We are looking at ways we can prepare our hearts for spiritual renewal and growth. Our studies have emphasized a commitment to God’s Word, to prayer, and to encouraging one another. Today we turn our attention to passing the mantle of faith.

 
We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power and the wonders He has done.

Eli Stanley Jones is credited with saying, “God doesn’t have any grandchildren.” Each individual has the opportunity and responsibility to become a child of God.

The Scripture presents the truth of handing a godly legacy from this generation to the next generation. The story of Elijah passing the mantle of leadership to Elisha (1 Kings 19:19-21) provides a biblical example for passing on the faith. The lessons involve the cloak and the call.

First, the cloak makes the individual distinct. Elisha’s call presents the idiom “take up the mantle” which means to pass leadership from mentor to student. There was nothing magical about Elijah’s cloak but was powerful because of what and who it represented. The “hairy” robe was so distinctive that King Ahab recognized Elijah from the description alone (2 Kings 1:8). By the time of Zechariah, the cloak had become the signature of the prophet (Zech 11:3, 13:4). We are clothed with a relationship with Christ, distinct from the world.

Second, there is a call to leadership and a deeper commitment of faith. More than an invitation for salvation, the call may come from God but most often comes from someone willing to be a mentor to a student. Ultimately, the leadership of Elijah, who cast the mantle, is not passed along until Elisha picks it up from the ground.

Fifty men from the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. 8 Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”

“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.

10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”

11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 12 Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.

13 Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.

15 The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. 

2 Kings 2:7-15 NIV

 

Your Cafeteria of Commitment

Pray these twenty people will love God’s Word twice as much as you do.

Next Lesson | God Orders Our Steps
Understanding the Books

The placement of Luke as the third gospel occurs in almost all of the early Greek and Syrian manuscripts. Ernest Renan, French theologian, called the gospel of Luke the most literary of the Gospels. Many see

[su_pullquote align=”right”]It is manifest that in all parts of the Christian world the Third Gospel had been recognized as authoritative before the middle of the second century, and that it was universally believed to be the work of St. Luke.

Alfred Plummer, “ICC Commentary on Luke”[/su_pullquote]

Luke’s prologue is described as the most classic piece of Greek literature in any of the New Testament.

Who Wrote the Book?

The external evidence for the third gospel to have been written by the Luke who accompanied Paul on journeys is abundant. Justin Martyr, Eusebius, and Marcion were among the early followers who attested to the authorship. The Muratorian Fragment is the first document that ascribes the gospel to Luke. Theologians Blass, Harnack, Plummer, Ramsay and Zahn accept Paul’s companion as the author.

The internal evidence supports the same conclusion. The arguments for Luke’s authorship of this gospel are usually presented in accordance with his authorship of Acts. These theories will be discussed in detail with this later book. The gospel can also show Luke’s interest with disease and sickness compared to the other gospels. Notice these comparisons:

Luke Mark
Lk 4:38 Mark 1:30
Lk 5:12 Mark 1:40
Lk 6:6 Mark 3:1
Lk 8:43-44 Mark 5:26, 29
Lk 8:55 Mark 5:42
Lk 9:38 Mark 9:17
Lk 22:50-51 Mark 14:47

Let’s make note of a few facts about the writer. Luke’s name only occurs in Paul’s writings (Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 1:24) never in the gospel or Acts. Luke was a Gentile from all indications and appears to have lived for a while in Philippi. He also had a strong interest in Antioch (Acts 6:5, 11:19-27, 13:1-3, 14:26-28, 15:1-2, 22, 30-40, 18:22-23).

The historian joined Paul at Troas on the second journey. He was a physician (Colossians 4:14). In a Latin work, it is asserted that he died at the age of 74 in Bithynia. Another tradition has him dying in Constantinople.

To Whom was the Book Written?

Luke addresses the gospel and the acts to “the most excellent Theophilus (Lk 1:3-4). The name was a common name in both Jewish and Gentile circles. There is no reason to believe this was not a real person. It is quite possible that Theophilus played a part in paying for the expenses involved in the writing or production of the works of history.

Other’s speculate that Luke may have written the books to specific churches or people that he met along Paul’s journeys. Most often mentioned are the church in Philippi and the family of Timothy. These ideas are nothing more than speculation.

When was Luke’s Gospel Written?

