AGING!

That’s from a family gathering that took place last weekend. Looking at that photo I feel old. I am old! All those kids ….

You see, my father is one of eleven. Just on that side I have 25+ cousins (easy to lose count). And between those 25+ cousins and my only sibling, my generation has begotten close to 45 kids. Yup! This is a BIG family.

(Now you know why I’m single! Somebody’s got to be responsible!)

Anyways, the other five in this photo are a small sample of those 45 in the younger generation. Did I say “younger”? Well …. The two guys pictured (excepting yours faithfully) are married. One is about to be a father. The oldest of the lassies is engaged and will be married in a few months. And all of them, I have bounced on my lap in the decades past (one of them is still perched on my lap). Dear me, am I old, or what!

I am the ancient “uncle.” The old fuddy-duddy who likes bowties. Who treats their acne and warts and other dermatological inconveniences (I take full credit for their wonderful skins!). That’s me. The old guy. Gray hair and all. (Though you have to admit that I have more of the good stuff on my scalp than do some in the next generation.)

But, truth be told, I am old. The old brain with its weary synapses isn’t pushing those neurotransmitters fast enough. Cholesterol rises. Waistlines expand. Joints creak. Eyes squint. Etc.

I am old.

I feel like the Psalmist who declared …

Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
Do not forsake me when my strength fails.
Psalm 71:9

But I was struck by the reason the Psalmist gives for this plea.

O God, You have taught me from my youth,
And I still declare Your wondrous deeds.
And even when I am old and gray,
O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength
to this generation,
Your power to all who are to come.
Psalm 71:17–18

Did you catch that? “Until I declare Your strength/power to the succeeding generations. Until I announce You and declare You and display You to the new crop. Until then, O Lord, do not forsake me. Keep me going.” (After that, I suppose, the Psalmist would prefer to go “home.”)

So … we’re here—we old geezers, seniors, mature ones, (or whatever pleasant euphemism takes your fancy)—we’re here to proclaim God to the next generation. To point them to the Almighty. To bring them to a saving knowledge of Christ. To teach them and to model for them what it means to walk with Christ, led by the Spirit.

The righteous man will flourish
like the palm tree,
He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Planted in the house of the LORD,
They will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still yield fruit in old age;
They shall be full of sap and very green,
To declare that the LORD is upright;
He is my rock,
and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Psalm 92:12–15

There it is again. “To declare the LORD.” No wonder Solomon wrote …

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who is wise wins souls.
Proverbs 11:30

Winning souls—the next generation—with the Gospel; winning souls by moving them towards Christlikeness; winning souls by patterning for them what it means to be godly, and spiritual.

What a solemn responsibility. Let’s get to work!

JOINED!

While I am on the subject of marriage …

The Gospel of Mark is almost a “manual” of discipleship, describing what it means to walk with Jesus from Galilee (where the story begins) to Jerusalem (where the story ends).

Early in the account, Jesus had declared that disciples were forming a new family, that related to Jesus, followed Jesus, and represented him. This discipleship business was going to be a radical journey going God’s way, and radical journeys demanded radical measures.

“Behold My mother and My brothers!
For whoever does the will of God,
he is My brother and sister and mother.”
Mark 3:34–35

Some time later, Jesus addressed the particular implications of the call to discipleship that dealt with sacrificing everything “for My sake.”

Jesus said, “Truly I say to you,
there is no one who has left house
or brothers or sisters
or mother or father
or children or farms,
for My sake and for the gospel's sake,
but that he will receive
a hundred times as much
now in the present age,
houses and brothers and sisters and
mothers and children and farms ….”
Mark 10:28–30

The interesting thing is that all throughout the Gospel, while much sacrifice is called for, even of close ones, and of livelihoods, there is nothing at all said about spouses sacrificing one another. Instead, in a strongly worded response to the Pharisees, Jesus asserts the permanence of marriage.

“But from the beginning of creation,
God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave
his father and mother
and the two shall become one flesh;
so they are no longer two,
but one flesh.
What therefore God has
joined together,
let no man separate.”
Mark 10:6–9

Nowhere in the Gospel is any hint of husbands giving up wives or vice versa for Jesus’ sake. That relationship is one ordained by God and is inviolable. The call to discipleship does not disrupt this special bond. How could it? For husband and wife have become “one flesh,” inseparable. In fact, for married folks, the Trip of Discipleship calls for a “one-fleshed” undertaking—a joint enterprise. There is never any indication in Scripture of it being any other way. Jesus had already declared:

“If anyone wishes
to come after Me,
he must deny himself,
and take up his cross
and follow Me.”
Mark 8:34

Indeed, one might need to rewrite this principle for married couples: “If any married couple wishes to come after Me, ‘he+she’ (as one flesh) must deny ‘himself+herself,’ and take up ‘his+her’ cross and follow Me.”

