Posted on March 12, 2013 by | Comments Off on Sharing our faith as intensely as we share our vacations

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During the spring and early summer months, our family loves to take an occasional weekend day-trip to a zoo, museum, state or national park, or other places of interest.  It has always amazed me how much money tourist destinations will spend creating spectacular landscaping scenery that not only inspires its visitors, but creates images in our minds that encourages us to share the stories of our destination “discoveries” with families and friends.  Many times, that’s the entire intent behind the monies spent to achieve such landscaping marvels, whether they be inside or outside.  The hope is for an increased visits by others who have become inspired by our pictures and testimony – the telling of our experiences.

Its not only tourist destinations that rely on the testimonies of its visitors as a source for future customers.  Websites such as Angie’s List are dedicated to providing testimonials written by customers regarding local businesses.  Ebay asks those who buy and sell to rate each transaction as a way to provide others with an understanding of the reputation of the buyer or seller with whom they are doing business.  We share stories of our children, our grandchildren, and even our pets with others without any reservations, yet when it comes to sharing what could possibly make the difference in the eternal condition of someone’s soul, we grow strangely quiet.

Sharing our testimony of our personal relationship with Jesus is something that began back in those early days of the church. As Jesus prepared his disciples for his final ascension into Heaven, he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:14-15).  He told the remaining eleven apostles that it was their responsibility to teach – to provide a testimonial – of Christ’s message of Salvation.  These men had not yet been moved into pastoral roles of the early New Testament Church, had not been called as missionaries to far away lands, or called to be song or worship leaders.  Everything they had been taught, everything they had witnessed, and everything they had experienced while travelling with Jesus was  what they were to share with others!

One of my favorite stories in the New Testament is the story of the woman at the well.  Jesus offered her living water – true life – and all she had to do was to accept and believe that he was the Messiah  – her Redeemer that had been promised since the days of Adam and Eve. Although she was a Samaritan, she still knew the prophecies of the One that would redeem Israel, that would heal, forgive sins, set the captives free, and all – Jew, Gentile, and Samaritan would be allowed to worship God in Jerusalem.  Jesus began to teach her Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father… But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he (John 4:21-26).

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