Setting aside the theories of the synoptic gospels, many early scholars place this gospel at a date prior to the writing of Mark. Evidence places Mark’s gospel around 67. The book of Acts appears to have been written after the gospel and the conclusion there will set the writing around 61. Luke was in Caesarea while Paul was imprisoned there (Acts 27:1). The time spent there would have given Luke the time needed to make the investigations he mentions in the first chapter (Lk 1:1-4). If he wrote during this time period, the writing of this gospel would have been around 58.

What Messages Resonate in the Gospel of Luke?

The third gospel has a number of distinct characteristics. We will consider a handful of points briefly.

First, the gospel of Luke makes a priority to develop the humanity of Christ. Luke gives the most complete account of his birth, childhood, and social life. We read of Jesus weeping (Lk 19:41), eating (Lk 7:36-50) and sweating drops of blood during prayer (Lk 22:44).

Second, Luke’s writings make much of Jesus’ prayer life. Jesus spent time praying 15 times in the gospels and 11 of those times Luke mentions. Luke also teaches lessons about prayer not found in the other gospels (Lk 11:5-13, 18:1-8, 21:36, 18:11-13).

Third, Luke records 20 miracles of Jesus, 6 peculiar to his writing. Also he includes 23 parables of Jesus, 18 unique to his gospel. Interestingly, he leaves out 11 parables included in the other gospels.

Finally, Luke includes a lengthy passage that contain material not found in the other gospels (Lk 9:51-18:14, 19:1-28).

What Do People Say About the Book of Luke?

Many leading Bible teachers make strong comments about the gospel of Luke. Their words may encourage you to read the book.

Luke’s interest in history is shown by his tying the Jesus events to the events of his day (Lk 2:1-2, 3:1-2) and his desire to help his readers know the certainty of the traditions which they had been taught (Lk 1:4). He presents to Theophilus not just a collection of brute facts, but something even more valuable – the meaning of those facts.

Robert Stein, Luke (NAC)

 

A valuable point in these passages is often overlooked, namely Luke’s connection with Mark. These two gospel writers were at the same time under Paul’s influence and were in closest association with each other. Both Luke and Mark were most likely with Paul when he laid his head upon the executioner’s block. It is fair to conclude that whoever of them was the first to write his gospel, the other must have promptly heard of it, secured a copy, and used it for his own writing.

R.C.H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Luke’s Gospel

 

The opening paragraph is one sentence in good Greek style, with classical vocabulary, rhythm and balance. Luke has a feeling for style and clearly he sees a somewhat Semitic accent as right for the kind of book he is writing. But this excellently rounded sentence is equally right for a literary opening. And a literary opening, of course, implies that what follows was meant for circulation. Some of our oldest MSS, incidentally, give the book the simple title: According to Luke.

Leon Morris, TNTC Luke

 

Had modern methods of book publishing been available in the first century, the books of Luke and Acts might have been found standing side by side in paperback editions on a bookseller’s shelf. Possibly they would have been bound together in one hardback volume. Though Acts has some characteristics of the ancient novel, this need not be understood as impugning its historical value. One can picture a Gentile reader going from adventure to adventure, delighting in the story of Paul’s shipwreck and learning something of the gospel through reading the various speeches. Likewise the Gospel of Luke contains narratives and sayings of Jesus cast in a variety of literary forms. No doubt among its readers would have been the “God-fearers,” those Gentiles who had already been convinced of Jewish monotheism and of Jewish ethical standards. They, in turn, would have interested their friends in reading Luke-Acts.

Walter Liefeld, EBC Luke

Understanding the Books

At almost every level, Romans stands as the greatest of all the epistles written by the Apostle Paul. Many argue its grandeur over all other New Testament books. Carefully considered and skillfully written, Romans offers the most complete theological statement of the understanding of this great man of faith.

No other book in the New Testament has shaped Christian thinking and moved the direction of the church than the book of Romans. No wonder Joseph Fitzmyer wrote, “One can almost write the history of Christian theology by surveying the ways in which Romans has been interpreted.”

Who Wrote the Book?

Probably because of the magnitude of the book, there is early and ample evidence for this epistle. Clement of Rome, the Epistles of Ignatius, the writings of Justin Martyr, the Epistle of Polycarp, and in Hippolytus’

[su_pullquote align=”right”]O, St. Paul, had thy one work been to compose an Epistle to the Romans, that alone should have rendered thee dear to every sound reason.

Frederic Godet, Commentary on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans[/su_pullquote]

Refutation of All Heresies all make quotations and references to Romans. Clement dates around AD95 and the others to the mid-second century. All provide early attestation to the authorship of Paul.

