The Heaton File

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:30-31)

Written In A Book

There is power in what is written down in a book. Oral traditions have carried the stories of men through the ages but lack the evidentiary proof to examine, discuss and read time and again learning the deeper meanings of truth. Writing a story in book form allows the seeker of truth to study carefully the nuances of the person, place and reasons of the story. No tale is as great as the one about God’s Son who came to earth of His own free will to die for the sins of all mankind. Moses writes the first words of the revelation of Christ when he penned, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The apostle John closed the message of the book with “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” What is contained between these pillars of truth is the story of the Son of God. John admits the failure of his own book to contain everything Jesus said in His life, what He did and the powerful miracles proving His deity. Later, the apostle would suggest that if everything known about God on earth were written one by one, the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Sixty-six books making one unified book of testimony reveals the nature of God’s Son.

Books are written to be read. The Bible is a book of books spanning a time as old as the world. Moses tells us of the genesis of man and the world with the beginning of all the nations of men. Ancient stories burst from the pages painting a picture of the glory of God and the failures of men saved by the grace of God. The world is destroyed save eight souls and a promise of hope is given to a man from the Ur of Chaldeans. A new nation is formed by the hand of God that will realize the goodness and severity of God. History is carved through the landscape of one nation leading to the birth of the Son of God in a little town called Bethlehem. His life of thirty some years marks the whole world with the imprint of God’s face. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John reveal the humanity and divinity of Jesus showing Him a Savior for the Jew and the Gentile. These four books are the cornerstone of what is revealed in the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament and the remaining twenty-three books of the New Testament. God has chosen sixty-six books to unveil the story of His love to all men; no more and no less. Books. Words written down about Jesus Christ.

The Bible is given to man by the grace of God. Every page reveals Jesus Christ. The whole of the Bible speaks to the character of Jesus Christ. What is contained in these sixty-six books is the same message John reflects upon in his own book. The Bible tells the story of God’s Son so that all men will believe Jesus is the Christ, the Savior, Redeemer and Lord. No other book can make that claim. There is no other truth but the words of the Bible. Only one author composed this grand message and his name is the Lord God Almighty. Reading the words in the book of God will allow man to grace the presence of God and know His will. Knowing the mind of God brings peace, happiness and eternal life. Failure to read the book of books will leave man ignorant of the Lord and helpless. John knew the power of words. He understood the importance of the book. Through the Holy Spirit, the beloved apostle wrote down the story of his Lord, Jesus Christ. Read it to be wise. Read it to be saved.

In books cherubim expand their wings that the soul of the student may ascend and look around from pole to pole … in them the most high and incomprehensible God Himself is contained and worshiped. (Richard de Bury, Philobiblon, 1473)

That is, the Lord God of hosts. The Lord is His memorable name. So you, by the help of your God, return; observe mercy and justice, and wait on your God continually. (Hosea 12:5-6)

The Anchor Of The Soul

During the days of the divided kingdom of Israel, the prophets of God continually pleaded with the people to return to a faithful service to the Lord. Repentance would avert the tragedy that awaited the people if they refused but sadly, in time their rebellion cost them seventy years of hard captivity. Prophets like Hosea expressed the love God had for His people showing mercy and justice and them giving them opportunity to change their hearts. A clear message from reading the prophets is the character of the Lord God. He is a loving and forgiving God allowing man time to change his ways and redeem himself before the glory of the Lord. It must begin with a full recognition of who God is and what He demands. Knowing the authority of His name humbles a man to bow before the presence of his maker. Repentance can only come from the gracious help of the Lord and waiting upon His forgiveness. How great is the God we serve.