The “one flesh” concept is foundational to marriage and foundational it will remain for discipleship, Jesus declared. Thus Jesus establishes the singular importance of “one-fleshed” discipleship—the joint journey undertaken by spouses following Jesus together. It couldn’t be otherwise. As one scholar said, it is not just that this “one-fleshedness” should not be broken up; it cannot. God’s sees marriage as a one-flesh union that is essentially inseparable.

This is an important directive to disciples regarding the closest union humanly possible—that between spouses. Lest anyone imagine that discipleship and its call for self-denial and cross-bearing involve the abandonment of this union, Jesus quickly corrects such a misconception. The “trip of discipleship” for married ones is a joint endeavor, a one-fleshed undertaking, helping one another along the way. In fact this is an exemplary instance of the manner in which members of the body of Christ help one another along the way.

We walk together on the journey. Helping one another on this Trip of Discipleship!

SINGLENESS!

Since I began this marriage theme last week ….

One of the smart students at Dallas Seminary had a great idea a few weeks ago. Apparently one of her Chinese friends told her that in that part of the world they celebrate “Singles Day” on either 1/11 or 11/1 (all those poor, lonely single digits!). So she organized a Singles Day gathering at the single students’ apartments (aka “Washington Hall”) at DTS last Sunday. With potluck Chinese food, of course. And I was invited to go over and join these blessed ones (ahem!) to share any words of wisdom I might have accumulated while ambling along the path of singleness.

I told them I knew the exact moment I had decided to remain single. Yup, the exact moment. It was (many years ago) when my married friend Jeff told me: “Abe,” he said, “I didn’t know the secret of happiness until I got married. … And then it was too late.” That’s when I made my decision. Right then and there.

[Just kidding, folks! And, in case you were wondering, Jeff is still married. Happily!]

Anyhow, I define my singleness this way: single by choice, for life, unto Christ, in community.

According to Paul, both marriage and celibacy are gifts.

… each person has
his own gift from God
one in this manner
[to be single],
and another in that
[to be married].
1 Corinthians 7:7

I just happened to have discovered mine.

This is the season, I told those students, to exploit singleness to the max. With a special kind of freedom that, once married, they will probably never have, this is the season to focus undistractedly upon the body of Christ, pouring themselves out for the church. Singles have two free arms. Extra valencies to make more bonds.

But, yes, it is true, that in most churches there is an implicit bias against singles—those “abnormal” folks. In single men, Luther wrote, one can have neither hope nor confidence, only constant fear. Yeah, right! And single women? He didn’t think anyone of them should be celibate for—and I quote—“a woman has no control over herself.” Sheesh! Those remaining celibate by choice were not pleasing to God, stated that monk. “They cannot boast that what they do is pleasing in God’s sight, as can the woman in childbirth, even if her child is born out of wedlock.” Wow!

Lest we forget, marriage is not the summum bonum, the greatest good, of Christian life. If it were, there would have been marriage in heaven. There isn’t!

Discussing the resurrection with some religious leaders, Jesus said:

“For when they rise from the dead,
they neither marry
nor are given in marriage,
but are like angels in heaven.”
Mark 12:24–25

And as Clint Eastwood once observed, “"They say marriages are made in Heaven. But so is thunder and lightning.”

(That quote has no relevance to what I’m saying, but it was too good to pass by! That’s what we preachers do when we find a delectable quote or delightful story.)

Being married or not being married has nothing to do with being Christlike—God’s demand of His children. And if we live lives seeking God, fearing God, serving God, loving God—being Christlike—we’ll lack nothing, no matter if one is single or otherwise. God is more interested in our holiness than our happiness.

The young lions do lack
and suffer hunger;
But they who seek the LORD
shall not be in want
of any good thing.
Psalm 34:10

Life is short. Let’s live for Him.

NAMED!

Folks, don’t get your hopes too high. No, it ain’t what you think it is. Yours faithfully hasn’t decided to toss in the towel (kick the bucket?) and go for it. Nope. Not at all. Nay. De nada. Not by a long shot. Pas du tout. Nothing doing. Überhaupt nicht. (Etc.)

In fact, later today, I’ve gotta be a “resource person” at a meeting of single seminary students to talk about ministry opportunities for those who are such as I. I can’t go do this kind of stuff the day before, can I? So, rest easy.

I was attending an engagement—a big event in Indian circles—of a cousin’s daughter yesterday (her last name: Kuruvilla). And as I walk in the door of Hackberry Creek Country Club, I do a double take. There was this sign in the front hallway announcing the event and its room venue. Was this all a sinister plot to get me betrothed? Before I went into an apoplectic fit, seeing all my cousins collapse into laughter at the sign (and everyone and their brothers-in-law had to take a picture of the sign—I’ll never live this down), good sense—thankfully!–prevailed. The Kuruvilla lassie’s fiancé has the last name Abraham. Hence “Abraham-Kuruvilla engagement.”

