In a world where differences seem to divide us more than ever, it's crucial to remember the essence of compassion and understanding, especially regarding matters of faith and personal choices. As Christians, we're blessed to have moved beyond the constraints of the Mosaic Laws, those guidelines once necessary for spiritual growth and connection with God. Mosaic Laws Versus Jesus' Truth and Grace The Mosaic Laws were intricate, filled with ceremonies, rituals, and symbols intended to guide people in their faith journey. They served as a bridge leading humanity toward Christ, reminding them of their duties and responsibilities. Yet, as God observed our struggle to uphold these laws, He sent His Son, Jesus, to fulfill them completely. Jesus didn't come to abolish the Law of Moses but to bring it to its consummation. His sacrifice on the cross marked the fulfillment of those laws, liberating us from their mandates. Through His grace, we are no longer bound by legalistic observances but are saved from sin and embraced by His love. As Jesus Himself said in John 13:34-35 (ESV): 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." However, the transition from the law to grace wasn't easy for everyone, especially for Jewish Christians, who found it challenging to let go of familiar rituals. Yet, the essence of grace and truth brought by Jesus surpasses the confines of any law as John 1:17 (NIV) reminds us: 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. What Defiles a Person? While we should never knowingly serve pork to someone who regards it as "unclean," and we may choose not to eat pork in their presence, we, however, reject the idea of condemning others who consume it as part of their regular diet. Judging others in this matter comes from the mistaken belief that today, pork is forbidden, unclean, going against God's wishes, and eating it defiles the body and the Holy Spirit living in it. We can point to several points in Scripture that weigh in on this matter, for example, Mark 7:14-23 (ESV), which reads: 14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him." 17 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." In Acts 10:10-15 (NLT), we read how God sent meat for Peter to eat, and when Peter would not eat the meat, claiming it was unclean, God made it clear that anything He made clean is clean. 10 and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. 12 In the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds. 13 Then a voice said to him, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat them." No Judgment When faced with criticism or judgment for choices that may differ from others' interpretations, it's essential to recall the wisdom of Scripture. Romans 14:1-4 and Romans 14:14-15 teach us about respecting individual convictions, emphasizing that what may be permissible for one could cause distress to another. Romans 14:1-4 (NLT) Similarly, 1 Corinthians 10:25-27 and 1 Timothy 4:4-5 reassure us that everything created by God is good and acceptable, urging us to receive all with gratitude and without causing unnecessary offense. 1 Corinthians 10:25-27 (CJB) We, as humans, are also God's creatures. In Acts 10:28-29 (NLT), we read that we should not judge people as unclean. 28 Peter told them, "You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. 29 So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me. Released From the Laws I believe the Mosaic laws were in place to help guide people toward a reliable, sustainable lifestyle, one that pleased God. But, when God saw that man could not follow these laws, He sent His Son, Jesus, to fulfill these laws once and for all. It was at the moment of sacrifice in death that our lives were released from the confines of the Mosaic laws. With Jesus' death and resurrection, we were then released under the love of Jesus' grace and guidance. The laws became a burden, and in time, the laws were drilled down to just a few things, as pointed out in Acts 15:29 (NLT): 29 You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell. I believe it is essential to read Acts 15:13-31 to gain a deeper understanding of the laws, why they were instilled in the first place, and why they were reduced to just following a few basic laws that would not hinder believers but would allow them to live a life with a deeper connection to God. Acts 15:13-31 (NLT) God Made All Things Good I believe God made everything good, and I do not judge what people eat, what they wear, or how they act. I leave judgment up to God. Colossians 2:16-17 (NLT) says: 16 So don't let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. In a world where diversity is celebrated, let us extend the same grace and understanding to one another as Christ has shown us. Instead of chastising differences, let us embrace them with love and humility, remembering that our ultimate calling is to love one another as Christ loves us. KEY:
CJB = Complete Jewish Bible ESV = English Standard Version NIV = New International Version NLT = New Living Translation Red text denotes direct quotes of Jesus speaking.