The stories of the Old Testament are written to impress upon our minds the infinite character of the Lord God Almighty. He is unchanging and unmoved in His dealings with man. From the Garden of Eden until the final moments of the earth’s existence, God remains the same. He is the Lord God of Hosts and there is no one like Him. He is the Creator of everything in this world and the expanse of the universe. All the worlds’ man can find rests within the span of God’s hand. The beat of the heart within man is measured by the power of God. Because of this, His name is sacred and to be held in honor. What great thing has man done that he can boast more than God? There is nothing man has done that is lasting. The sun that rises today is the same sun that the first man Adam gazed upon in the beginning of time. The Lord of Hosts sets the rising and falling of the sun and holds the germ of life in His hand.

God’s mercy saved man in the beginning when he disobeyed. Adam and Eve were cast from the garden with the promise of a seed salvation. Through Christ, all men can find the grace of God manifested through the blood of His Son on a cross of wood. The Lord has allowed man mercy to return to Him but this cannot be done apart from the power of God. No matter what man has done, an avenue of redemption is open for man to return to the Lord. There is no sin man can do that will not be forgiven by God if man will only come back to the Lord. The nation of Israel had fallen deeply into idolatry and wickedness; yet the Lord pleads with them to return. Their failure was not because God was unwilling to save them but their hearts were unmoved by the love of a forgiving Father. Jesus stands at the door of our hearts knocking but we have to open the door.

Mercy and justice are the keys to repentance. Showing mercy is humbling the heart before God and acknowledging the righteousness of the Lord brings forgiveness. This is the anchor of the soul that restores a rebellious heart with a spirit soothed by the love of a forgiving God. There is nothing more sure than anchoring the heart in the love of God. Coming back to the Lord is casting the anchor of faith in the troubled waters of life securing every part of our being on the rock of salvation. Nothing will tear us away from the love of God. When the storms come, our hope is built on nothing less than the promises of God. We stand firm in the mercy of the Lord of hosts. His name is memorable because of what He has done in my life. Thank God for his enduring grace that allows us to come before His presence and receive His kindness. How great is our God.

God would not have given us souls capable of contemplating and desiring this holy eternity, if He had not intended to bestow on us the means of obtaining it. (Frances of Sales; 1567-1622; Consoling Thoughts of, ed. Huguet)

You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the Lord. Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God. You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:30-32)

Sabbaths, Mediums And The Gray-Headed

The Holy Spirit does not mince words. He puts exactly the right kind of words in the right type of framework to reveal the will of God. There is an emphasis upon the manner the Lord reveals His commandments, judgments and statutes to men so there is no misunderstanding. Often, a command is clarified with the remark, “I am the Lord.” This is where the scepter of God’s rule is accentuated with lucidity as a declaration for man to pay special attention to what is being said. Keeping the Sabbath was not just a command but it was a special reverence required by God to be kept in a proper way and a proper order. Following the law was obedience to the pattern of worship involving the Sabbaths and the reverence to His sanctuary. It required no association with those who were mediums or fortunetellers or those who practice the magic arts. Moses shows the import of this law by reminding again, “I am the Lord.”

In the context of keeping the Sabbaths, reverencing the sanctuary and forbidding the acceptance of mediums, Moses includes the admonition to give honor to the ‘hoary head’ (KJV) or the grey-headed old man. Think about what this means. This was not a suggestion but a law. Keeping the Sabbaths and forbidding mediums was a law that came with severe penalties. Included in the list of moral laws was the command that when a grey-headed old man came into the room, the younger must rise and give honor to God. Imagine the impact of teaching children to give that kind of honor to the aged. Tucked away in all the commandments of the Lord to His people is the family respect for the aged. And it was emphasized with the declaration, “I am the Lord.”

The foundation of the family determines where the church will find itself in the coming generations. When a lack of respect is given to older men and women by the younger generation, there will be a lack of respect for God. The Lord wanted His people to be filled with the honor of age. There is a need to recognize the importance of the gray-headed man who has lived a life of service to the Lord. Young women must learn from those women whose hair turned white from the years of being an example of marriage and motherhood. Respect is what the Lord commanded from his people. Young people must honor those who are older showing kindness and love. The nuclear family is seldom found anymore with grandparents, aunts, uncles and relatives living far apart. Parents must teach their children by their own example how to love and care for the aged giving honor to them. Children must learn to give respect by the way they speak to older folk. Self-absorbed children spoiled with the things of this world will not honor the aged and often parents encourage this. It is not uncommon to see children ignore or treat rudely an older person. The Lord emphasizes the command to reverence the hoary head when He said, “I am the Lord.”

