"And you shall tell your son on that day" Exodus 13:8
Last night, in preparation of the coming celebrations of Jesus' death and resurrection, we sat around a table and did the Haggadah (the telling). The Haggadah is a Jewish tradition of the family telling the story of the Passover night. The night the Israelites sacrificed an unblemished lamb, painted their doorposts with the blood which protected the household from the angel of God who past overhead that night to kill all firstborns.
Before I continue let me briefly introduce Zahava. I probably won't do her justice but here goes. Zahava was born in Israel near the Sea of Galilee to a family of rabbis. After a tough upbringing, she met a South African Jew and got married. They returned to South Africa to start a new life together. But then Jesus physically met Zahava in a miraculous way and she found the Messiah.
The following verses sum Zahava in a nutshell for me... Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that." He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
John 1:45-51
What was even more amazing was at the church in Durban where Jesus had an appointment with Zahava, her favorite song when she was young was sung, it was a song traditionally sung in the Haggadah. Jesus had known Zahava even when she was playing along the Sea of Galilee as a child and said "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false"
Zahava could not keep it in and high ranking rabbis came from Israel, in her words "to fix" her. Every week rabbis came to her home to try correct her ways. They forbade her to speak of this Jesus to any other Jew. Her son became a Christian and her husband said if their daughter also becomes a Christian it would mean the end of their marriage. It was either him or Jesus. Without her intervention her daughter found Christ and divorce soon followed.
I used to ask God what was it that He found good in the Jewish nation that he choose them to be revealed to the nations. In Zahava, I found the answer. When she found the Messiah, she became pure worship to Him. She has this joy and love towards God and man that is really seen. Her life glorifies God in all she does.
With this brief introduction to Zahava, let me continue with last night, which Zahava led for us. She started by saying that we must get that pagan name Easter out of our vocabulary because it is the name of a pagan goddess. The Jewish people see Easter as the celebration of this goddess and do not see the Messiah as he could never be in cohorts with this goddess. This is a big stumbling block for the Jews as there is only one God. The Messiah can not be associated in anyway with this goddess. Easter must go and celebration of His Death and Resurrection must take it's place.
The Haggadah is filled with symbolism and what was incredible was that all pointed towards Jesus as the Messiah. As Christians we can see them but for the Jewish people it just the story of remembrance of where they came from. Jesus is wired into that story. I do not want to go through the whole Haggadah and speak about all the symbolism as there are many and I might leave one out. But I do want to leave with you the most exciting one for me, the Yachatz or the breaking of the middle Matzah.Zahava then took three matzot or unleavened bread and folded them into a cloth or matzah tosh. She then took out the middle one also known as "the bread of affliction" and showed us the stripes and holes in it. She then broke it in two, the larger piece is then hidden and the smaller one put back. As Christians can you see where this is going? She told us that the Jews have many explanations for the three matzot. One of the explanations is that they represent Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But if this true, why do we break the matzah representing Isaac? He was only bound not broken.Abraham is known as the father of the nation, Isaac, the son of Abraham and Jacob represents the spirit of the Jewish people. But can you see the Father, Son and Spirit theme coming through? The hidden piece is called the afikoman which the Jews believe means dessert. But Zahava told us it is the only Greek word in the whole Haggadah and if you look up the meaning of this word it means "I come". This piece which is hidden will be later search for by the children for a reward. Doesn't this paint a beautiful picture of the Messiah?
Jesus the son of God was broken for us. He has gone away and will return soon to reward those who found Him. Jesus celebrated the Haggadah with His disciples the night He was betrayed. Imagine as He took the middle matzah and broke it and said "This is my body". How true were those words?
19 March 2008
12 March 2008
What message are you broadcasting
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world John 16:33
The Megaphone of Hope, an interesting subject that Louie Giglio covers in part two of "Hope: When Life Hurts Most". Louie states that when you spend enough time with a person you can see their life message by their actions and attitudes. It is when life hurts that their true life message comes out.
What is life message? It is what is at the pinnacle of their lives. In other words what a person lives for. Most people what is on top most point of their lives is self preservation and the preservation of their loved ones. How true is that for me? It is what is best for me and my family. Stuff the rest.
