Why do the Songs of Degrees begin with this adverse condition?  One assumes that the trip to the annual festivals for males in Jerusalem would have a triumphant flavour. This pilgrim is in distress and confesses the fact. No lies are allowed. There were no doubt some pilgrims who saw only the smug security of being the chosen ones, Abraham’s descendants.

The pilgrim shudders to think of what the phony confession – of his fellow traveller – might bring.

What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

Psalms 120:3

The war and the peace

The pilgrim laments that he speaks for peace, a rare thing in Israel, and gets a pushback in favour of war.

I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

Psalms 120:7

Our identity as pilgrims is rooted in the experience of the patriarchal triad (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob). They lived in the promised land as if they were nomads, tenting from place

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

Hebrews 11:9

The pilgrim’s rest

In fact, all the people of faith – not all the people in the narratives – are said to have reckoned themselves to be pilgrims. They saw beyond the land of Canaan. Being there did not guarantee peace or rest, as the writer affirms.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Hebrews 11:13

We can see that the journey to Jerusalem was not final and is not final.

The practice of reading the New Testament and trying to find a corresponding or foundation saying in the Old Testament is not reliable, because Christ has many things to say and do that are uniquely his.
Just so no claim to authority rises to validity angels are out in front putting God’s business on the agenda for all people.

Looking for the Christ

We are better off applying that practice to apostolic sayings and their depiction of Messianic sayings and deeds. A lot of mistakes could have been avoided if we had been looking for the Christ in what anyone has to say about the kingdom of God. Thousands of books and preachers can be ignored because they do not present the Christ nor do they have a reputation for prioritizing his claim. This is reason to be joyful to the max.

It is not mentally ill people who attack Jews, people of African descent, and immigrants who are not from Europe. All those people who have set their compass to God and country are sleepwalking, deaf and dumb watchmen and idolatrous zealots. The attack on the Rabbi’s home on the seventh night of Hanukkah in Monsey, New York, has its roots in a basic American perversion. There is less evidence today that America’s leaders believe in the equality of all humans. They prefer swords to pruning hooks.

What are we to think when America behaves like a deported nation? What can we expect when her “greatest president ever” makes excuses for and friends with despots Insulting immigrants is now a prime time reality in American society? Her leaders seem oblivious to the individual who works hard at three jobs and still cannot make ends meet.

Why do we expect

• protection for Jewish people when the juvenile children of American citizens and residents have no protection in schools?
• protection for Jewish people when the religious establishments have turned both Jewish and Christian ideals into marketing guides for greed
• protection for Jewish people when the nationalist psyche puts people in the gutter and the nation in a palace

We expect because we believe that the rich are working for the poor and that the guardians of justice have the right to life as their north star. We believe a lot of lies.

Criminal enterprise

Guns and free speech have effectively raised the skirts of the United States of America and the sight is attractive only to pimps and prostitutes.

Going after Jewish people did not end well for Babylon, Persia, Greece or Rome. Not caring for Jewish people in the 21st century will end very badly for the United States and Canada. God will not forgive us for allowing gun violence to shatter our sense of security.

Surely at the commandment of the LORD came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did; And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.

2 Kings 24:3-4

Intellectual and emotional depravity has soaked into societies that used to have the admiration of the whole world. Let us be brutally honest. A nation of laws is a nation of criminals.

Nations, kingdoms and tribes that renounce “all that stuff from Gramps” are rare,  as rare as the camel that passes through the eye of a needle.

Repentance – change of mind

IED redefined. Inevitable Empowering Digression. There is no way around, beside, under or above repentance if God’s kingdom is the destination.

Slices of the Nazarene

Shaped by Galilee, our Lord was familiar with both sides of Abraham’s family, the faith-formed and the natural descendants. This experience would help to shape the church’s appreciation of all people without condition. There is no Jew Gentile difference in God’s distribution of eternal life and gifts for living. We may underestimate the power of growing up in a certain place, especially when it is not where we were born. If you had a memorable birth such as King of the Jews, and such a life of contradiction you might consider how much pleasure he took from seeing people from the place where life shaped him turn to him in faith. Faith and love are the bangs in the Nazarene buck. This is what pleases God and no-one can please God without it. To be precise, faith is effective in love to others, not to a loyalty to traditions of any kind. Kindness to strangers is top of the list for the Nazarene. That is why the light came to Galilee, the land of darkness.

FINDING GENTILE FAITH

1. And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, [thou] Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. Matt. 15:22
   • But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. Matt. 15:23
   • But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matt. 15:24
   • She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Matt. 15:27
   • Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly. Matt. 15:28

No-one gets rewarded for following prophets or ancestors and only the faithful get this kind of commendation. The people who were genuinely attracted to the Nazarene were the tax-collectors and prostitutes. As he forgave them, they loved him. When he did not commend people for their marketplace games they hated and plotted against him. The learned and the unlearned rallied to their lies and fabled genealogies, the gold and silver and animal blood, holy places and things, ignoring the testimony of the Law and the Prophets about the Nazarene.