Learning to honor the gray-headed is a valuable lesson to teach children how to honor God. The Father is not a white-headed old man sitting on a glowing throne but the visage of glory that should be reverenced by children. From an early age, children should be taught to respect the name of God, His word and His will. Contained within the command by Moses is this reverence for the elderly will instill the fear of God. A society that honors its elderly will be more likely to give honor to the word of God. Respect comes from showing honor to the silver-headed man and woman who by virtue of the color of their hair exhibit the devotion of the Lord God. It is well to include that gray-headed men should be an example to young men, as white-haired women should teach the young women how to be godly wives and mothers. The color of hair does not bring wisdom but those who have been trained by the years of service to the Lord will show by their gray-heads that God reigns in their lives. Give honor. Give respect. Show glory to God by reverencing the aged.

And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him. (Mark 1:16-20)

Leaving Our Football Nets

Mark’s gospel is a story of immediateness. Written for the Roman mind who loved power, the story of Jesus moves from one story to the next with the players in each story acting immediately. Mark was trying to impress upon his readers the power of Jesus Christ and the impact the disciples had with Jesus. The calling of Peter, Andrew, James and John illustrates the power of Mark’s message. It also shows the heart of four men who do not delay to serve the Lord. These men would give their lives to serve the Lord as fishers of men. They left their nets immediately and followed Jesus. There was no hesitancy in their devotion to Christ and little doubt. Where they were going was unknown and what the next few years would bring was not revealed. Regardless, these four men immediately left their nets and never turned back.

What kind of heart does it take to walk away from what you have known for a lifetime? James and John left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed Jesus. Peter, Andrew, James and John were four men who understood the importance of servitude. They were not religious leaders of their day but they lead by example of what true devotion to the will of God should be. Worship for them was not a matter of convenience. It did not become something in their life that would be important only as long as nothing interfered with their plans. The focus of their lives became Jesus Christ. Twelve men who stood on Pentecost proclaiming the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ died by the persecuting hand of men save one – John. Religion to these four men was an immediate response with no reservations.

The church has always been filled with half-hearted disciples who often try to serve the Lord with an almost-have-to disposition of dedication. As long as everything is going their way, worship is important. If something more important to the individual comes along then God can be put on the back burner. It is amazing the excuses people give for not coming to worship services. There is a clear indication of spiritual laziness that permeates the heart. It is not uncommon for folk to miss the Sunday night service to stay home and watch the Super Bowl. The rational can be what difference does one worship service make if I stay home to watch an exercise in carnal pleasure? Company comes in and that takes coming to church services off the table. One of the common victims of this spiritual apathy is the number of people who feel confident attending one service on Sunday morning is all that is necessary to please God; excusing themselves from being part of the Sunday night worship. It is amazing the mindset that people develop to excuse their clear lack of commitment to Jesus Christ who left Heaven and came to earth to die for the same people who continually treat Him with contempt. If Jesus had the mind of man, He would have never come to earth.

Satan has convinced the children of God that worship is important but please do not get too serious about the whole matter. The way that people treat the church today would have kept Peter, Andrew, James and John in the fishing boat. They would have told Jesus, “We will follow you but first let me watch this football game or feed my family that dropped in or I have shopping to do and will get to you when I have time.” Religion in the body of Christ has become a matter of convenience to the useless whims of carnality. Thankfully, Jesus suffered miserably on the cross so that I can sit back, take my ease and serve God when I feel like it. How sad that so many people crucify again the Son of God by their lack of love, respect and honor for what He did. Four men left their boats to follow Jesus. These four men never gave up on Jesus, lived for Him each day, served a lifetime of dedication to Him and died working hard to let others know about Him. And all around the church today we have saints sitting in boats watching football games, eating, drinking and making merry unaware their boats are sinking.

