ALARM!

It happened earlier this week. I went up to roof to get a better view of a film-shooting going on in the park in front of my townhome. And as I opened the door to the roof, the alarm went off—I had forgotten the system was on. I scampered back down, hit the appropriatte buttons, turned off the wailing banshee, and went back up to watch the proceedings outside. What I didn’t know was that the alarm had gone through to the monitoring company. And I didn’t hear their phone call to find out if there really was an emergency.

Within a matter of minutes, I noticed a blue and white squad car of ye olde city’s police force come up to my door. I scampered downstairs again. Two of Dallas’ finest, clad in black, fire-armed and fierce-looking, demanded my ID and proof that I belonged here. Satisfied, they presented me with a bright red warning: “False Alarm Notification.” Thankfully, the City of Dallas allows a few false alarms without penalty.

I am glad the cops showed up—and quite quickly at that: I was profuse in both my apology and gratitude. That “False Alarm Notification” informed me that more than 98% of such alarms were, indeed, false. But our police force responds to all of them. Alert and watchful! Just in case!

We, too, could do with alertness and watchfulness in our spiritual lives, lest we become complacent and cozy, smug and self-satisfied.

Therefore let him who thinks he stands
take heed that he does not fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12

It is easy to wander; it is easy go astray; it is easy to stumble—our inbuilt default options of the flesh.

Jesus warned his disciples (thrice) about the importance of non-complacent alertness:

“Take heed, keep on the alert;
for you do not know
when the appointed time will come.
It is like a man away on a journey,
who upon leaving his house
and putting his slaves in charge,
assigning to each one his task,
also commanded the doorkeeper
to be watchful.
Therefore, be on the alert—
for you do not know when
the master of the house is coming …
in case he should come suddenly
and find you asleep.
What I say to you I say to all,
‘Be on the alert!’”
Mark 13:33–37

So it’s rather ironic that in the very next chapter of Mark, in Gethsemane, the disciples are caught (thrice!) doing exactly what Jesus had warned them about. And just as in Mark 13, here in Mark 14 too, there is a “watching,” a “coming,” a “finding,” and a “sleeping.”

And He said to them,
“My soul is deeply grieved
to the point of death;
remain here and keep watch.”
And He went a little beyond,
and fell to the ground and prayed ….
And He came and
found them sleeping, and said …
“Keep watching and praying
that you may not come into temptation;
the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Mark 14:34–35, 37–38

Indeed, the flesh is weak. We need help.

But I say, walk by the Spirit,
and you will not carry out
the desire of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16

As Jerome (347–420 A.D.) said long ago:

“We do well to watch heedfully
and pray earnestly
‘lest we enter into temptation.’
For if Christ does not grant us grace,
then the Judas in us betrays.
If he [Christ] departs a little way from us,
the Peter in us sleeps.”
Homilies

May God’s grace keep us awake and alert!

INFUSION!

Cameron Highlands is an idyllic spot in the middle of the Malaysian peninsula. Situated 5,000 feet above sea-level, it is a popular hill station, a respite from the equatorial heat and humidity for those who can’t take either. On the other hand, there is no lack of rain. The coalescence of these climactic conditions, however, renders this locus ideal for the growth of Camellia sinensis, aka “tea.” That also explains the verdure, the brilliant greenness of the land. Tea estates pretty much blanket CH. And all of them have tea rooms. Sit down with a pot of hot tea (cream and sugar, please!) and—believe it or not—a holdover from Malaysia’s colonial past: scones. Delightful!

The perfect pot of tea requires water at the right temperature to extract the precious chemicals from the tea leaves—infusions call for steeping in hot water. Cold water yields no tea (not the purist’s kind, anyway). Wise philosophers have been known to declare: You can’t make good tea without hot water.

True, in more ways than one.

Recently, preaching on the Seven Letters of Christ to seven churches (Revelation 2–3), I realized one thing. Of the seven churches, there were only two that didn’t have some form of external persecution or the other. And guess which two churches were at the bottom of the list in terms of spiritual quality? Guess which two won the most scathing condemnation from the lips of Christ? Yup, the two without persecution.

You can’t make good tea without hot water? There is something to that adage. Tea infusions call for steeping in uncomfortable circumstances.

Indeed, all who desire to live godly
in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
2 Timothy 3:12

Jesus reminded us of that possibility powerfully.

“Remember the word
that I said to you,
‘A slave is not greater
than his master.’
If they persecuted Me,
they will also persecute you ….”
John 15:20

Tertullian (160–220 A.D.), one of the early Church Fathers, is famously known to have stated that the blood of martyrs was the seed of the church. The more the church was under pressure, the more it grew, which, of course, is a fundamental principle of physics: the greater the heat, the greater the expansion.