“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, Matt. 11:16 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ Matt. 11:17 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ Matt. 11:18 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” Matt. 11:19

Matthew 11:16-19

MARVELLING AT GENTILE FAITH IN HIS HOMETOWN

2. And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Luke. 7:6 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. Luke. 7:7 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” Luke. 7:8
   • When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Luke. 7:9

Again, the Nazarene finds great faith, from a notable member from the Gentile community. This is remarkable indeed, in the light of being turned off, literally, by unbelief, and in the light of Nazareth’s reputation of being a dump, from which nothing good could come.

THE NAZARENE’S HONOURABLE PASSING

It is no surprise that Galilean women claim the Nazarene’s lifeless body. Some of these were with him from the start. They travelled with him. Now they make sure his rest in the grave has all the love they could muster. Remember the woman who emptied a jar of ointment worth a year’s salary on his feet in preparation for burial.

3. GALILEAN FUNERAL SERVICE – FEMALE COMPLIMENTS
   • It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. Luke. 23:54 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Luke. 23:55 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. Luke. 23:56

THE RISEN NAZARENE’S ATTACHMENT TO A GALILEAN MOUNTAIN

4. THE LAST APPOINTMENT IN GALILEE.
   • But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. Mark. 16:7
   • Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. Matt. 28:16
   • Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matt. 28:19

We call him Yeshua because of his effective resolution of the sinfulness of humanity. We call him Nazarene because of his connection as Light with the darkness of Galilee. We can make no progress apart from considering the identity of a migrant king, born in Bethlehem, resident in the darkness. We can hope to spin our wheels if we continue to label people and things as incapable of producing good. The entire expreience of the Nazarene makes prejudice and identity discrimination a lie that we do well to flee.

Exploring the Messiah’s Galilean Roots

The birth of Christ – his nativity proper – is a prerequisite for atonement, so whether or not there is a prescribed memorial, a doctrine or a festival connected with it there is value in getting our eyes anointed with a look at the birth and early life of Yeshua. Nativity includes accuracy in time and place, and to be strict, we can say it took a moment (assuming Mary’s labour was not extended!). What birth drama there is to see is brief and filled with adventure. Nativity extends to origins too, which is why we are keen to know where does a person come from. Messiah’s connection to his place of residence is not brief. This nativity for the Saviour of the world attaches firmly to Galilee, Nazareth and Capernaum. This is not discriminatory nor accidental, because Christ’s residence in Galilee will inform us of the major character-block, if one follows the gospels. The fuller nativity narrative itself is thick, deep and rich, is more holy than its night, more awesome than its angelic interactions, more mysterious than its refugee king, and yet could be no more ordinary than to have begun in Nazareth. If we merely followed the gospels we would fill our bellies with a long list of places, and individuals, and a divine checklist of errands.

1. The Lord’s Messenger John the Baptist
2. The Lord’s angel Gabriel dispatched to Nazareth, Galilee.
3. The Lord’s parents: engagement (Nazareth)
4. Announcement to Mary (Nazareth)
5. Prophecy (song) of Mary (Judea)
6. Prophecy of Zechariah (Judea)
7. Registering for the census (Bethlehem)
8. Angelic Announcement to the shepherds (Bethlehem)
9. Birth (Bethlehem)
10. Magi visit (Bethlehem)
11. Herod’s infant slaughter (Bethlehem, depart for Egypt)
12. Prophecy of Simeon (Jerusalem)
13. Angelic appearance (Bethlehem)
14. Flight into Egypt
15. Angelic appearance (return to Palestine)
16. Return > Galilee
17. On the brink of Teenage in the Temple (Jerusalem, Nazareth)

It seems best to stick to home for a grounded nativity panorama. We realize that home is Bethlehem, but that appears only as the hospital; an already very famous birthplace. The record of our Lord’s residence in Bethlehem is brief, consisting of his birth and speedy departure for Egypt parents returning and warned about the safety of Bethlehem. The census which brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem kicks off an adventure which turns out to be octagon of intense contradictions.

The winding road to Nazareth

THE OCTAGON OF CONTRADICTIONS

We are well aware that the Christ-child’s arrival was the cause and reason for great joy to any person tuned in to the event and for all people. Yet the intended effect of the Light’s arrival on earth was not to be felt until the Passover of His 33^rd year. We would see him briefly as a 12 year old resident of Nazareth in the Jerusalem temple making the leaders of Judea scratch their heads.

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Luke. 2:46 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Luke. 2:47

The shaping of the life in those eighteen years does not have to be guessed at. Galilee had the following distinct features of interest to the young Incarnate.

1. Galilee was among the first areas to suffer exile (as a result of the warning in Numbers 33:56)
2. Galilee was one of areas hosting a city of refuge (Kedesh, in Naphthali territory, Joshua 20:7, 21:32)
3. Galilee was a richly cosmopolitan region, i.e. Gentiles made up a considerable portion of the cities in Galilee, 20 known are on record (1 Kings 9:11)

Galilee was a fertile field because it was in need of light. We cannot presume that the young Incarnate (YI) ended his interest in his Father’s business

1. All of the people who came into contact with the YI would have benefited from or at least be challenged by his wisdom
2. All of the people with whom he had regular contact would have heard him speak at synagogue for 18 years until that day when he read Isaiah 61 (Luke 4)
3. As with the temple so with heaven’s interests in Kedesh, the Galilean city of refuge would have fallen under his gaze and evaluation.