We are a generation of cheap Christians going to heaven as inexpensively as possible; religious hobos and spiritual deadbeats living on milk instead of meat, crusts of bread instead of manna, as though we were on a cut-rate excursion. (Vance Havner; 1901-1988)

So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.” (2 Samuel 12:13-14)

He Forgave

It began innocent enough. Taking a walk on the roof of the king’s house was not an uncommon thing for David. He had done it many times before. This evening would change his life forever. Peering over his great city, the king reflected on all his servants that trusted in him for leadership. He was king of God’s people and his responsibilities were vast. Looking over the city, he noticed a woman bathing and she was very beautiful to behold. Lingering on the scene, David sent messengers to inquire the identity of the woman. She was Bathsheba, the wife of one of his mighty men who was fighting against the people of Ammon and Rabbah. Her father was a trusted advisor of David named Eliam. Longing for her, he sent messengers to bring her to his house where he lay with her. The culpability of Bathsheba was as clear as David’s. She returned to her house and everything continued as normal until David received a message from Bathsheba that she was pregnant.

David could not be found out for his adultery because the Law demanded death for both he and Bathsheba. Sending a message to his commander Joab, David recalled Uriah, the husband of Bathsheba from the battlefield. His plan was a simple deception to cover his obvious sin. Uriah could not be the father if he was off fighting in the war. There still might be a question of how quickly the child was born but there were answers that could be given to explain the sudden birth. Ironically, when Uriah came to David, a righteous man stood before the king than he who sat on the throne. The king urged Uriah to return home and refresh his wife but he refused. David made Uriah drunk hoping he would go home but again the plan failed. In final desperation, David sent Uriah back to the battle with a note to Joab commanding him to have Uriah killed. The king’s plan finally worked.

Bathsheba mourned for her husband Uriah and then became one of David’s wives. The child was born some months later and David settled back into the role of king. Then a prophet came to visit David and everything changed. Nathan told David of the man who stole his neighbor’s sheep and the king became enraged against the man. He demanded the man be put to death for such an act. It was then the prophet revealed God’s message to David that his deed of treachery did not go unnoticed. David’s reaction was immediate. He confessed his sin realizing he tried to hide something from the Lord and that was not possible. His grief was tremendous. He learned the child born from adultery and deceit would die. David prayed fervently for God to change his mind but to no avail.

The mercy and grace of God is without understanding. No man can embrace the full context of how much God’s love is showered upon man in taking away sin. David was the anointed of God. He had been involved in an adulterous relationship, lied, acted deceptively, caused a man to become drunk and then tried to cover his sin by murder. The consequences of his actions were far reaching. What happened when Nathan came to him was beyond the measure of man’s wisdom. God forgave David. The Law prescribed death but the Lord chose to put away his sin and remove the death penalty. God has the authority because He was the Lawgiver. Mercy. Grace. Forgiveness. He forgave David. How immense. How powerful. How loving His kindness toward David.

That same grace is afforded in Jesus Christ. The Lord God stands ready to forgive and remove the penalty of death upon those who repent and seek His mercy. There is no sin that God will not forgive when a man comes to Him in repentance. The difficult part is living with the consequences. David suffered for the rest of his life because of what he did. The Holy Spirit recounts the sin of David in the genealogy of Jesus hundreds of years later. But the joy of the Lord blessed the life of David because God removed his sin and took away the penalty of death. What higher meaning of forgiveness do we have today than the love God has to remove our sin and take away the fear of death? Thank you God.

Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him and spoke to Him, saying, “Tell us, by what authority are You doing these things? Or who is he who gave You this authority?” But He answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me: The baptism of John–was it from heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” So they answered that they did not know where it was from. And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” (Luke 20:1-8)

There Must Be Authority In The Church

The foundation of every society is the existence of authority. Without a set of laws to govern the masses, chaos will reign and whatever the will of the people desires will be the norm. Civil war comes when authority breaks down. Failing to respect authority motivates the individual to do anything he pleases disregarding the structure of law and order. History has shown the destruction of nations that lose the element of authority ending in destruction and death. Imagine what it would be like if there were no traffic laws. Everyone would drive as fast or as slow as they want, which side of the road, rushing through intersections, being a law to themselves – unimaginable. If there was no authority in schools and the work place society would break down into an ignorant and unproductive mob of people caring only for themselves. Authority is the right to command and enforce rules with official power to execute those laws penalizing any who disobey the established powers that rule.

Recognizing the need for authority in society is clear; seeing a need for authority in religion is hard to convince most people there is a need. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day tried hard to trap Him in His speech so they could find fault with Him. Their efforts were always fruitless but they did understand many things that were true. On one occasion the chief priests, scribes and elders challenged the authority of Jesus with two questions. They recognized the teaching of Jesus required authority for without that authority His teaching was invalid. The religious leaders also knew that authority demanded a higher power give that authority. Their question is telling: What authority are You doing these things and who gave You this authority? Jesus, the master teacher, replied with His own question. He posed the dilemma of John the Baptist. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Jesus had trapped the chief priests, scribes and elders by their own question. They refused to answer because any answer they gave would condemn them. Jesus chose not to answer them.

Authority is demanded for everything including how we worship God. Chaos reigns when there is no authority in society and the same thing happens when people refuse to follow authority in religion. “Choose the church of your church” or “Worship how you feel like it” are clear declarations there is no pattern of authority to worship God. What is most amazing is that religious people use the Bible to pattern their worship while at the same time refuse to allow the Bible to be their authority. Look at the many things people do in the name of Jesus Christ that are not found in the Bible. If the same rule of authority that is used in churches today were used in the courts of law, there would be anarchy. The religious leaders who challenged Jesus knew that authority was necessary. Jesus established two lines of authority: either it comes from God or it comes from man. The authority of God is written down in the Bible. Authority from man comes from what he wants and desires. Why are there so many different churches with names not found in the Bible, following things not found in the Bible and teaching people doctrines not found in the Bible? Should it not be a simple exercise of asking where something is in the Bible before believed?

The sad truth is that most people do not believe there is a need for authority in scripture when the most important rule of authority is found in the Bible. The rule of man will all disappear when the Lord returns but the rule of God will never go away. Authority comes from heaven or men and the only authority that saves is the rule of law that comes from the word of God. The law of God must be followed in its pattern of authority to know how to be pleasing to the Lord. Anything less is disobedience. The way to know whether one is pleasing to God is to look in the Bible and see what He says. Literally, put the finger on the scripture that describes the authority of His word. If it is not in the Bible then it is of man and must be rejected. Rightly dividing the word of truth is paramount to understanding the pattern of authority, which means a proper study of the scriptures will establish the only way, the only truth and the only life. There is one way to God. Jesus is the only avenue a man can travel to find eternal life. Worship is restricted to the authority of scriptures. Salvation will only come to those who do the will of the Lord.

When you are really instructed in the divine scriptures, and have realized that its laws and testimonies are the bonds of truth, you can contend with adversaries. (Jerome; 340-420; Epist. LXXVIII, 30)

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. (Galatians 5:16-17)

Learning How To Walk

It was difficult at first. There was hesitancy of letting go and leaping forth in faith to what was certain failure. The legs were not strong enough. Trying to find balance was impossible. Unstable and unsteady, attempting to walk seemed doomed from the beginning. Over a short period of time freedom was realized when after continual attempts ending in failure there were small successes and then final victory. The child stood wobbly upon two feet and took steps without falling. In time, walking was second nature. Then came running and jumping and the early struggles learning to put one foot in front of another were a distant memory. The spiritual walk is not uncommon from the struggles of learning to walk at an early age.

Everyone who is a child of God begins with the new birth and the pains of infancy. Like a small child learning to walk, the Christian must learn how to walk before God. This becomes a daily effort to discern the right path to walk and the correct decisions that will bring glory to God. Learning how to walk enhances the spiritual growth of the child of God to find greater peace in His word. Paul admonishes the brethren to walk in the Spirit so they will not be overcome by the pleasures of the flesh. The battle between the spirit of truth and the lusts of the flesh is an everyday challenge. Walking in the Spirit is bearing the fruit of God’s image in every part of the character of the person. The works of the flesh are carnal and bring the person to be a slave of sin. Defeating the lusts of the flesh demands a spirit walk filled with the presence of God.

Spirit minded people think about spiritual things. Their hearts are attuned to the voice of God and frequently talk to the Lord through prayer. Walking in the Spirit discerns the way a person thinks, his language, attitude and outlook on life. The lusts of the flesh seek for immediate gratification and pleasure with no lasting value. When the mind of carnality guides the spirit of man there will only be heartache and misery. Only when one learns to walk in the Spirit will confidence fill the heart to overcome sin. It is hard at first. Like learning to walk for the first time, there will be failures along the way. Success will only come when the child picks itself up and tries again. As a Christian, there will be failures in the walk of God. Do not let these failures keep you from trying again and again gaining strength and confidence as you go. Walking in the Spirit is a lifetime of effort.

The lust of the flesh wars against the will of the Spirit. At the same time, the Spirit is at war with the flesh trying to bring it into the bondage of righteousness. Satan wants us to fall. He does not desire for us to learn how to walk. As long as we fail, we are kept close to him. Learning to walk by the Spirit means that we do not have to be in bondage to the wiles of the devil. The spirit of the flesh and the spirit of Christ are at odds with one another. Victory will come when we grow stronger spirits to live for Christ each day, walking in the Spirit of God through faith, love, prayer, meditation and thankfulness for all the Father has done for us. Walking away from the lusts of the flesh will only come through the power of God working in our lives to walk in the Spirit.

Let no one remember that he will make progress is all spiritual things only insofar as he rids himself of self-love, self-will and self-interest. (Ignatius Loyola, Spiritual Exercises, 1548)

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If a woman has conceived, and borne a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of her customary impurity she shall be unclean. And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. She shall then continue in the blood of her purification thirty-three days. She shall not touch any hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary until the days of her purification are fulfilled. ‘But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her customary impurity, and she shall continue in the blood of her purification sixty-six days. ‘When the days of her purification are fulfilled, whether for a son or a daughter, she shall bring to the priest a lamb of the first year as a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove as a sin offering, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Then he shall offer it before the Lord, and make atonement for her. And she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who has borne a male or a female. ‘And if she is not able to bring a lamb, then she may bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons–one as a burnt offering and the other as a sin offering. So the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’ ” (Leviticus 12:1-8)

Birth Under The Law

The Law of Moses was very specific in the requirements of commands, statues and judgments. Reading through the institution of God’s law to the people of Israel it is clear obedience is paramount to receive the blessings of the Lord. There could not be a deviation from what was required even if the smallest details. Also, provisions were made for the poor among the people so they could fulfill the law. This was the case when a child was born into a family.

When a woman gave birth to a son, she would remain unclean for the first week after childbirth. The covenant of circumcision was required on the eighth day as ordained with Abraham. Following another thirty-three days, the woman would be prohibited of touching anything sacred including taking part of the Passover. This would be longer if she bore a girl remaining impure for two weeks and then a period of sixty-six days. At the end of her time of impurity, she would bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or turtledove for a sin offering. Poorer people would only be required to bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons. Joseph and Mary were only able to bring the sacrifices of a poor family. Luke tells us they offered a sacrifice according to the law with a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.