The internal evidence is equally strong. The writer calls himself Paul in the first verse (Romans 1:1). The greeting follows the traditional format of letters written by Paul. The descriptions within the book point exclusively to  the apostle (Romans 11:13, Romans 15:15-20). Today scholars across the board accept this book as a genuine work of the Apostle Paul.

The only question of authorship concerns the use of an amanuensis, or secretary, who did the actual writing of the letter. Many speculate Paul’s eyesight led him to employ someone to write. The amanuensis would write from a general outline or from dictation. In Romans 16:21, Paul mentions Tertius as the actual writer. Douglas Moo, in The Epistle to the Romans, believes that Tertius was most likely taking dictation since the style of writing is so close to Galatians and 1 Corinthians.

To Whom was the Book Written?

The book itself indicates the writing is “to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints:” (Romans 1:7 NASB). It is evident that the church had not been founded by Paul. At the time of the writing of this letter, Paul makes clear he had not been in the city.

Who Started the Roman Church?

There is no concrete evidence as to who founded the Roman church. Three theories have emerged over the years to explain its origins. The Catholic Church asserts that Peter founded the church and served as its primary bishop (forerunner to the papacy) for twenty-five years. Some speculate sojourning converts to Christianity on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:10) returned to Rome and founded the church. Others see it started by a variety of Christians who had eventually moved to Rome. Many speculate these people converted to Christianity through the message of Paul.

Scholars recognize Peter visited Rome and suffered the fate of a martyr in the city. Outside of the Catholic Church few would see him having a twenty-five year ministry in the city. At the time of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 around AD49, Peter was still a prominent leader in Jerusalem. It is highly unlikely that Peter made it to Rome before the time of Paul’s epistle to the Christians there. How would Paul have failed to greet Peter in the final verses? How would Paul have had such an urge to teach in the city, in light of his desire “not to build on another man’s foundation” (Romans 15:20)?

That said, either of the other two theories are distinct possibilities with merit. Since Roman connections are mentioned on the Day of Pentecost and these believers would have eventually returned home, it seems quite likely that this theory serves as an accurate speculation.

Personal Connections

There is no doubt that the Romans had heard of Paul. Honored and excited to be visited by the Apostle to the Gentiles, the Romans relished the letter presenting Paul’s explanation of the message of the Gospel. The apostle greeted over twenty different people by name, making this letter to strangers incredibly personal. Paul’s mention of so many people may indicate his personal connection with several of the members of the Roman church.

When was Romans Written?

Paul wrote the letter while at Corinth during the apostle’s three-month stay in Greece (Acts 20:2-3). Several facts produce such a conclusion. Paul was going to Jerusalem with the collection at the time of writing (Romans 15:25-27). He stresses this collection in his letters to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 16:1-4, 2 Corinthians 8 & 9). Written later than 2 Corinthians as he readies for departure to Jerusalem, Paul pens the book of Romans (Romans 15:25). Paul references Cenchrea (Romans 16:1), the seaport of Corinth. Gaius (Romans 16:23), the name of a convert in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:14), entertains Paul. Erastus (Romans 16:23) seems to have lived at Corinth. All this points to the date of writing just after the writing of 2 Corinthians, about AD56.

What Messages Resonate in the Book of Romans?

The words of Paul in the epistle fail to clearly state its purpose. The contents seem to point of Paul’s intention to visit the city (Acts 19:21, Romans 1:13, Romans 15:22-24, 28, 29), perhaps continuing on to Spain. It also appears Phoebe’s planned journey presented an opportunity to write the believers. Most speculate Paul’s concern that the church had no apostolic authority leading the congregation prompted the writing.

Theme of the Book

Scholars have debated the theme of the book over the centuries. The book is Paul’s understanding of salvation. Moo argues the theme of the book is the gospel – the good news of salvation through Jesus.

Because of the universal nature of sin, eternal life with God will not be automatic but will need a plan devised by a righteous and just God. Perfectly keeping all of God’s commands would work, but none of us can do that. It is then necessary for salvation to come from the goodness and grace of God.

Paul also discusses a process of salvation often called sanctification. How does one walk in a path of salvation? The Holy Spirit strengthens the walk of the believer by His personal presencer.

Favorite Verses

Because of its popularity, the book of Romans contains many memorized verses. These verses are just a few chosen as favorites by many believers.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse (Romans 1:20 NIV).

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23 NIV),

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1 NIV),

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23 NIV).

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 7:24-25 NIV)!