In Nazareth our Lord learned by experience about the Jew-Gentile partition. Even though he kept his mission focused on Jews, his encounters with Gentiles showed how well he was prepared to meet most honourably with the desire of Gentiles to reach him. Three foreigners came to the manger and worshipped, and Gentiles sought relentlessly to see and touch him throughout his three years of testimony. I am glad that there is a witness in AD 2019 that they still do, in droves.

Luke Nativity Read – 24 Days of Witness

Capturing the drama of Chapters 22, 23, 24

The Passion Approaches

This is the solemn and satisfying season that our Lord announced in Nazareth three years previous.

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; (Isa. 61:1) to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, (Isaiah 61:2a)

Isaiah 61:1-2a

The full citation from Isaiah appears below.

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; Isa. 61:1 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; Isa. 61:2 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. Isa. 61:3

The Nazarene’s Attention to his timetable

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread drew near, which is called the Passover.

Luke. 22:1

This is the festival that celebrated the Hebrew people’s escape from Egypt.

The disciples resist the idea that their Teacher must suffer the things he was predicting with great solemnity.

THE PASSOVER OF PASSOVERS

And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. Luke. 22:15

• It was not the roast lamb, bitter herbs, and wine of the Exodus (chapter 14)
• It was his own body and blood as sacrifice (propitiation) that he longed to inaugurate in symbolic form
• He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1John. 2:2
• In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1John. 4:10

THE MEMORIAL

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke. 22:19

PETER’S UNIQUE FUNTIONS PREDICTED

Peter was the first to receive the revelation, directly from God, of who the Nazarene was.

Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” Luke. 9:18 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Luke. 9:19 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” Luke. 9:20

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, Luke. 22:31 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Luke. 22:32

In fulfillment of this Christ – strengthen your brothers – authorizes Peter with the mission to the Jewish people, Peter speaks for the church and joins with Paul in his mission to the Gentiles.

THE AGONY OF THE CROSS

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. Luke. 22:39

• And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Luke. 22:44
• Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? Luke. 22:52
• Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. Luke. 22:54

THE TRIAL

• “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, Luke. 22:67
• and if I ask you, you will not answer. Luke. 22:68
• But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” Luke. 22:69
• Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.” Luke. 22:71

THE SENTENCE OF DEATH

Who wants Christ dead or out of the wasy is obvious.

Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, Luke. 23:13 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Luke. 23:14 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. Luke. 23:15 I will therefore punish and release him.” Luke. 23:16

Luke. 23:13-16

But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— Luke. 23:18 a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Luke. 23:19 Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, Luke. 23:20 but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” Luke. 23:21

THREE STRIKES

• A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” Luke. 23:22
• But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. Luke. 23:23

AT THE CROSS

Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. Luke. 23:32

And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Luke. 23:33

And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” Luke. 23:35 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine Luke. 23:36 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” Luke. 23:37 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” Luke. 23:38

THE CROWD TAUNTS THE NAZARENE

1. to reverse his path to death
2. to cheapen the very thing he agonized over doing the night before
3. to deny the reason for his life

HE GIVES UP HIS LIFE

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Luke. 23:46

THE FAITHFUL WOMEN CONTINUE THEIR SERVICE IN BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, Luke. 23:50 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Luke. 23:52

The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Luke. 23:55 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. Luke. 23:56

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. Luke. 24:1 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, Luke. 24:2

The cycles of the Nazarene’s life are almost over. Normally death ends the journey. For the Nazarene, one more step is on the timetable. He must be received as firstfruit and perfect sacrifice. This means a return to glory.

RETURN TO GLORY

THE BABE OF BETHLEHEM IS NOW BACK WHEN HE CAME as GLORIOUS KING

His return is recognized with great fanfare.

Lift up your heads, O gates!

And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Ps. 24:7

Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! Ps. 24:8

Lift up your heads, O gates!

And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Ps. 24:9

Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! — Selah Ps. 24:10

WHAT ARE THE RISEN LORD’S PRIORITIES?

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Luke. 24:44 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, Luke. 24:46

1. THE GOSPEL. and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Luke. 24:47
2. ITS AGENTS. You are witnesses of these things. Luke. 24:48
3. THE GUARANTEE OF HIS PRIORITIES. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Luke. 24:49

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. Luke. 24:50 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. Luke. 24:51

THE LAST LOOK

Bethany was a certain favourite place for the Nazarene, the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, home of the former leper Simon, the residence of the woman who prepared the Lord’s body for burial. What else brings the Risen Lord to Bethany is his to declare, but these connecting memories are there to remind us of the tender mercy of God, in accord with visit of the sunrise (Luke. 1:78)