The Son of God came into the world in poverty to bring the richness of His heavenly Father to all men through His self-sacrifice. Birth brought uncleanness and requirements of sacrifice under the Law of Moses. In Christ, birth brings cleanness and salvation by the one pure sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The waters of baptism wash away the sins of man so that he may rise in the new birth cleansed of the defilement’s of sin. Blood is in the birth as blood was in the sacrifice. It is remarkable a lamb did not cleanse the birth of Jesus yet He became the sacrificial lamb for all men. Under the Law, there was a reminder of sins every year and it was not possible the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. Jesus was born under the law, fulfilled the law as Mary followed the strict adherence of God’s will and became the author of a better covenant no longer requiring a time of impurity and sacrifice to be a child of God. The Jew became a child of God in physical birth demanding sacrifice but the new birth of a man under Christ is a time of cleansing as the sacrifice of the Lamb of God has been offered for all men.

When a child was born under the Law of Moses, there was great rejoicing but only because the family had followed the command of the Lord for the male and female child. Without circumcision on the eighth day, the male child would be cut off. If the family refused to offer a sacrifice, they would be cut off. As the Law of Moses has passed away, the law of God in Christ demands obedience to be a child of God. Without the spiritual circumcision of the heart (i. e. baptism) there is no new birth in Christ. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, atonement has been made through His blood. Fulfilling the covenant of spiritual circumcision requires a faithful heart of obedience to the will of the Father just as it was a requirement under the Law.

Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. (1 Timothy 5:9-10)

A Godly Example Of A Woman

The early church was a benevolent group of caring and nurturing saints. In the development of the church, helping the needy was a great work of supplying whatever needs was necessary to care for those within the body of Christ. Houses and lands were sold to make provisions. Paul exhorts Timothy to show piety towards the older men and women admonishing the church to look out after widows and orphans and those in need. This care was regulated by certain requirements. A family should do all they could do before the church took the saint into their number caring for their needs. The work of the church is taking into their numbers the care and benevolent administration of those who are in need.

What is remarkable about the instructions of accepting a widow into the number is the kind of person she is described as portraying. The age is not what is notable (anyone can live sixty years) but the kind of woman she has become. If there is a pattern for women to strive for in showing the light of Christ in their life, what the Holy Spirit describes in this text is something every woman should strive to be. She is a faithful wife. Being the wife of one man suggests she has faithfully carried out her role in having a marriage that is in harmony with God’s will. Jesus answered His critics who sought to trap Him about divorce that God has joined man together in the union of marriage for life. The widow who has been an example of purity in her marriage is given honor for her willingness to live as God designed the home. She is a woman of integrity and truth.

As a wife, she has spent her life in doing for others. Being well reported for good works shows her life has been a diligent purpose of serving others. She has reached the age of sixty years but her life as a young woman growing into maturity as a wife and woman is remembered as one working hard for the church helping others in need, showing hospitality, kindness and love for others. Her heart is filled with compassion and her hands are diligent in the work of benevolence. Dorcas was an early Christian who died leaving a legacy of her kindness to others. When Peter came to raise her from the dead, many saints spoke of all she did when she was alive. Godly women are not so concerned for themselves as much as their concern for others.

The widow brought into the number has brought up children. Her example as a mother is rooted in the teachings of God leading her children in the paths of righteousness. Her love for others begins at home. The family is blessed because of her example. She has tirelessly worked to care for others allowing those who need a place of rest and comfort. Her table is always prepared to feed those in need or provide lodging. Her home was a place of clean feet; the early saints knew when they visited her home she provided kindness to them in every way. If someone was sick she would take food to them. When a family was filled with sorrow and grief, she was there to attend to their needs. The example of this woman was simply doing everything she could to help others and fill the needs of those afflicted.

Paul told Timothy to refuse the younger widows because they are concerned more for themselves than others. They have not followed the model of the godly woman who has shown her love for God by her good works. A godly example of a woman can be seen in the description of the widow taken into the number of the church. These qualities do not happen overnight. When a woman is more focused on herself than others, she is not giving God the glory. Christian women serve others. The home is a place of respite, benevolence, care and love. If circumstances present themselves where the woman has no one to care for her, she can be taken into the work of the church and cared for because of her diligent life of service to Jesus Christ. Her life is a wonderful model all women should strive to follow.