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1 NIV)

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans (Romans 8:26 NIV).

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28 NIV).

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31 NIV)?

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2 NIV).

What Do People Say About Romans?

The letter to the Romans stands as the clearest presentation of the truth of Scripture anywhere. Many leading Bible teachers make strong comments about the book of Romans. Their words may encourage you to read the book.

The greatness of the Epistle is seen in the importance of its subject matter, the comprehensiveness of its grasp, the acuteness of its reasoning, the breadth of its outlook, and the vigor of its style.

Henry Thiessen

This letter is truly the most important piece in the New Testament. It is the purest Gospel.”

Martin Luther

The letter to the Romans stands as the clearest and most systematic presentation of Christian doctrine in all the Scriptures.

Charles Swindoll

The deep logic of God’s truth can be expressed in both stories and arguments, by questions as well as statements, through reason and the imagination, through the four Gospels as well as through the book of Romans.

Os Guinness

Paul gives us an astonishing understanding of waiting in the New Testament book of Romans, as rendered by Eugene Peterson, ‘Waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.’ With such motivation, we can wait as we sense God is indeed with us, and at work within us, as he was with Mary as the child within her grew.

Luci Shaw

Understanding the Books

No other book in the New Testament fascinates and yet puzzles today’s Christian reader like the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation.  Alan Johnson writes, “Indeed, it may well be that with the exception of the Gospels, the Apocalypse is the most profound and moving teaching on Christian doctrine and discipleship found anywhere in Holy Scripture.”

Revelation is one of a handful of books which belong to a group of literature known as “apocalyptic.”  Revelation appears to be the earliest book to receive this genre label. In this writing the predictive element is dominant in the style. Symbols are often arbitrary and are usually left unexplained. Threads of this style of writing can be seen in the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Zechariah.

[su_pullquote align=”right”]Revelation is a unique book. It was written to people who liked to think and who liked symbolism. Readers were expected to hold pictures and concepts in mind as more thoughts were presented. For some readers the symbols in Revelation are made barriers to understanding instead of being a medium through which understanding was intended to come. There is a consistency that is vital in the use of the figures in the message of the book. Numbers, colors, time values, places, events, objects – all have concept that contribute to the whole picture.

Thomas Friskney, “Strength for Victory”[/su_pullquote]

Who Wrote the Book?

Perhaps because of its subject matter, quotes from Revelation present authoritative Scripture by many early Christian writers, including Epistle of Barnabas, Ignatius, and the Teaching of the Twelve, Justin Martyr says that “John, one of the Apostles of Christ, prophesied that those who believed in our Christ would dwell a thousand years in Jerusalem.” Other early attestation can be seen from Irenaeus, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria and Origen.

Four times in the book the writer calls himself John (Revelation 1:1, 4, 9 and 22:8). Though he does not call himself an apostle, the humble spirit of a servant is not out of character with the New Testament author.

This author was in exile on the island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9). Early church fathers declare that it was John the Apostle who had been banished to the isle. Eusebius, an early church historian, says that the Apostle John was freed from this imprisonment after the death of the Emperor Domitian. Irenaeus says that John remained in Ephesus after his return until the time of his death during the reign of Trajan.

To Whom was the Book of Revelation Written?

The book appears to be written for the believers in seven churches in Asia Minor mentioned several times in its pages (Revelation 1:4, 1:10, 1:11, Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18, Revelation 3:1, 7, 14). It was no doubt also intended for neighboring churches in the region and beyond to the church as a whole. The churches in Colossae and Hierapolis had been destroyed by an earthquake since the last days of Paul’s life. Restoration and renovation efforts  at the time is not known. There were other churches in this area including Troas and Miletus.

People speculate why these seven churches are singled out. Some find them representative of “eras” of church history, where most scholars always assume their own time is identified with the church of Laodecia. Mounce suggests that these seven churches were chosen because each had a specific relationship with the emperor worship of the times. This order just seems natural. The ancient roads of travel began at Ephesus and continued until finally arriving at Laodicea.

When was Revelation Written?

Linguistic scholars and theologians Westcott, Lightfoot, and Hort hold the book of Revelation was written about AD68 or 69. Two reasons are usually mentioned for the earlier dating. Some see the style and character of the Greek language as inferior, more simplistic than John’s gospel and epistles. This leads them to conclude Revelation was written first. Scholars also point out that in the book kings are mentioned, five already fallen, one was, one was to come, and finally an eighth would appear. The interpretation lead them to identify with the emperors of Rome. If the count begins with Julius Caesar, the book would be written during the time of Nero; if Caesar Augustus, the reign of Galba.