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As a member of one of our church's four worship teams, I am humbled and deeply honored to be entrusted with leading worship during one of the most cherished events in our Christian tradition, Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday, also known as the Triumphal Entry, marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem. Riding on a donkey, he is welcomed with shouts and songs of joy while cloaks and palm branches are laid in his path. This fulfills the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 (NIV), foretelling the arrival of a righteous and humble king. Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! As Jesus enters Jerusalem, a city steeped in tradition, he is greeted with jubilant shouts and songs of joy. The path before him is covered with cloaks and palm branches, a sign of honor and respect. This scene, reminiscent of the Old Testament's treatment of kings. See 2 Kings 9:13 (NIV). They quickly took their cloaks and spread them under him on the bare steps. Then they blew the trumpet and shouted, “Jehu is king!” This is a powerful affirmation of Jesus' kingship over Israel, the peak of his earthly ministry. Yet, amidst the celebration, there is a dark undertone. Jesus, in a recent prophecy, has foretold his own death. See Colossians 2:15 (NIV). And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. This act of 'triumph' (Colossians 2:15) is a challenge to the Roman authorities. It is a signal that his mission is not one of conquest but of sacrifice. This stark contrast between the joyous celebration and the impending tragedy of Jesus' death is the true significance of Palm Sunday, a day that is also known as Passion Sunday, marking the beginning of the end of Jesus' earthly journey. The palm tree, a symbol deeply rooted in ancient Near Eastern cultures, has dual meanings on Palm Sunday. Palm branches symbolized eternal life in Egypt, and they were often seen in funeral processions. In Rome, they represented triumph and victory, a common feature in victory parades. Thus, on Palm Sunday, the palm branches embody mourning Jesus' impending death and celebrating his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This dual symbolism adds a layer of complexity to the event, making it a unique and significant part of Christian tradition.
On Palm Sunday, churches around the world commemorate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem with a variety of traditions. One such practice is the procession, often extending into neighborhoods, where participants sing and wave palm branches. This reenactment of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem not only brings the event to life but also allows the participants to feel a part of the story. Another tradition is the crafting of palm crosses, a symbol that reminds us of the branches strewn before Jesus and prefigures his crucifixion. These crosses, often made by children, serve as a tangible reminder of the significance of Palm Sunday and its place in the Christian faith. These diverse traditions, each with its own unique significance, contribute to the rich tapestry of Palm Sunday observances. As I guide the gathering in Palm Sunday worship, I am acutely conscious of the profound significance imbued within this sacred occasion. Sin! It is in all of us. Even the most perfect person we know deals with sin on one level or another. In 1 John 1:8 (English Standard Version), we read, If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Moreover, Romans 3:10 (New International Version) says, As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous – not even one.” And Romans 3:23 (New International Version) says, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. All Have Sinned If we deal directly with sin, we must think of sin as a living being. Look square in the face of sin and see it for what it is. Call it out. What is it doing? What is it saying? And how does it make us feel? It is safe to answer, “My sin makes me feel great!” to the question about how sin makes us feel. Let’s be honest. Quite often, when we are in the midst of our sins, we feel fantastic. We enjoy doing what we are doing as we are doing it. But, at the end of the day, after we are all done sinning, we are left feeling worse for having engaged in the sin, and the compulsion to seek forgiveness surfaces. It is a relentless cycle that weakens our souls with each encounter with sin. Let me share an example of how this might play out. Let’s say your sin is the sin of revenge. People who seek revenge feel that the bible verse found in Matthew 5:38 allows them to take action against people who mistreated them. Matthew 5:38 says, You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ Let me quickly share that this bible verse is not about taking revenge on others. No. This bible verse is meant as a guide for judges to set appropriate fines to punish someone who caused harm to another. It is a way to establish a punishment fit for the crime. It does not mean that if someone does something that causes you to lose your eye, you now stick a stake in their eye, causing them to lose their eye. A more appropriate fine would be for the person to pay for your medical bills and all that is required to help you regain or accommodate your loss of sight. Let's read what the New International Version of Romans 12:17-19 says about seeking revenge. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. Proverbs 20:22 (New International Version) says, Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you. Revenge Won’t Solve Your Problem Revenge won’t solve your problem. Quite often, while you are in the midst of revenge, it feels like you have conquered your opponent. In fact, revenge facilitates increased anger and retaliation—another vicious cycle. In talking to people who have sought revenge and won, they have shared with me how they feel they left a piece of themselves in the battle after winning. Let me share a story to show how revenge works. Now, let me say first this story is fiction. The names are fictitious and do not represent anyone you or I know. The names are added so that the story can be followed easily. Allie and Brenda are friends who occasionally get together for lunch on Fridays, and during these luncheons, they sometimes share intimate details of their life. One day, Allie shared the details of an argument Allie and her husband, Ben, had the previous night. The following Sunday, someone from church walked up to Allie, hugged her, and said, “I am so sorry to hear about the problems you and Ben are having. I hope you can resolve them soon. I’ll pray for you. Ok?” Allie was a little bit taken aback. In fact, she was furious. The only one she talked about the argument to was Brenda. Instead of confronting Brenda, Allie decided to share one of Brenda’s secrets with a very talkative church member. Well, before long, Brenda’s secret was out. Brenda knows Allie exposed her secret. And now both Allie and Brenda’s reputation has been compromised. Feeling betrayed, they begin a vicious cycle of making one look worse than the other. While the exposure was done in whispers placed into the ears of others, the effect was public humiliation. Needless to say, the friendship ended with Allie and Brenda being foes of war. Allie could have avoided this destruction if she had remembered that revenge is the Lord’s. Romans 12:19-20 (King James Version) states, Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. The Lord’s way is better. Allie could have let the Lord fight her battle. She could have allowed the Lord to decide the nature of punishment or reconciliation for Brenda's sin of gossip. Instead of getting even with Brenda, Allie could have focused on resolving the problem with love, kindness, and compassion. After all, just as Brenda initiated strife out of the sinful nature within her, Allie responded with retaliation by her own sinful nature, as well. We all mess up. Some of us have more experience and better control over our sins than others. Nevertheless, none of us should act as if we are better than others, for we all will struggle with sin until the day we die. We Can Overcome Sin I recently heard a minister say, “You can’t heal what you don’t reveal.” I agree! While we cannot crush sin entirely out of our life, we can overcome sin. The first step in overcoming sin is to recognize the sin. Be honest with yourself about the sin. Then, ask the Holy Spirit within you to help you overcome the sin you have identified. He will help you every step of the way. Love Wins All Love is the greatest tool to use when we are under strife of any kind. Perhaps if Allie had acted in love and forgiven Brenda, she and Brenda might still be friends. This year, on April 7, 2023, we remembered Good Friday, the day Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. His sacrifice was offered to us because of His love for us. On April 9, 2023, we celebrated Easter, the day the Lord rose from His death on the cross, restoring His exalted life as Christ and Lord. Our Lord does not ask much of us. He asks us to believe in Him as our Savior, and He asks us to love. John 13:34 (New International Version) says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Ephesians 4:32 (English Standard Version) says, Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Best wishes and prayers go out to you as you live in faith, hope, and love. Cover Photo Credit: Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-whispering-near-the-woman-s-ear-5085562/ Lunch Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/an-elderly-woman-looking-at-each-other-while-holding-fork-6928672/ Marlene Bertrand is an evangelist and a reputably ordained minister. In 2012, Marlene established a ministry with Christian House International to share the gospel with the world. Through Voice of Hope, Marlene hopes people will learn about the Lord, our Savior and will come to know, love, and trust Him for a life forever in the Kingdom of God. |
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