It is not wrong to have self preservation and the preservation of the ones we love near the top; it is what is on the pinnacle that is important. Glorifying God must be on the pinnacle. He loves us so much that He gave His only son Jesus to die in our place on that cross. We sing many songs in our churches stating that we will do anything that He asks of us. But is it higher than our self preservation and the preservation of our loved ones?
It is when trouble comes along; that we amplify what we value the highest with a megaphone for the whole world to see. What message are you broadcasting in your life?
What do you think when you hear the words "Jesus Christ"? Test this; ask around where you are right now. Does walking on water come up first or is it turning water into wine? No it is the cross. It is where Jesus hurt the most that people won't forget. The cross where he died for puny us is the life message of Jesus, the Messiah.
Louie gave us four points to remember
- Embrace God's higher purpose.
- Be ready when trouble comes
- Hope. Anchor yourselves in the cross
- Use it for God's glory.
I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear; and will trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3
Click here to listen to "The Megaphone of Hope" online
Let Go and Let Go
The Megaphone of Hope, an interesting subject that Louie Giglio covers in part two of "Hope: When Life Hurts Most". Louie states that when you spend enough time with a person you can see their life message by their actions and attitudes. It is when life hurts that their true life message comes out.
What is life message? It is what is at the pinnacle of their lives. In other words what a person lives for. Most people what is on top most point of their lives is self preservation and the preservation of their loved ones. How true is that for me? It is what is best for me and my family. Stuff the rest.
It is not wrong to have self preservation and the preservation of the ones we love near the top; it is what is on the pinnacle that is important. Glorifying God must be on the pinnacle. He loves us so much that He gave His only son Jesus to die in our place on that cross. We sing many songs in our churches stating that we will do anything that He asks of us. But is it higher than our self preservation and the preservation of our loved ones?
It is when trouble comes along; that we amplify what we value the highest with a megaphone for the whole world to see. What message are you broadcasting in your life?
What do you think when you hear the words "Jesus Christ"? Test this; ask around where you are right now. Does walking on water come up first or is it turning water into wine? No it is the cross. It is where Jesus hurt the most that people won't forget. The cross where he died for puny us is the life message of Jesus, the Messiah.
Louie gave us four points to remember
- Embrace God's higher purpose.
- Be ready when trouble comes
- Hope. Anchor yourselves in the cross
- Use it for God's glory.
I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear; and will trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3
Click here to listen to "The Megaphone of Hope" online
Let Go and Let Go
09 March 2008
When Life Hurts Most
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NIV
We all know that life is not easy and at times it really hurts. In the past few posts I covered the glory of God and how everything is for His glory but there are times when the bottom falls out and we turn to God and say "Where's the glory in my pain" or "God you said you'd have my best interests at heart. Where are you now?" Does that ring true to anyone? It does for me. We all are going to come to a place where life hurts most.
When my son, Matthew was about 10 months old, his temperature spiked and went into a spasm. He stopped breathing for what seemed to me eternity. Carol later told me it was only a short period but I had panicked and threw him into Carol's arms while I rushed out to get the car. We rushed him to the nearest hospital and I stopped at the emergency entrance to let Carol off with Matthew then went to look for parking. The whole time I was pleading to God not to take him away for He had only given him to us. When I walked into the emergency room and saw the paramedics testing Matthews's reflexes, I freaked out and fled. I did not want to see my son a "vegetable". I found myself at my father-in-law's home. He was a strong Christian, and I demanded from him to make God fix Matthew. I was angry with God. How can He do this to us? When my father-in-law had calmed me down, I returned to the hospital to find my son all right and he stayed the night under observation.
It took me a while to work through all my issues with God over this. Louie Giglio in his first part of his "Hope: When Life Hurts Most" DVD which is called "The Anchor of Hope" taught us that Christianity can not be reduced to a simple answer. We can not put God into a box. We don't see the bigger picture. Although God does not offer easy solutions, He does offer Himself and the cross. Focusing on the cross is the anchor of hope. If only I had watched this DVD then. The cross allows us to leverage our pain for His glory. Matthew was in God's hands and still is.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. Hebrews 6:19-20 NIV
Click here to listen to "The Anchor of Hope" online
The cross is proof that God doesn't always change the circumstances that we find ourselves and that He is in control. He is working for His glory.