A judicious, diligent, and pious wife is the soul of a great household; she introduces order there for temporal welfare and future salvation. (Francois Fenelon, Education of Girls, 1688)

Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” So there was a division among the people because of Him. (John 7:40-43)

Where Were You Born?

The life of Jesus was an open book. There was nothing hidden from the people about His life if only they would ask. Seeing His miracles proved Him to be the Son of God yet many did not believe in Him. His teaching was with authority and the people had never heard the kind of message Jesus spoke to them but again there was confusion about what He said. The presence of Jesus was in stark contrast to the Jewish leaders bringing Him into constant conflict with them. They sought to trap Him in His teaching failing miserably. The common people more readily believed Jesus to be the Christ than the Jewish elite. Among the multitudes, many believed him to be the Prophet promised by Moses. Others accepted Him as being the Messiah or Christ. But then someone asked a very important question: will the Christ come out of Galilee?

Jesus is often referred to as “Jesus of Nazareth.” Pilate inscribed this on the cross of Jesus. The people were conflicted about how this Jesus could be the Christ and be from Nazareth of Galilee. They were correct and they were mistaken. Jesus was from Galilee but no one thought to ask Jesus where He was born. The prophet Micah taught the Christ would come from Bethlehem of Judea, where David was from. Hosea said the Christ would come from Egypt. Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth but when Caesar Augustus decreed all the world should be registered, the young couple made their way to Bethlehem. Arriving at the city of David, Mary gave birth to Jesus. The young family remained in Bethlehem for about two years before the visit of some wise men from the East. Warned by an angel that Herod sought the life of Jesus, Joseph took his family to Egypt where he remained until the death of Herod. Instead of returning to Bethlehem, Joseph went to Nazareth where Jesus grew up with His brothers and sisters. If anyone inquired about the life of Jesus, they would have learned He was from the tribe of Judah and a Bethlehemite as David was.

There was division among the people about Jesus being the Christ because they could not understand how the Messiah could be from Nazareth. The conclusion was correct. The Christ would not come from Nazareth. What they failed to do was to inquire to the birthplace of Jesus and the confusion is solved immediately. It would have been possible to check the records of the Roman government to see Jesus’ name listed on the census required by Caesar Augustus. Division came among the people because few sought to find out the truth. What is tragic is the answer was so easily found.

Many people are divided about what truth is today. The religious world is divided more than ever with churches on every corner, faith dependent on which way the wind is blowing, and somehow a unity in a diverse philosophical agreement to be different from one another. The so-called Christian faith is a very confusing belief. What is clear is there is division with one saying this is right and others saying something else is right agreeing there is no real unity. Like the people in the days of Jesus, the answer is not far from discovery. If the people would have asked Jesus where He was born it would have cleared up the matter for a lot of truth seekers. Today the question is just as simple: what does the Bible say? Answering this question would clear up a lot of religious confusion for truth seekers.

Everything we need to know about truth is found in the Bible written down in words that can be easily understood. The litmus test is if what we believe, what we call ourselves, how we worship and the organization of the religious group we are associated with is found in the Bible, then it is true. Literally, if we would just ask the question, “What does the Bible say?” few people would accept what they now hold dear as truth. If these questions would be answered by a “thus saith the Lord” there would be very little confusion about truth. It is that simple. Why people believe something to be true when they cannot find it in the Bible is an eternal puzzle. Facing the Lord in the judgment day will erase all that confusion. In the ministry of Jesus, the people had only to ask where He was born. Today, the Bible is available in every language of the world in so many different forms of communication no man is excused from not knowing the truth. Yet the religious world is divided because they refuse to see what the Bible says.

It is always easier to understand what the Bible says than to understand what somebody thinks it meant to say. (Vance Havner; 1901-1988)