The majority of scholars like Swete, Milligan, Orr, Moffatt and Zahn hold to a much later date, placing it around AD96 or as late as 98. Banishment to the island of Patmos became a favorite sentence from Emperor Domitian who reigned from AD81 – 96. Historians indicate this was John’s fate two or three different times during this emperor’s reign.

What Messages Resonate in the Book?

The approach one uses to interpret the book of Revelation will often dictate the message one will receive from the book. Let’s make a couple of observations then talk about the main approaches to interpreting the book. The writing is called a “revelation of Jesus Christ.” The word means to expose completely what was formerly hidden or secret. It is a revelation of Jesus, a message He wants us to hear rather than a message about Him. It is the only time the word is used in writings by John, although it is used often in the vocabulary of other New Testament writers (Luke 2:32, Romans 16:25, Ephesians 3:5, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 1 Peter 1:7, 13).

The message of the book was first given to its author, the Apostle John as he was banished to the island of Patmos. The message was “for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” John was a “brother and companion in suffering” (Revelation 1:9). How does the believer respond in the midst of suffering, especially if the suffering appears to be getting worse? Notice what John says about the message’s effect on believers. He writes, “Blessed is the one who reads these words, and blessed is the one who hears it and takes the message to heart” (Revelation 1:3). This message gives hope and blessing to the one who suffers.

Methods of Interpretation

There are several methods primarily used to understand the message of this book. Is it possible to look at Revelation and interpret it in a literal way? Many assume that something should be literal unless it cannot be taken literally. While most symbolic interpretations are indeed wrong, a literal interpretation in Revelation is most always wrong. Let’s look at four general ways of understanding the content in Revelation.

  • The preteristic method holds the material in Revelation relates to the past. More specifically, they would view things as having taken place in John’s day. This is largely an approach taken officially by the Roman Catholic Church.
  • The historical method, sometimes referred to as a dispensational method, sees fulfillment in times of church history. Each church is seen as an age or era of history.
  • The futuristic method takes everything to refer sometime in the future, usually just before the second coming of Christ. Two inconsistencies almost always occur in this method, both dealing with literal and symbolic interpretation. Most who use this method take chapters one through three to refer to churches in the first century. They also see chapters four through nineteen as unfulfilled prophecy touching events during a literal 1000 year period of time. The futuristic method is popularized today in premillennialism. For more information on millennial views, follow this link.
  • Finally, the prophetic-symbolic method approaches the material as applicable to all periods of time. The language of figures and images is permitted to shine through its symbols. The practical message sees victory for the overcomers of suffering and opposition. Ultimately destruction awaits sin and the enemies of God.

Old Testament Imagery

Revelation uses dozens of symbols, many finding their meaning from the Old Testament: eating scrolls, beasts, marks on the forehead, gold, thrones, sun, moon, stars, candlesticks, dragons, Balaam, Jezebel, Gog and Magog, Sodom, Egypt and Babylon. Simon Kistemaker writes, “The conclusion we must draw is that the numbers, images, and expressions of greatness must be interpreted as symbols that present the idea of totality, fullness, and perfection” (Simon J. Kistemaker, Revelation: Exposition of the Book of Revelation, p.16).

What Do People Say About Revelation?

Many leading Bible teachers make strong comments about the book of Revelation. Their words may encourage you to read the book.

The Book of Revelation is such a dream landscape that you can plug any major conflict into it.

Elaine Pagels

Many hidden truths are often unobserved, not invisible.

Matthew A. Petti

If God did not want us to understand the book of Revelation, He would not have given it to us at all.

Dwight L. Moody

Not for nothing has the book of Revelation been the favourite book of the Bible for Christians under oppression in our time. The “trumpet call to faith” inspires endurance in the kingdom of God living in the spirit of Christ’s bearing his cross and the power of his resurrection, and in the light of the revelation of the kingdom of glory at his coming.