Let Go and Let God
We all know that life is not easy and at times it really hurts. In the past few posts I covered the glory of God and how everything is for His glory but there are times when the bottom falls out and we turn to God and say "Where's the glory in my pain" or "God you said you'd have my best interests at heart. Where are you now?" Does that ring true to anyone? It does for me. We all are going to come to a place where life hurts most.
When my son, Matthew was about 10 months old, his temperature spiked and went into a spasm. He stopped breathing for what seemed to me eternity. Carol later told me it was only a short period but I had panicked and threw him into Carol's arms while I rushed out to get the car. We rushed him to the nearest hospital and I stopped at the emergency entrance to let Carol off with Matthew then went to look for parking. The whole time I was pleading to God not to take him away for He had only given him to us. When I walked into the emergency room and saw the paramedics testing Matthews's reflexes, I freaked out and fled. I did not want to see my son a "vegetable". I found myself at my father-in-law's home. He was a strong Christian, and I demanded from him to make God fix Matthew. I was angry with God. How can He do this to us? When my father-in-law had calmed me down, I returned to the hospital to find my son all right and he stayed the night under observation.
It took me a while to work through all my issues with God over this. Louie Giglio in his first part of his "Hope: When Life Hurts Most" DVD which is called "The Anchor of Hope" taught us that Christianity can not be reduced to a simple answer. We can not put God into a box. We don't see the bigger picture. Although God does not offer easy solutions, He does offer Himself and the cross. Focusing on the cross is the anchor of hope. If only I had watched this DVD then. The cross allows us to leverage our pain for His glory. Matthew was in God's hands and still is.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. Hebrews 6:19-20 NIV
Click here to listen to "The Anchor of Hope" online
The cross is proof that God doesn't always change the circumstances that we find ourselves and that He is in control. He is working for His glory.
Let Go and Let God
01 March 2008
Soli Deo Gloria
Glory to God alone
Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out.
Is there anyone around who can explain God?
Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?
Anyone who has done him such a huge favour
that God has to ask his advice?
Everything comes from him;
Everything happens through him;
Everything ends up in him.
Always glory! Always praise!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Romans 11:33-36 The Message
Andy Stanley and Louie Giglio wrapped up the "Canvas" with "The Way of Glory". In the DVD series they showed us that there is a glorious middle. Yes I know that before man sinned, there was the glorious beginning and that we look forward to glorious eternity with Christ. But a glorious middle? The answer is yes. In the middle of the glorious middle is the cross, God's plan to make it all right again. We give I AM the glory for the cross. Even in the sad times. Easier said than done.
Here is a poem written by Michael Christian who like us was inspired by the Canvas.
I AM
A voice from a bush, which burned with no ash.
God spoke to Moses as he knelt in the grass.
He gave instructions on setting Israel free.
Reluctantly Moses said, "No one will believe me!"
"What will I say when they ask who sent me?"
"What name will I give? How will I make them see?"
Gods answer was timeless, until this day still stands.
He said, "I am what I am…you were sent by I AM!"
Gods name gave hope that would not be erased.
And still offers solutions to each problem we face:
I haven't seen him for weeks, I don’t know where he stays.
He's going to die if he won't change his ways!
He lies, he cheats, he begs on his knees.
I am his mother, and he's even stolen from me!
He's not the boy I raised, he only hangs around thugs.
Who is going to help me get my baby off of these drugs?
…I AM
The factory shut down, there is no job to be had.
I can't remember when the economy has looked so bad.
I've juggled bills for too long, not making ends meet.
Something has to happen soon or we'll be out on the street!
I was my family's provider, by the sweat of my brow!
Who is going to take care of my children now?
…I AM
I thought I was too smart to ever get caught.
But my crimes will be punished, my lesson taught.
If I had it to do over, I wouldn't need to pay this debt.
My children will learn from the example that's set!
My kids will be grown before I am set free!
Who's gonna make sure they don't turn out like me?
…I AM
My face looks better, the swelling has gone down.
I covered the black eye with these sunglasses I found.
He hits me when he's drunk, then feels bad when he's sober.
He treats me like a queen when his drunken rage is over.
I am his wife! I love him! I don't want to leave!
Who's going to show him what's important…alcohol, or me?
…I AM
He was in the first tower to be hit by a plane.
I watched it crumble on the news, I was screaming his name.
Our two beautiful sons still don't quite understand,
Why their daddy won't ever be coming home again.
We were in this together! Now our team's down to one!
Who's going to be a father to these two lonely sons?
…I AM
Moses learned something when God spoke to him his name.
All our lives would be made simpler, if we could just learn the same.
That God is all together, all we could ask for!
In comparison, by far, we will always fall short.
So God is "I AM", then I am not…
This is the important lesson that Moses got!
He learned his place in Gods relation to man…
I AM NOT, but I know "I AM"!
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?
Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever!
Amen.
Romans 11:33-36 NIV
Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out.
Is there anyone around who can explain God?
Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?
Anyone who has done him such a huge favour
that God has to ask his advice?
Everything comes from him;
Everything happens through him;
Everything ends up in him.
Always glory! Always praise!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Romans 11:33-36 The Message
Andy Stanley and Louie Giglio wrapped up the "Canvas" with "The Way of Glory". In the DVD series they showed us that there is a glorious middle. Yes I know that before man sinned, there was the glorious beginning and that we look forward to glorious eternity with Christ. But a glorious middle? The answer is yes. In the middle of the glorious middle is the cross, God's plan to make it all right again. We give I AM the glory for the cross. Even in the sad times. Easier said than done.
Here is a poem written by Michael Christian who like us was inspired by the Canvas.
I AM
A voice from a bush, which burned with no ash.
God spoke to Moses as he knelt in the grass.
He gave instructions on setting Israel free.
Reluctantly Moses said, "No one will believe me!"
"What will I say when they ask who sent me?"
"What name will I give? How will I make them see?"
Gods answer was timeless, until this day still stands.
He said, "I am what I am…you were sent by I AM!"
Gods name gave hope that would not be erased.
And still offers solutions to each problem we face:
I haven't seen him for weeks, I don’t know where he stays.
He's going to die if he won't change his ways!
He lies, he cheats, he begs on his knees.
I am his mother, and he's even stolen from me!
He's not the boy I raised, he only hangs around thugs.
Who is going to help me get my baby off of these drugs?
…I AM
The factory shut down, there is no job to be had.
I can't remember when the economy has looked so bad.
I've juggled bills for too long, not making ends meet.
Something has to happen soon or we'll be out on the street!
I was my family's provider, by the sweat of my brow!
Who is going to take care of my children now?
…I AM
I thought I was too smart to ever get caught.
But my crimes will be punished, my lesson taught.
If I had it to do over, I wouldn't need to pay this debt.
My children will learn from the example that's set!
My kids will be grown before I am set free!
Who's gonna make sure they don't turn out like me?
…I AM
My face looks better, the swelling has gone down.
I covered the black eye with these sunglasses I found.
He hits me when he's drunk, then feels bad when he's sober.
He treats me like a queen when his drunken rage is over.
I am his wife! I love him! I don't want to leave!
Who's going to show him what's important…alcohol, or me?
…I AM
He was in the first tower to be hit by a plane.
I watched it crumble on the news, I was screaming his name.
Our two beautiful sons still don't quite understand,
Why their daddy won't ever be coming home again.
We were in this together! Now our team's down to one!
Who's going to be a father to these two lonely sons?
…I AM
Moses learned something when God spoke to him his name.
All our lives would be made simpler, if we could just learn the same.
That God is all together, all we could ask for!
In comparison, by far, we will always fall short.
So God is "I AM", then I am not…
This is the important lesson that Moses got!
He learned his place in Gods relation to man…
I AM NOT, but I know "I AM"!
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?
Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever!
Amen.
Romans 11:33-36 NIV
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
