The Feast of Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.

[ Acts 2:1]

For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

[Acts 20:16]

But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

[I Cor. 16:8]

On Friday, the 6th of Sivan on the Hebrew calendar, Jews will celebrate Hag Ha Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks or the Feast of Pentecost. The Torah - the five books of Moses - details seven feasts during the Hebrew calendar. The first three feasts are in the spring, in the month of Nisan: Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of First Fruits. These feasts are predictive of the First Coming of Jesus. In between the spring and fall feasts, fifty days after the Feast of First Fruits, there is the Feast of Pentecost. This feast, celebrated this week, is associated with the Church. The Birth of the Church appears to be a fulfillment of the Feast of Pentecost. (It is interesting to note that this is the only feast in which leavened bread is ordained.) The last three feasts are in the fall, in the month of Tishri: the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and the Feast of Tabernacles. These are associated with His Second Coming. The timing of the Feast of Pentecost is based on Leviticus 23:16 which points to "the morrow after the seventh sabbath" (fifty days) after the Feast of First Fruits. The Greek word Pentecost means "the fiftieth day." Since the Passover was on the 14th of Nisan, and there were three days to the Red Sea crossing, then 46 days into the wilderness, and three days of Moses' preparation, this is deemed to correspond to the 49 day interval between the Feast of First Fruits (17th of Nisan) and the Feast of Pentecost (6th of Sivan). The Feast of Pentecost is associated with the birth of Israel and the giving of the Law in Exodus 19. Thus, it is also called the Feast of Revelation. Another name for the Feast of Pentecost is Hag Ha Kazir, The Feast of Harvest, since it is celebrated at the time of the "first harvest." A study of the Feast of Pentecost is not complete without a review of the Book of Ruth. The Jewish observance of the Feast of Weeks has always included the reading of this particular book. It is provocative to note the interesting parallels relating to the Church. This elegant love story exemplifies the role of the goel, or kinsman-redeemer. As we examine Boaz's role, we notice that he, in many ways, pre-figures our own kinsman-redeemer, Jesus Christ. Through his act of redemption, Boaz returns Naomi (Israel) to her land, and also takes Ruth (a Gentile) as his wife. This suggests a parallel with the Church as the Gentile bride of the kinsman-redeemer. The Feasts of Israel, set by God, are not only commemorative in a historical context, but are also prophetic.

A Day to Remember

"If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14

As we approach Memorial day, we have much to be thankful for in this nation. Yet, a country that was founded by a group of pilgrims who wanted religious freedom to worship God in the way that they saw fit so that they could be a "light unto the nations" has fallen very far from the mark. As a nation we have begun the abandonment of the faith of those who founded this country. Let us assess the State of the Union in the mirror of God’s Word. Homosexuality is accepted as simply "an alternative lifestyle." We murder babies that are socially inconvenient. We change marriage partners like a fashion statement. We have abandoned the sanctity of commitments in our families and in our businesses. Immorality and deceit have come to characterize the highest offices in our land. We have allowed God to be banished from public school classrooms and we have watched as religious expression is constrained under the auspices of "separation of church and state." Our mainline media takes pride in forming public opinion rather than informing it, which had been its sacred role in a representative republic. Our culture has disconnected character from destiny. Our entertainments celebrate adultery, fornication, violence, aberrant sexual practices and every imaginable form of evil. We have become the primary exporters of everything that God abhors.

Left undeterred, this nation will end up like every other nation before it. But, there is hope! If the church will pray and seek the face of the Lord, there is the promise that God can heal this land. That responsibility can never be legislated or promulgated from an earthly authority. It begins with each individual's heart. It is our mission to share the message with our friends, family and neighbors.

"Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name." - 1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Crossroads in the Kingdom

May 21, 2006 was another day in the kingdom. But, it was a day of beginnings, endings and changes. I have tried to use this blog for spiritual discussions on biblical issues. However, today this a much more personal reflection on events surrounding the McKnight Road Church. Today was the transition of Brian Magnuson's ministry at McKnight Road before he and his family leave for a new position with the Westgate Church of Christ in Dothan, Alabama. Brian and Heather will be missed at our church. The church held an agape feast today in their honor. Above is a picture of Brian and Bob Nossaman visiting in the multipurpose room after church today. Brian has been an integral part of the ministry of McKnight Road Church of Christ for eleven years. I am certain that God has great plans in mind for Brian and his family. It was also the last Sunday for Scott and Everlie Boulton who are also moving to the same town and the same church. Scott and Everlie are a wonderful young couple who came here and have done so much for so many in such a short time. The also leave a big hole to fill at our church. This past year we have a plethora of wonderful people who have, for various reasons, moved and left us. While I understand that transition is a part of life, it is part that I don't like. I have often said that the foyer of the McKnight Road Church building is a crossroads in the kingdom of God. There are some real giants of spiritual people who have passed through our doors over the years. All one has to do is hang around and meet some of them. Those who do gain some of the greatest blessings of the kingdom.

And, while we are losing folks, God is already at work sending us new people. Meet our newest members who were introduced this morning. This is Jessie and Jayson Vincent. Jayson is a Michigan State graduate whom now works for Boeing. We welcome them into the family that meets at McKnight Road. Please introduce yourself to them and get to know them. God does provide! We will be having a special program on Sunday June 4, 2006 to share a vision of what the Elders see in the future of the church that meets at McKnight Road. We will have a potluck dinner in the multipurpose room following services and invite all members to stick around for a brain-storming session where the elders and deacons will solicit input and feedback from all our members as we seek to do the work of the kingdom. Please circle that date on your calendar and come and participate.

At the same time, one of our former Elders, Dean Patrick, is struggling with end stage liver cancer. Dean is at home on hospice care. His wonderful wife, Jan, and their family and lot of friends, brothers and sisters in the Lord, and neighbors are ministering to them at this time of the end of his life. I guess it could not be any more clearer to me that today is a day of beginnings, endings and changes.

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, 'They always go astray in their hearts; they have not known my ways.'

Hebrews 3: 7-10

Thematic Theology

In our Sunday morning Bible Class at the McKnight Road Church of Christ I have been teaching a class on thematic theology. The symbols used in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation are a macroscopic point of view that reinforces my faith. The fact that there are four gospels with different points of view in the New Testatment causes some to question the underlying facts. But, in the real world, we make decisions on life and death issues using "testimony". If there was an auto accident at the corner of McKnight Road and Litzsinger and there were 4 witnesses on each corner, I would suggest that we would have 4 slightly different "points of view" of the accident. Those variations however would not negate that the accident occured. In fact, the strength of the testimony would confirm the event. I think the 4 gospels do the same thing.
Each of the four Gospels presents Jesus Christ from a different point of emphasis.
Matthew
Matthew, being a Levite, emphasizes Jesus as the Messiah, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Each of the subtleties of his design supports this primary theme. His genealogy begins with the "first Jew," Abraham, and continues through David and the royal line to the legal father of Jesus, Joseph. Matthew's emphasis is on the fulfillment of the prophecies of the Tenach, the Old Testament.
As a customs official, Matthew was skilled in shorthand, an essential asset in a culture that did not have the advantages of printing, copiers, and the like. Matthew focuses on what Jesus said, and includes the extensive discourses, which he probably was able to take down verbatim. Matthew's first miracle is the cleansing of a leper, a Jewish metaphor for sin itself. Matthew concludes with the resurrection, also a distinctive Jewish preoccupation.
Luke
Luke was a Gentile and a doctor, and his Gospel reflects a very distinctive point of view, emphasizing Jesus as the Son of Man. His genealogy begins with Adam, the first man. From Abraham to David, his list is identical to that of Matthew. However, when he gets to David, he doesn't track through Solomon (the first surviving son of Bathsheba) but through a different son, Nathan (the second surviving son of Bathsheba). He continues through to Heli, the father of Mary (Joseph is the son-in-law of Heli). The term in Luke 3:23 is nomizo in Greek: reckoned as by law. Joseph was adopted by Heli in accordance to the exception in the Torah for inheritance through brotherless sisters given to Zelophehad (Numbers 27:1-11; Joshua 17:3-6; Ezra 2:61; cf. Nehemiah 7:63; Numbers 32:41; 1 Chronicles 2:21-23, 34-35) As a Gentile, Luke's emphasis is different. His emphasis is Christ's humanity; he focuses on what Jesus felt. His first miracle is the expulsion of a demon, a very human concern. Luke concludes with the promise of the giving of the Holy Spirit, which is a natural bridge to his subsequent volume, The Book of Acts.
Mark
Mark is the amanuensis (secretary) for Peter, and he emphasizes Jesus as the obedient Servant of YHWH. His is the only Gospel with no concern for pedigree or genealogy. He focuses on what Jesus did; it deals in graphic images, almost like a movie or video shooting script. Mark concludes with the final visual appearance, the Ascension.
John
John had a very distinctive view, emphasizing Jesus as the Son of God. He focuses on who Jesus was. His "genealogy" is that of the Preexistent One, constituting his opening verses: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” His Gospel is organized around seven miracles, seven discourses, and seven "I AM" statements.
John's first miracle involves the use of the water of purification being changed to wine at Cana, a private demonstration to the disciples that Jesus was preeminent even over the Levitical priesthood. John concludes with the promise of Jesus' return, and becomes the appropriate prequel to John's final tome, The Revelation.
The Four Faces Around the Throne
It is interesting that each time we encounter the "super-angels" (variously called cherubim or seraphim) that surround the Throne of God, we note that there are four "faces" involved: a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle (Ezekiel 1:10; 10:14; Revelation 4:7). These also were the principal tribal standards that rallied the four "camps" of Israel (each camp consisting of three tribes) that encamped around the Tabernacle (Numbers 2). Each of these "faces" are suggestive of each of the four Gospels: Matthew, presenting the Lion of the Judah; Mark, the ox (the classic emblem of servanthood); Luke, the Son of Man; and John, the Son of God in the heavens.

Wholly following the LORD

But among these there was not a man of those numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who had numbered the people of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. For the LORD had said of them, "They shall die in the wilderness." There was not left a man of them, except Caleb the son of Jephun'neh and Joshua the son of Nun.

Numbers 26:64-65

Among the adults, they all died; except, for two. Joshua and Caleb, who were ready to enter the promised the land the first time, were the only adult survivors of those who left Egypt with Moses. Even Moses did not cross the Jordan into the promised land. And why?

'Surely none of the men who came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, because they have not wholly followed me; none except Caleb the son of Jephun'neh the Ken'izzite and Joshua the son of Nun, for they have wholly followed the LORD.' ¹³ And the LORD's anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of the LORD was consumed. [Numbers 32: 11-14]

It is a sobering thought to think that there are those who will try to pay "lip service" to God in hopes of entering the kingdom. You know, show up on Sunday morning for an hour to look like a good Christian. But, the Lord is not fooled. What God wants are hearts that seek him first. Men like Joshua and Caleb whom when asked to march into a foreign land filled with giants, are ready to go in the name of the Lord. The difference between those who died in the wilderness and the two who did not is that Joshua and Caleb "wholly followed the Lord". Did that mean they were perfect? No, they were sinners also. They missed the mark at times. But, their hearts were set upon doing what the Lord wanted. Those are the type of believers that we need in our churches today! If you have a spiritual task to be done, they are the ones saying "Let's go!" It took an entire generation to get there; but, it was the faith of these two men that the Bible holds up as an example for us.

Sex and Baptism

I was blessed to have attended the Pepperdine Bible Lectures this year for the first time. For those who have not been to Malibu the picture above will give you a a glimpse of the campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It truly is an awe inspiring location for a university campus. We were doubly blessed to attend the lecture by my daughter, Rachel Pleasant, her husband, Klint Pleasant and Dr. Randy Harris, who is a theologian from Abilene Christian University. Klint and Rachel shared their experience over the past 9 months concerning Rachel's brain surgeries. Their talk was entitled "What to do when your wife has only 30 minutes to live?" Mike Cope wrote about their class on his May 5 blog at: http://www.preachermike.com/

Mike's class was entitled "Sex and Baptism" and was held at the Smothers Theater. I am not sure what the exact seating capacity was (3-400?) but if one did not get there early, people were turned away at the door by the fire marshal. Aside from the catchy title, Mike set forth the clearest explanation of the gospel and how one is to live in the incarnational community that I have ever heard. He started in Genesis and affirmed that God made us as sexual beings and that it was good! But, because of the Fall concessions were made to mankind due to the dehumanization of created beings that haunts us to this day. God's plan from the beginning was for abstinance before marriage and fidelity in marriage. Only when the church lives in deep, open community with one another do these ideals make sense. While external controls are not the answer, they are essential. Community, and God's spirit within us, compels us in love to seek intimacy with the God who made us. I cannot do justice to the lecture; but, the message was powerful and revealing. Even Jesus, as a son, had to learn in his humanity through suffering.