For it is better,
if God should will it so,
that you suffer for doing
what is right rather than
for doing what is wrong.
1 Peter 3:17

Notice Peter says “if God should will it so.” While that gives comfort—nothing happens outside the will of God—it also creates a sense of apprehension: God might—just might—will it that we suffer persecution.

“Blessed are you when
people insult you and persecute you
… because of Me … for your reward
in heaven is great ….”
Matthew 5:11–12

Perhaps God will will it so. Perhaps we and the church need it. A bit of heat! God has allowed that in the past.

“I will also turn
My hand against you,
And will smelt away
your dross as with lye ….”
Isaiah 1:25

Perhaps He will again. So let us draw near to God as the end draws near each day.

The night is almost gone,
and the day is near.
Therefore let us lay aside
the deeds of darkness
and put on the armor of light.
Romans 13:12

And we must be ready to suffer.

Therefore, those also who suffer
according to the will of God
shall entrust their souls
to a faithful Creator
in doing what is right.
1 Peter 4:19

The perfect cuppa … in hot water!

ACKNOWLEDGE!

This year’s graduation will be the last one he attends in his academic regalia (representing The Ohio State University) and sits with the Dallas Seminary Faculty. He’s retiring. After close to four decades of yeoman service to the school, he’s letting go with this grand finale of the academic year. Almost 82. Still the same bright-eyed, ever-smiling, always-serving young man. John Reed. He is ngoing home to better tend to his ailing wife, to putter around with woodworking tools (he’s an accomplished craftsman) and to write. No more worrying about recalcitrant students; no more computing grades to make the registrar’s deadlines; no more shepherding the Department of Pastoral Ministries through its many dangers, toils, and snares; no more building the Doctor of Ministry Department to its current respected status; no more committee meetings, faculty meetings, departmental meetings, meetings about meetings, …. Nope. That’s it! Just some peace and quiet with his dear bride.

Having oft been on the receiving side of his wisdom, concern, care, and prayers, I am thankful to God for this man’s ministry, not only to me, but to countless others whose lives have intersected his. He has been a refreshment to one and all. And I pray I will learn from his example.

For I have come to have much joy
and comfort in your love,
because the hearts of the saints
have been refreshed
through you, brother.
Yes, brother, let me benefit
from you in the Lord;
refresh my heart in Christ.
Philemon 1:7, 20

John’s example of being an agent of God, for it is God, Himself, who provides the refreshing.

“For I satisfy the weary ones and
refresh everyone who languishes.”
Jeremiah 31:25

The model of a good steward, dispensing God’s refreshment with his life..

As each one has received a special gift,
employ it in serving one another
as good stewards
of the manifold grace of God.
1 Peter 4:10

Recognizing his comforters during his own days of distress, Paul writes about such a trio of men …

For they have refreshed
my spirit and yours.
Therefore acknowledge such men.
1 Corinthians 16:18

Indeed, they deserve acknowledgement. They do!

But we request of you, brethren,
that you appreciate those
who diligently labor among you,
and have charge over you in the Lord
… and that you esteem them
very highly in love
because of their work.
1 Thessalonians 5:12–13

They deserve acknowledgement for having been trustworthy.

… it is required of stewards
that one be found trustworthy.
1 Corinthians 4:2

They deserve acknowledgement for having been irreproachable.

For the overseer must be
above reproach as God's steward,
Titus 1:7

Far too often, we are quick to spot the wrongs, missteps, weaknesses, and stumbles of others, aren’t we? Far quicker we must be, to acknowledge the good lives some have led, the refreshment they have been to us, the grace they have extended to us, the Christlikeness they have lived out for us. Let’s acknowledge them. Say thanks, today, will you, to someone whose life has refreshed you?

I thank my God always,
making mention of you in my prayers,
because I hear of your love
and of the faith which you have
toward the Lord Jesus
and toward all the saints;
and I pray that the fellowship
of your faith may become effective
through the knowledge
of every good thing which is
in you for Christ's sake.
For I have come to have
much joy and comfort in your love,
because the hearts of the saints
have been refreshed
through you, brother.
Philemon 1:4–7

Thank you, John!

TOGETHER!

The annual high point of Dallas Seminary’s academic year, its raison d’être, was celebrated yesterday—the commencement exercises. As always, it was an delightful and emotional, marked, at its close by the enthusiastic, robust, and joyful raising of voices to sing the Seminary hymn, All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (Diadem). Particularly poignant for the DTS community is the traditional “solo” on the third verse by just the faculty and students, together in magnificent harmony.

Let every kindred, every tribe
on this terrestrial ball,
To him all majesty ascribe,
And crown him Lord of all!
Edward Perronet, 1779

A “solo” by a “group.” Indeed, it is with the collective voices and lives of the redeemed, together, that God is praised, magnified, and glorified—by every kindred, tribe, and tongue, and nation. Together. All as one.