Thank heavens for hyphens. I escaped, by the skin of my teeth! (Appropriate for a dermatologist!)

But seriously, I actually even know several Abraham Kuruvillas. Some of them are physicians as well. As far as I am able to discern, no one is a theologian-dermatologist. Or single. I have that niche all to my own self.

Not that we should care too much about our names.

Some boast in chariots
and some in horses,
But we will boast in the name
of the LORD, our God.
Psalm 20:7

That’s the Name worth caring about. That’s the Name we should be concerned about. No other name will bring success or fulfillment or salvation.

And there is salvation in no one else;
for there is no other name under heaven
that has been given among men
by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12

And for that name we live, and move, and have our being.

I will glorify Your name forever.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me,
bless His holy name.
Psalm 86:12; 103:1

That’s the Name that will be over every other name.

At the name of Jesus,
every knee will bow,
of those who are in heaven
and on earth and under the earth,
and that every tongue will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:10–11

And amazingly, those who believe in Christ will get His name.

To the one who overcomes,
to him I will give … a new name.
Revelation 2:17

One day, at the end of time …

There will no longer be any curse;
and the throne of God
and of the Lamb will be in it,
and His bond-servants will serve Him;
they will see His face,
and His name
will be on their foreheads.
Revelation 22:3–4

Paradoxically, because we bear His name, ours will never be lost.

Rejoice that your names
are recorded in heaven.
Luke 10:20

These recorded names—Abrahams and Kuruvillas and all the rest—are permanently there, in heaven, for ever.

He who overcomes
will thus be clothed
in white garments;
and I will not erase his name
from the book of life,
and I will confess his name
before My Father
and before His angels.
Revelation 3:5

Named! For eternity!

ROYALTY!

I got this check the other day. Royalties! From the publisher of my first book that came out the middle of last year. (For those of you who want to help increase the size of this check next time around, feel free to do so here.)

Yup, I got a check. For a whopping …—well, let’s just say I can buy a few cheesecakes with it. Eight to be exact! That ought to give me enough calories till the next check. I tell you, it’s a hand to mouth existence here.

Royalties. That curious word has been in the English language since the 14th century, referring, of course, to kings and queens and such. It expanded its domain of meaning to encompass royal rights, then to rights granted by rulers to others (mineral rights, for e.g., for land was theirs), and then, after centuries, to rights of ordinary individuals to a proportion of the monetary value of their patent, copyright, book, music, etc.

roy•al•ty (noun) = a share of the pie

God demands a share of the pie, too. After all, all pies (and all cheesecakes, I suppose) are his. He deserves it all. Because He owns it all, and his authority extends over all.

There’s a curious parable that Jesus tells in Mark 12 that underscores God’s desire to get a share of His pie.

“A man planted a vineyard,
… and rented it out to vine-growers
and went on a journey.
At the harvest time he sent a slave
… in order to receive some of the
produce of the vineyard
from the vine-growers.
They received him, and beat him
and sent him away empty-handed.”
Mark 12:1–3

The parallels must not be lost: the owner sends a slave to receive fruit. The tenant farmers receive him and send him back empty-handed (fruitless!), with an extra bit of action thrown in for good measure—they beat him! That wasn’t all.

“Again he sent them another slave,
and they wounded him in the head,
and treated him shamefully.
And he sent another,
and that one they killed ….”
Mark 12:4–5

The abuse increases in intensity with each successive incident: from beating, to striking on the head, and finally killing. While this clearly alludes to the treatment the Old Testament prophets received in bygone days, the lesson of downright rebellion against God is vividly portrayed. This was a complete disregard for the owner’s wishes—pure, unadulterated rebellion. Not giving God, the owner, his “royalty” of fruit is equivalent to rebellion. Fruit is owed God, the owner of all things! The rebellion is consummated when the owner sends his son—“a beloved son.”

“They took him, and killed him ….
What will the owner of the vineyard do?
He will come
and destroy the vine-growers ….”
Mark 12:7–9

In Jesus’ establishment of the new community of believers, this actually came to pass. Yet the lesson of fruitlessness should be a serious warning for all us.

His is the pie. It’s God’s. He wants His share. In fact, He gets more than “royalty”—He gets it all, for it all belongs to Him. Of course, He lets us use His property—life, breath, creation, and everything else. But we must never forget they all belong to Him. And we must render to Him what is His due. Fruit. Living lives for Him. Using our energies for Him. Our resources, our time, our all. Fruitfulness is not just a matter of productivity; towards God, it is a responsibility.

May He get His “royalty” from us in 2010.