George R. Beasley-Murray

This grand judgment on the sinfulness of humanity shows the seriousness with which God views sin – payment will be exacted from those not covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Charles Swindoll

“Carols and the Christ” from the lesson series Music of Christmas, December 2021

our Scripture

Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God

(Luke 2:13 NIV),

Luke 2:13 NASB Luke 2:13 NET Luke 2:13 NLT Luke 2:13 NCV Luke 2:13 MESSAGE
Luke 2:13 KJV
 Luke 2:13 NRSV Luke 2:13 HCSB
 Luke 2:13 ESV
 Luke 2:13 RVA60

 

our Lesson

We could not discuss the music of Christmas without spending a serious amount of time talking about carols and the Christ. Christmas carols celebrate the birth of Jesus. The earliest Christmas carol seems to date back as far as 129, when a Roman bishop presented a song to be sung during a Christmas service in Rome. The term “noel” is also used, especially for carols of French origin.

 

The word carol actually means dance or a song of praise and joy. Carols used to be written for all four seasons, but only the tradition of singing carols at Christmas has carved its place in history. Popularity of carols would ebb and flow during the years, but by the Middle Ages – around the 1200s – most people had lost interest in celebrating Christmas at all.

 

This changed in 1223 when St. Francis of Assisi started his Nativity Plays in Italy. The people in the plays sang songs or canticles that told the story during the plays. Sometimes the carols were in Latin, but most of the time they were written in the language that people would understand.

 

The carol had as its beginning the vocal accompaniment to a dance. The unique feature of the carol was a chorus that was sung at the beginning of the dance and then again after each stanza. Dancers would sing the chorus as they danced. The stanzas were performed by a soloist while the dancers rested.

 

In the eighteenth century, hymn singing was introduced into English worship services. Hymnists like Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley wrote texts that focused on the incarnation. While properly known as hymns, the songs have become known as “carols” because of the Christmas nature of their message.

 

Carols cross boundaries. They transcend cultures, ethnicities and even religious divisions. The carol forms the best known group of religious music in the United States and the world. Carols do not have a special role to play in the liturgies of worship services. The carol just replaces the singing of hymns during the Christmas season.

 

At one point in American history, “caroling” provided a reason for friends to get together and served as a form of the group’s entertainment. The practice of going from house to house has become less frequent as culture has become more urbanized and more influenced by technology. In addition, society has become busier and people have become more isolated and insulated from their neighbors.

 

The “house-to-house” tradition actually began in England in the seventeenth century. Town musicians, known as “waits,” were officially permitted to solicit and collect alms in the weeks before Christmas. Alms were gifts of food, clothing or money. The impoverished people could collect alms in exchange for the singing of Christmas carols.

 

Most Christmas carols prior to 1930 had a traditional religious theme. The time of the Great Depression brought a flood of songs which underscored the more secular traditions of Western culture. Most of these songs were focused on children, emphasizing gifts and Santa Claus. Their popularity spurred sentimental songs performed by favorite singers of the era for adults.

 

Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” is the best-selling single song of all time, while Elvis’ Christmas Album is the best-selling Christmas album of all time. The Time magazine website researched the most-recorded Christmas song since 1978, encompassing songs from “Jingle Bells” to “O Holy Night.” The website collected data on every Christmas album recorded through the US Copyright Office since that year. In a landslide victory, almost doubling its nearest competitor, “Silent Night” is the most popular carol with 733 copyrighted recordings. “Joy to the World” came in second.

 

Carols have several features that set them apart from other types of songs, including hymns. Let’s think about two characteristics that make them unique. First, for at least a month carols can be heard not just in churches, but in elevators, on the radio and across loud-speakers in shopping malls. You cannot imagine “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” being played on a secular FM radio station.

 

In addition, the Christmas carol is one of the few areas of American culture where public religious expression is still allowed and accepted. Nativities, Scripture readings and even prayers have been banned in the public square, but the carol can be heard or sung during the Christmas season by anyone anywhere.

 

The church may not have a better means of teaching the message of the Gospel to an “un-churched” world than through Christmas carols. Let’s allow our verse of Scripture today to direct our thoughts to the Greatest Story Ever Told. As the shepherds are being told the good news of the birth of the Savior, Luke records a simple verse.

 

The Bible uses the phrase “heavenly hosts” on several occasions (Psalm 148:2, 1 Kings 22:19-22, 1 Samuel 1:3, Psalm 24:10, Isaiah 22:14, Malachi 2:16, etc). The heavenly host are heavenly messengers, not bound by time and space as those of us on earth. The word “host” means “army.” The Lord of hosts is the Lord of the army. R.C. Sproul called them a “veritable army of angels” whose primary purpose is praise.

 

Is there a better weapon than this?

 

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife (Matthew 1:18-24 NIV).

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them (Luke 2:4-7 NIV).

And he gave him the name Jesus (Matthew 1:25b NIV).

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them (Luke 2:8-18 NIV).

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night.

“Songs of Reflection” from the lesson series Music of Christmas, December 2021

our Scripture

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart (Luke 2:19 ESV).

Luke 2:19 NASB
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our Lesson

If there is a theme threading through this year’s lessons, it should become more than crystal clear during these thoughts. Our passage considers a portion of Luke’s account of the gospel story. While the Christmas season is a time of celebration, it is also a time to treasure and to ponder. There are several interesting concepts in this phrase in this short verse. Let’s consider some important things first.

The word that many translations render “treasured” has a military flavor. In many contexts, the word would be translated “guarded,” as a prisoner is guarded preventing escape. Mary exerted intense mental effort to store information in order to have continual access to it.

Do you keep scrapbooks? We kept photo albums and scrapbooks for all of our children. We have records of the births of each child, pictures of birthdays and celebrations, along with mementos of significant events along the way. We don’t want our memories to escape.

The tense of the Greek verb is the imperfect tense, which means that action is on-going. Mary continued guarding all of these things. She may have said nothing, but she continued pondering them in her heart. The verbs are in a participial form, again stressing the continued actions.

The verbs have a prefix with them that stresses “together with.” The idea is that Mary is throwing these things together in her heart, comparing one thing to another, letting one thing explain another. She begins to see everything through a particular lens, and the lens grows and changes with every event.

“Ahh, this explains everything! Now this makes sense!”

The phrase is interesting and fun to think about. If it had only occurred once, we would grin at the thoughtful and perceptive writer that Luke was proving to be. But he uses the phrase a second time down in verse 51. Luke wants us to pay attention to what is happening.

Notice also the events that occur between the two verses. I do not think it is an accident what the Scripture records after it tells us that Mary treasures and ponders the things of Christmas.

First Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple for ceremony required by Law (Leviticus 12:2-4). Forty days after the birth, a purification ceremony was required for Mary. At the same time, if the child were the first-born male, a special ceremony of dedication and sacrifice was required (Exodus 13:2). Mary and Joseph were trying to follow the Law.

Simeon, perhaps the attendant priest for the day, looked for the restoration of Israel because he was a righteous and devout individual. Upon seeing the baby, Simeon broke into praise and blessing to God, declaring that he has seen the salvation of the Lord. Simeon provides incredible information for Mary to “guard” – claiming that Jesus would be a revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for the people of Israel.

Mary and Joseph are amazed at was Simeon said. But Simeon is not finished. “Listen carefully,” he continued. “This child is destined to be the cause of the rising and falling of many in Israel. He will be a sign that will be rejected. He will be a sword that will pierce your own soul as well” (Luke 2:34-35 NIV).

Anna, a widow in the temple, continued the events that amazed Mary and Joseph. She began to speak of the child, giving thanks to God. She was thankful and excited that the Lord was finally bringing about the redemption of Jerusalem.

But Luke tells us about a third event in this setting. The event takes place twelve years later. It is the only biblical record we have of an event in the childhood of Jesus. Luke reminds us that Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem every year. We would expect such dedication from Mary and Joseph. They were meticulous in keeping the Law when Jesus was born. We would expect the same fervor throughout. There were three pilgrimage festivals which were kept by the faithful. At each setting, when possible the faithful would return to the Temple in Jerusalem. The Passover was one of those feasts.

When the feast was over, Mary and Joseph along with others, began the journey to return to Nazareth. They had traveled a day away from Jerusalem when they noticed they had not seen Jesus. They looked for him among their relatives and friends. They returned to Jerusalem looking for him, and found him in the temple courts, talking and listening to the rabbis. Luke adds the commentary, “All who heard Jesus were astonished at his understanding and his answers” (Luke 2:47).

Mary and Joseph did not completely understand what Jesus was doing or saying, but Mary “guarded” all of these things in her heart.

I wonder what Mary treasured.

Think about the things the Scriptures have recorded for us about the events to this point. Mary has had lots to treasure.

  • Mary had to consider how God was working in her life. From angelic messages to confirmation from family, Mary had to be reflecting on God’s sometimes miraculous intervention in her life, especially regarding the birth of her son.
  • Mary had to consider the amazing things that people were telling her about Jesus. Respected individuals were using words like salvation, redemption, and Messiah. Even at this early an age, the message was filled with conflict. Jesus would bring some together, but would cause others to stumble. There would be great joy, but there would also be great pain.
  • Finally, Mary had to be amazed when she considered God’s greater plan. Faithful Jewish people had long awaited the coming Messiah. Understanding that she was playing a role in God’s larger plan must have been a humbling, yet thrilling experience. Mary was being used by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

I wonder what sense Mary made of what was happening. I wonder how often she thought about the things she was guarding in her heart.

What do you treasure about your Christmas? How do those treasures fit into God’s scheme? Is all that you put in your scrapbook pictures of the presents? Or do you pause to remember what God has done for your family through the presence of His Son? Do you notice how the Lord has been weaving the events of your lives into the tapestry of His will?

Not everything that God does at Christmas is “merry and bright.” Some of the events pierce deeply to our soul. Christmas does not ignore our pain; neither does it allow us to wallow in them. Treasure the events and the people; guard their memories in your heart.

Don’t let the Savior and His work in your family be nothing more than a page in your scrapbook that gathers dust.

“Songs of Santa” from the lesson series Music of Christmas, December 2021

our Scripture

Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works

(Ecclesiastes 9:7 NASB).

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our Lesson

Does it strike you strange that a Christmas lesson for a group of believers in a conservative church would be titled, “Songs and Santa?” I thought so. Let’s explore this a little by wandering back to an Old Testament book, and maybe by doing so, we will understand that God is not opposed to us singing songs about Santa during the Christmas season.

The Old Testament book we need to consider is the book of Ecclesiastes. Hebrew scholars attribute the book to King Solomon, but the author identifies himself as “the Preacher, the song of David, the king in Jerusalem” (Ecclesiastes 1:1). I believe there is a great deal of the book that has been misunderstood or misinterpreted. Let’s try to examine a few teachings in the book, before we discuss a specific passage.

Santa and Ecclesiastes

Seven times in the book of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher encourages the reader to pursue joy (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, 3:12-13, 3:22, 5:18-20, 7:14, 8:15, 9:7-10, 11:7 – 12:1). Being joyful seems to indicate an individual finds sincere contentment and pleasure in God and His blessings in both time of pleasure and times of pain, in moments that are sacred and moments that are secular.

The book contrasts the ways of the world with the ways of the Kingdom. He uses imagery of light and darkness, the ways of the wise as opposed to the ways of the foolish, and the way of life as opposed to the ways of judgment.

The Preacher says, “Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes” (Ecclesiastes 11:9). The words are startling because Moses in the Torah characterized the people as “stubborn, unbelieving and rebellious” (Numbers 14:11, Deuteronomy 9:6-7) and scolded them, “not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes” (Numbers 15:39).

But the context here is different. Here the Preacher is speaking to the wise, not the fool. The context of Ecclesiastes helps us understand the Preacher is not encouraging unrestricted pursuit of pleasure. The wise see the sun as a manifestation of God’s goodness (Ecclesiastes 7:11-12). The wise “will know the proper time and the just way” (Ecclesiastes 8:5). If the wise heart is leaning toward God, your heart and your eyes will lead you in the right direction.

There is a stated caution with the words. Every step, every decision, every purchase, every television channel, every click of the mouse can lead you into judgment (Ecclesiastes 11:9). All things are permissible, though not everything is profitable.

If you are among the wise, if you have tasted that the Lord is good, do not hesitate to follow your eyes and your heart in your celebrations. Solomon’s words in our text guide our thoughts. If you want to sing songs of celebration about Santa during the season that celebrates the coming of the Savior, sing your songs in happiness with a cheerful heart. God enjoys seeing you smile.

But don’t lose sight of the real reason that you sing and are happy. You have not been saved by Santa. As you robustly sing the songs of Santa, let every note, every crescendo, every stanza remind your soul:

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in time of trouble (Psalm 59:16 NIV).

 

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them (Acts 16:25 NIV).

 

Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, an in your name I will lift up my hands (Psalm 63:3-4 NIV).

 

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance (Psalm 32:7 NIV).

 

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts (Colossians 3:16 NIV).

 

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples (Psalm 108:3 NIV).

 

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you – I whom you have delivered (Psalm 71:23 NIV).

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord praise His name, proclaim His salvation day after day (Psalm 96:1-2 NIV).

Do not let a song of Santa ring through the air that you do not remember the evening when Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, in the city of David.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:13-14 ESV)!

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come (Revelation 4:8b NASB).

 

Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for you created all things, and because of Your will they existed and were created (Revelation 4:11 NASB).

 

Peace on earth will come to all, if we just follow the Light.

Let’s give thanks to the Lord above.

Santa Claus comes tonight.