And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are You … for You were slain,
and purchased for God with Your blood
people from every tribe and tongue
and people and nation.”
Revelation 5:9

Always impressive is the cheering crowd that gathers for these events—family, friends, and well-wishers of the graduating students. (Yes, I did have my camera with me while sitting in the ozone layer onstage with the rest of my faculty colleagues at Prestonwood Baptist Church.) Quite appropriately, our Dean gives students an opportunity to turn around and acknowledge and applaud the supportive efforts of all of these precious ones in their lives, without which their years of hard work would not—could not!—have come to fruition. Graduation ceremonies celebrate the group activity accomplished, not in solo, but in concert. Together. All as one.

It’s not just academic achievements that call for the co-agency of many acting in concord. Christian life, itself, is one of cooperation and coalescence, in chorus.

And let us consider
how to stimulate one another
to love and good deeds,
not forsaking our own assembling together
… but encouraging one another ….
Hebrews 10:24–25

For the way is difficult, often dreary, sometimes dreadful. The loads are heavy; the hurdles are high. No one can do it solo. We need one another.

Bear one another’s burdens,
and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

Jesus’ law of love.

“A new commandment I give to you,
that you love one another.”
John 13:34

Voices in harmony, raised together. Varieties of body parts, working together.

… through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13

No doubt, the way is fraught with friction. Dissensions threaten and discords menace.

So, as those who have been chosen of God,
holy and beloved,
put on a heart of compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another,
and forgiving each other,
Colossians 3:12–13

And those who have trodden those paths before us and gone on to glory ahead of us—they cheer us on.

Therefore, since we have so great
a cloud of witnesses surrounding us,
let us also lay aside every encumbrance
and the sin which so easily entangles us,
and let us run with endurance
the race that is set before us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus ….
Hebrews 12:1–2

Until that day, that soon-coming day, when we will join them to sing again that grand new song in the presence of the One who called us, redeemed us, and comforts us—for the glory of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit.

O that, with yonder sacred throng,
We at His feet may fall,
Join in the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!
Edward Perronet

Amen!

WASH!

As of yesterday, 658 cases in 16 different countries, including the US (160 cases in 21 states; 1 death). Swine flu!

Of all the precautions one can take to keep this disease at bay, nothing is probably more important for an individual than to wash one’s hands. Scanning the WHO website, I noticed they recommended hand-washing for as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. 20 seconds. Good advice, and not just for swine flu!

About two centuries ago, Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis (1818–1865) had the same idea. This Hungarian physician wanted to put an end to the scourge of “childbed fever,” death in childbirth, that took the life of one in every 10 women delivering. In a day when doctors went straight from autopsy rooms to labor rooms, he suggested that gynecologists wash their hands before examining expectant mothers. This was, of course, before the days of germ theory. Semmelweis’ own custom was to wash his hands in a chlorinated solution. Putting this prudent principle into routine practice, his clinic dropped the mortality rate from about 15% to zero in two months. Give the man a Nobel, I’d say!

Unfortunately, the story is tragic.

Disturbances of the “four humors” were believed to cause disease. Semmelweis’ brilliant and groundbreaking theory was contrary to all known and accepted medical dogma. After all, these doctors were “gentlemen.” Their hands unclean? Ridiculous!

Semmelweis was fired. No one listened to him. And he died insane at the age of 47. It took Louis Pasteur some two decades later to offer a theoretical basis and to substantiate Semmelweis’ conclusions.

Wash!

But there are some things worse than germs that we must be washed of.

Jeremiah warned:

“Although you wash yourself with lye
and use much soap,
the stain of your iniquity is before Me,”
declares the Lord GOD.
Jeremiah 2:22

Isaiah urged:

“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
Remove the evil of your deeds
from My sight.
Cease to do evil.”
Isaiah 1:16

David pleaded:

“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against You, You only, I have sinned.”
Psalm 51:2–4

Jesus provided the solution (no pun intended) for washing:

“If I do not wash you,
you have no part with Me.”
John 13:8

His life, given for us, a payment for the stain of sin.

… the blood of Jesus His Son
cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Robert Lowry, 1876

Indeed, the blood of Christ—His atoning death and resurrection—cleanses believers from sin.

“Come now, and let us reason together,”
says the LORD,
“Though your sins are as scarlet,
they will be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they will be like wool.”
Isaiah 1:18

And for those who believe—the “washed” ones—eternal life is promised.

Blessed are those who wash their robes,
so that they may have
the right to the tree of life,
and may enter by the gates into the city.
Revelation 22:14

And it doesn’t even take as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice!